How to make friends when traveling alone: 10 tips!

For a solo traveler, it’s quite easy to make friends. But how to do that? Check out these tips on how to make friends when traveling alone!

Table of contents hide

1 You’re not lonely as a solo traveler

2 Meeting people while traveling: this is how you do it!

3 More tips on meeting people while traveling solo

4 Read more about solo travel

You’re not lonely as a solo traveler

Traveling as a solo traveler is a fantastic experience. You have the freedom to go where you want, set your own pace, and experience the world in your own way. But what if you’re afraid of feeling lonely?

It’s true that as a solo traveler, you will be alone sometimes. But that doesn’t mean you have to feel lonely. In fact, there are many ways to meet people when traveling alone. With a little effort and an open attitude, you can ensure that your trip becomes an unforgettable experience, full of new connections and experiences.

I almost always travel alone, and even as an introvert, I find it very easy to meet new people during my travels. In this article, I share an overview of places where you can easily meet other travelers during your solo trip. I also give a few practical tips to make it even easier to connect with other people.

So what are you waiting for? With these tips, you’re sure to make new friends and create unforgettable memories during your solo trip.

Meeting people while traveling: this is how you do it!

You would like to meet people while traveling. Where should you be then? These are eight places where you can easily meet other travelers.

Stay in a hostel

The easiest place to make friends as a solo traveler is in a hostel. If you sleep in a dormitory, you quickly have contact with other travelers who sleep in the same room. The first thing you do when you enter a dormitory (and it is not the middle of the night) is introduce yourself. Before you know it you will have four new friends.

Even if you don’t sleep in a dormitory, but in a private room, it’s easy meet people in a hostel. Many hostels have communal areas; a communal living room, kitchen, or dining room. You also meet people quickly enough in these places, there is always someone up for a nice conversation.

Almost always when I stay in a hostel and feel like making contact, I succeed. The result is often a pleasant evening!

Tip! Hostelworld is a useful website to book a bed in a dormitory or a private room in a hostel. You can also read reviews from other solo travelers here, often something is written about meeting other travelers.

Activity board in my hostel in Cairns, Australia — Hostels are a great place to meet other travelers, especially when they organize fun activities.

Attend local events

Another good way to meet people while traveling is to visit or participate in local events, such as a festival or a sports event. This is a great opportunity to connect with both locals and other travelers, and to learn more about the culture and customs of the region you are visiting.

I myself did a trail run on the Croatian Island of Ugljan and had beers afterward with some locals. It was so much fun!

Trail run on Ugljan during the Zadar Outdoor Festival

Join a tour or group activity

You can do tours at almost all travel destinations. In many cities, there is a free city tour that you can join and there are often paid tours for a whole day (or even several days). The advantage of a tour is that you are all experiencing the same thing at the same time, so you always have something to talk about.

I’ve had several drinks with fun and interesting people after meeting them on a day trip, and I have been in contact with some people I met on multi-day tours for years after the trip. It’s definitely a great way to meet like-minded people.

Tip! If you book your tour via Get Your Guide, you can check the reviews from other travelers and see what the atmosphere is like during the tour.

A strong bond was formed after four days of hiking on the Inca Trail in Peru.

Use public transport

In most buses or trains you’ll have two seats next to each other, from which you’ll use one when you’re traveling solo. The other chair is usually occupied by another solo traveler. 9 out of 10 times, the person next to you is a great person to start a conversation with.

When I was on a bus in Costa Rica, I spoke to a local who wanted to improve his English (and I learned some Spanish) and I had a great laugh during a bus ride in Peru with a girl from Italy.

During a hike

Hiking is also a good way to meet people! In my experience, if you walk alone, people are always eager to talk to you. Sometimes for a short chat, but sometimes you find yourself with a new hiking buddy.

If you want to have deep conversations while hiking, then going on a long-distance trek is highly recommended. Here you meet the same people almost every day and at some point, you form a strong bond with each other. And that is something very special!

Accept the invitation from locals

If you want to learn more about the culture of a country, it is good to talk to the locals. In some countries that is easier than in others, but some people are very hospitable, especially if you travel alone!

For example, during my hike on the Jordan Trail in Jordan, I was invited several times a day for a cup of tea, a snack, or something to eat. Hospitality is extremely important in Jordan. And although conversations are sometimes a bit difficult (people mainly speak Arabic), it is an incredibly special experience.

Hospitality is very important in Jordan.

In a restaurant

According to most people, going out for lunch or dinner is mostly the scariest (and most boring) part of traveling alone. I have to be honest, I’m also a bit hesitant to go out for dinner by myself, that’s why I always bring my e-reader.

But did you know that a restaurant or a terrace is a great place to meet other solo travelers? You’re never the only one traveling alone, so you’ll probably see other people dining by themselves. You can always ask if you can join them, the worst thing they can say is ‘no’, but in my experience, that never happens. I’ve met some great people this way and rarely had to eat by myself.

Use dating apps

Dating apps aren’t just for meeting the love of your life, they’re also just a useful tool for connecting with other people at your destination. You can often indicate in your biography or with a special position that you are mainly looking for a nice meeting without ulterior motives. An easy and accessible way to meet other people while traveling.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to do something good for the local community while traveling and meeting new people at the same time. There are countless volunteer opportunities, from working in an animal shelter to helping build schools.

By volunteering you can have a positive impact on the world around you, learn new skills and make new friends. It’s also a great way to learn more about local culture and gain a deeper insight into the place you’re visiting.

Facebook groups

There are numerous Facebook groups for solo travelers, making them a perfect place to meet other solo travelers. There are groups for specific countries, but also for regions or special activities (for example: hiking in Europe).

As I also work when I travel, I sometimes check local digital nomad groups when I feel like meeting someone new. I’ve already met some amazing people through these groups!

More tips on meeting people while traveling solo

You now know where you can easily meet people while traveling. Here are a few additional tips to make it even more easy.

Before your trip

Do some research: Search online for information about your destination, such as popular hangouts for travelers, events happening during your stay, or forums and online communities focused on your area of travel.
Learn a few basic phrases in the local language: This can be a great way to start a conversation and connect with locals.
Open yourself up: Be open to new experiences and encounters with people from all backgrounds.

During your trip

Step out of your comfort zone: Look for places where you can meet new people, such as hostels, bars, cafes, or events.
Be visible and approachable: Don’t wear large headphones and avoid being on your phone all the time. Make eye contact, smile and show that you are open to chatting.
Take initiative: Dare to take the first step and start a conversation with someone. Ask for recommendations, ask questions about their trip, or share your own experiences.
Be a good listener: People appreciate it when you are genuinely interested in what they have to say. Ask questions and listen carefully to their answers.
Stay flexible: Don’t be afraid to change your plans when you get a chance to hang out with new people.
Use social media: There are plenty of online communities and groups aimed at travelers. Use this to connect with other travelers in your area.

Use your travel guide

Use your guidebook as an icebreaker: Ask someone for help finding something on the map, or talk about an attraction you both want to visit.
Take your travel guide to places where you can relax: Like a café or park. This can be an opportunity for others to talk to you about your travel plans.
Mark interesting places in your travel guide: This way you can easily start a conversation with someone with similar interests.

Remember: the most important thing is to relax, have fun, and open yourself up to new experiences. With a little effort, you will definitely meet new people during your trip!

How to make friends when traveling alone: 10 tips!

You’re not lonely as a solo traveler