How to Meet People and Make Friends While Traveling Solo
Discover the best ways to meet people and make friends while traveling solo, from staying in hostels to joining tours and using apps.
Traveling solo can be an incredibly rewarding and liberating experience. You get to explore the world on your own terms, at your own pace. But one common concern for solo travelers is the fear of loneliness or having difficulty meeting people along the way. The good news is, it's actually easier than you might think to make friends and socialize when traveling alone. Here are some of the best ways to connect with others on your solo adventures:
Hostels are designed to be social environments that encourage interaction between guests. With shared dorm rooms, communal kitchens and lounges, and organized events, hostels make it easy to strike up conversations and meet fellow travelers from all over the world. Even if you opt for a private room, simply hanging out in the common areas is a great way to be social.
Most major cities offer free walking tours where you can learn about the history and culture while exploring the sights with a group. Not only are walking tours informative, but they provide a perfect opportunity to chat with other participants during the walk or over a post-tour drink or meal. Guides will often point out their favorite local spots to check out later as well.
Booking day trips, tours, and excursions is an excellent way to meet people who share your interests. Whether it's a cooking class, hiking trip, pub crawl, or sightseeing bus, you'll spend extended time with the same group of travelers, making it natural to bond and make plans together afterwards. Hostels and hotels can recommend reputable tour operators.
There are now apps specifically designed to help solo travelers meet each other, such as Backpackr, SoloTraveller, Travello and Tourlina (for women). These allow you to connect with other travelers in your area to chat, get advice, and make plans to meet up and explore together. Some general meetup apps like Couchsurfing, Meetup, and Bumble BFF can also help you find social events and new friends in foreign cities.
Many hostels and even some hotels organize social events and activities for guests like family-style dinners, movie nights, game tournaments, and outings to local bars and attractions. Read bulletin boards or ask front desk staff what's happening during your stay. Joining in is an easy way to have fun and get to know your fellow guests in a casual setting.
Instead of always taking your meals alone in your room, eat in communal spaces like hostel kitchens, hotel lounges, or local cafes and restaurants with shared tables. Strike up conversations with others around you. Offer to share some snacks or a bottle of wine. Eating with others is a universal connector.
One of the most important things is to have an open and friendly demeanor. Make eye contact, smile, and say hello to people around you. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself or ask questions. Be curious and interested in learning about others. Having a relaxed and welcoming attitude will make people more likely to engage with you. Solo travelers are often eager to connect so most will be happy to chat.
The key is to put yourself in social environments, be open to interactions, and take advantage of opportunities to join group activities. You'll be surprised how quickly you can make meaningful friendships while traveling solo. Stay in hostels, go on tours, use apps, and participate in events. But most of all, be friendly, curious and open to new connections. You'll never feel alone on your solo trip if you make the effort to meet people along the way. Embrace the social side of solo travel and enjoy the incredible people you'll get to know from around the world!
If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of travel, why not connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals? The Travel Agent Professional Forum is a hub for experts and novices alike to share insights and experiences. And for fans of epic narratives, explore the filming locations and tour experiences related to HBO's hit series with our Game of Thrones adaptation article. Don't miss out on gathering all your trip essentials with our comprehensive Ultimate Travel Guide. Lastly, for more travel inspirations and our latest updates, visit our home page.
Citations:
[1] Reddit - Tips to Meet People While Solo Traveling
[2] Worldpackers - Tips for Making Friends While Traveling Alone
[3] Wired - 10 Apps for Traveling Solo
...
[29] Ars Currendi - Solo Travel Apps
[30] Mind The Travel - How Not to Feel Lonely When Traveling Solo
... and many more.
