How to Meet People When Travelling Solo

One of the primary reasons I hear why people, particularly women, are hesitant to travel on their own is the fear of being lonely. We must remember that there is a difference between being lonely and being alone.

Loneliness: sadness because one has no friends or company

Alone: having no one else present

I prefer to think that I am alone when I travel and not lonely. You might be surprised to learn that it is my preference to travel alone, as I find it much easier to meet people from around the world.

Even if you are not an extrovert (like me), meeting people when travelling solo is much easier than you might think.  If you are one of those people who are afraid of being lonely, you might be wondering…..

How to meet people when you are traveling by yourself.

staying at a small resort or hostel makes it easier to meet people when you are travelling solo
I prefer to stay at a small, intimate resort when I travel

Choose Your Accommodation Wisely

If your goal is to meet other people when you are travelling solo, choosing the type of accommodation that is right for you is extremely important, so choose wisely.

Bunk at a Hostel

Staying at a hostel is the number one way to meet people whenever you are travelling alone.  Many of the travelers will have the same interests as you do so this will provide you with people to hang out with, as well as to tour your destination with.

Book an Airbnb or B&B

If being too crowded and having not enough alone time is an issue, then consider booking an Airbnb.  Many Airbnb’s have the host living right on site which provides you with instant companionship.  This will not only provide you with a person to talk to, but it will also provide the opportunity to learn all of the off-the-beaten-path places to explore.  If you are lucky and have an extremely friendly host, you may even meet some of his or her friends.

Stay at a Small Resort or Hotel

If a hostel or an Airbnb are for you, then  stay at a small, intimate resort or hotel.  The size and intimacy of the hotel will automatically bring you into closer contact with your fellow travelers, whether it be in the restaurant, at the bar, or at the pool.  Many resorts, even small ones, host get-togethers, offer different classes or sporting events.  By getting involved in these activities, you will have found the perfect way to meet like-minded people.

I have found that unless I want to get lost in the masses of people, I stay away from the larger resorts.  Besides, the service is always better at a smaller more intimate resort, hotel or inn and it is much easier to meet people when you’re travelling by yourself.

FOLLOW ALONG FOR MORE SOLO TRAVEL TIPS!

Book a Day Tour

If you feel uncomfortable venturing out on your own when travelling alone, or you simply want to be with other people, then booking a tour is the perfect way to see the sites as well as to meet other people which will provide you with company for the day.  You will all be having the same experience so striking up a conversation will be easy.  Just don’t be shy.

Booking a tour is the perfect way to meet people when travelling solo
Book a day tour and make friends with your co-adventurers
Hang out with your tour guide so that you don't feel lonely when travelling
Don’t be afraid to talk to your guide
When travelling solo, don't be afraid to be alone. Take this time to breath, reflect and enjoy the quiet
Don’t be afraid to be alone. Just breathe and take in the beauty that surrounds you

Climb Aboard Public Transportation

If you have ever been on a bus, you know that the majority of the time you will be in extremely close contact with other passengers.  Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation.  Ask about the places to see and the things to do.  Locals are always excited to talk about their town to tourists. Just be cautious when travelling alone not to disclose any personal information.

Use Your Apps

If you don’t feel comfortable personally chatting with somebody, use whatever app might be available to see who is out there to meet up with.  I personally don’t use this method, as I am quite comfortable talking to strangers.

Meet the Bartender

While I don’t recommend over-indulging when travelling solo, having a drink at the bar is a great way to meet people. Most people travelling alone will sit at the bar so that they will at least have the bartender to talk to. This is also another great way to learn about all of the off the beaten path places to see and things to do.

Be Chatty Cathy

This is how I meet so many people whenever I travel solo (which is always).  Don’t be afraid to talk to people.  Most people are quite open and receptive and who knows, he or she may also be looking for a friend to hang out with.

“You never really travel alone.   The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you”

When travelling solo, you will be surprised to learn that meeting people is much easier than when you are travelling with a companion.  This is one time when talking to strangers is allowed and even encouraged.  One of the greatest beauties of travelling solo is that you can meet as many or as few people as you want.

