A common question the Expat Explore Customer Service team receives is about the accommodation and room sharing on our group tours. Expat Explore’s group tours are a fantastic option for travellers looking for fun, convenient and affordable ways to see more of the world. A huge part of bringing our travellers quality tours that offer unrivalled value for money, along with affordability and comfort, is the 2, 3 and 4-star, twin-share accommodation options included in our tour itineraries. 

For travellers who may not be familiar with room sharing, we have outlined some Frequently Asked Questions below. Whether you are travelling solo or with friends and family, find out everything you need to know about room sharing on tour here. 

As a bonus, we have also included some of the benefits of room sharing!  

Your on-tour room-sharing questions, answered:

Q: What is the accommodation like on Expat Explore tours?

Travellers will stay in twin-share rooms in quality 2, 3 and 4-star hotels. Our expert team researches and invests in excellent accommodation options which are centrally located in cities or placed within easy walking distance of public transport connections. Fresh linen and towels are always included in the rooms, however, you may want to bring your own towel for swimming or the beach if applicable on your tour. 

Travel tip: Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included so it can be a good idea to bring these with you.  

Q. What is a twin-share room?

A twin-share room is a room suitable for two travellers with separate beds. The twin-share rooms included in Expat Explore’s tour accommodation come with private en-suite bathrooms.  

Q. How can I be a good roommate?

All you need to do is be considerate of your roomie’s space. Remember that you are not on your own and that other people may have different sleeping and living habits. Don’t make loud noises or turn on all the lights while they are trying to sleep and take the time to get to them. Some of the closest friendships on tour have been formed thanks to passengers being roomed together!

Q. Who will I be sharing a room with?

All travellers will stay in twin-share rooms with a traveller of the same gender.

There is no compulsory charge for single travellers if you are travelling alone. Solo travellers will be roomed with someone of the same gender and of a similar age. 

People travelling in a group with friends and or family will be grouped together. When you book a tour for more than one person, by default you will be placed together in a room (unless you specifically request otherwise). You will be able to request specific room configurations for your group when you fill in your Important Passenger Information. 

Travel tip: You’ll find the “Share with friend on tour” option on the Important Passenger Information page. This section gives you the option to fill in the name of the person you’d like to share with. 

If your group has odd numbers (3, 5, 7 etc), the “odd” passenger will be roomed with another passenger (either a solo traveller or a member of another group with odd numbers) of the same gender. Please take note that minors under the age of 18 cannot share with another traveller outside of your group’s booking.

Q. What if I want my own room?

Keen on some privacy? That’s no problem at all! An optional single supplement is available to travellers who would like their own room.  

Q. What is a “single supplement”?

A single supplement is an additional charge for travellers who would like a private room upgrade. This can be added at the time that you book your tour or by contacting our Customer Service team. The cost of the single supplement will differ depending on the tour and when booking or chatting to our Customer Service team, you will receive a quote for the single supplement.

Q. Are triple rooms available?

Due to the number of families and groups of friends travelling on tour, triple room requests come up quite often. Unfortunately, due to the many hotel partners not offering triple rooms, this is not something that we are able to offer. While triple rooms may be available in one location, they are not guaranteed to be available at hotels in all of our tour destinations. 

Q. What will the accommodation be like on overnight cruises and ferries?

Certain Expat Explore tours include overnight cruises and ferries. In these cases, the accommodation will still be twin-share rooms with private en-suite bathrooms, and private rooms via the single supplement will still be available.

One exception is the overnight on the traditional felucca boat on the Nile Adventure. Find out more information on the tour page. 

Q. How much time will be spent at the accommodation?

The great thing about Expat Explore tours is that your itinerary will be filled with exciting included experiences, free time and optional activities. This means that relatively little time will be spent at the accommodation. You will be out exploring for most of the day and only using the hotels for select dinners, showering and sleeping. While the accommodation on offer is comfortable and of a quality approved by our expert team, we hope you’ll spend most of your time out exploring the incredible destination you’ve travelled to!

Q. If I wish to stay longer in the start or end destination, will Expat Explore assist with pre/post-tour accommodation?

While Expat Explore cannot assist with booking pre or post-tour accommodation, we recommend Booking.com for affordable accommodation options prior to and after the tour. If you would like to receive the hotel list in advance so that you can book accommodation at or nearby the start hotel, please request this by sending an email to info@expatexplore.com with your booking reference.

Top benefits of sharing a room on Expat Explore tours

• The social aspect

Expat Explore group tours are great because travel is #BetterTogether! One of the best parts about a group tour is the social aspect. While on tour, you get to meet new people from around the world and get to know your fellow travellers who start as strangers and soon become family. This is especially true of the person you share your room with! 

It is great for solo travellers as you’ll have an instant travel buddy and companion who is sharing the same joys and experiences as you. You’ll also be able to balance the social aspect of group travel with free time to unwind as needed.

Related: Take a look at these travellers who made friends for life on Expat Explore tours!

• It’s cost-effective

As explained above, room sharing enables Expat Explore to bring you fun, convenient and affordable group tours. Group tour prices based on twin share prices are cost-effective. This means you don’t have to break the bank to travel and can make more memories for your money! 

Related: Take a look at more travel tips for staying within your budget here. 

• You get to enjoy private en-suite bathrooms

Also mentioned above is the fact that the twin-share rooms come with en-suite bathrooms which makes life much more pleasant. No communal bathrooms here!

• Respect! You’ll share with like-minded travellers

The beautiful thing about group travel is that you get to share these experiences with like-minded travellers. So you’ll automatically have something in common with your fellow explorers – enthusiasm for travel! We’re all here to enjoy ourselves and make the most of these incredible tours. Our groups maintain a healthy level of respect for everyone while on tour. This most definitely includes your roommate. Be sure to treat your roomie with respect and be considerate.

Travel tip: Make sure you’re as prepared as possible for sharing a room; an eye mask and earplugs are always a great investment, while a small reading light that doesn’t disturb the other person in the room is another great idea.   

---

By now, your room-sharing questions should be answered and you should be ready to hit the road! Any other queries? Our team is here to help – simply contact our Customer Service team or make use of the live chat function on our website for any other assistance you may need.