Here is everything you need to know about finding travel buddies in 2025, from the best apps to proven strategies for connecting with fellow travelers.
Why travel buddies matter
There is a reason solo travelers actively seek out companions on the road. Traveling with others, even people you just met, improves nearly every part of your trip.
A travel buddy can split the cost of that private room. They can watch your bag while you use the restroom. They can take photos of you (real photos, not awkward selfies). Most importantly, they can share in the experiences that make travel meaningful.
Best apps for finding travel buddies
HitchHive
Purpose-built for travelers, this travel app connects you with people nearby based on activities and interests. Create a meetup for anything (coffee, hiking, exploring a neighborhood) and let travelers join you. With active communities in over 80 cities, you will find fellow travelers wherever you go.
Best for: Spontaneous meetups and activity-based connections
Hostelworld Chat
If you book a hostel through Hostelworld, the app automatically adds you to a “city chat” and “hostel chat” 14 days before your trip. This is widely considered one of the easiest ways to find dinner or activity partners before you even arrive.
Best for: Backpackers and pre-trip planning
Couchsurfing Hangouts
While Couchsurfing is known for free accommodation, its Hangouts feature lets you say “I am free for a beer right now” and get instant responses from locals or travelers nearby. The community skews toward experienced travelers who value cultural exchange. Note that the app now has a subscription fee, but many travelers still find the Hangouts feature worth it.
Best for: Cultural exchange and spontaneous same-day meetups
Timeleft
A newer app that has grown quickly in 2025, Timeleft organizes dinners with strangers based on a personality quiz. You show up to a restaurant at a scheduled time and meet 5-6 other people matched to your interests. Travelers report making genuine friends through these dinners, particularly in cities like Lisbon and Mexico City.
Best for: Structured social events and dinner companions
Travel Ladies (Women Only)
For female travelers, Travel Ladies is the most recommended female-only travel companion app. It eliminates the “dating app” energy that can make other platforms uncomfortable and connects women specifically looking for travel buddies.
Best for: Female travelers seeking female companions
Facebook Groups
Do not underestimate the power of Facebook Groups for finding travel companions. Host A Sister is considered the gold standard for female travelers, originally for finding accommodation but heavily used for finding coffee and travel buddies with community vetting. Gals Who Travel is another large, active community where users post itineraries months in advance.
Best for: Pre-trip planning and vetting companions before meeting
Meetup
Not travel-specific, but Meetup hosts groups in most major cities. Look for expat groups, hiking clubs, or language exchange meetups to find a mix of travelers and locals.
Best for: Longer stays and interest-based groups
Why activity-based apps beat swipe apps
There is a strong consensus among experienced travelers that swipe-style apps (like using Tinder or Bumble BFF for travel friends) are exhausting and often feel flaky. Activity-based apps and communities work better because you are connecting around a shared interest or scheduled event rather than a cold “friend date.”
The key insight is that meeting over a specific activity, like a food tour, a hike, or a cooking class, removes the awkwardness of “So… what should we do?” You already have something to focus on, which lets conversation happen naturally.
Strategies for finding travel buddies
Be proactive
Do not wait for others to reach out. Post activities, send messages, suggest meetups. The travelers having the best social experiences are the ones taking initiative.
Start small
A two-hour coffee meetup is less commitment than a week-long trip together. Use short activities to gauge compatibility before planning bigger adventures.
Be specific
Instead of posting “anyone want to hang out,” try “heading to the night market at 7pm, looking for food lovers to join.” Specific activities attract people with shared interests like food (see our guide on finding travel buddies who love food).
Stay flexible
The best travel friendships often happen unexpectedly. Stay open to changing plans, extending stays, or detours with new friends.
Book experiences for natural connections
Airbnb Experiences is underrated for meeting people. Instead of using an app to find a person, you book a cooking class or food tour and naturally meet fellow travelers in the small group. These activities often lead to “Want to grab a drink after?” moments without the awkwardness of a cold approach.
What to look for in a travel buddy
Not every traveler makes a compatible companion. Here are qualities that matter:
- Similar pace: Do you both want to see everything or take it slow?
- Compatible budgets: Money differences create friction fast
- Shared interests: Food, adventure, history, nightlife?
- Communication style: Can you discuss plans and problems openly?
- Independence: Good travel buddies enjoy time together AND apart
Red flags to watch for
Safety matters when meeting new people. Learn more about vetting travel companions and staying safe with our complete travel safety guide.
Trust your instincts. Be cautious of people who:
- Pressure you to change plans
- Are secretive about their background
- Have no references or social presence
- Make you feel uncomfortable in any way
- Only want to meet in private settings
- Push back when you say no to small things, as they will likely disrespect bigger boundaries later
From stranger to travel buddy
The progression typically looks like this:
- Connect online: Match on an app or in a city group
- Meet in public: Coffee, a walking tour, or a group activity
- Extend the hangout: Dinner, drinks, exploring together
- Plan something bigger: A day trip or a multi-day adventure
- Stay in touch: Exchange contacts, follow each other, reunite later
Essential apps and tools
Beyond travel buddy apps, these tools help you stay connected:
- WhatsApp is the universal standard for communicating with travel friends internationally (nobody uses text/SMS abroad)
- Google Translate: Download offline languages for smoother communication
- bSafe or Noonlight: Safety apps for sharing your location when meeting new people
Ready to find your travel buddy?
The best cities for solo travelers are full of people looking for exactly what you are: someone to share the adventure with. Download HitchHive, post your first activity, and see who joins. Your next great travel friendship might be one tap away.
Continue your journey
Want to keep exploring? These guides will help you take the next step:
- Best Food Experiences to Meet Locals — Use culinary adventures as your secret weapon for authentic local connections
- The Complete Backpacking Guide — Everything you need to know about traveling the world on a budget
- Building Remote Work Community — Combat loneliness and create meaningful connections while living a location-independent lifestyle
- Southeast Asia Visa Guide for Digital Nomads — Plan your visa strategy before heading to SE Asia
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