How to Meet People Traveling Solo: 12 Proven Ways
Traveling solo does not mean being lonely. Some of the deepest friendships start on solo trips — shared sunrises, missed buses, and stories traded over dinner with strangers who become friends. And here’s the secret: it works even for introverts. Meeting people while traveling solo is a skill, not a personality trait, and this guide gives you 12 proven ways to build it.
Best Apps to Meet People While Traveling Solo
Bumble BFF
Bumble’s BFF mode works in most countries and lets you match with people looking for platonic friendship. Set your profile to your current city, mention you’re a traveler, and you’ll match with locals and fellow travelers within days.
Meetup.com
Meetup lists local groups for everything: hiking, language exchange, photography walks, board games. The advantage? Everyone there is there to meet people. Show up, and the awkwardness is gone before you start.
Hostelworld App Social Features
Even if you’re not staying in hostels, the Hostelworld app has chat and event features that connect travelers in your city. Many social hostels run pub crawls and walking tours open to non-guests.
Couchsurfing Hangouts
Couchsurfing isn’t just free couches anymore. Its Hangouts feature shows you who’s nearby and free to meet — locals and travelers grabbing coffee or exploring together. It’s one of the oldest and still one of the best ways to meet people traveling solo.
Backpackr, Travello, and SoloTraveller
These apps are built specifically for travelers looking for travel buddies. Post your itinerary, join group chats by city, and find people heading the same way. They’re small but focused — everyone there wants to connect.
For Women: Tourlina and NomadHer
Tourlina pairs female travelers with other women for shared trips, and NomadHer builds a community of women travelers with local events. If you prefer meeting other women on the road, start here.
Join Group Experiences
Day tours, food tours, and cooking classes are social magic. You get local knowledge, great food, and a built-in group of people who share your interests — all without a single awkward cold approach. Book small-group tours (under 12 people) for the best conversation. One food tour often leads to dinner invitations for the rest of the week.
Take Free Walking Tours
Free walking tours (book through platforms like GuruWalk) gather 10–20 travelers at the same starting point every morning. You’ve already got something in common: curiosity about the place. Chat during the walk, grab coffee after — groups from walking tours often spend the whole day together.
Where You Stay Shapes Who You Meet
If meeting people matters to you, choose social hostels with common areas, rooftop bars, and organized activities. Read reviews for words like “social,” “great atmosphere,” and “easy to meet people.” Even mid-range hotels with nice lobbies or rooftop pools create natural meeting points. Private apartment in the suburbs = quiet trip. Social hostel downtown = new friends daily.
Everyday Social Habits That Work
You don’t need an app for everything. Simple habits open doors:
- Sit at communal tables and bar seats instead of corner tables.
- Hang out in hotel or hostel common spaces instead of your room.
- Eat at the counter at busy restaurants — conversations start naturally.
- Join the hostel pub quiz, rooftop night, or BBQ — even for 20 minutes.
The pattern: put yourself where people already are, and look approachable. Phone down, head up.
Meeting People as an Introvert
Introverts meet people on the road all the time — they just do it differently. Structured activities beat cold approaches: a cooking class gives you a role and a topic, so there’s no small-talk pressure. Arrive early to events, when groups are small and conversations are easier. And set a gentle goal: one real conversation per day. That’s it. One good conversation beats ten shallow ones, and by the end of a trip, you’ll have more genuine connections than most extroverts.
Safety Rules for Meeting Strangers Abroad
Meeting people is wonderful — do it safely:
- Meet in public first. Cafés, tours, group activities. Never go to a stranger’s home on day one.
- Tell someone your plans. Message a friend or family member where you’re going and with whom.
- Share your live location with a trusted contact during meetups.
- Trust your gut. If something feels off, leave. You don’t owe anyone politeness at the cost of safety.
- Keep your own transport options. Know how you’ll get back before you go out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to meet people from travel apps?
Generally yes, if you follow the basics: meet in public, tell someone where you are, and trust your instincts. Millions of travelers use these apps safely. The apps with profiles, reviews, and verification (Bumble BFF, Couchsurfing) add an extra layer of trust.
What’s the best app to meet people while traveling solo?
Bumble BFF for friends in cities, Couchsurfing Hangouts for spontaneous meetups, and Meetup.com for interest-based groups. Backpackr and Travello are great for finding travel buddies on the same route.
How do introverts meet people while traveling?
Through structured activities — walking tours, classes, group day trips — where conversation happens naturally around a shared experience. One meaningful conversation per day is a great target. You don’t need to become an extrovert; you need the right settings.
Can you make real friends traveling solo, or is it all surface-level?
Real friendships happen constantly on the road. Shared intense experiences — getting lost together, watching a sunrise, surviving a chaotic bus ride — bond people fast. Many travelers keep these friendships for years.
Final Word: You Travel Solo, You Don’t Have to Be Alone
Knowing how to meet people traveling solo changes the whole shape of a trip. Some days you’ll want glorious solitude; other days you’ll want company — and now you know how to find it. Download one app, book one group experience, sit at one communal table. You travel solo, but you never have to be alone.
