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“How do you make friends while traveling? I want to go but I don’t want to be alone.” – This is a question I received in a comment on one of my recent social media posts, and while that may sound a little silly, it’s by far most common type of question I get asked from aspiring solo travelers.
Just over one year ago I finally took the leap of courage and went on my first international solo trip. I was so excited to start my journey to travel the world without waiting for others to join me, but in the back of my mind felt that same concern about feeling alone. Now, I’m solo traveling full-time and almost never feel doubtful of whether or not I’ll make friends along the way.
While it might sound counterintuitive, the social aspect of solo travel is what I’ve come to cherish so dearly. This isn’t to say I don’t flirt with the idea of a group trip or family vacation from time to time, but rather that I value the endless opportunities that come with solo travel, most of which are the friendships and connections made along the way. Thanks to spontaneity and free-will, I’ve had late-night conversations about global issues, stargazed while lying in the sand on a Caribbean island, and made unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime memories with people that I would have never crossed paths with had I not traveled solo.
Traveler’s experiences vary case by case, however I’m fully confident that with the right approach and mindset, everyone can make friends while traveling solo and come out of it with memorable experiences and relationships. So, here are my top strategies for building connections while traveling solo, no matter where you are in the world:
6 TIPS FOR MAKING FRIENDS WHILE TRAVELING SOLO
STAY AT HOSTELS
Hostels are my absolute favorite resource when it comes to solo travel. Aside from the budget travel benefits, they are a sure-fire way to connect with other travelers and like-minded people. Here are some great ways to make friends through hostels:
Join hostel activities: Most hostels encourage travelers to socialize by hosting weekly (or even daily) activities such as group fitness classes, happy hours, walking tours, family dinners, and more.
Chat with your bunkmate(s): When sharing a close space with someone, it only feels right to share some quality conversation too! I became good friends with a bunkmate of mine while in Tulum and we ended up spending the following days together, even taking a day trip to visit Chichen Itza.
Spend time in common areas: Whether it’s a kitchen, a library, co-working space, or poolside, hostels around the world have various and unique types of common areas for their guests to hang around and socialize. More than likely, you won’t be the only traveler in those areas looking for someone to chat with.
Ask to tag along on an outing: Perhaps you overhear a group from your hostel making dinner plans or anticipating a night out. Put yourself out there and ask to tag along! Chances are, they’ll be more than happy to welcome you in.
Do a work exchange: I’ll write a more detailed post on work exchanges in the near future, but at a glance, they are a great way to stay somewhere more long-term and build lasting, intimate connections—both with fellow hostel staff and travelers rotating in and out.
Before booking your hostel stay, I suggest doing research and deciding what kind of experience you are looking for. There are various types of hostels out there, each catering to different traveler types (i.e., backpackers, digital nomads, partiers). I always use Hostelworld to read reviews from other travelers and get insight on the atmosphere and what to expect!
BE SPONTANEOUS
Being a type-A traveler, spontaneity is something I’ve had to learn over time, but is undoubtedly a great trait to embrace when solo traveling.
It can be disheartening to pass up a social opportunity because you’ve already booked every day of your trip and pre-paid for activities. Instead, I recommend starting with a general idea of what you’d like to do and see on your trip and stick to booking just your accommodation.
Activities and excursions can almost always be booked with little notice and will grant you the freedom to make last-minute plans with a travel friend you’ve made at your hostel, on a bus, or at the market. My rule of thumb when planning my solo travel adventures is to only book excursions or day tours that I know might sell out in advance or that I know I want to do on a specific date!
LOOK APPROACHABLE
Making friends while traveling solo goes two ways, so if you’re hoping for someone to come talk to you or invite you to join their plans, body language is everything!
Simple self-awareness like sitting upright instead of being closed off, smiling at others, and minimizing screen time in common areas will give others the impression that you are approachable, friendly, and open to socializing.
STRIKE UP CONVERSATIONS
Crossing paths with people typically means you’ve both chosen to be in that given place for some shared reason, so it’s a great opportunity to get to chatting. It can be intimidating to start a conversation with a stranger, but with enough practice I can assure you it will become second nature.
Whether you’re in a coffee shop, exploring the city, on a plane or bus, or simply sitting around at your hostel, conversation icebreakers are great start for getting to know someone new. My best tip is to try to keep them lighthearted and open-ended. Here are some of my favorites:
“I love your outfit. Where did you get it?”
“Where are you from?”
“What’s your favorite place to eat/drink/shop around here?”
“Where else have you traveled?”
“How long are you traveling for?” / “Where are you traveling next?”
“Do you want to play a game or play cards?”
“Do you have any crazy travel stories?”
“Have you ever had a travel fling/romance?”
“What’s your biggest life lesson you’ve learned from traveling?”
GO ON GROUP TOURS
It’s likely that during your solo adventure you won’t want to spend the entire trip planning and navigating activities and excursions by yourself. This said, group tours are a great option and another easy way to meet fellow travelers.
From walking tours around a European city, to day trips to hike an active volcano, or an afternoon visit a notable archaeological site, group tours are typically all-encompassing. This will allow you to enjoy the present moment and get to know others in your group including your guide. A couple of my favorite group tours I’ve taken while solo traveling are the La Fortuna: Waterfall, Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Tour in Costa Rica and the From San Juan: El Yunque Rainforest and Waterslide Tour in Puerto Rico.
EMBRACE SOCIAL MEDIA
The internet is a great tool for connecting with other travelers around the world, even if you’re not an avid social media user. I’ve made genuine friends through platforms like Instagram and TikTok and, because of it, have future plans to meet up with some of them when our paths cross during our travel journeys!
Online Facebook groups are another great way to connect with people in advance or real-time and are one of the first reasons I gained the courage to travel solo. There are groups and subgroups for pretty much anything you could think of, so I suggest finding those that cater to your interests and identities. A couple groups that I’m a member of and adore are The Solo Female Traveler Network, LBTQ+ Travel – The Solo Female Traveler Network, and LGBTQ+ Backpackers. Another popular group with more than 1 million members is Girls LOVE Travel.
Along with social media, dating apps can also bring along new opportunities for meeting people while globetrotting. Regardless if you’re on Hinge or Tinder in search of a travel fling, or swiping through Bumble BFF in search of something platonic, I encourage you to put yourself out there and meet up for a lunch or drink with someone who shares the same interests as you!
I like to say that when traveling solo, one is never truly alone.
There are infinite opportunities for connecting with others while traveling around the world, making it inevitable to find someone whose personality and energy pairs harmoniously with your own. This said, I’m confident that every traveler has the ability to travel solo and leave their trip having made meaningful relationships and memories.
Did you find these tips helpful? Be sure to share your solo travel adventures and travel friendship stories with me here or on any of my social media pages!