Package holidays as a solo traveller

Suzycoll

SaxonMaiden said:

I don't often book package holidays, but I'm trying to go to Greece for my birthday, which is next month (not over the Easter weekend itself, but in the awkward bit) and I've read that's usually cheaper as a package deal.  Been looking for weeks and not finding much.  Especially frustrated with sites that say they do solo package holidays, but then I try to book and the price more than doubles when I say it's just me (why, when the flights are the most expensive part and I only need one seat on the plane, will only eat/drink enough for one when there are meals included etc.)?  Lastminute is guilty of that and so is Cheekytrip.  Or in Holidaypirates' case, I searched for a solo holiday, they quoted me and then they wouldn't let me book without a 2nd passenger.  

So which tour operators do good deals for solo travellers?  Also, since flights don't usually get cheaper as the date nears, how long can I keep looking before any chance of a deal evaporates?  Is it possible to get deals the week before when the travel dates are in a high demand period?  If not, then when should one cut one's losses and book the cheapest deal one can find?  And are phone lines still any use for this sort of thing?  I tried calling Teletext to haggle and the guy I spoke to was trying to push something I'd seen cheaper on Holiday Gems, though not cheap enough or I would've booked it.  

HI Lauren

Greece - sounds great 
I travel solo regularly and feel your pain

Most if not all advertised 'deals' are for couples and families and, as you said when you change to 1 person it doubles (sometimes more !) . It gets on my nerves and is my greatest bugbear whilst travelling solo.

You do sometimes get some good solo deals if you wait until the last minute.

In reply to your questions about 'good' travel agents for solos . Have you tried these ? PS - none are particularly cheap but some include flights, transfers and meals and you are with like minded people . You can obviously still do your own thing.

soloholidays.co.uk
tui.co.uk (sometimes has some good deals ) 
justyou.co.uk
onetraveller.co.uk
gadventures.com
newmarketholidays.co.uk

I'm not sure if you are into cruises but (sometimes ) they have some good late deals for solos. Crazily (sometimes) it is cheaper to put in and pay for two people (put a friends name in ) as it is cheaper than one 

good luck and have an amazing time 

goldfinches

Just popping back to this thread because I spotted another article about solo travelling which had this very useful list of companies at the end.

MynameisMichaelCane

"Look at hostels, they're not just grotty dorms these days, there are some really good hostels that have private rooms of hotel standard, and you get all the advantages a hostel like friendly common areas/bars where you can have a chat with other travellers and they often do good value trips aimed at backpackers on a budget. "
I am soon be getting my state pension and hope to travel a bit more. Would a hostel be suitable for an oldie like me or is it only for young people? Where does one go to find/book hostels?

zagfles

MynameisMichaelCane said:

"Look at hostels, they're not just grotty dorms these days, there are some really good hostels that have private rooms of hotel standard, and you get all the advantages a hostel like friendly common areas/bars where you can have a chat with other travellers and they often do good value trips aimed at backpackers on a budget. "
I am soon be getting my state pension and hope to travel a bit more. Would a hostel be suitable for an oldie like me or is it only for young people? Where does one go to find/book hostels?

Hostels are for all ages although mostly younger people, but quite usual to see some older people, and they are usually made more than welcome. As an older person myself it's great chatting with younger travellers who often love stories about travel in the "old days". Or at least they humour me  But I've never had an issue with age. 

MynameisMichaelCane

zagfles said:

MynameisMichaelCane said:

"Look at hostels, they're not just grotty dorms these days, there are some really good hostels that have private rooms of hotel standard, and you get all the advantages a hostel like friendly common areas/bars where you can have a chat with other travellers and they often do good value trips aimed at backpackers on a budget. "
I am soon be getting my state pension and hope to travel a bit more. Would a hostel be suitable for an oldie like me or is it only for young people? Where does one go to find/book hostels?

Hostels are for all ages although mostly younger people, but quite usual to see some older people, and they are usually made more than welcome. As an older person myself it's great chatting with younger travellers who often love stories about travel in the "old days". Or at least they humour me  But I've never had an issue with age. 

That's great to hear. Where does one book and find out information about hostels?

zagfles

MynameisMichaelCane said:

zagfles said:

MynameisMichaelCane said:

"Look at hostels, they're not just grotty dorms these days, there are some really good hostels that have private rooms of hotel standard, and you get all the advantages a hostel like friendly common areas/bars where you can have a chat with other travellers and they often do good value trips aimed at backpackers on a budget. "
I am soon be getting my state pension and hope to travel a bit more. Would a hostel be suitable for an oldie like me or is it only for young people? Where does one go to find/book hostels?

Hostels are for all ages although mostly younger people, but quite usual to see some older people, and they are usually made more than welcome. As an older person myself it's great chatting with younger travellers who often love stories about travel in the "old days". Or at least they humour me  But I've never had an issue with age. 

That's great to hear. Where does one book and find out information about hostels?

I usually just use booking.com which covers all types of accomodation, but there sites like hostelworld which specifically cover hostels. 

NorthernKitty

I second booking hostels through Booking.com, and Hostelworld if you can't find anything in your chosen location on Booking.com. I have so far travelled to New Zealand (About 5 or 6 hostels through Booking.com, plus a night in pub accommodation in a town with booked up hostels), Antigua (Air B & B and Booking.com for a hotel room), Montserrat (Air B and B as no hostels) and Bermuda (Air B and B as no hostels,  and hotel stays cost more than my house!). I want to go to Crete when I have pence and will be booking a youth hostel for that. There are many with good reputations in the area I need. I'm nearly 50 and never felt awkward staying in a Youth hostel, have seen several people older than me there. Just choose one with accurate reviews, if it is part of a chain all the better, eg YHA, as should be consistent quality. When I travel I just want somewhere clean and safe to sleep, access to a shower, clean toilet, and kitchen facilities to add water to my packet noodles, and to be able to lock away my stuff when out. I don't see the point of travelling half way round the world to just stay inside a hotel complex, could do that in Bognor.