How to Make Friends While Traveling Solo: A Guide to Finding Community

Solo travel doesn’t have to mean solitary. With a few simple habits and the right places to show up, you can build real friendships on the road—without draining your energy or compromising safety. This guide gives you a practical playbook: where to meet people, what to say, which apps actually help, and how to nurture connections into community.

Key takeaways

Prioritize repeated, low‑stakes interactions (classes, clubs, coworking) over one‑offs.
Use context to start conversations; skip generic small talk.
Safety first: meet in public, share plans, and set boundaries.
Consistency beats charisma — one invite a day builds a network fast.

Mindset: Community vs. contacts

Aim for repetition, not randomness: One hiking group you attend weekly beats five different one‑off events.
Be a contributor: Offer small value—share a saved map, organize a coffee crawl, invite others to a free walking tour.
Make the ask (micro‑style): Specific, time‑boxed invites (“grab dumplings at 7?”) work better than vague plans.

Micro‑framework: PACE

Participate: show up where people naturally gather.
Ask: use context to start conversations.
Commit: suggest one small plan within 24 hours.
Exchange: swap numbers/handles and follow up once.

Where to meet people (that isn’t just a bar)

Stay

Hostels (even with a private room): join free walking tours, communal dinners, game nights.
Coliving spaces and guesthouses: longer stays = repeated faces.
Homestays/family‑run inns: breakfasts and shared patios spark organic chats.

Move

Free walking tours and day trips: easy, low‑commitment bonds.
Group hikes, bike rides, food tours: shared effort + shared taste = quick rapport.

Work/learn

Coworking spaces: buy a day pass, join member lunches or “show & tell.”
Language schools; yoga/surf/dance classes; cooking workshops: built‑in repetition and shared interest.

Play

Hobby hubs: climbing gyms, board‑game cafés, running clubs, community theaters, makerspaces.
Volunteering: beach clean‑ups, animal shelters, park restoration days.

Local community

Libraries and cultural centers: talks, exhibitions, workshops.
Faith/spiritual communities: services and social hours (if aligned with your beliefs).

Pro tip: Show up early and offer to help (“Want a hand setting up the board?”). Being useful is a universal icebreaker.

Apps and platforms that actually help

Use apps to discover in‑person events—then get offline fast.

Platform	Best for	Pro tip
Meetup	Regular, interest‑based groups	Filter by “recurring” to build repetition.
Couchsurfing Hangouts	Casual meetups nearby	Great for spontaneous coffee/walks; stick to public spots.
Bumble For Friends (BFF)	One‑to‑one or small‑group hangs	Add dates/interests; suggest a specific first activity.
Facebook Groups	City/expat/nomad communities	Search “City + expat/nomad/solo travel/activities.”
WhatsApp/Telegram	Local event threads	Join via FB/Meetup links; mute noisy chats; star key posts.
Eventbrite	Classes, talks, niche events	Look for workshops and free lectures.
Internations	Expat mixers	Skews over‑30/professional.
Reddit	r/solotravel, city subs	Check pinned “weekly meetups”; ask for recs.
Nomad List (and similar)	Nomad city chats	Announce your dates; join cowork/co‑dine meetups.
Strava/Run clubs	Fitness‑first socials	Search “City + run club” and pick a beginner pace.

Pro tip: Screenshot event details in case data drops; share with new friends for easy coordination.

Conversation openers and follow‑ups (scripts)

Use the setting. Context beats clever.

At a free walking tour

Opener: “Hey, I’m [Name]. Have you done tours with this company before?”
Follow‑up: “I’m grabbing lunch after — want to join for 30 minutes?”

In a hostel kitchen/common area

Opener: “That smells great—where’d you find the ingredients?”
Follow‑up: “I’m checking out the night market at 7 if you want to tag along.”

At coworking

Opener: “Mind if I ask what you’re working on today? I’m scouting a coffee spot for a focus sprint later.”
Follow‑up: “Heading to [café] at 3 for a 90‑minute sprint—want to co‑work?”

At a class (language, surf, yoga, dance)

Opener: “Are you new here too? I’m [Name].”
Follow‑up: “I’ll be back Thursday—want to pair up 20 minutes before class?”

