One of the biggest fears about solo travel is loneliness. What if you don't meet anyone? What if you spend the entire trip alone?

Here's the secret: It's actually easier to make friends while traveling than at home. Shared experiences, natural conversation starters, and the universal openness of travelers create the perfect environment for connection.

This guide will show you exactly how to go from solo traveler to having dinner plans with new friends every night.

Why Travel Friends Are Different

The Magic of Transient Connections

At Home:

People have established social circles
Everyone's busy with routines
Harder to break into existing friend groups
Slow relationship building

While Traveling:

Everyone's open to new people
Shared "outsider" status
Instant common ground
Fast friendship formation

The Paradox: Temporary nature actually accelerates connection. You skip small talk and get deep fast because time is limited.

Where to Meet Travel Friends

1. Hostels: The Friendship Factory

Why Hostels Work:

Common Spaces:

Designed for interaction
Natural conversation opportunities
Shared experiences (cooking, hanging out)

Dorm Rooms:

Forced proximity
Natural intros ("Which bed is yours?")
Late-night conversations

Organized Activities:

Pub crawls
Walking tours
Game nights
Group dinners

Staff Facilitation:

Introduce guests
Create social atmosphere
Know who's solo

Maximizing Hostel Socializing:

Choose the Right Hostel:

Read Reviews For:

"Great social atmosphere"
"Met so many people"
"Felt like family"
Common room mentioned

Avoid:

"Quiet" (code for antisocial)
"Private and peaceful"
Hotels disguised as hostels

Size Matters:

Small (10-30 beds): Intimate, easier to meet everyone
Medium (30-100 beds): Balance of energy and connections
Large (100+ beds): High energy, party atmosphere, constant new people

Room Choice:

6-8 bed dorms: Sweet spot for socializing
12+ beds: Chaotic, harder to connect
4-bed: Quieter, but still social potential

Hostel Conversation Starters:

In the Dorm:

"Hey! I'm [name]. When did you get in?"
"Is this your first time in [city]?"
"Have you been to [attraction] yet?"
"Want to grab dinner together later?"

In the Common Room:

Sit near others (not alone in corner)
"Mind if I join you?"
"What are you guys up to today?"
Comment on what they're doing (reading, maps, etc.)

In the Kitchen:

"What are you making? Smells good!"
"Want to cook together? I'm making [dish]."
Offer to share food (instant bonding)
"Anyone want to do a big group dinner?"

2. Free Walking Tours

Why They're Perfect:

Built-In Structure:

2-3 hours together
Shared experience
Natural group formation
Guide often facilitates introductions

Common After-Tour Pattern: Group goes for lunch/drinks → instant friend group.

How to Maximize:

Position Strategically: Walk near solo travelers (couples less likely to open up).

During Tour:

Comment on guide's information to person next to you
Share observations
Help each other with photos

After Tour:

"Anyone want to grab lunch?"
"I'm going to [attraction] next, anyone interested?"
"Exchange numbers for later?"

3. Group Activities and Tours

Best For Meeting People:

Day Tours:

Island hopping
Food tours
Adventure activities (rafting, diving)
Bike tours

Classes:

Cooking classes (highly social)
Language classes
Dance classes
Surfing lessons

Adventure Sports:

Diving groups
Hiking organized trips
Skiing/snowboarding

Why They Work:

Shared adrenaline/experience bonds
Small groups (6-12 people)
Shared meals often included
WhatsApp groups created

4. Social Apps and Platforms

miigo – Find Travel Buddies

Best For:

Finding companions before/during trip
Meeting locals and travelers in your destination
Joining group trips
Activity partners

How to Use:

Set your current location
Browse who's in the city
Message potential friends
Meet for coffee/activity
Video chat first for safety

Meetup.com

Perfect For:

Regular events
Interest-based groups
Local meetups in your destination
Long-term connections

Examples:

Language exchange Tuesday nights
Weekend hiking groups
Entrepreneur meetups
Photography walks

Couchsurfing (Hangouts Feature)

Not Just for Accommodation:

"Hangouts" connects locals with travelers
Coffee meetups
Show you around
Local insider knowledge

Safety:

Public places
Verified profiles
Trust your instincts

Facebook Groups:

Search:

"[City] Digital Nomads"
"Solo Female Travelers in [Region]"
"[City] Expats and Travelers"
"[Country] Backpackers"

Post: "Solo traveler in [city] for the next week. Anyone want to grab dinner/explore/hike?"

