travel

Table for one? Tips for traveling solo

9 Comments
By Carrie Osgood

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Solo traveling is the best! Or if you can find a friend that matches your traveling style that works too. I went to Inida on a tour last month and found it to be the most disappointing experience. I think I would have been much much happier going it alone.

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Thailand, Cambodia, etc. are best traveled alone. Japan, forget it, as many of the hotels don't recognize single occupancy.

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JeffLee: I think traveling alone is great in Japan. For one, I am less likely to be harrassed here or feel in danger. And if people are worried about the price, youth hostels are still cheap and some business hotels can be had for about 4,000 a night. But I do like the amazing accomodation that can be had for a relatively cheap price in some other countries.

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JeffLee: I have to travel a lot alone in Japan for business, and I can assure you all the business hotels have single rooms, actually most of the rooms are single. you can get a very cheap shinkansen/hotel package (or airplane/hotel, if you go far)

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timeon, sakurala: yes, the business hotels and dorms do. But many of the tourism hotels do not, such as ryokan or the accommodation at resorts. Many (most?) packages simply don't accept single occupancy travelers. I know, because I've been rejected in the past as a solo traveler. Never happens in SE Asia, though!

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The reason the ryokans and resort hotels don't accept single occupancy, I've been told, is that these are places where people typically come as a couple or in a group; a person staying alone in a ryokan is likely to be 'strange' and a suicide risk. (People want to die in nice surroundings, and where they won't be found by a family member.)

I've never been keen on solo travel, and this article hasn't done anything to change my mind. Sharing the experience is a major part of the fun.

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Minshuku often let a solo traveler have a room. I have traveled all across Japan and found this to be the case, at least usually, especially in the off season. I've also stayed at ryokans (the less pricey ones) as a solo traveler.

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But many of the tourism hotels do not,

They systematically do, that's a requirement to be listed as a tourist class hotel. Of course, they charge more per person for single occupancy than for 6 in a room (the best ryokan deal) so the reason is you will avoid the solo ryokan stay is more likely to be the cost of that 30 tatami room with a private swimming pool size onsen is not advantageous for one.

Many (most?) packages simply don't accept single occupancy travelers.

Packages from agencies specialized in groups and families, yes. But there exist even more packages for single, business, couples... and they propose single occupancy systematically. I agree that they don't advertise much in English. The thing is 80% of Japanese tourists are Asians traveling in groups of 10 or more. Visiting J-cities with my sister and her BF, we even had the gag to get everywhere 3 rooms for the 3 of us, and each of our 3 rooms had 2 double beds, because our agency was specialized in solo business travelers (Shinkansen +hotel)... and when they saw gaijin names, the staff automatically affected the most Western style "tourist rooms" (that was low season, they didn't care).

The reason the ryokans and resort hotels don't accept single occupancy, I've been told,

You've been told in 1920 ? If you browse Jaran, you'll see it's easier in 2012, to book a ryokan or resort for 1 person than for 4. They have adapted to the increasing market of widowed or divorced elderly.

a person staying alone in a ryokan is likely to be 'strange' and a suicide risk.

The good old urban legend (in the 80's ?) was about the woman on her own in a business hotel. Because that did happen a couple of times. Well, in the sticks, they tend to refuse foreigners that don't seem to speak Japanese in case they don't have any English speaking staff, so they tell you to bring your Japanese babysitter. And in love hotels, they probably think that if you enter on your own, you are coming to fish for business... and they want a %age on your catches. LOL.

Sharing the experience is a major part of the fun.

I find there is more sharing on solo trips, or at the limit in pair. Hundred times more opportunities to meet other people. If you go with your family or group of 3, 4, 5, you'll have your table, your car, your room, you'll be like in your living-room at home or in your second house, all the time, only with a different paper wall. And that restricts the activities, the other persons that won't bathe naked, won't bathe at all, won't move if he can't eat breakfast, won't eat local food, won't be able to join for the 60 km hike...you put 4 persons, and you add up everything they don't do, that leaves few options outside the standard JTB plan. Well tastes and colors.

I went to India on a tour last month and found it to be the most disappointing experience.

Everything depends on the group. That's like in a plane. Sometimes, it's full of douche bags that only see the lack of comfort, sometimes, it's a fun group.

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Cos: excellent points! I have looked into single getaways to hot springs and found a plethora or options! And you are right about the tour...I actually didn't have a problem with the people in the group, they were all amazing. I had a problem with the guide and the schedule he made which had us go to the first site of the day at about 10am and then after that a 2hour lunch which left hardly anytime to get to another 2 or 3 sites that I would have liked to have done. But that was all part of the experience, apparently :P

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