Travelling Solo does not mean that you are alone. Wherever you’re going, there are lots of ways you can make friends on the road, and some of those friendships may have more lasting power than you realize.
I personally love solo travel because it brings me out of my shell, forces me to full integrate myself with locals, and allows for freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want.
Most solo travellers are social and are happy to interact and make friends. Whenever I am travelling solo, I am never alone. Having travelled to over 27 countries solo, I have realized:
“Anyone can make friends while travelling solo and build meaningful relationships for the future”.
Here are my top 6 tips for making friends while travelling alone! 1. Stay at a hostel
If you've stayed at a hostel, you'll be familiar with the magic of these places, where strangers quickly become friends. Hostels provide a unique atmosphere that fosters camaraderie among travelers from all walks of life. Many hostels organize communal meals, walking tours, and pub crawls, creating perfect opportunities to bond with fellow guests. Spend time hanging out in common area, joining activities and eating meals together.
For those seeking a balance between social interactions and privacy, some hostels even offer private rooms. It's no wonder why hostels are cherished by adventurers worldwide as they become a hub for unforgettable connections and experiences.
Finding the right hostel to live in becomes increasingly important in this case. Hostelmatch helps you find the perfect hostel for what you are looking for at the cheapest cost. Hostelmatch also provides exclusive discounts across hostels worldwide so don't forget to capitalize on it.
2. Strike Up a Conversation
Travelling is one of those times where everyone around you is extremely social and wants to interact. Making a conscious effort to strike a conversation with fellow travellers or locals can really enhance your trip.
People from all walks of life meet you and never know who you might end up sitting next to. Starting a conversation can help you identify what you have in common and work towards do automatically have two stops in common, so there's a built-in opportunity for conversation.
3. Go On a Walking Tour
Discovering meaningful connections while traveling solo can be an incredibly rewarding experience. If you find it challenging to strike up conversations with strangers, fear not! There are fantastic ways to bridge that gap and make lasting connections on your solo adventures.
One of my absolute favourite ways to connect with people while traveling solo is by joining walking tours. These tours not only provide insights into the city but also act as a great icebreaker. Often, the tour guides begin by asking where the participants are from, creating opportunities to find common ground with fellow walkers. During coffee breaks, you get a chance to socialize and bond with the group, making the experience even more enjoyable.
One of my closest friends to this day is someone I met on a walking tour in Lisbon, Portugal. It is crazy to think about how life turns out, once you take those chances.
4. Go for Activities with Tours
Doing activities in small group settings is key to make meaningful friendships for the future. Try and book yourself in a tour organized by the hostel or external tour parties ( day tours, surfing lessons, dance classes, etc.) where you get to interact with a lot of open minded people genuinely wanting to explore and connect with you.
Through Hostelmatch, I found Yes Lisbon Hostel. They organize some amazing trips. During my trip to Sintra from Lisbon, I met a group of 3 individual solo travellers from Canada and Australia. We ended up doing our entire Lisbon stay together, going for activities, eating meals and experiencing beautiful times together.
We are great friends now and are planning a reunion trip to Europe next year.
5. Visit local hang outs
To establish connections with locals during your travels, inquire about popular local spots from the residents. In larger cities, you might need to venture beyond your immediate neighbourhood, but doing so will add depth to your journey. Local restaurants and hangout areas end up adding a lot more to your cultural enrichment of the city and country.
Once you find these hangouts, don't hesitate to start a conversation with someone. Engaging with the locals allows you to fully immerse yourself in the local culture and gain valuable insider insights and tips!
6. Be Empathetic
People come from different backgrounds and when interacting with them it is important to listen to everyone’s opinion and have a positive attitude. Not everyone you meet, you connect with, but being empathetic about their life story and current situation can help you connect with them a lot better.
There are so many meaningful relationships to be made while traveling. I hope you'll use these tips on your next solo trip to make some awesome new friends!
Other Great Reads on this Topic
Here are some articles that help you make more friends while solo travelling:
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