5. Coworking Spaces (For Digital Nomads)

Why Coworking:

Remote workers seeking community
Regular faces (easier to build friendship)
Common ground (work + travel)
Events and social activities

Making Friends:

Lunch with others
Attend networking events
Join the Slack/Discord
Suggest after-work drinks

6. Classes and Workshops

Learning = Bonding:

Popular Options:

Cooking classes (most social)
Language exchange
Art classes
Yoga/meditation
Music lessons

Why It Works:

Shared learning experience
Multiple sessions = recurring interaction
Natural conversation topics
Often drinks/socializing after

7. Volunteer Opportunities

Meaningful Connections:

Types:

Wildlife conservation
Teaching English
Hostel work trade
Farm stays (WWOOF)
Community projects

Benefits:

Shared purpose bonds deeply
Work alongside others
Often live together
Strong friendships form

8. Cafes and Restaurants

Harder But Possible:

Solo Dining Strategy:

Sit at bar (not table)
Chat with bartender/staff
Comment on food to neighbor
Bring book (conversation starter)

Cafes:

Less natural than hostels
But possible for long-term travelers
Become regular = meet other regulars

Better For: Complementing other methods, not primary strategy.

The Art of Starting Conversations

Opening Lines That Work

The Simple Truth: Most travelers are hoping someone talks to them too.

Universal Openers:

Logistics:

"Do you know if [attraction] is open today?"
"Have you figured out the bus system here?"
"Is the [restaurant] worth trying?"

Experiences:

"How long have you been traveling?"
"Where are you headed next?"
"What's been your favorite place so far?"

Recommendations:

"I'm trying to decide what to do today. Any suggestions?"
"Have you done [activity] yet? Worth it?"

Direct and Honest:

"Hi, I'm traveling solo. Mind if I join you?"
"You seem friendly! Want to grab dinner later?"

Common Ground:

Notice what they're reading/doing
"Is that book good? I've been wanting to read it."
Noticed their flag/accent: "Are you from [country]?"

Reading Social Cues

Green Lights (They Want to Talk):

Eye contact and smile
Body language open (facing outward)
Not wearing headphones
Lingering in common areas
Solo

Yellow Lights (Maybe):

Couples (may be self-contained, but sometimes welcoming)
Small existing groups (can join but harder)
Reading but not headphones (depends)

Red Lights (Leave Them Be):

Headphones + book + closed body language
Actively working on laptop with intense focus
Groups deeply engaged in conversation
Clear "don't approach" vibes

When in Doubt: Ask. "Hey, sorry to interrupt – is this a good time to chat?"

Building Actual Friendships

From Small Talk to Real Connection

The Trap: Surface conversations that go nowhere.

The Goal: Genuine connections, even if brief.

How to Go Deeper:

1. Share Stories, Not Just Facts

Surface: "I'm from California."

Deeper: "I'm from California. I actually quit my job to do this trip – best decision I've made."

2. Ask Meaningful Questions

Beyond Basics:

"What made you want to travel here?"
"What's been the most surprising thing about this trip?"
"What are you hoping to get out of traveling?"
"What's been your favorite unexpected moment?"

3. Be Vulnerable

Share:

Fears
Challenges you're facing
What you're learning about yourself
Honest feelings

Example: "Honestly, I was really nervous about solo travel, but everyone's been so welcoming."

Result: Others reciprocate vulnerability = real connection.

4. Create Shared Experiences

Don't Just Talk:

Do things together
Shared meals
Adventures
Challenges

Memory-Making: Getting lost together, cooking disasters, unexpected adventures = friendship cement.

Making Plans

Don't Wait for Others:

Be the Organizer:

"I'm thinking of checking out [place] tomorrow. Want to come?"
"Anyone interested in cooking dinner together tonight?"
"I'm going on the free tour at 10. Who's in?"

Create WhatsApp Groups:

"Day Trip to [Place]" group
"Hostel Dinner Crew"
Easy coordination

Follow Through: If you say you'll do something, do it. Flakiness ends friendships fast.

Maintaining Connections

Staying in Touch

The Reality: Most travel friends are temporary. And that's okay.

But Some Become Lifelong:

Immediate:

Exchange numbers/Instagram
Connect on Facebook
Add to travel WhatsApp groups

After Parting:

Message about shared memories
Tag in relevant posts
Share photos
"Thinking of you when I saw this"

Reunions:

Plan to meet in next destination
Visit each other's home countries
Travel together again

Quality Over Quantity

You Don't Need 100 Friends:

Better: A few deep connections than dozens of surface friendships.

The Best Travel Friends:

You can be yourself around
Shared values and interests
Compatible travel styles
Mutual effort in friendship

Special Situations

Solo Female Travelers

Additional Challenges:

Safety concerns with mixed groups
Unwanted romantic attention
Different cultural norms

Solutions:

1. Women-Only Dorms Easier to meet female travelers specifically.

2. Female Travel Groups

Facebook: "Solo Female Travelers"
Apps: Tourlina (female-only)
Gender-specific tours

3. Be Clear About Boundaries "I'm here to make friends, not looking for romance."

4. Group Activities Safer than one-on-one initially with male travelers.

5. Trust Your Instincts If someone makes you uncomfortable, exit. Your safety > hurting feelings.

Introverts

"But I'm Not Outgoing..."

Good News: You don't have to be. Introverts often make deeper connections.

