There are many benefits to solo travel. It builds confidence, fosters independence and helps you learn more about yourself. But there are also benefits to having a travel buddy to share experiences with from time to time. Meeting new people on a trip might seem daunting, but it’s easier than you think. We’ve come up with some of the best ways to make friends while travelling no matter where you are or where you’re going.
Be open and put yourself out there
This might seem obvious, but in everyday life most of us aren’t use to chatting with strangers unless it’s part of our job. More often than not, we stick with who we know. If you’re looking to meet people while travelling you need to be open to it and be willing to put yourself out there. This means smiling more, having open body language (not crossing your arms or keeping your head down), making eye contact and striking up conversations with other travellers or locals. The more you project a willingness to meet people the more people will pick up on that energy and respond to it favourably.
Try Travel Buddies
Billed as the “social network for people who love to travel,” Travel Buddies makes it easier to find people to travel with or meet people wherever you happen to be. The app is used in more than 170 countries so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to connect with someone wherever you happen to go. You can use the app (or the website) to search for people travelling to the same places you are or use it to find people already in the place you’re visiting. You can communicate through the app via instant messaging or integrated email, and there’s a public wall where you can post questions or ask for travel advice and recommendations.
Use Backpackr
Another option for connecting with people while you travel is Backpackr. The location-based travel app has several features that make it easy to meet fellow travellers. Browse profiles based on filters you set such as age, gender and location. You can also enter a date and a city and Backpackr will provide a list of travellers going there at the same time as well as show you their interests such as diving, sightseeing, history, etc. If their interests match yours you might decide to contact them. You can also use the app’s “Common Room” to post travel-related questions, suggest meet-ups or find out what other travellers are recommending when it comes to where to eat and what to see and do.
Join a tour
Signing up for tours and day trips puts you in a position to spend some time with people who have a common interest, whether you’re a foodie on a food tour or architecture buff on an architectural walking tour. If there’s anyone you connect with, make plans to go for coffee or a drink following the tour.
Reach out to your social network
Once you know where you’ll be travelling let your social network know you’re interested in meeting people while you’re away. You never know who has friends or family in the destination you’re going to who can show you around, or who might also be planning to be in the area while you’re there.
Take a class
Most places you visit will offer the opportunity to learn something new. From cooking classes and learning local crafts to language studies and more, there should be something that strikes your interest you can sign up for. Like tours, taking classes while travelling puts you in contact with like-minded individuals who might also be looking for fellow travellers to connect with.
Stay at a hostel or hang out in hostel bars
Staying at a hostel, especially in a hostel dorm, is a tried and true method of meeting fellow travellers. Dorms aren’t for everyone, but if you don’t mind sharing a room you’ll meet people in no time. If you prefer single room, a hostel is still very conducive to making travel friends. That’s because hostels are set up in a way that encourages socialization. This usually means lots of comfortable common areas, games, book exchanges, a common kitchen and often a hostel bar. A hostel bar is a magnet for travellers so even if you aren’t staying at a hostel, seek out hostel bars. And in fact, sit right at the bar. This might seem daunting, but sitting at the bar makes you appear social and ready to chat.
Find people to party with via Party with a Local
Tired of drinking alone? Use the Party with a Local app to connect with locals, travellers or expats who are nearby. Read profiles, send a message and then make plans to meet up. The app allows you to set your “party status” to whatever you’re in the mood for whether it’s going to a pub, meeting for dinner, going clubbing, etc. making it easy to connect with like minded people.
Featured image: Paxson Woelber, Denali National Park, Alaska via Flickr CC BY 2.0
