I recently set off on my first solo trip around the globe, and while travelling alone is empowering and invigorating, it sure as hell can get lonely! But fear not, as long as you keep your ears piqued and your mind open, opportunities to meet new and like minded people will often fall right on your doorstep.
Following my 5 tips below, on how to meet people when solo travelling, will leave you with friends scattered around the globe, and whats better than that?
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1) Put Yourself Out There –
One of the most important things to do when solo travelling is to put yourself out there! If you’re sat next to someone on a long journey, why not try to strike up a conversation? You never know, that fellow passenger could well become your new BFF.
This said, I understand, that saying ‘hi’ to a total stranger can be daunting. Heck, I myself would rather sink into a hole than try and make polite chit-chat! But, isn’t travel all about stepping out of your comfort zone? Further, you certainly won’t meet any new and exciting people by keeping to yourself all day…
Moral of the story: be brave be happy, and just a little bit chatty 🙂
2) Group Tours –
If you’ve been travelling alone for a while, you may want to consider joining a group tour for a few weeks. Not only will the experience give you some rest bite from itinerary planning, but also introduce you to a whole new group of people.
There’s hundreds of different tour companies around, each offering a different experience. For example, Contiki and Topdeck, offer large group tours to a younger audience, while companies such as Classic Journeys provide more authentic tours in bite-size groups. Thus, there’s something for everyone!
I recently joined a Topdeck tour island hopping around Indonesia. I have to say it was an amazing experience. The tour only lasted 7 days, but this was long enough to make some really great friends, whom I’m still in contact with. 🙂
3) Hostels –
The only downside of group-tours is that they can be expensive! However, another way to meet people when travelling alone is renowned for being cheap and cheerful. Yep, you guessed it: Hostels.
This may seem an obvious tip because doesn’t every solo traveller hit the hay in hostels? Well no. They’re not everyone’s style. Personally, I could think of nothing worse than sleeping in a small room with 10 stinky strangers!
But, I’ll let you into a secret, you don’t actually need to stay at a hostel to reap the rewards of friendship… Many large city hostels host tours, dinners, classes and pub crawls that you can join without actually staying with them.
Simply check out the event calendars of several different hostels and attend an activity that takes your fancy. Chances are you’ll meet someone who shares the same interests, after all, they’ve picked the same activity as you!
4) Be Flexible With Your Plans –
So you meet someone at a hostel who you really click with. The only problem is your leaving for a new destination the next day and will have to part ways. 🙁 This is where it pays not to schedule your trip to within an inch of its life!
If you’ve left some breathing room within you itinerary, you can throw caution to the wind and join your new found friend on a little adventure. This can lead to some amazing experiences, such as visiting places you’d never thought of travelling to on your own!
5) Take Advantage of the World Wide Web –
In this day and age your, mum, sister and her dog are all on social media! So, its a good idea to post a message on sites like Facebook stating where you’re travelling to. Chances are someone will know someone whom you can get in contact with! You might be surprised by the incredible people to which you’re connected.
If you’re a little hesitant to do this, because lets be honest, we’re all slightly worried we’ll agree to meet up with a psycho, the technical age has blessed us with websites such a Meetup.com. This site allows you to safely get together with people in the local area, while partaking in an activity you’ll enjoy.
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There you have it, my Top 5 Ways to Meet People While Solo Travelling. However, this small list is, of course, not exhausted and there’s plenty more ways to make connections around the world! If you’re looking for more information, check out these articles that I love:
- 20 Non-Awkward ways to Meet People While Traveling Solo – HuffPost
- 18 Ways to Meet People When Traveling Solo – Travel And Leisure
- A Solo Traveler’s on How to Meet People While Traveling – Lifehacker
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If you have any tips of your own to share, let me know in the comments below 🙂
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Nice article! I would also like to mention one more way – during shopping. Chitchatting with fellow shoppers. I met few and shared experience with one another. It was refreshing.
That’s a great tip! I feel like you just have to smile and chat to people where-ever haha
Really good article!
Thanks for you comment 🙂
It can be difficult to meet people while you’re abroad, especially intimidating ! But I really love this post, you really laying it all out 🙂
it can be a struggle! But totally worth it in the end 🙂
Great tips! My goal is to meet more people when solo traveling and sometimes o struggle! I definitely put the internet to use but it’s sometimes hard for me to put myself out there in person. Loved this post!
Me too 🙂 Thanks!
Lovely post! I am a big fan of travelling by myself and found the exact same things to be true about meeting other people! I love staying in hostels and have met so many fab people there!
