Travel is a transformational activity that allows you to explore new places, experience new cultures, see incredible architecture, natural wonders, and monuments, meet new people, and sample delicious foods and cuisines. These experiences, of course, are almost always more pleasant and memorable when you can enjoy them with a friend, family member, or significant other.

But what do you do when you really want to take a trip or visit a new place, but you don’t have a travel companion to join you? Gay single travelers are more common than you might think, and many people have learned to travel the world alone while still enjoying a memorable, social experience in their destination of choice. In fact, there are plenty of LGBTQ+ tour operators who offer gay group trips and cruises, which make the perfect vacation for gay singles.

Do Gay Singles Vacations Really Exist?

Yes and no. We’re not currently aware of any companies that offer vacations exclusively for gay single travelers, but there are quite a few options that are very single-friendly. These gay group trips and vacations hosted by LGBTQ+ tour operators are not advertised as single gay vacations only, but several companies offer trips that are a perfect fit for single travelers. If you choose one of the recommended companies below, you can rest assured that you won’t be the only single traveler. In fact, with most of the itineraries they offer, the majority of travelers on each trip are joining by themselves rather than with a friend, group, or significant other. And, as you might suspect, this makes it even easier for you to meet other singles and make friends on the trip.

Join a Gay Cruise to Meet Other Single Gay Travelers

One option for finding a gay singles vacation is to join a gay cruise. Yes, you heard that right. Most gay cruise and sailing trips actually offer a cabin match program where they will assign you a roommate, so you don’t have to pay the full price of a two-person room if you’re traveling alone. The obvious downside to this is that you’ll have to share a cabin with a stranger that the company matches you with. However, this will save you a lot of money because gay cruises and sailing trips charge single travelers the same price as two people if you want your own private cabin. So if you’re not afraid to share with another fellow single traveler, this might be a good opportunity.

Major gay cruise companies like Atlantis, RSVP, and VACAYA also offer onboard activities for single travelers to help you meet others beyond just your roommate. You’ll also be able to sit with other cruise guests and solo travelers during meals, making it easy to meet people and make new friends if you’re open to it. So while these cruises are not necessarily single-only vacations, they offer many advantages for single travelers, and there are plenty of opportunities to join alone and make new friends along the way.

Gay sailing trips are another great way to mix with other gay singles within a more intimate group, with some also offering shared cabin options. Regardless, the smaller group environment nurtures a sense of inclusion, ideal for single travelers. Pride Sailing, Source Journeys, GaySail and Everything to Sea (for a clothing-optional option) are fabulous choices.

Our very own gay group trips within Europe and the Caribbean as part of the larger Virgin Voyages cruise are the perfect happy medium between the two, where you'll be part of an intimate group but have all the facilities of a large cruise ship, with cabin options for solo travelers.

A Gay Group Trip is One of the Best Gay Vacations for Singles

If joining a gay cruise doesn’t sound like the right fit, then perhaps joining a gay group tour might be the best option. These tours provide an amazing travel experience that’s already pre-planned and purchased as a package. It’s particularly useful if you’re traveling alone because you’ll quickly make new friends in your group as you travel together. We recommend a few different tour operators that offer gay group trips, and they all have great itineraries and experiences that you’ll surely love and won’t forget.

Although most LGBTQ+ tour operators host a lot of gay single travelers on their trips, the best companies to check out (besides our own hosted trips, of course!)for gay single vacations are Detours Travel and Out Adventures. Both offer great destinations, unique itineraries, and amazing experiences. In fact, the majority of guests on their trips tend to be single travelers, so you won’t feel out of place. Both companies also offer roommate programs that allow you to save money and avoid the single supplement often charged to single travelers who would otherwise occupy a two-person room by themselves. Unlike gay cruises or sailing trips, the single supplement charge on a gay group tour is not twice the price, but typically just 35-40% more than the per-person price of two people traveling together. So while single supplements are certainly annoying for single travelers, you can choose between privacy if you have the extra cash or a bit of savings while sharing. In either case, you’ll still be part of an intimate group of usually 6 to 20 people throughout the entire trip. You’ll typically find that the majority of guests booking with Detours Travel and Out Adventures are also single travelers.

How to Choose the Best Gay Singles Vacation?

Determining the best vacation option involves a complex combination of factors, including the destination, price of the trip, departure dates, and, perhaps most importantly, company reviews from past guests. While we recommend over 20 different LGBTQ+ tour operators on our blog, we definitely rank Out Adventures and Detours Travel as the two best options for gay single travelers. Both offer amazing destinations to choose from, and they both have excellent reviews from past travelers; however, there are minor differences between the two

Out Adventures tends to offer more active vacations, such as hiking or nature exploration, while trips from Detours Travel tend to be more relaxed, often with great flexibility in your activities. On the other hand, although Out Adventures focuses on active holidays, their trips also tend to be more luxurious and come with a higher price tag. So, if you want top-rated hotels and experiences in exotic destinations, Out Adventures could be a good option. However, if you’re more budget-conscious and are happy with mid-range accommodations, be sure to check out Detours Travel. Of course, the destination and itinerary will likely play the biggest role in your decision, as well as when during the year the trip is offered. You can expect to pay roughly $1,500 to $5,000 per trip, depending on the destination, length of the trip, and activities included. It’s also important to note that the price of these trips doesn’t include international flights, so you’ll need to budget for that separately.

Looking for More Tips?

Not convinced that a gay group tour, gay cruise, or sailing trip is what you’re looking for? Or perhaps you're seeking additional tips for single travelers? Check out our other popular post for solo travelers below.