How To Meet People When Traveling Alone

Traveling alone is fun and full of adventure and freedom, but it can also be lonely. The great thing is there are plenty of other solo travelers who also want to meet people when traveling alone. And, there are plenty of locals who would love the chance to meet someone who is visiting their country.

Not only do you not have to travel alone, you will leave having made new friends that you will know for the rest of your life. If you’re wondering how to meet people while traveling alone, this article is for you.

How To Meet People When Traveling Alone

1. Stay In Hostels

Hostels are made for solo travelers. They have common rooms for hanging out and meeting new people, and most hostels include breakfast, so it’s easy to meet someone new just by showing up for breakfast. Some hostels have bars, so if you don’t want to stay in a hostel, you can always visit the bar to meet fellow travelers. This is one of the easiest ways to meet people when traveling alone.

2. Couchsurfing

Another easy way to meet people and stay somewhere for free is by Couchsurfing. Couchsurfing allows you to stay with local hosts and get a local’s perspective on the place you are visiting. You can also message other couchsurfers who are visiting the area and attend events for couchsurfers who are traveling.

3.  Put Your Phone Down

It’s hard to meet people if you’re always scrolling through your phone. When I travel, I travel without a phone on purpose. If I get lost, instead of relying on my phone, I ask someone for directions. Remember that time we survived without cell phones? Well, I do, and I met a lot more people then.

4. Meet People On Apps

You don’t have to use a dating app to date. You can also use it to make new friends. Just be clear that you are looking for friends and not more! You can also look for groups on Facebook for solo travelers, or look for events going on in the area you are traveling to. I love looking for events on Meetup, too, which is a great way to meet both locals and travelers.

5. Go Dancing

All over the world, you can find groups for salsa, tango, and ecstatic dance. It’s a great way to meet new people and practice your dance steps, too.

6. Sign Up For Classes

Classes are a great way to learn something about the local culture and meet new people. Some types of classes are cooking classes, cheesemaking classes, language classes, and art or pottery classes. I even took a Tibetan sound healing class when I was in Nepal, and it’s one of the best memories from my travels.