HAPPY TRAVELING 🙂

Kelly xoxo

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123 thoughts on “How to Meet People When Travelling Solo”

  4. pamelard

    Great tips! I always try to do a day trip early in the place I’m visiting instead of at the end. 1- meet new people to explore with later, 2- get tips from the tour guide at the minimum! I like the idea of going to the bar as well.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Carrie Ann | Should Be Cruising

    I love how solo travel makes it so much easier to meet people. Bartenders (and their regulars) always have the best tips on places to go and where to avoid. I always talk to people on the bus too! People are usually friendlier and more open to chat when they see you’re traveling on your own.

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  9. Carrie Ann | Should Be Cruising

    I love how solo travel makes it so much easier to meet people! Bartenders (and their regulars) always have the best tips on places to go and where to avoid. I always talk to people on the bus too! People are usually friendlier and more open to chat when they see you’re traveling on your own.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Jay Artale

    You’re right to distinguish between alone and lonely – there’s a big difference. But even when you’re traveling as a couple and not alone, it’s difficult to meet people. Others just assume that you don’t want to be bothered because you’re a couple – like there’s some sort of cultural taboo to interrupting us. But the whole reason we like to travel is to meet other people from other cultures. Some of our most fantastic travel experiences have been an interaction with locals. So we still have to work hard and make an effort to meet people – I think it’s all down to body language and making sure that people can see you’re open to being interrupted.

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  11. Paolo

    I have saved a lot of money by staying in hostel bunks and met other travelers. As a solo traveler, i like meeting new friends so we can share the cost of the tour lol

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Lorenza

    I always chat with strangers at bars or the best place is at the restaurant bar! Where you can order food + drinks without feeling the weirdness of a whole table and get to sit next to potential friends!

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Court

    These are great tips, and it is important for travelers to remind each other to be friendly and introduce themselves! Sometimes when I am traveling alone I get too self conscious to join a conversation or make an introduction. A good skill to keep working on. Thanks for the encouragement!

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. backpackandsnorkel

    I completely agree, we had good chats with people at B&Bs during breakfast. Especially with backpackers.
    My preferred way is to ask people for their favorite restaurant that serves local cuisine and what their favorite dishes are.

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  19. Raulersongirlstravel

    I agree with your ideas. Most of the people I have met have been on day tours when I’m traveling solo. I’ve also met a lot of my travel friends at travel conferences.

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. Kendra

    This is one of the reasons I stay at AirBnBs when a host is there; I get to meet locals and have that connection. I’ve also joined a group on Facebook, Host A Sister, where women can meet up with other women on their travels, and even host one another! It’s been a great way to meet some amazing women.

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  22. jaipurthrumylens@gmail.com

    These are great tips. I think a hostel and B&B allows you a lot more opportunities than all other options. I know many travelers who book a room in hostels instead of hotels because it allows the opportunity to connect people. What do you prefer among a hostel or B&B?

    Liked by 1 person

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  23. Laura Pedlar

    You made some great points here. I probably wouldn’t stay in a hostel but hadn’t thought about AirBnB so that’s a really good idea. Getting local knowledge is also a bonus of staying with locals.

    Liked by 1 person

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  24. Kathleen

    Great tips for traveling solo, which is not something I do much. Actually, even on a solo road trip, I’m meeting someone on the other end. I think it would be fun to take a solo trip sometime though. I did it as a young person, but haven’t in years. I don’t love eating in restaurants alone though. How do you handle that? Generally I take a book or take my food to go. I love the idea of staying in a small hotel. It almost seems indulgent and upscale.

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  25. Freya

    I love these tips, as an introvert I’ve never been very forthright at striking up conversations with strangers. Next time I find myself solo travelling I might pluck up the courage to sit at the bar alone – I don’t think I’ve ever done that before! I agree that day tours are always great as you have that shared experience in common with your fellow travellers which makes conversation easy.

