What is the single traveller tax?
Key takeaways
The single traveller tax isn't a real tax; it's an informal name for extra costs such as single supplements.
Solo travellers can sometimes pay more for hotels, package holidays, tours and cruises priced for two people sharing
You may be able to cut the cost by finding solo rooms, no-supplement deals or comparing package, DIY and group options
What is the single traveller tax?
The single traveller tax is an informal term for the extra amount solo travellers can pay compared with each person travelling as a couple; it's also called a single supplement, solo traveller tax or single-occupancy supplement. It usually happens when a hotel room, cruise cabin or package holiday is priced on the assumption that two people will share.
For example, a hotel may charge £800 for a room for the week whether one or two people stay in it - a couple would effectively pay £400 each, while a solo traveller using the room alone would pay the full £800.
Solo travel itself is increasingly common - ABTA's Holiday Habits 2025-26 research found that 19% of people had taken a holiday alone in the previous year, the highest level it has recorded since it began tracking solo travel in 2014.
Why do solo travellers sometimes pay more?
Solo travellers can pay more because much of the holiday industry prices accommodation around two people sharing. The cost of running a hotel room or cruise cabin won't necessarily halve because only one person uses it, while a hotel might also receive less overall income from one guest than two people spending money on meals, drinks and other services.
That doesn't make the extra cost any less frustrating, particularly if you are given a smaller room or receive the same service as other guests. It also doesn't mean every provider charges a single supplement - increasing numbers of hotels, cruise lines and tour operators offer rooms or departures specifically aimed at people travelling alone.
How much can a single supplement cost?
There isn't a standard single supplement used industry-wide, so the extra amount can vary considerably between holidays and providers. A January 2023 Which? investigation found that solo travellers booking the package holidays it checked with TUI paid 47% more on average than each traveller booking as a pair.
The difference was even bigger in one cruise example; Which? was quoted almost £1,400 for a solo cabin on a P&O Mediterranean cruise, compared with £749 per person for two people sharing a larger cabin.
These examples are from 2023 rather than current prices, so they shouldn't be treated as typical of every holiday today. But they do show why it's worth comparing the total price for one person, rather than judging a holiday by its advertised per-person price.
How can I avoid or reduce a single supplement?
You won't always be able to avoid paying more when travelling alone, but there are several ways to look for a better deal:
Search for dedicated solo rooms: Some hotels and cruise ships have rooms or cabins designed for one person, although check the total price as these are not automatically cheaper.
Look for no-supplement deals: Some tour operators reduce or waive single supplements on selected hotels, departures or dates
Compare the total solo price: A holiday advertised as a solo deal isn't necessarily the cheapest option, so compare what you'll actually pay
Try different travel dates: Travelling outside school holidays and other peak periods may give you a wider choice of cheaper rooms and departures
Book early if solo rooms are limited: Hotels, tours and cruise ships may have relatively few rooms designed for one person.
Compare package and DIY prices: Booking separately can sometimes save money, but package holidays can also offer competitive solo deals
Consider sharing on an organised tour: Some group-tour companies pair solo travellers who are happy to share, which can help you avoid a private-room supplement
Check specialist solo holidays: Some operators include sole occupancy in their standard price rather than adding a supplement later
You can also compare holidays for solo travellers with TravelSupermarket to see package options for one person.
Are there holidays with no single supplement?
Yes - some hotels, tour operators, coach companies and cruise lines offer holidays with no single supplement, although availability can depend on the destination and departure date. You might be able to find:
Rooms specifically designed and priced for one person
Selected departures where a single supplement is waived
Discounted single-occupancy rooms
Solo holidays where a private room is included in the advertised price
Organised tours where you can share with another solo traveller instead
You should not automatically assume that “no single supplement” means the cheapest holiday, as a provider could include the cost of single occupancy in its standard price.
Should I book a package holiday or arrange my trip myself?
Either can work well for solo travel - the cheapest and best option depends on the holiday you're planning, so it's worth comparing your total cost rather than automatically avoiding package holidays.
Holiday booking type | Potential advantages | Things to check first |
Package holiday | Convenient and can include flights, accommodation and transfers in one price | Check your total solo price and whether a single supplement applies |
DIY holiday | More freedom to choose your own flights, hotels and room types | Separate bookings can involve more planning and different financial protection |
Solo-specialist holiday | Private rooms or solo-focused activities may be included | Compare your total price with mainstream providers |
Small-group tour | Sharing a room can help you avoid a supplement | You might have to pay extra if you want a private room |
Cruise | Some ships have dedicated solo cabins | A double cabin used by one person can carry a large supplement |
Package holidays can also come with financial protection that you may not get in the same way when booking each part separately. For example, eligible flight-inclusive package holidays sold by UK travel companies are protected by ATOL.
