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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you are single with no kids, who do you go on holiday with?

92 replies

LouisaJG · 26/07/2025 19:33

Just that, really. I’m at a stage in my life where I feel like I have nobody my own age to go on holiday with. Vast majority of friends are in relationships, some with kids, the one or two who aren’t aren’t close enough really for me to suggest going away together. I know I can go on holiday on my own and I have done many times in the past, it’s just gotten old tbh. Just curious how other single people handle it.

YABU - I have friends (or others) to go on holiday with
YANBU - I have no one my own age to go on holiday with

OP posts:
IMissSparkling · 26/07/2025 19:35

I either go with a friend or travel solo.

BriceNobeslovesMurielHeslop · 26/07/2025 19:38

I go with friends, my brother (who’s also single, we’re good pals) or every so often with my parents.
I remember this being a tricky life stage as well, OP, is there any other single women in your orbit you could try to befriend? They might be feeling the same way you do.

InMyOpenOnion · 26/07/2025 19:41

My SIL is single with no children. She alternates - one year she goes with a specific friend who is also single, the next she either goes alone, joins a group tour or stays at home.

NW3Lady · 26/07/2025 19:55

I’m no longer in this category but was for longer than most. I used to visit friends abroad, go with friends or go on work-related conferences and tag a few days holiday on the end.

GulliaumeDuc · 26/07/2025 19:58

I’m married with a kid now but when I was single I used to holiday with friends or go solo.

HappiestSleeping · 26/07/2025 20:00

I used to go to a travel agent with a packed bag, and say "I can be at the airport in an hour, where can I go?"

I had some fabulous holidays.

ilovesooty · 26/07/2025 20:01

I go on my own. I like it.

TiredAH · 26/07/2025 20:01

Travel solo.
Or come borrow my child and husband for a week and I’ll travel solo.

PauliesWalnuts · 26/07/2025 20:02

I travel independently some times, especially beach weeks or a city break. but I also use Exodus, Explore, Intrepid for some cultural or active holidays, partly so that I’ll have someone to talk to.

brittanyfairies · 26/07/2025 20:03

I travel solo these days I love it. I'm very selfish about my holidays. I can also recommend companies like Exodus and Intrepid I've had some good trips with them

OutandAboutMum1821 · 26/07/2025 20:05

My younger brother was single through most of his twenties and thirties.

He went on family holidays with our Mum, myself, DH & children and our much younger sister. He also did UK mini breaks just with our Mum. He would also tie in attending a friend’s wedding abroad with a chance to see more of that local area with other friends attending the wedding.

arethereanyleftatall · 26/07/2025 20:06

I travel solo on ‘group’ type holidays. So I’ve been to half a dozen yoga retreats, 3 hiking holidays and a swimtrek holiday. All were absolutely wonderful. There’s groups of about 10-20 of us made up of a mixture of singles, couples, small groups of friends. I love it.

WildCherryBlossom · 26/07/2025 20:06

Book yourself on a course somewhere scenic / interesting. Foreign language, craft, sport. Some of the day will be filled with learning and may well meet some people you want to go for a drink with, sightsee etc with, or you can enjoy some solitude, read a book, swim, explore in your free time. Some of my best holidays ever!

Plantladylover · 26/07/2025 20:07

I'm married with an almost adult child and I love going away on my own. Of course I have hols with DH and DS too but love those times away alone.

I have a single mature friend who goes on those solo hols in groups if you want the company of groups they are a good choice. One traveller & Just you.

PauliesWalnuts · 26/07/2025 20:08

Can also recommend the Greek island cruise with Explore for a relaxing week away on a traditional boat - there are hiking weeks and just bay-hopping ones. Cute little boat, although it’s definitely not luxury, and the crew are lovely. Over 50% of the clients I was on with were single women.

Barms155 · 26/07/2025 20:09

Go solo. I went a few weeks ago to coratia. Did a day trip and half the group were also solos. We went around together and had lunch....then went our separate ways.

Original poster
LouisaJG · 26/07/2025 20:10

TiredAH · 26/07/2025 20:01

Travel solo.
Or come borrow my child and husband for a week and I’ll travel solo.

Hah - I often think there should be some sort of exchange system for single women and married mums where we swap lives for one day a week! One group has too much solitude and the other not enough, it seems badly balanced

OP posts:
Purpleturtle45 · 26/07/2025 20:10

Also don't assume people wouldn't go on holiday with you if they are married or have kids. I have a family and would still happily go away with a single friend for a long weekend.

EmpressaurusKitty · 26/07/2025 20:11

I go on city weekend breaks with my sister but my longer holidays are always just me.

I’ll meet up with friends if I happen to be anywhere near some, but I know myself too well to think I could stand anyone’s company for more than three days, however much I like / love them.

whitewineandsun · 26/07/2025 20:12

I go alone these days. I sometimes meet up with friends, but I travel and stay on my own.

CarolNoE · 26/07/2025 20:13

Usually solo, some small group tours like G Adventures and off to Japan soon to join an Inside Japan tour based on recommendations here! With time alone before and after to make the cost, distance and jet lag worthwhile. Hoping to do Krakow mini break next May, seen a nice guesthouse/hostel on booking.com. Some cruises with my mum, did one alone but 5k+ passengers on P&O Iona...I enjoy my own company and always called "brave to go alone" 🙄 i did feel a bit lonely on that one tbh, seemed like I never saw the same person twice. Making most of my mum as single cost in a cain is £++++. Find a lot of tips on here and FB Solo in Style women over 50 (or similiar). Read about Angloville where you help out as a host on a TEFL language course in Poland, no teaching but socialising on an evening to keep conversations in English. All free for the week. 8 did a year round the world ticket and did WWOOF to eke (spelling) out my money and did 2hrs cleaning in a hostel in return for a free bed but that was more backpacking than a week holiday. Good luck with your travels, just a different mindset needed if you don't want to see the same 4 walls 52 weeks of the year.

Plantladylover · 26/07/2025 20:13

Good recommendation from a pp re cruises. Am not a huge fan but the ones I've been on (NCL) have many solo travellers and an extensive programme for meet ups etc

LoftyRoseRobin · 26/07/2025 20:31

Yeah, same boat honestly. Most of my close friends are settled down now, either in relationships or busy with kids, and the few who aren’t just aren’t the type I’d travel with. I’ve done solo trips before — they’re great in some ways, but after a while it does get a bit repetitive or lonely. Sometimes I just skip holidays altogether or try to line something up with family. Curious too how others deal with it, especially as time goes on.

NW3Lady · 26/07/2025 20:36

Purpleturtle45 · 26/07/2025 20:10

Also don't assume people wouldn't go on holiday with you if they are married or have kids. I have a family and would still happily go away with a single friend for a long weekend.

Yes, ditto.

KateMiskin · 26/07/2025 20:37

I am married with kids and often travel solo! I love it. More women should. I love pleasing only myself