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How To Make Friends While Travelling Solo
Solo travel comes with a strong sense of power, freedom, and adventure. The world is your oyster – you’re out by yourself exploring all these different corners of the globe you would’ve never imagined! However, travelling solo can be daunting and it’s normal to feel anxious. For a lot of solo travellers, meeting new people can be a wee bit intimidating.
Though you’re travelling “alone”, you don’t have to feel “lonely”. A lot of the time on solo trips, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to interact with other travellers and friendly locals.
In some cases, solo travel friends can magically appear, but hey, you don’t want to leave that up to chance. I highly encourage you to make the most of these opportunities and build a group of friends so you can make memories that’ll last a lifetime! Creating friendships while travelling solo is not only possible but also incredibly rewarding. In this blog post, I share tips and insights that have worked for me through which I’ve connected with some wonderful souls on my travels.
1. Make The 1st Move And Say “Hi”
Let’s kick things off with the most obvious one: keep it simple and say “hi”. For some, this might be the most intimidating step, while for others, it may come naturally.
You’re way more likely to make more friends if you take the initiative to start a conversation. If you’d like to talk to someone, go ahead and make the effort — it’s much better than waiting for them to take the first step, that is only if it crosses their mind. You can only do what’s in your control.
If you find yourself on a long bus, flight, ferry, or train, and someone sits beside you, take the opportunity to introduce yourself. You'll be seated next to them for a while, so why not strike up a conversation? A simple introduction can break the ice and open the door to an engaging chat.
Begin with a straightforward question like, "Hey, I just arrived here. Do you have any recommendations for the city?" or "What's good to eat around here?" or "What's one local dish I must try?" These questions are simple, harmless, and can be answered by almost anyone, offering their personal take on the place.
It shows interest in the local culture and also open up a door for an engaging chat. Most people are happy to help and share their insights, and these could easily lead to new friendships. Based on their reply, you can decide if you’d like to keep the conversation going or get back to doing what you were doing. You might discover shared interests, travel tips, or even make plans to explore a destination together. Taking this small step not only makes the journey more enjoyable but also increases your chances of forming meaningful connections with fellow travellers.
2. Appear Approachable, It Matters!
People are more likely to strike up a chat with you if you seem approachable and friendly. Closed-off body language, headphones on, cap covering your eyes, and sunglasses on can all signal that you don't want to be bothered. Instead, try to give out good vibes by smiling when people make eye contact and keeping your body language open
Inviting body language, such as relaxed posture and open gestures, can make a big difference. When you act open and excited, people are naturally drawn to your enthusiasm, making it much easier for them to vibe with you.
Of course, always be mindful of cultural norms and only move forward if and when you feel comfortable.
3. Download Social Apps To Meet People
Making the most of social apps like Couchsurfing and TripBFF can be a game-changer for meeting people while travelling solo. Though these apps can sometimes be hit or miss, they're definitely worth a try. They offer a platform to connect with like-minded travellers and locals who are open to meeting new people and sharing experiences.
Meetup is another fantastic option for finding local events and gatherings tailored to your interests, whether it's a language exchange, a hiking group, or a cultural event. Additionally, apps like Timeleft can help you meet a group of strangers over dinner.
Don't overlook the good ol’ trio of Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge. These dating apps can also be used to meet travel buddies or companions for your adventures. Whether it leads to a travel fling or a new friend to explore with, these apps are an excellent opportunity to meet other and explore together.
4. Book Group Experiences
Booking things to do through platforms like GetYourGuide, Viator, or Airbnb Experiences is a great way to meet fellow travellers. These tours and activities often create a social vibe where it’s easy to chat and share experiences with others.
Tours are naturally very social, bringing together people who want to explore and learn about the destinations and cultures you’re visiting. I’ve met loads of other travellers on tours and have stayed in touch with many of them over the years. Joining a walking tour, a food tasting experience, or an adventure excursion can help you find the company you're looking for as a solo traveller.
5. Choose Social Accommodations
Instead of opting for hotels or private Airbnbs, consider staying in more social atmospheres such as co-living spaces or hostels. These spaces are designed to bring people together, making it easier to meet fellow travellers and have a sense of community.