If you're arranging your own flights and accommodation, our guide to airline and supplier failure protection explains some of the differences to consider.
Can small-group tours help me avoid the single supplement?
They can, depending on how the accommodation is arranged - some organised tours allow solo travellers to share a twin room with another traveller, which can mean there is no extra charge for single occupancy. If you'd prefer your own room, you may need to pay a single supplement instead.
Some operators include a private room as standard on dedicate solo holidays, while others offer it as an optional upgrade, so a group tour isn't automatically cheaper or better for a solo traveller. It can be a useful option if the itinerary appeals to you and you're comfortable with its room arrangements.
How do single supplements work on cruises?
Cruise cabins are commonly priced based on two people sharing, so travelling alone in a cabin designed for two can sometimes mean paying a substantial single supplement. However, your options can include:
Dedicated solo cabins designed for one passenger
Selected cruises with reduced single supplements
Occasional departures where the supplement is waived
Sharing arrangements on some organised trips
Dedicated solo cabins won't always be cheaper either, so it's always good to compare its total price with the cost of using a larger cabin alone. If you're planning a cruise, check what insurance your cruise line requires and whether your policy covers cruise-specific activities and risks.
Does travelling alone make travel insurance more expensive?
Not in the same way as a hotel or holiday single supplement, as travel insurance is priced using factors such as your age, destination, trip length, medical history and the people included on the policy.
MoneySuperMarket data shows that the median cost of seven-day single-trip travel insurance was £9.95 for one traveller, compared with £19.48 for a couple. For 14 days, the median prices were £22.33 for one traveller and £40.06 for a couple.
Party size | 7 days | 14 days |
Single traveller | £9.92 | £21.60 |
Couple | £19.41 | £39.47 |
This doesn't mean a solo traveller will always pay exactly half as much as a couple, but it shows that the holiday industry's single supplement is different from the way travel insurance is priced.
Do I need travel insurance as a solo traveller?
Travel insurance isn't generally a legal requirement, but it can protect you financially if something goes wrong before or during your trip. Depending on the policy you take out, this can include cover for:
Emergency medical treatment abroad
Cancellation or cutting your holiday short
Lost, stolen or damaged belongings
Delays and other travel disruption
Repatriation to the UK for medical reasons
Travelling alone can also mean you don't have a companion available to help if you're ill, injured or dealing with disruption, so make sure you know how to contact your insurer's emergency assistance service. You can compare travel insurance with MoneySuperMarket to find cover for your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is the single traveller tax an actual tax?
No, the single traveller tax is an informal name for the extra amount someone travelling alone may pay when accommodation or holidays are priced for two people sharing. The more common industry term is single supplement or single occupancy supplement - it's different from a tourist tax, which might be charged by a government or local authority to visitors staying in a destination.
Can hotels charge me more because I'm travelling alone?
Hotels can set different prices for different room types and occupancy levels. They often do this because a room designed for two people may cost a similar amount whether it is occupied by one person or two, which means the cost per person can be much higher when you stay alone.
It can help to look for dedicated single rooms, single-occupancy rates and promotions before booking.
Are package holidays with no single supplement available?
Yes, some tour operators offer selected holidays where single supplements are reduced or removed, while others sell dedicated solo holidays. Availability varies, so be sure to compare the total one-person price across several providers and dates rather than assuming all package holidays will charge the same supplement.
Do cruises always charge a single supplement?
No, cruise pricing varies between operators, ships and sailings - some ships have cabins specifically designed for solo passengers, while some cruise lines offer reduced or waived single supplements on selected departures.
If you use a cabin designed for two people alone, however, you may still pay substantially more than each passenger sharing.
Can I avoid a single supplement by sharing a room?
Sometimes, as some small-group tours pair solo travellers who are willing to share a twin room - this can remove the cost of having a room to yourself, but you should check the operator's room-sharing policy before booking. If you want guaranteed private accommodation, a single supplement might apply.
Are dedicated solo rooms always cheaper?
No, a room or cruise cabin labelled as “solo” or “single” isn't automatically the cheapest choice, so you should compare the total amount you would pay for the solo room with other available room types and promotions before booking.
Is it cheaper to book directly with a hotel?
It can be, but not always - checking the hotel's own website or contacting it directly can show you whether it has single rooms or occupancy rates that aren't available through another booking site. It's always better to compare the final price and booking conditions before deciding.
Should I book my holiday off-peak if I'm travelling alone?
Travelling outside busy periods may give you a wider choice of rooms and cheaper deals, including reduced single supplements. But prices vary by destination and demand, so compare several dates rather than relying on a particular day of the week to be cheapest.
Author
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
