Discussions

I am starting to do a bit of research into planning a solo vacation. I have only ever been on 1 real vacation in my life going to Mexico alone over 15 years ago. My trip was good but travelling alone can be challenging too. I want to hear from other singles that have done trips as often the singles supplement makes trips very expensive. I have an interest in some excursion trips in our country. I find some trips where you start in Vancouver and eventually end up in Calgary at destinations like Victoria, Whistler, Banff, Jasper etc but the cost is high enough, but in the fine print, you are doubled up in a room. I am open to meeting new people in a group setting for travelling but at night I don't want to pay a tonne of money to end up sleeping 6 ft from a chainsaw, and the finer print shows an extra $900 for getting your own room so its almost $5000 for a 13 day trip! Looking forward to seeing what others have found.

A large part of any travel adventure is getting to know people, as you learn about yourself in the process. If you're travelling alone you won't have those others to help with the bills, but it makes the experience more personal.  
 
Challenge yourself more to find more economical options like riding a cheaper bus. Using rideshare boards on craigslist, or other public message boards. Consider using cheap flight websites. Time the booking of your tickets to coincide with seat sales. Make sure you don't put any money in anyones hand unless you are satisfied with what they have to offer. Greyhound buses have been gouging since Vince took his stand.  
 
Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, and many other Canadian cities have a fine variety of fine hostels available on any shoestring budget. I could name a bunch of them.  
 
Do some research on the hitch wiki, and other blogs. Run google searches with key phrases like. 'cheap tour options through the kootenays' or, weigh out the option of purchasing a cheap vehicle in Kelowna at their auction yard.  
 
Public transit systems through Vancouver link up with other systems through the inner rain land. And link you straight through to the airport, and ferry.  
 
Hitch hiking on the islands is also super easy, given the laid back nature of everyone living there.  
 

I've travelled quite a few places on my own and used the app/website Airbnb. I have used it quite a few times and have always had a good experience in various countries (Canada, US, UK). Just make sure you stay with someone that has a lot of positive reviews. This is a great way to meet new people if it's a shared space arrangement too. They can give you tips and tricks for the area and suggest activities. Much more affordable then a hotel.

Is your age range?

From personal experiences I have solo travelled throughout Canada, United States and other Countries.  
 
Personally my favourite trip that I most enjoyed was solo traveling to Canmore, AB Canada: spending the nights at the Canmore Holiday Inn Hotel and taking the day/evening traveling to different trails to hike including Johnston Canyon, road trips to Banff/Jasper. Also, I enjoyed a white water rafting trip at the Kananaskis River with "Chinook Rafting" no experience required-signed up solo and they placed all individuals in a raft usually in a group of ten. But I am more inclined to travel where there is adventure trips, tours, hiking, kayaking, cave repelling etc.  
 
If you are really looking for a trip I recommend an "Ayahuasca Trip". It is more of a spiritual quest but can be personally insightful. It was one of my first solo trips (retreat) out of the Country through the Pachamama Temple in Peru. It was an amazing experience to share with the facilitators of the retreat and healers. This was one of my many solo trips for self discovery.  
 
I'm sure many users of ebrandon will have tips/suggestions where to travel. Wherever you solo travel have fun and just enjoy!!!

Oryx said "Is your age range? "

I am an early 40s man

For people that are 18-30, I would recommend Life Before Work!  
 
https://lbwtravel.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAlsrFBRCAxcCB54XElLEBEiQA_ei0DM76cW1ZGitxulOIr_hwLBM3VTyFy1xkbtrnnI34aqcaAibV8P8HAQ

I have travelled all over Canada. Depending on your transportation - I drove myself so I pretty much loved out of my car the whole time. I would park at various hotels and sleep in the lot in my vehicle. I believe you can even get hair mattresses that fill the entire back seat now for just that purpose. I've also done along of camping - camping can be a cheaper way to sleep some where beautiful than always in a hotel. Driving may be longer but you see a lot more wild life than flying, and the drive can be relaxing too plus you find yourself doing some unique detours along the way with more excursions than you may have planned. Good luck and enjoy the trip

SoloEsCAApes from CAA. Lots of domestic and international group travel opportunities with no (or low) single supplements (and no room sharing). I went with them to China last year and the cost was very reasonable considering. Most of the travellers were maybe a little older than you, but there was a wide range.

Collie said "    Oryx said "Is your age range? " I am an early 40s man "

was going to recommend a 50+ travel approach, which doesn't apply to you.

What is it and where does one find it? I would like to find a somewhat sympatico travelmate M or F for the odd week sun flight get away, avoid the single supplement and have a meal time companion and a bit of "backup" in case of illness or accident.

recommend:  
 
https://www.eldertreks.com/