Personally, I value my personal space, so hostel dorms usually don't cut it for me. If I choose to stay in a hostel, I prefer private rooms in hostels, which offer the best of both worlds: the privacy you need and the social atmosphere of a hostel. Co-living spaces are also an excellent option, providing communal areas where you can connect with others while still having your own personal space.
6. Hang Out At Hostels Even If You Aren't Staying There
Hostel bars are one of the best places to meet other travellers. Even if you’re not staying at that hostel, you can still visit that hostel and see what they have to offer. This can give you the social benefits of hostel life without the full commitment.
Hostels are usually known for their welcoming atmosphere, often hosting events like trivia nights, karaoke, or live music, which can make it easier to connect with others. Hostel bars and pools often open to the public and popular places where travellers gather to relax, share stories, and make new friends. So, even if you're not staying at a hostel, don't hesitate to drop by and enjoy the lively, friendly environment they offer.
I've signed up for tours through hostels and hung out at their bars, even while staying at an Airbnb. These experiences led to meeting some really fun people and creating some of the best memories of my trip!
7. Drop By Your Local Backpacker Bar
There are some cities I’ve come across with dedicated backpacker bars. I’ve found myself having visited a few myself in cities like Phuket and Kathmandu. You’re bound to find other travellers like you, all mostly there to meet others travellers. These bars often host events like quiz nights, live music, and themed parties, making it super easy to strike up conversations and meet likeminded people. It’s good to keep an eye out for these bars!
8. Meet Party People Through Pub Crawls & Nightlife Tours
Pub crawls and nightlife tours are typically filled with travellers who want let loose and enjoy the local nightlife while meeting new people. These events are a lot of fun and usually each bar you go to tends have special deals for people on the tour. Nightlife events like these create a buzzing atmosphere where making friends is easy and smooth.
Signing up for a pub crawl helps you live through a totally different part of a culture and will take you all the right spots to party! Grab drink and hit the dance floor and see where the night takes you.
Personally, this has been my most successful move for meeting high-energy social people. Some cities like Istanbul and Lisbon are known to host the best crawls in the world and I can vouch for that!
If you’re into partying, then check out my blog post on Party Cities For Solo Travellers to discover the best destinations for partying the night away while travelling solo.
9. Play Sports With Locals
I came across one traveller who swore by playing popular sports to make local friends. He highly recommended it, and when I tried it, it worked out brilliantly. Knowing how to play an accessible sport like football can be a fantastic way to connect with locals and form friendships.
You could also check to see if there are any local sports you’d like to pick up. You can go take a Muay Thai class in Thailand or play cricket in the streets of India to experience the culture in a different and social way. Sports is a wonderful way to get a taste of a country’s energy!
10. Sign Up For Multi-Day Group Tours, Classes, Camps, Or Retreats
One of the easiest ways to meet people while travelling solo is to join a group tour. There are loads of companies and travel creators out there who host these tours, giving you the chance to travel with a bunch of like-minded folks and explore new places together. Joining multi-day experiences such as surf camps, yoga retreats, or hiking trips is another fantastic way to meet new people while travelling solo.
Though these events may last several days, they offer a unique opportunity to spend more time with a group of people. Engaging in the same activities and facing similar challenges together naturally builds a stronger bond. Catching waves, practising yoga, or trekking through stunning landscapes can lead to unforgettable memories with your new travel crew.
Companies like Contiki and G Adventures are pros at this. They offer all sorts of itineraries to suit different interests and travel styles. These tours are all about bringing people together, making it super easy to connect, forge bonds, and make memories. By hopping on a group tour, you get to enjoy the full experience of discovering destinations while making friends!
And That's A Wrap!
Travelling solo doesn't mean you have to be a lone wolf. By taking the plunge, staying approachable, and using social apps and group activities, you'll find making friends on the road is a breeze. These connections will turn your trip into an unforgettable adventure filled with laughs and stories. So go ahead, say "hi", join a tour, and dive into the fun of meeting new people. Your solo adventure is just the beginning of countless friendships waiting to happen. Happy travels!
