Whether you are a first-time solo traveler or a seasoned backpacker, the people you meet along the way often become the highlight of your journey. This guide covers everything you need to know about solo travel and making friends on the road.
Why solo travel is on the rise
Not sure if solo travel is right for you? Our guide on group travel vs solo travel can help you decide.
Solo travel has exploded in popularity over the past decade. According to recent studies, over 25% of travelers now take at least one solo trip per year. But traveling alone does not mean being lonely. In fact, solo travelers often report making more friends than those who travel in groups.
When you travel solo, you are more approachable. You are more likely to strike up conversations, join group activities, and say yes to spontaneous invitations. The result is deeper connections and more authentic experiences.
The benefits of meeting people while traveling
There is something special about shared experiences with fellow travelers. A sunset becomes more memorable when you watch it with someone. A meal tastes better when you are sharing stories over the table. A hike feels less daunting when you have a companion.
Meeting people while traveling also has practical benefits:
- Safety in numbers: Exploring unfamiliar areas feels safer with others
- Cost sharing: Split accommodation, transportation, and meals
- Local insights: Other travelers share tips and hidden spots
- Language help: Navigate language barriers together
- Lasting friendships: Many travel friendships last a lifetime
How to meet fellow travelers
Meeting people on the road is easier than you might think. Here are the most effective ways to connect with fellow travelers:
1. Use travel apps
Technology has made it easier than ever to find travel buddies. Apps like HitchHive let you see who is nearby and join activities in real-time. Create an activity, whether it is a coffee meetup, a hike, or a food tour, and let nearby travelers join you.
2. Stay in social accommodations
Hostels remain the gold standard for meeting people. Choose hostels with common areas, communal kitchens, and organized events. Many hostels host pub crawls, cooking nights, and day trips specifically designed to help guests connect.
3. Join group activities
Walking tours, cooking classes and food experiences to meet locals, and adventure activities naturally bring travelers together. Even if you start alone, you often end the day with new friends.
4. Visit traveler hotspots
Certain cities are known for their solo traveler communities. Places like Bangkok, Lisbon, and Medellin have established backpacker scenes where meeting people is practically inevitable.
5. Be approachable
Put away your phone at cafes. Make eye contact. Smile. Ask questions. The simplest social gestures open doors to great conversations.
Proven conversation starters that actually work
Breaking the ice can feel awkward, but experienced solo travelers have refined techniques that consistently lead to genuine connections:
Skip the boring questions. Instead of asking “Where are you from?” try more engaging openers like “What did you do today?” or “What are you planning for tomorrow?” These questions naturally open opportunities to join activities together.
The Announcer Technique. Walk into a hostel common room or dorm and simply announce your plans: “I am heading to the night market at 7pm, anyone want to come?” This removes the pressure of approaching one specific person and often gets enthusiastic responses from others who were waiting for someone to take initiative.
The Kitchen Strategy. Cooking in hostel communal kitchens is one of the easiest, lowest-pressure ways to meet people. Offering to share food or asking “What are you cooking?” works almost every time. Some travelers even bring small items from home, like a local spice or snack, specifically to share and spark conversation.
Wear conversation starters. Band t-shirts, sports jerseys, or stickers on your laptop and water bottle give others easy excuses to approach you. Something as simple as a sticker can lead to “Oh, I love that band!” and a new travel friendship.
Tips for introverted travelers
You do not need to be an extrovert to make friends while traveling. These strategies work especially well for quieter personalities:
The Prop Method. Bring a book, journal, or laptop to common areas. Your presence signals openness while giving you something to do. Often, others will approach you, which is much easier than initiating yourself.
Simple acknowledgment matters. Just saying “Hi” when you enter a dorm room makes a huge difference. Walking in silently with headphones signals you do not want to talk, even if that is not true.
Accept single-serving friendships. You do not need to become best friends for life. Being okay with having a friend just for breakfast or just for a day trip removes the pressure to perform socially and often leads to deeper connections naturally.
Choose smaller dorms. Booking a 4-6 bed dorm is often better for conversation than a 12+ bed room, where the “bystander effect” makes people less likely to engage.
Best places to meet people while traveling
Not all destinations are equal when it comes to meeting fellow travelers. The best cities for solo travelers share common characteristics:
- Strong hostel and backpacker infrastructure
- Walkable neighborhoods with cafes and bars
- Active traveler communities
- Affordable cost of living (attracting more travelers)
- Safe environment for solo exploration
Southeast Asia, Western Europe, and Latin America consistently rank as the best regions for meeting fellow travelers. If Southeast Asia is calling, start with our Southeast Asia backpacking routes guide to plan your trip. Countries with “warm” social cultures, like Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Ireland, and Scotland, tend to have locals who are genuinely open to chatting with travelers. In contrast, Northern European countries can feel socially closed, where people are polite but not necessarily looking for new friends.
Turning strangers into friends
Meeting someone is easy. Building a genuine connection takes a bit more effort. Here are tips for turning brief encounters into lasting friendships:
- Exchange contact information: Instagram, WhatsApp, or travel apps keep you connected
- Make concrete plans: “Let us grab dinner tomorrow” beats “we should hang out sometime”
- Travel together: Even a day trip deepens the bond
- Follow up: Send a message after you part ways
- Reunite: Plan to meet again in another city or country
The “Yes” approach. When you first arrive somewhere new, say yes to every invitation, even if you are tired. That one awkward dinner could lead to an invitation to a gathering where you meet your actual travel tribe.
Reality check: managing expectations
While hostels are great for meeting people, it helps to manage expectations. Plan your trip assuming you will be alone, and treat any friends you make as a nice bonus. Sometimes you will have a hostel where you connect with everyone, and other times the vibe just does not click. That is completely normal.
It is also worth understanding the difference between quantity and quality. While it is easy to meet people, forming deep connections is harder. Most interactions will be surface-level, and that is okay. The few genuine friendships you make will be all the more valuable.
Safety considerations
Meeting people is one of the joys of travel, but staying safe matters. For advice, see our complete travel safety guide and learn how to vet travel companions before meeting them. Women traveling solo should take additional precautions.
Key safety tips:
- Meet in public places first
- Tell someone your plans
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, leave
- Use apps with verified profiles and reviews
- Avoid sharing sensitive personal information too quickly
The HitchHive approach
HitchHive was built specifically to help travelers connect. Unlike dating apps or generic social platforms, HitchHive understands that travelers have unique needs:
- Location-based discovery: Find travelers near you right now
- Activity-focused: Connect around shared interests, not just profiles
- City hives: Join local communities in 80+ cities worldwide
- Traveler references: Build trust through reviews from people you have met
- Real-time coordination: Group chats make planning easy
Start your journey
Solo travel is not about being alone. It is about being open to the world and the people in it. Whether you are planning your first solo trip or your fiftieth, the connections you make along the way will become your best memories.
Ready to meet your next travel buddy? Download HitchHive and discover who is exploring alongside you.
Continue your journey
Want to keep exploring? These guides will help you take the next step:
- Stay Productive While Traveling — Balance work and adventure with proven strategies for location-independent productivity
- Building Community on the Road — Discover how to create lasting connections and combat loneliness while living a mobile lifestyle
- Solo Female Travel Safety — Essential safety tips and destination advice for women exploring the world independently
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