As a frequent solo traveler, one of the things I often hear from others is, “I could never spend that much time alone!.” And to that, I say – just because you travel solo doesn’t mean you’re alone the whole time. Solo travel also means meeting people, trying new things, and making the best memories.
How to make friends traveling alone doesn’t have to be a big mystery! In this post, I’ll share some of the best ways to meet people and general tips that have worked best for me while traveling solo.
Table of Contents
Solo trip to Puerto Rico
Tips for Making Friends While Traveling Alone
1. Be friendly, and don’t be afraid to make the first move!
I think the thing that people get most nervous about is making the first move. Yes, you have to make “moves” to meet people. Basically, you should be really friendly and not worry about rejection.
Plus, you’re never going to see these people again. So if you do something embarrassing, maybe you’ll be remembered, but they cannot find you (lol). And remember, we’re all humans trying to have fun. If you’re not disrespectful, there’s no reason to feel weird.
2. Trust your intuition, and remember, you don’t have to continue a conversation if it’s off
Trust your gut, and don’t put yourself in compromising positions. For example, leave if you have a bad feeling about someone after talking to them for a few minutes or hours. Again, you’ll never see them again, and you don’t have to be polite if they make you uncomfortable.
3. Have a backup plan.
Hopefully, you won’t need it, but if you suddenly feel too tired to stay alert on your walk home, you can call an Uber/cab, or if you don’t want to do something alone, you can book a last-minute tour. The backup plan also means you need some extra money built into your budget for these things.
Maybe you get to a hostel you thought would be fun to meet people at, and it’s loud all night; you can afford to switch. Having extra money to do those things gives you the confidence to make those decisions without worry. Don’t be afraid to change your mind.
Solo trip to Spain
4. If nervous, ease yourself in.
If you’re really nervous, start small—go on a day trip alone, go to a meetup in your hometown, and try to strike up a conversation with someone. Did you have fun? You’ll probably like solo travel.
5. Do plenty of planning ahead
If you do your research well, it will be more fun, and you will have more confidence! You can also plan ahead for opportunities to meet people, like group tours or staying at a social hotel or hostel (more on that below).
6. Plan entertainment for when you are solo
Speaking of planning ahead, plan ahead for your entertainment in case you don’t end up making friends while out somewhere. Bring a book to read, headphones to listen to music, etc. That way, you won’t get in your head and can have something to do (this is mostly my recommendation when eating, stay aware when walking around, etc.!).
Solo trip to Munich
Ways to Make Friends While Traveling Alone
When I think about how to make friends while traveling alone, I think of a lot of different ways! It’s all about your preference and what you’re comfortable with. Below are some ideas that I’ve used before successfully and thanks to the people who chimed in on this Reel for even more ideas!
1. Sit at the bar when eating out
Strike up a conversation with someone next to you or ask the bartender for recommendations. It’s easier to make conversation when sitting at a bar than tables! Here’s a few conversation starters:
- Compliment the other person: A genuine compliment on their outfit or what they ordered can break the ice!
- Introduce yourself: This is a natural way to start and gives the other person a casual way to respond.
- Use the environment: Using your surroundings can make it easy to have a conversation. Examples are a comment on the picture on the wall, the food order that just passed you, or how busy the place is.
- Ask for their opinion: Observe what they’re drinking or point something out on the menu and ask for their opinion.
- Comment on the weather: Yes, it’s a little cliche but it does work! It can also lead to other discussion topics.
Solo in Greece
2. Take an organized tour
You’re bound to meet others when you take a tour! I recommend full-day tours, food tours, and day trips for this. Bar crawls can be a good way to meet people, too, but it just depends on your vibe. Below are a few of my favorites:
- EatWith: Join local hosts and small groups for intimate dinner parties, hands-on cooking classes, and interactive workshops. These are so fun while traveling, and you’ll get to know people well!
- GetYourGuide: Get Your Guide sells tours and excursions, activities including cooking classes, and tickets to tourist attractions around the world.
- Viator: The world’s largest experiences marketplace, connecting travelers with tours and activities that they will remember for a lifetime.
- Airbnb Experiences: Airbnb Experiences connects local tour and activity providers with travelers who want to experience unique tours that they can’t book anywhere else.
3. Use social media and apps
There are a lot of different apps and social media sites these days that can help you meet new people while traveling! I’ve had a lot of success doing this and would recommend it. Below are a few options:
- Facebook groups: Use local groups for your destination (example: while in DC join DC Facebook groups), Host a Sister, Girls Love Travel, Find a Travel Buddy, are all groups oriented toward helping people connect while traveling.
