If you’ve ever looked at the pricing for a group tour and seen a line for a “single supplement,” or a higher price for "single occupancy," you might have wondered… Wait, am I being charged extra just for traveling alone?

Totally fair question. And the answer is a lot more practical (and less mysterious) than it sounds.

Let’s break it down.

First: What’s Included in a Group Tour Price?

On a small group tour, the advertised price is almost always based on two people sharing a room (called double occupancy). That’s because:

• Hotels price rooms per room, not per person

• Most hotel rooms are designed and sold for two guests
  

So when two travelers share, they’re dividing the cost of one hotel room between them.

So What Happens If You Want Your Own Room?

If you’re traveling solo — or just prefer your own space — you’ll stay in a private room for one person usually known as "Double for Single Use." The single supplement is the added cost to cover the portion of the room that would normally be paid by a roommate.

You’re not paying a “solo traveler fee.”
You’re covering the full cost of the room instead of half.

Think of it like this:

That difference is the single supplement.

But Don’t Hotels Charge Less for One Person?

Sometimes a little. But usually not much.

Most hotels charge nearly the same rate whether one or two people stay in the room. The cost is tied more to:

• The room itself

• The location

• The season

• The hotel’s category

Not the exact number of guests sleeping there.

So even though you’re one person, your tour company still has to pay almost the full room rate to the hotel.

What the Single Supplement Doesn’t Cover

This part surprises people: the single supplement is not profit for us, and it doesn’t mean you’re paying more for tours, meals, or transportation.

You’re still:

• On the same bus

• At the same experiences

• Eating the same included meals

• With the same guides

• And enjoying the same size room!

The supplement only applies to your private hotel room cost.

Why Is It Higher on some tours?

In destinations with:

• Boutique hotels

• Limited room inventory

• High seasonal demand

• Smaller properties (like historic inns or countryside hotels)

…it can be harder for tour companies to secure single rooms at reduced rates. In these places, the gap between shared and solo occupancy can be bigger.

Traveling Solo Is Absolutely Welcome!

Many group travelers come solo — and love it. One of the biggest benefits of group travel is especially for solo travelers to feel safer traveling internationally. Having your own room can be a wonderful balance between:

• Social days with the group

• Quiet evenings to recharge

The single supplement simply makes sure the hotel costs are covered fairly, without raising the base price for everyone else on the tour.

The Bottom Line

A single supplement isn’t a penalty — it’s a practical adjustment based on how hotels price rooms. It allows us to keep base prices reasonable for travelers willing to share, while still offering the option of private accommodations for those who prefer them.

And honestly? For many travelers, that extra personal space at the end of a full, delicious, adventure-packed day is well worth it!