Strategies:

1. Small Groups 4-6 people > large parties.

2. One-on-One After meeting in group, suggest smaller hangout.

3. Structured Activities Easier than open-ended socializing.

4. Recharge Time It's okay to need alone time. Balance social with rest.

5. Quality Conversations Introverts excel at deep talk. Use it.

6. Find Other Introverts They're also in the corner of the hostel, hoping someone talks to them.

Older Travelers

Age-Related Concerns:

"Am I too old for hostels?" No. Age range wider than you think.

"Will I relate to 20-year-olds?" Often yes. Travel transcends age. But also:

Solutions:

"Flashpacking" hostels (nicer, slightly older crowd)
Boutique hostels
Adult-only hostels (18+ or 21+)
Tours geared toward 30s/40s/50s+
Meetups and expat groups

Advantage: Life experience makes you interesting. Younger travelers often seek your wisdom.

Couples

Traveling as a Couple:

The Challenge: Couples can seem self-contained, harder for solo travelers to approach.

Making Friends as a Couple:

1. Be Approachable

Don't always sit together
One person starts conversations
Invite solo travelers to join you

2. Split Up Occasionally Each person does some activities solo = make individual friends.

3. Be Welcoming "We're heading to dinner, want to come?"

Common Friendship Mistakes

What Not to Do

1. Being Cliquey

Problem: You met two friends on day one, now only hang with them, excluding others.

Better: Keep your group open and welcoming.

2. Forcing It

Problem: Not everyone will click. Forcing friendships creates awkwardness.

Better: It's okay if someone doesn't become your best friend. Move on gracefully.

3. Being Negative

Problem: Constantly complaining drives people away.

Better: Positive energy attracts people. Save venting for established friends.

4. Oversharing Too Fast

Problem: Trauma dumping on Day 1.

Better: Vulnerability is good, but pace it. Build trust first.

5. Romance Over Friendship

Problem: Only talking to people you're attracted to.

Better: Make diverse friends. Often the best connections aren't romantic.

6. Phone Addiction

Problem: In common room but on phone = unapproachable.

Better: Put phone down. Make eye contact. Be present.

Making Friends with Locals

Beyond Tourist Bubble

Why It's Valuable:

Authentic experiences
Insider knowledge
Cultural understanding
Lasting connections

How to Meet Locals:

1. Language Exchange

Tandem apps
Conversation cafes
Exchange language for cultural insights

2. Join Local Activities

Sports leagues
Fitness classes
Community events

3. Volunteer Work alongside locals on projects.

4. Use Couchsurfing Hangouts Locals specifically interested in meeting travelers.

5. Through Work Coworking spaces, remote work communities.

6. Ask Your Hostel/Airbnb Host Often happy to show you around or connect you.

7. Slow Travel Month+ stays allow natural local friendships to form.

Using miigo to Find Travel Friends

Before Your Trip

Search Destinations: See who's traveling to same places as you.

Filter By:

Travel dates
Interests
Age range
Travel style
Budget

Connect:

Video chat before trip
Plan activities together
Arrive with built-in friend group

During Your Trip

Update Location: See who's currently in your city.

Browse Nearby:

Other solo travelers
Group trips you can join
Locals offering to show around

Create Plans:

"Hiking this weekend, who's in?"
"Looking for dinner companions"
"Day trip to [place], need 2-3 more people"

Safety Features

Why miigo for Finding Friends:

✅ Verified Profiles Reduced catfishing/scam risk.

✅ Reviews See what past travel companions say.

✅ Video Chat Get to know people before meeting.

✅ Public First Meetings Always meet in public spaces initially.

✅ Group Options Join existing friend groups.

Overcoming Friend-Making Fears

"What If They Reject Me?"

Reality: Sometimes people aren't interested. It's not personal.

Truth: For every "no," there are three "yeses." You just have to ask.

Reframe: Not rejection, just incompatibility. Next!

"I'm Awkward at Small Talk"

Good News: Most travelers skip small talk and get real fast.

Strategy: Ask deeper questions right away. People love it.

"Everyone Else Seems to Have Friends Already"

Perception vs. Reality: That group met this morning. Everyone's new.

Truth: Groups are usually open to new members. Just ask to join.

The Beautiful Truth

Why Travel Friendships Matter

They're Intense: Shared adventures create bonds quickly.

They're Diverse: You meet people you'd never encounter at home.

They're Inspiring: Different perspectives expand your worldview.

They're Temporary (Often): And that's what makes them special. No pressure, just presence.

Some Become Lifelong: Your best friend might be in that hostel common room right now.

Final Thoughts

Making friends while traveling isn't about being the most outgoing person or having perfect social skills.

It's about:

Being open
Taking initiative
Being genuinely interested in others
Saying yes to invitations
Creating opportunities
Being yourself

The world is full of people just like you – seeking connection, adventure, and genuine human interaction.

All you have to do is say hello.

Ready to build your global friend network? Join miigo to connect with travelers heading to your destinations, meet locals offering to show you around, and find companions for every stage of your journey.

What's been your best experience making travel friends? Share your stories and tips!