Thanks for the lovely comment! I think I need to man up an experience a night in a hostel, I’ve mainly heard good things haha
I met some good travelers during group tours and a couple of them became good friends over the years.
Me too, they’re honestly the best experiences!
Love to meet new people when travelling. You never know when you meet friends for life!
That’s the beauty of it for sure !!
When I was young and traveled alone I met mostly men (I’m a woman). That can be fun, or not what you bargained for.
Haha yes I can imagine! But adds a little excitement
I definitely agree that hostels are a great way to meet people. I also found that doing free walking tours helps meet people too!
I’ve yet to join a free walking tour! But its certainly on my list for next time I’m in a big city 🙂
These are great ways to meet people! I’m a foodie, so I like to chat with people in restaurants, too. And I’ve recently been noticing the fad of trivia nights at local bars.. That would probably be a fun starter, too!
I agree hostel is a great way to meet people. I oftentimes stay at the hostels, and it is hard not to talk to people and go for meals together when I sleep in the same room with them. Another thing to add is that I also started meeting fellow travel bloggers when I travels. It is always great to meet like-minded people and it is good to know they are not psycho. (there are many strange person I’ve met at the meetup.com).
Good One! I would add Couchsurfing as another great option. Not only you can stay for free, but if you feel hesitant for staying with a stranger, you can just meet them and its a great community! 🙂
Couchsurfing sounds great! I’ll have to check it out next trip – thanks for the tip 🙂
Anytime! Do try..its fun! 🙂
Good tips. I’ve found our local expat Facebook group to be a good source – not just for meeting people but for answering questions.
Really nice list!! The one suggested in comments as to be during shopping is also one more 🙂
Great article and good insight. I’ll keep these things in mind as I travel solo almost always. Thank you!
These are awesome tips! I would definitely jump on a group tour if I was traveling alone to meet some folks.
They’re a great way to meet people for sure!
I really enjoyed reading this! I went on a solo trip to Spain a couple of years ago but I stayed in a Spanish school. That was a great way to meet people as everyone was learning Spanish together, and they came from all over the world. I also love a group tour! Just travelling in general is a great way to meet others 🙂
Whenever I go on a tour, I always ask the guide to point me to a bar where a lot of locals frequent. I try to meet local people more than travelers so I can learn more about the city I’m in! Great list and suggestions.
Great tips! I spend a lot of time traveling solo for business. I’m super shy, so I don’t meet new people easily, and with having to work all day it’s even harder. I’m going to be doing some fun solo travel soon though, so I’m going to give some of these a shot.
Great tips! I’ve definitely met some great people in hostels, and a few of them I’m still in touch with. I’m not usually one to take tours, but it’s certainly a good way to meet new people.
All great tips on meeting people when you’re traveling solo! The first is the most important for sure, you just have to be able to put yourself out there. That’s probably the biggest hurdle.
I still haven’t traveled alone (yet). I think I’d be too nervous to strike up a convo with a stranger, but I have met travel friends from online before. Good tips!
This is a great article, I couldn’t agree more with every single point!
I love hostels and free walking tours too, met many people that way AND to my surprise – tinder!! I use it to make friends – it’s so easy, literally!
PS. Just found your blog and love it!xx
I was actually going to mention tinder but thought nah people would think me weird haha!! Thanks that means a lot 🙂
Very useful. The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you (John E. Southard) – thanks for the share!
Wow! Nice blog. I am happy with this blog. You share the useful information. I like the solo travel and your blog very helpful for me. Thanks a lot for this beauty Enjoying article with me. I appreciate it very much!
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Thank you for the lovely comment, glad you enjoy reading it 🙂
Nice Article and I’d say this article has good information about how to meet people when travelling solo. Great tips and great pictures! Thanks for sharing.
Ohh!!! Great it’s really nice article to read. People should know how to interact with anyone when we are out of town or on any solo trip. You have put really good points. Thank you very much author. Keep posting and sharing.
Nice article, they give proper information for solo traveler.
Such an important article. Thank you for this. keep sharing.
thanks for sharing helpful information with us….
Nice info, many solo people travel at our place too…This blog will help them.
Wonderful blog, loved it it will help so many travelers.
Really beautiful post! I kept reading your blog and got stuck. Every speaker should understand how to communicate with someone while talking to a person. Keep sharing such informative blogs with us.
Awesome blog, Very helpful.
Keep sharing blogs like this because i love to travel solo around the world.
Thank you for sharing such informative bolg.
very helpful blog
i have started travelling it will surely help me
keep posting
Travelling is a fun and if you make friends while travelling nothing is better than that
very nicely written