So you’ve decided you want to take a guided tour because you want to meet new people. That’s amazing news! You’ll get the benefits of independent travel (the ability to go off and do your own thing) with some built-in safety (a tour director who can be trusted to look out for your safety, central hotels, and transportation).

Unfortunately, one thing that is going to come at a price is the Single Supplement. Because you’ll only be one person taking up space in a room built for two (or more), you’re going to be on the hook to pay for your travel ghost.

Check out the list below for several touring companies that you can research for their tour itineraries. Some of these will often run special deals that remove the Single Supplement on their tours, which can save you hundreds of dollars by simply booking at the right time. Certain companies like Globus will waive the single supplement on specific departures during the year. If you have a place you want to go in mind, keep an eye out for this.

In addition, they will reward loyalty. Several of these companies will also have credits for future trips if you take tours with them. That means if you took a tour this year, you might get a credit anywhere from $125 – 250 (or more) for a future trip. It’s not a lot, but it’s also not nothing and can benefit if you want to travel consistently.

• Contiki (Great for 18 – 35 year olds)
• Cosmos Vacations (budget brand of Globus, with hotels a little further out from the centre of town)
• Globus Journeys
• Trafalgar Tours
• Goway Travel – Sidenote: I do not recommend this agency and am writing a larger post to explain why. In the interim, I’d direct you to another company.
• Insights Vacations
• Intrepid Travel
• G Adventures
• There are plenty more companies that you can look into not listed here, but make sure to do your research to ensure your travel style matches with theirs.

If you’re not able to grab a discount, make sure that you work it into your budget. Supplements can be as low as a couple hundred dollars to over $1000 dollars (depending on the length and location of your tour).

Don’t be surprised. Pick the vacation you want and price out a trip with the supplement included so you can work that into your budget. You’ll notice that certain destinations have a lower supplement than others, so by doing your research in advance, you won’t be too surprised.

Does it suck to pay a single tax on these tours? Absolutely, but you are getting the benefit of privacy and getting to have your own space. On many tours, it’s also a few hundred dollars. Don’t let that stop you from taking advantage of a guided tour.

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