Sailing solo

Help! I don’t want to travel alone!

Forget about sightseeing solo- we’ve sussed out how to find your ideal travel buddy.

Your passport is set for stamping, but your best friends can’t take leave from work, and you don’t have a boyfriend – or the balls – to travel alone. So, what’s a girl to do?

Well, there are many reputable companies geared towards matching you with a holiday mate. Here are three of our faves...

For wary first timers

If you’re a like-minded travel buddy, try www.contiki.com. Forty per cent of contiki passengers travel aloe, and the company gives discounts if you share your room with another single. Not enough to win you over? “(The Contiki website) also has ‘message boards’ where you can scope out travellers before you book your trip,” says Tammy Marshall, Contiki’s managing director. “ You are bound to make loads of friends on the tour, but it’s nice to have the option of making contacts beforehand.”

For adventure seekers

Your can create a profile to share photos and tips with other travellers at www.travbuddy.com and search for follow globetrotters. Simply punch in your country of choice to get lists of users who plan to travel there and people who live there ( and could be handy to hit up for a place to sleep). Anyone can view profiles, but you will need to register (for free) to contact people. There is also a facebook group for most regions, which you can “add” to your own profile to meet or keep in touch with other travellers.

For one-stop shoppers

Popular international classified website www.gumtree.com allows you to search for everything from a Sydney-based travel buddy to a place to stay in London, or even a used car in Cape Town. Click on the travel forum or even reply to posts or register your details and post your own add for free. You can also sign up to get daily email alerts to let you know when a posting has been made about something you’re interested in.

By Sarah Reid