Traveling as a Single Parent: How to Make It Work
A package holiday is just as much yours as a single parent as it is for any other family. And it keeps getting easier: more and more operators have realised that solo parents are a large audience, so they design offers that fit. Here is what to watch for, step by step.
Why dedicated single-parent trips pay off
Compare Package Holidays Now
Find affordable deals for single parents with children.
Advertising notice: the comparison below contains partner offers. If you book through it, we may earn a commission. Your price stays the same.
Best Destinations for Single Parents
When you travel alone with a child, a short journey is worth a lot. These destinations offer manageable flight times, family-friendly hotels and good value for money:
Mallorca
2hApril to October
Many family hotels
Canary Islands
4hYear-round
Mild climate
Turkey
3hMay to October
Great value
Greece
2.5hMay to September
Shallow beaches
Money-Saving Tips for Single Parents
These strategies get you the most as a solo parent:
Use early-booking discounts
Booking four to six months ahead usually secures the best allotments and discounts. It pays off most during school holidays, when the cheaper spots sell out quickly.
Travel off-season when you can
Prices drop noticeably outside the peak holiday weeks. With a nursery or primary-school child, the days right before or after the main holidays are often a fair compromise.
Do the all-inclusive maths
All-inclusive protects you from surprises on food and drinks. With children it is often cheaper than half-board, but check whether you will actually use the on-site extras.
Compare several operators
The same trip costs different amounts depending on the operator. An online comparison shows offers side by side, including whether the single room supplement is waived.
Child Discounts at a Glance
How big the child discount is depends on age and operator. The table below shows typical ranges as a guide, not a promise. The exact terms are always in the specific offer.
| Age | Typical discount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 years | free to 90% off | often only flight and service fees |
| 3 to 5 years | 50 to 75% off | in the parent's room |
| 6 to 11 years | 30 to 50% off | varies by operator |
| 12 to 17 years | 10 to 30% off | usually close to the adult rate |
Your money is protected: package holidays and the Reisesicherungsschein
A package holiday has one solid advantage over separately booked travel, which matters when you watch your travel budget as a single parent. As soon as an operator sells at least two different services together for one trip, for example flight and hotel, German law treats it as a package holiday under Section 651a BGB (the German Civil Code).
That brings real protection: operators of package holidays must insure customer payments against their own insolvency (Section 651r BGB). You receive the proof as the Reisesicherungsschein (travel security certificate) at booking. If the operator goes bankrupt, this protection refunds money you already paid and covers your return journey if you are already away. Germany's consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentrale) recommend keeping the certificate until the trip is over.
If you instead piece together flight and hotel completely separately yourself, this protection usually does not apply. That is no reason against booking separately, but a good reason to check for the Reisesicherungsschein on a package holiday. Independent tests from bodies such as ADAC and Stiftung Warentest can also help when you compare operators.
Checklist: What to Look For
Conclusion: Relaxed Travel as a Single Parent
Holidaying as a single parent does not have to be expensive or stressful. With a little planning and the right single-with-child rate, you can enjoy relaxed days with your child without the pointless surcharge for an empty second bed.
- Compare several providers online and check the single room supplement.
- Use early-booking discounts and the off-season where possible.
- Look for hotels with childcare, so you get real breaks.
- Keep the Reisesicherungsschein, it protects your money.
Sources and Methodology
Our methodology: we checked the legal points in this guide against the statute texts and our data sources below. Discount and price ranges are common industry guidance, not fixed promises, because they vary by operator and season. What counts is always the specific offer.
Sources:
- Section 651a BGB (package travel contract), Gesetze im Internet
- Section 651r BGB (insolvency protection, Reisesicherungsschein), Gesetze im Internet
- Verbraucherzentrale, guidance on package holidays and insolvency protection
- ADAC and Stiftung Warentest, independent tests and family travel tips