The power of one

By Sarah Schlichter

updated 4:55 p.m. ET Aug. 7, 2007

People who have never traveled alone often describe their first solo trip as an almost religious experience. To take in new surroundings unfiltered by the prejudices, tastes or preferences of a traveling companion can be heady stuff. Traveling alone gives you the chance to indulge yourself fully.

Of course, single travel has its perils too — such as safety concerns, loneliness and the dreaded single supplement. But a little preparation and common sense can save you money and get you through the rough spots.

Why travel alone?
Solo travel can be the ultimate in self-indulgence; you can rest when you want and pour it on when you're feeling ambitious. Another benefit is that your mistakes are your own, and your triumphs all the more exciting. There's no worrying that your insistence on trekking all the way across town to a museum that was closed ruined your partner's day; it's your own day to salvage or chalk up to a learning experience.

Also, you can do exactly what you want to do — all the time. Always wanted to try surfing? Sign up for a class and go for it; there's no one sitting on the beach bored while you have the time of your life. Have no desire to see Niagara Falls? Just drive right by.

Safety first
Perhaps the foremost concern of the solo or single traveler is safety. Without a companion to watch your back, you are more vulnerable to criminals and scam artists, as well as simple health worries. But the saying "safety in numbers" isn't necessarily true — a solo traveler can blend in more easily than a group, and not drawing attention to yourself as a tourist is one way to stay safe. Here are a few tips:

• Know how long it takes and how much it costs to get from the airport to your hotel or to the city center. Solo travelers are more likely to be "taken for a ride," so ask the taxi driver how much it will cost before you leave. If it's considerably different from what you know to be true, take a different cab.
• Find out if hotels at your destination are open late, so you don't end up sleeping in your car or worse.
• Be your own best counsel; if it doesn't feel right, don't do it.
• Carry good identification, in more than one place.
• Keep to open and public places, especially at night.
• Exude confidence and walk purposefully.
• Avoid appearing like a tourist. Ditch the Disney T-shirts and skip the Bermuda shorts.
• Don't draw attention to yourself by wearing flashy clothes or jewelry.
• Lie a little. Not only can you invent your own persona or history, but you can also make your life easier with little white lies. When asking directions, don't let on that you are alone: "Can you direct me to the museum? I have to meet a friend."
• Check your maps and transportation schedules before leaving your hotel/train/rental car/tourist office. A solo traveler poring over maps can be a mark for unsavory types.

Trust everyone and no one
One of the best reasons to travel alone is to meet new people, but this also makes you more vulnerable. It's okay to hang out, travel and share with new friends, but you might not want to ask them to hold your money. Scam artists can often be the most charming companions you'll find; you want to be open-minded, but keep your guard up enough to ensure your safety.

Avoiding the single supplement
Frequent solo travelers are all too familiar with the single supplement, which tour operators, cruise lines and hotels tack onto your bill to make up for the fact that they're not making money off a second occupant. This can range anywhere from 25 to 100 percent of the trip cost, meaning that you could end up paying twice as much as someone traveling with a partner.

There are several ways to get around the single supplement. You can avoid it altogether by booking with a tour operator that offers roommate matching, such as GAP Adventures, Intrepid Travel, Elderhostel and Holland America Line. By finding you a roommate, they maximize their own profit off each room and save you the single supplement. The catch is, of course, that you'll have to share a room with a stranger. If you're concerned, contact the tour operator and see what kind of procedures they use to match roommates. Some pair people off at random, while others will make an effort to put complementary personalities together.

If you're flexible and ready to go at a moment's notice, you could save money by booking at the last minute. Many tour operators are eager to sell out their last few places, so they may be willing to reduce their usual single supplement.

It's not for everyone, but you may also want to consider staying in a hostel, which charges per bed rather than per room. Hostelling International properties tend to be reliably clean and secure, and they're open to travelers of all ages.

To keep track of the latest single travel deals, sign up for solo travel newsletters and regularly visit sites that cater to singles. See our resource list below for ideas.

Tips for dining
Eating alone isn't so bad. Many solo travelers (and frequent business travelers) are terrified of eating alone, worried that they appear like some worn-out Willy Loman of the road. There's even a name for it: solomangarephobia. Nonetheless, the following tips can help you overcome what for many travelers is the most unpleasant aspect of going it alone.

• Chat with the service people. Turns out that waiters and waitresses are some of the best local color you'll find.
• Most Zagat guides include a section on "Singles Dining"; you might not be out to meet a new beau, but this should offer some options nonetheless.
• Cafe and outdoor dining is often attractive to single travelers; sitting alone with a book in a cafe isn't as unusual as a table for one at a fancy restaurant.
• Choose a counter seat or a seat at the bar.
• Go to a restaurant that has booths, which offer more privacy.
• Bring reading materials. If you start to feel uneasy sitting alone and staring down at your food, you can crack open a book, write letters or in a journal, or read a magazine. One hint: The more high-minded your pursuit appears, the more likely folks are either to ignore you, or to become intrigued and maybe say hello.
• If you don't want to endure yet another meal alone, use room service. It's often no more expensive than local restaurants.
• Eat well. Just because you're alone and on the run doesn't mean you shouldn't take time for sit-down meals, a leisurely cup of coffee or a decadent dessert.

For more tips, check out SoloDining.com.

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