How to Make Friends While Travelling Without Staying in Hostels
You don’t need a hostel dorm to make connections. There are SO many ways to meet people on the road, no bunk beds required!
By Valeria · - Categories
- Friendship & Community · Solo Travel & Planning
- Format
- 5 easy steps
- Hostels
- Not required
- Best for
- Solo travellers who want company
- Written by
- Val, from experience
Hey girl! Let’s talk about making friends while travelling.
Solo travel is amazing, but let’s be real, sometimes you just want someone to share those “OMG, did that just happen?!” moments with.
You don’t need a hostel dorm to make connections. There are SO many ways to meet people on the road, no bunk beds required!
Then girl, you’re in the right place! Let’s get into it.
Start before you even leave!
Making friends while travelling doesn’t have to start on the trip. It can start before you even pack your bags! Connecting before your trip can give you a few people to message or make plans with when you arrive.
Travel Facebook Groups
Join groups like Travel Girls Club, Girls LOVE Travel, Solo Travel Society or similar communities and post where you’re going. You’d be surprised how many girls are planning the same trip as you!
BFF by Bumble
BFF is Bumble’s friendship-focused app. Check whether it is available where you live and where you’re travelling, as the app and available features can differ by country. I’ve used Bumble’s friendship features for years and met some really good friends through them.
Meetup
Search for local groups and events around your interests, such as walks, language exchanges or social meetups. Look at the event details and who is organising it before joining.
Instagram and travel communities
Search travel hashtags, comment on posts and message people who are travelling to the same place or living there.
Travel buddy apps and communities
There are also platforms specifically designed to help travellers connect.
GAFFL
Search by destination, find people travelling there around the same time, chat and potentially plan parts of your trip together.
Tourlina
Enter your destination and dates and connect with travellers or locals with similar plans and interests.
Couchsurfing
Look for local events or Hangouts to meet other members nearby. Check the current app features and any access requirements before relying on it for your plans.
I haven’t tried these myself, but I had to add them to the list 😉
“Hey girls! I’m heading to Bali from August 10th to 20th and would love to meet up with anyone who’ll be there! Let’s grab a coffee or explore together!”
Adding a picture to grab attention always helps too 😉
You might find someone with similar dates or plans. If nobody replies straight away, you can still try another activity or start a conversation once you arrive.
The best places to meet people (no hostel required!)
Once you’re on the road, the key is putting yourself in social situations. You don’t have to wait for someone to approach you. Be open, start conversations and friendships will come naturally.
And I know, I know, this can feel like a lot at first. Trust me, I’ve been there.
Before I started travelling solo, even doing simple things alone felt intimidating. I used to think people would judge me, assume I had no friends, or that I was that girl who couldn’t find anyone to travel with.
But here’s the thing. I realised I was imagining far more judgement than I was actually experiencing.
Most people are busy with their own day rather than wondering why you’re on your own. People aren’t walking around analysing your every move or wondering why you’re alone.
Let’s be real. When was the last time you paid close attention to what a stranger was doing at a café or on the street? Unless they were, I don’t know, dancing in a chicken costume, you probably didn’t even notice them. 😂
Most people are caught up in their own world, just like you. And funnily enough, many of them are in the exact same position, just hoping to connect with someone too. So, keep that in mind.
The first time
you push yourself out of your comfort zone? It’s tough.
The second time?
A little less.
And then,
before you know it, it becomes second nature.
Not just in the way you meet people while travelling, but in the way you see yourself. It’s one of those small shifts that ends up transforming so much more than just your social life.
Okay, okay, back to how you actually meet people. Here are some of the best ways to put yourself in social situations while travelling, without the awkwardness!
Group tours and excursions
Walking tours, snorkelling trips, food tours. These are goldmines! Everyone’s in a great mood, excited to explore and usually open to meeting new people.
Yoga and fitness classes
If you’re into yoga, pilates or dance, book a class! It’s an easy way to bond over a shared interest.
Cooking classes and wine tastings
Learn how to make pasta in Italy or sip wine in France while chatting with other travellers. An easy way to start a conversation over something you’re enjoying together.
Coworking cafés and coffee shops
Even if you’re not a digital nomad, these are great for casual conversations. “Hey, have you tried the pastries here?” is an easy icebreaker.
Meetups, language exchanges and shared experiences
Look on Meetup or Luma for local events, and browse Airbnb Experiences for shared activities such as classes or tours. What’s available depends on your destination.
Beaches and shared activities
See someone sitting solo at the beach, or on your boat tour? Say hey! “Where are you from?” can spark a conversation.
Adventure activities
Hiking, diving, surfing lessons or zip lining. If you’re all falling off the surfboard together, you’re gonna bond.
Dating apps, not just for dating!
Yep, you heard me! Open a dating app. Controversial, right? I know, I know.