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  26. AllGudThings

    Those are some great tips. Honestly earlier I used to be afraid of talking to people while travelling but anymore. Indeed, now feel when you talk you learn so much, you discover new things. And yes being chatty for that is the best thing.

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  30. kwarren29

    These are some great tips, especially for introverts. I’ve stayed in hostels and enjoyed the camaraderie. But I most like to stay at small local places because I want to interact with the people who live in a place. I just did a homestay in Mexico that was fabulous for that.

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  34. Kelly

    This is super true and all great advice! Whether its someone you’re sitting next to on a train/plane or others on a tour you never know who you’ll meet. One of the best things about travelling solo 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  35. Michelle Segrest

    This is a really sweet article and I admire your courage and enthusiasm for traveling solo! You obviously don’t have any problems making friends, but this is fantastic advice for those of us who may hesitate to talk to a stranger. Travel can be so enriching, and one of the reasons is because of the fabulous people you meet!!

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    1. Just One Passport

      I agree, and i am known as chatty Cathy its so bad that when I travel with friends, her husband threatens to put duct tape on my mouth lol. I get talking to people at the airport and they’re with us for the balance of the trip.

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  36. Anuradha

    I love chatting with strangers, and more so, if they are on a same tour with me! Gives me confidence, and I feel safe because I know the person is not some random stranger, but someone just like me! It is a nice feeling though, to travel solo and make new friends.

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  37. Kendra

    Awesome ideas Kelly! I enjoy staying at an AirBnB with the host, they usually give me great tips. A few times I’ve been invited to have dinner or drinks with the host, it’s been nice to feel connected to someone when I’m alone. The hardest one for me is being chatty but I am working on it!

    Liked by 1 person

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  39. GGeorgina

    Being alone and lonely are absolutely two different things. I have been travelling solo for the last couple of years or so. It is different but I am excited about my life and have made many friends since. I’ve never stayed in a hostel though 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  40. Jay Artale

    I find it so much easier to meet people and strike up conversations when you’re traveling solo, than when you’re traveling in a couple. When you’re on your own you somehow seem more open to be approached, but in a couple, you can often get overlooked as people don’t want to interrupt.

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  41. Sandy N Vyjay

    Meeting people from around the world and different cultures is a great opportunity that travel gives. It is one of the benefits of travel whether you are solo or not. these are some really practical tips for ensuring you befriend people during your travels. We meet so many ordinary people with extraordinary stories during our travels.

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  42. Jackie

    These are some great suggestions, Kelly. Like you, I take pleasure in meeting other people whenever I travel–I think that’s half the fun! I’m not sure I’ve ever booked a tour solo, I think that is an excellent way to meet people. I will put that and your other ideas to good use next time I’m solo. Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

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  43. Doibedouin

    Yes I do agree on your points. The stay plays quite a role while solo traveling. I have been to AirBnb and the hosts become a part of your traveling. They help you out a lot. Also Volunteer stays are also a mention, as you get to know the locals more.

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  44. Kathleen

    Great ideas for meeting people while traveling solo. I’m a bit of an introvert, but I’m fine with my own company. However, sometimes having a companion is more comfortable. I think I’d try the tour and a small hotel. Then at least you know you at least have similar interests going in.

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  45. arv!

    These are great ways to meet people. I know many people book a room in the hostel because it allows them to meet people in the lounge areas. In many B&B especially Air B&B, the host often doesn’t live on the same premises which is a bit let down. But there are other ways to get around this. I often start the conversation with shop owners enquiring about their city. It does lead to talking more than just the information you need. You just have to try.

    Liked by 1 person

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  46. Travel See Write

    Very helpful post. I do use hostels, Airbnb’s and my accommodation to meet other people while travelling. Although I have never tried using meetup apps. I have also made friends while going on a group tour. I love talking to the locals and getting insider tips about what to visit that many tourists would skip. Despite travelling solo for years I have never felt lonely.

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