- Reach out to people you know who live in the city you’re visiting. Do they have connections? Would they want to hang out while you’re there?
- Going Solo App: This app is designed for solo travelers worldwide, primarily for the younger generation of travelers and backpackers aged 18-30. It connects people with like-minded adventurers who share a passion for travel and seek thrilling experiences.
- Bumble BFF: Bumble For Friends is about exactly that, friends. Whether you moved to a new city, found a new hobby, or just want a new person to talk to—Bumble For Friends is about finding your kinda people.
- SoloTraveller: Social platform aimed at connecting you to other solo travelers and backpackers near you. You can find new friends and people to rideshare with, and you can even build your traveler community and get updates from your new friends.
- Showaround: Connects travelers with locals who are willing to show you around their home cities. You can search for a good host match based on your interests and needs. Some hosts charge for their guidance.
- Tourlina: Solo female travel app for women who want to safely and easily connect with other women. Tourlina requires a verification process before users can begin chatting with others, offering some peace of mind about who you’re meeting up with.
Solo in Rome
4. Ask someone to take your picture
This one is similar to sitting at a bar. You can make friends by asking someone if they can help take your picture. After you both take each other’s picture, continue the conversation using some of the same suggestions above. This is also one of my favorite way to get pictures while solo in general!
Remember to stay friendly, use your environment, and ask open-ended questions to keep the conversation going. Being friendly goes a long way!
5. Stay in Hostels
- Check for hostel activities and events: Many hotels host events, activities, and even tours. Join them and you’ll easily meet others staying there!
- Eat in the common area: cooking your meal around the same time as everyone else (or even checking if the hostel has free breakfast, happy hour, etc) means you’ll meet plenty of other people looking to eat with someone.
- Hang out in the common areas: Other solo travelers will be there, too, most likely, and people are in the common areas because, well, they want to hang out! These small hangouts will often turn into invites and deeper conversations.
Solo trip to Istanbul
6. Book a multiday group tour
Going solo doesn’t mean you have to go alone! Consider booking a multiday trip with a group to ensure you have others to travel with. I would consider this still solo travel, because you know no one going into it, book and travel to the location alone, and still likely still have alone time, etc.
Some popular group tours are:
Final Thoughts
I was really nervous on my first solo trip to try to make friends, but I ended the trip meeting so many incredible people and loved it! My first solo trip was actually by accident when Expedia messed up a flight I had, and I spent a few days alone in Turkey. Guess what? I made friends on the first day through a tour!
As an introverted extrovert, I understand that making friends while traveling solo can be challenging sometimes, but if you put yourself out there, smile, and stay friendly, you’ll probably make a friend or two!
It takes a bit of courage to get there, but your first solo trip will always be an incredible memory you’ll be able to look back on with pride.
Solo travel is so much fun. There is something special about having those memories all to yourself and trying something outside your comfort zone. I hope these tips help make your solo trip a success and you feel confident you know how to make friends while traveling alone now!
Great suggestions for traveling solo. Hostels and group tours are such a great way to meet new people when traveling.
Yes! And I feel like people also forget hostels can have private rooms so even if you want your own space, you can socialize and take advantage!
These are such great tips!! I think Munich is actually a great solo city, met a ton of other travelers staying at hostels there.
Yes, I didn’t stay in a hostel while there, but still had a really fun time as a solo traveler and met a lot of cool people!
These are good suggestions (and not just for solos). #2 is very important – trust your intuition, as you are ultimately responsible for your own personal safety.
Thank you! Yes, I feel like we often forget; we don’t have to be polite, and we can always apologize later if there is a misunderstanding.
This is so true. I remember my first few month solo traveling and staying in hostels I was just so nervous I rarely smiled and consequently made very few friends. After a while, I eased in and learned how far a smile and some laughter and joy goes for making friends.
Thanks for the rec of EatWith, I love the concept!
Yeah! Sometimes, it’s just about getting out there and trying something new. I am new to learning about EatWith as well, but I used it on my last solo trip in Europe and had a really good time!
Solo travel is fun and it’s also empowering! These are great tips some that I have utilized on my travels as well. Of course being vigilant but open-minded is key to making friends that may even last a lifetime!
this is such a great post!! that was definitely one of my biggest fears before traveling alone, but once there, I realized there are so many people in the exact same situation. I also had no idea there were so many apps you could use nowadays for solo travel – will definitely give one of them a try next time!