Sometimes we think, “Oh no, I don’t want to say I’m using dating apps just to meet people”, but why not? The truth is, it can be a great way to connect with locals or even other travellers.
On one trip, I opened Bumble while travelling, matched with someone and, even though there was no romantic spark, we ended up exploring the entire area together for almost two weeks. He lived there, so he showed me around, took me to the best local spots and we became great friends. We still talk and we are even planning a trip together.
And hey, it could happen that you match with someone you really connect with. One of my past relationships actually started while I was travelling in Australia! We ended up travelling together for a while and it turned into an amazing experience. We even tried long distance and everything..! 🫶🏻
If you use a dating app, be clear about what you’re looking for. If you only want friendship, a friendship-focused app or group event may be a better fit. Either way, meet somewhere public and keep your own way of getting home.
Sign up for at least one group activity early in your trip. Even if you haven’t met anyone yet, you already have something social on your itinerary, and if you connect with someone, you might have just found yourself a new travel buddy 🙌🏻
How to start conversations (without it feeling awkward!)
Starting a conversation with a stranger can feel a little nerve wracking, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few easy ways to break the ice:
Say hi first
Literally, just saying “Hey, where are you from?” works most of the time. Travellers LOVE talking about their journeys!
Find common ground
Noticed someone with a cool camera? Ask about it! See someone with a book? Ask what they’re reading! Little things make great conversation starters.
Give a genuine compliment
“I love your bag! Where did you get it?” Compliments are an easy way to start a natural conversation.
Use humour
Travelling brings so many funny moments. Laugh about getting lost or struggling with a foreign menu. It instantly makes you relatable!
Invite people to join you
Sitting at a café or heading to dinner? Ask someone nearby, “Hey, want to join me?” The worst they can say is no!
My personal favourite? The “come talk to me” look
It’s this subtle, friendly expression where you casually glance at people and make soft eye contact, without being flirty, just enough to let them know you’re open to chatting.
It has helped me start conversations many times. If someone doesn’t seem interested, I simply leave it there.
People usually smile back, and then it’s so easy to say something like, “Hey, are you travelling solo too?” or “Do you live here?” Sometimes, they’ll even come up to you and say, “Hey, I saw you sitting here alone, where are you from?” And boom, conversation started.
Another thing I always do? If I see someone else sitting alone, I just go up and say hi. Simple as that.
So many people want to connect, but they don’t always know how to make the first move.
And once you realize that, it all feels so much easier.
Turning travel acquaintances into real friends
Once you’ve met someone, how do you actually turn it into a friendship? Here’s how:
Exchange social media or WhatsApp
Staying connected is easy when you follow each other’s travels!
Send a follow up message
Had fun hanging out? Send a quick “Loved exploring with you today! Wanna grab dinner tomorrow?”
Make plans for the next day
This keeps the momentum going! “I’m going to a sunset spot later, wanna come?”
Plan future meetups
If you hit it off with someone, you might just find a travel buddy for future trips!
Staying safe while meeting people
Of course, while making friends is fun, safety always comes first! A few tips:
Meet in public places
Always meet new people in busy, well lit places.
Share your plans
Let someone back home know if you’re meeting up with someone new. I always recommend sharing your live location with someone you trust whenever you are travelling solo.
Trust your gut
If someone seems sketchy, it’s okay to walk away! Your safety is the number one priority. And if you ever get that off feeling, even if you’re not entirely sure why, listen to it.
If you’re feeling uncomfortable and want to leave but don’t want to make it awkward, just say something like:
“Hey, I think I’m gonna head back to my hotel now. Let’s stay in touch.” Simple, polite and no need for explanations.
You can decide later whether you want to stay in touch. You don’t need to justify leaving, and another person’s reaction is not a reason to ignore your discomfort.
Be mindful of where you go
Every city, big or small, has areas that may be better avoided as a tourist. Some neighbourhoods can be harder to navigate if you’re unfamiliar with the area, and others might have a reputation for being less safe, particularly at certain times of day.
If locals or other travellers tell you that a specific area isn’t the best place to visit alone, take that advice into consideration. There’s no need to put yourself in an uncomfortable situation just for the sake of exploring.
Stick to places where you feel at ease, and when in doubt, do a quick search or ask someone you trust before heading somewhere new.
Meeting people while travelling doesn’t have to be scary. It can actually be one of the best parts of your trip!
- You don’t need to stay in a hostel to meet amazing people.
- Putting yourself out there is key. Get out of your comfort zone!
- Most travellers are friendly and open to new connections.
So go ahead, book that trip, say yes to that group tour, smile at the girl sitting next to you and don’t be afraid to start the conversation.
You never know, you might just meet a travel bestie for life! ✈️💖
Loved this post? 💖
Come say hi on Instagram too! Check out our post, follow @travelgirls.club, and share your own tips for making friends while travelling. I’d love to hear what has worked for you! ✈️💕
