Solo Travelers

Are Road Scholar programs popular with solo travelers?

We are trusted and well known for offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for couples and solo participants alike, particularly solo female travelers. The atmosphere you’ll find is of learning in the company of a small group of individual friends, rather than traveling with a collection of couples. And you very likely won’t be the only person without a partner; nearly 1 in 4 of our participants go solo. 

Is it possible to have a single room?

Yes! Nearly all of our programs offer you the option to have a room to yourself. You can view single availability for specific departures on the Dates & Prices page. You can also view single availability for all programs by using the “Find a Trip” tool: Select “Availability,” then select “Has Single Room Availability.”

Why do single rooms cost more?

The additional cost to have a room to yourself is simply to cover the full cost of the room and is not a surcharge for traveling solo. Hotels and ships base their pricing on double occupancy, meaning they expect two people to share the cost of a room or cabin. When someone is traveling solo on a Road Scholar program and has a room to themselves, the single-occupancy price we charge for the program includes the full cost of the room and no other additional costs. If you are traveling solo and would rather not pay extra to have a room to yourself, many of our programs offer a roommate matching service in which we pair you with a roommate of your gender and you pay the double-occupancy program price. To select this option, once you choose your date, simply opt for the “Pair me with a roommate” preference. 

I’m enrolling on my own, but would like to share a room with a friend. What do I do?

If you are enrolling online, select the double room option. Then a few clicks later, we’ll ask if you have someone you’d like to room with. If you are enrolling with us over the phone, just mention that you’d like to share your room with a friend. We’ll take it from there!

Do you have any tips for solo travelers?

Yes! See our page for solo travelers. It includes tips, videos and profiles of Road Scholars who like to go it alone.

Do I have to sign up with a known partner?

No, let us take care of the arrangements for you. The majority of our adventures offer roommate matching. If this is not possible, it will be clearly stated within the program details. If enrolling online, select “Double,” “One Traveler” and “Pair me with a roommate” options. If enrolling over the phone, just mention you would like an assigned roommate. We’ll pair you with someone of your gender, and if we can’t find someone, then you’ll have the room to yourself at no extra cost. Note: You will not know if you have an assigned roommate until you arrive to your adventure.

What happens if I don’t get along with my roommate?

Since your days will be busy with learning and adventure, you will be spending little time in your room.  However, on the rare chance you find you are not compatible with your assigned roommate, your group leader will be readily available to assist with any concerns and provide possible solutions.