We have all seen gorgeous pictures of couples on their “baecations,” splattered all over social media.

 

For those who have yet to meet that special someone, solo travel can be expensive. A study done by Good Housekeeping Institute found that being single can cost you an additional $2,603 per year. Expenses like rent, Netflix subscriptions, and food were taken into consideration.

 

Related: New To Solo Travel? Keep These Tips In Mind Before Your Trip.

 

The one expense that showed the biggest difference was solo travel. Lonely Planet found that single travelers will spend on average 20% more on travel insurance and 50% more on accommodations than couples and families.

 

Expenses can add up when you aren’t able to split costs. Things like transportation to and from the airport or paying for hotels bring about higher costs than those traveling with others.

 

It would seem that paying higher fees would discourage people from traveling alone. This is false. In fact, solo travel is on this rise. Almost 75% of travelers have either traveled solo or are considering it for the near future. Some favorite destinations for solo travelers include London, Sydney, Tokyo, Bangkok, and New York City.

 

While it can be more expensive, solo travel has its fair share of perks too. When traveling solo, you are able to connect with strangers more and you have a greater sense of freedom. These connections can turn into meaningful, lifelong relationships. Solo travel also pushes you past your comfort zone and you are able to discover things about yourself that you may not have otherwise realized.

 

Related: The Pros And Cons Of Solo Travel.

 

If you still are skeptical about the higher costs of solo travel, here are some tips to help cut down on extra fees:

 

  • Travel in the low season to get lower prices on accommodations and excursions.
  • Contact your hotel in advance to see if the single traveler supplement fee can be waived.
  • Look into hostels and guesthouses where solo travel is welcomed.
  • Be open to using public transportation where available.
  • Don’t be afraid to eat local as opposed to “touristy” restaurants.