DM to a group chat/event thread

“New in town, staying near [area]. Anyone up for a morning run at [easy pace] tomorrow? Coffee after?”

Scaling up a good chat

“This was fun — want to swap numbers? I’m [Name] on WhatsApp/IG.”

Graceful exits/boundaries

“I’m keeping tonight early — up at 7 for a tour. Coffee tomorrow?”

Safety and boundaries (smart, not scared)

Meet in public first. Daytime coffee, group tours, or classes.
Share your plan. Send a trusted friend your location and check‑in time.
Control logistics. Arrange your own transport; avoid isolation until trust is earned.
Watch your drink and bag. Keep valuables minimal at social events.
Read the room culturally. Learn local norms (greetings, dress, alcohol rules).
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, leave — no explanation needed.

Optional safety kit

Offline maps with pinned “safe spots” (24/7 cafés, hospitals, embassy).
Portable door lock and a loud keychain alarm if that helps you feel secure.
Two emergency contacts on your phone’s lock screen.

For introverts, over‑30 travelers, and digital nomads

Introvert‑friendly tactics

Arrive early: Easier to start one conversation than enter a crowd.
Time‑boxed invites: “20‑minute coffee” lowers pressure.
Leverage repetition: Choose 1–2 recurring groups (run club + language exchange).
Recovery buffer: One social day, one quiet day — protect your energy.

Over‑30 (and 40+) travelers

Choose venues: coworking, cooking classes, book clubs, early hikes, non‑party hostels/colivings.
Quality over quantity: Fewer, deeper friendships beat nightly meetups.
Consider expat/pro groups: they skew older and more settled.

Digital nomads

Get a week pass at a coworking space and attend the weekly social.
Join “build in public” or demo days — work talk is an instant connector.
Host a tiny thing: “Wednesday lunch table at [café], 12:30—come co‑eat.”

A 7‑day kickoff plan

Day 1 (Arrival)

Join 3 local FB/WhatsApp groups; book 1 free walking tour; shortlist 1 class; buy 1 coworking day pass.

Day 2

Do the walking tour. Invite 1–2 people to lunch after.

Day 3

Take your first class. Arrive early, introduce yourself, suggest a quick practice or coffee afterward.

Day 4

Coworking day. Sit near communal areas; invite someone to a 90‑minute focus sprint.

Day 5

Attend a Meetup/expat or language exchange event. Aim for one solid conversation; swap contacts.

Day 6

Host something tiny: “Sunset picnic at [park], bring fruit/bread—DM for pin.”

Day 7

Follow up with your best 2–3 connections. Plan one concrete activity for next week.

Keep repeating the best channels. Your network compounds.

Pen + small notebook (share recs; exchange IG handles)
Compact game/cards (Uno, travel chess, Code Names Duet)
Lightweight picnic kit (foldable blanket, reusable cutlery)
Local SIM or eSIM with data (for last‑minute plans)
Portable power bank (be the hero when someone’s phone dies)

Common mistakes to avoid

Event hopping without repetition. Depth > breadth.
Vague invites. “We should hang out sometime” rarely happens.
Oversharing too soon. Earn trust gradually.
Ignoring local etiquette. Learn greetings, tipping norms, personal‑space cues.
Letting one bad interaction shut you down. New city, new energy.

Keep the friendships going (after you move on)

Make it easy: “Want to do a 10‑minute voice note catch‑up next week?”
Create a micro‑group: “Lisbon Runners 2025” WhatsApp with 4–6 people you met.
Share value: job leads, apartment tips, saved maps—be the connector.
Plan a reunion anchor: same conference, race, festival, or a “meet halfway” weekend.

FAQ

Do I have to stay in hostels to meet people?
No. Coworking spaces, classes, Meetups, and walking tours create the same social surface — often with more aligned interests.
How do I make friends if I don’t drink or stay out late?
Opt for morning runs, coffee meetups, museum tours, day hikes, and classes. You’ll meet folks who share your pace.
Is it safe to use apps to meet people?
Yes, with basic precautions: verify profiles, meet in public, share your location/check‑in time, and trust your gut.
What about language barriers?
Learn 10–20 local phrases. Pair with nonverbal activities (cooking, dance, hikes) where words matter less. Translation apps bridge the rest.

VD