I love traveling solo. It makes me feel empowered, free, brave, and like I am a total badass that can take on anything. But after a while of traveling alone ALL THE TIME, it can get a little lonely. I like to share my experiences and it’s always good to have a conversation with another human being.
Meeting other solo travelers not only helps the loneliness while traveling but I’ve had amazing experiences and built lifelong friendships. I’ve met new friends in every country I’ve been to from locals to other travelers. I still keep in touch with most of them and have even met up with some in other cities around the world.
When I first started traveling, I was so anxious and nervous about making friends. I thought it would be SO hard to meet people, let alone make deep connections.
Are people going to think I’m a desperate loser with no friends? Isn’t it going to be weird to talk to strangers?
Traveling solo is one of the easiest ways to make friends! Here are my tips for how to meet people while traveling solo.
Ask Your Network
Reach out to your friends and family, ask them if they have any connections in the location you’re traveling to. People love to connect me with their friends and long-lost relatives wherever I’m traveling solo, so I always try to drop on my stories or to my email list that I’m going somewhere in advance.
Search for Facebook Groups
There’s a group for everything on Facebook. Go to groups on Facebook and search the name of the location with “expats in…”, “foreigners in…”, or try one of your hobbies in the location to find public and private groups to join. If you need help searching, drop a comment below. I’m also happy to add you to the expat groups I’m a member of; Seattle, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Shanghai, Hanoi, and a ton of ladies’ travel, general travel, solo travel, hiking, and pacific northwest hiking groups.
Make a List of Conversation Starters
Strike up a conversation while you’re sitting at a restaurant, bar, on the bus, airplane, standing in line, or anywhere really. This usually works best if you notice the other person is traveling solo, too but I’ve also done this and made friends with a large group of friends. Make a list of conversation starters.
When I’m at a restaurant, I’ll usually sit at the bar and ask the bartender what their favorite thing is or the person next to me what they ordered. Sometimes something ridiculous will happen around me at an airport which makes an easy conversation starter for people around me. On tours or classes, it’s a bit easier as there’s usually already a known common interest, so I’ll start talking about that, ask how long they’ve been traveling around the country I’m in, or their favorite place they’ve been so far.
Be aware that not everyone is receptive to talking to strangers, so read the room and feel for a vibe.
Be Approachable
Pay attention to your body language and make sure you’re coming off as approachable. Say hi first, smile, make eye contact, and put away your phone!
Join Group Tours
That museum tour, market tour, boating excursion, day trip to…, or guided foodie tour that you know you could probably do on your own? Pay the small fee and join to make some friends! I’ve joined tours of temples, half-day boat tours, market tours and cooking classes, and even a foodie tasting tour. 😋 Plus, with a little research you’ll find that most cities have free walking tours of certain neighborhoods.
Take a Class
Sign up for a local class. Try something new or one of your go-to hobbies. Here are a few ideas: a cooking class, pottery, jewelry making, language lessons, salsa dancing, sip and paint, or a fitness class.
Go to Meetups
Meetup.com is a great place to find groups based on your hobby. I wrote an entire post about Why You Should Join a Meetup in your City here. During Covid-19, Meetup groups haven’t been as active but it’s still a great place to start and hopefully, they’ll return to normal soon.
Find An Organization
Are you part of an organization in your hometown that might have a chapter in another city? Check with them, they can connect you or at the very least they’ll revert to #1 and connect you with someone they know personally or professionally.
Are you interested in traveling solo?
