How to Meet People While Traveling Solo Without Feeling Awkward or Unsafe

Last updated: April 12, 2026 • 13 min read

By Walter, Founder of Gallivanta

15+ years travel tech • Solo traveler

✓ Fact-checked • ✓ Safety reviewed •

If you want to meet people while traveling solo, the goal is not to become louder or more performative, it is to put yourself in the right environments where conversation can happen naturally. The best approach is a mix of confidence, timing, safety awareness, and places that make connection feel easy instead of forced.

Want to meet people while traveling solo? Here is a truth that still surprises me after fifteen years on the road: the best friendships I have ever made were not planned. They happened in a steamy hostel kitchen in Lisbon at 11 p.m., on a bumpy bus through the mountains of Guatemala, and at a rooftop bar in Bangkok where nobody knew my name — yet. Solo travel has this magical way of cracking you open. When you are not leaning on a travel buddy, you lean into the world instead. And the world leans right back.

According to Condor Ferries, 84% of solo travelers are women, and the global solo travel market hit a staggering $482.5 billion in 2024. That is not a trend — that is a movement. And if you are part of it, you already know: traveling alone does not mean being lonely. It means being available.

Whether you are exploring the best solo travel destinations for 2026 or simply looking for your next adventure, this guide gives you 17 proven, real-world ways to meet people while traveling solo — from the tried-and-true hostel hack to apps you probably have not heard of yet. Ready? Let us go.

If you want one specific person to travel with instead of broader social connection, read our guide on how to find a travel partner. And if romance is part of the picture, compare the best travel dating apps before you go.

How to Meet People While Traveling Solo in Low-Pressure Ways

There is a paradox at the heart of solo travel: the moment you stop needing other people is the moment they start showing up. When you are alone in a foreign city, you become approachable in a way that simply does not happen when you are rolling with a group. You make eye contact. You linger at cafes. You say yes to invitations you would normally overthink.

The numbers back this up. A 2025 survey of 5,000 solo female travelers found that 65% actively tried to meet locals during their trips, and 87% said they travel solo for the freedom and flexibility it gives them. Meanwhile, Forbes reports that 76% of Millennials and Gen Z plan to take a solo trip — which means the hostel common room is only getting more interesting.

58% of millennials have already traveled solo, according to Skyscanner, with 62% planning two to five solo trips in 2025 alone. You are not weird for traveling alone. You are early.

And here is the thing nobody tells you: the friendships you make on the road tend to be deeper. There is no small talk when you are sharing a sunset in Santorini with a stranger. You skip straight to the real stuff — dreams, heartbreaks, that questionable tattoo you got in Thailand. Solo travel does not just help you meet people. It helps you meet the right people. If you need more convincing, check out our solo travel safety tips for women for building confidence before your first trip.

I still remember the first time I truly understood this. I was in Lisbon, nursing a glass of vinho verde in a hostel kitchen around 11 p.m. A woman from Toronto sat down across from me and asked if I knew where to find the best pasteis de nata at midnight. Three hours later, we were walking across the city, sharing stories about quitting corporate jobs and chasing sunsets. I never saw her again, but I still think about that conversation. That is the solo travel magic in action.

Best Places to Meet People While Traveling Solo Safely

Your accommodation is not just where you sleep — it is where your social life begins. The single smartest move you can make as a solo traveler? Choose a place that is designed for connection.

1. Stay in boutique hostels or “poshtels.” Forget the grimy backpacker stereotype. Modern social hostels run daily events: pub crawls, yoga sessions, cooking nights, rooftop parties. The social infrastructure is built in. All you have to do is show up. I once checked into a tiny hostel in Chiang Mai and found myself in a group of ten people heading to a night market within an hour. We ate mango sticky rice, haggled over lanterns, and ended the night at a rooftop bar swapping playlists. That is the norm, not the exception.

2. Book social accommodation platforms. Use Hostelworld’s “social score” to find places where people actually hang out. Look for properties with coworking spaces, communal kitchens, and event calendars. Selina properties, for example, blend hostel vibes with coworking — perfect if you are looking for a travel partner who shares your remote-work lifestyle.

3. Actually use the common areas. This sounds obvious, but it is the #1 mistake solo travelers make. Do not retreat to your room after check-in. Park yourself in the common room with a book, a laptop, or just a glass of wine. The magic happens in shared spaces.

4. Choose hostels with family dinners. Some hostels serve a big communal dinner every night for a small fee. There is something about passing plates around a long wooden table that breaks the ice instantly. I have met journalists, firefighters, and professional dancers over spaghetti in Rome and pad thai in Bangkok. Family dinners are friendship accelerators.

Group Experiences That Turn Strangers Into Travel Buddies

If accommodation is your passive strategy, group experiences are your active one. Nothing bonds strangers faster than a shared adventure — especially when there is food, adrenaline, or getting gloriously lost involved.

5. Join a free walking tour. Available in virtually every major city, these tip-based tours put you in a group of 10 to 20 curious travelers for two to three hours. By the end, you have got inside jokes and a WhatsApp group. It is the closest thing to instant friendship. I took one in Mexico City and ended up eating tacos until 2 a.m. with a filmmaker from Seoul and a nurse from Melbourne. We still send each other memes.

6. Book small-group day trips. Platforms like GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, and Viator offer intimate excursions (8 to 12 people) that naturally encourage conversation. A wine-tasting in Tuscany or a street food crawl in Hanoi is not just an activity — it is a dinner party on the move.

7. Take a cooking class or food tour. Shared tables are magic. When you are elbow-deep in homemade pasta with five strangers, small talk becomes real talk fast. Look for classes that include a sit-down meal afterward — that is where the friendships deepen. I once took a mole-making class in Oaxaca and bonded with a group of solo travelers over accidentally burning our tortillas. We laughed so hard the instructor had to start the batch over. By the end of lunch, we had plans to visit a mezcal farm together the next day.

8. Sign up for adventure activities. Surfing lessons, diving courses, multi-day hiking treks, yoga retreats — physical activities create bonds at warp speed. The combination of adrenaline, vulnerability, and shared accomplishment is friendship rocket fuel.

The Best Apps to Meet People While Traveling Solo

Your smartphone is the most powerful social tool in your bag — if you know which apps to load. Here are the ones travel experts actually recommend:

9. Bumble BFF. You know Bumble for dating. But its BFF mode is secretly one of the best tools for meeting fellow travelers and expats. Swipe for friendship in whatever city you are in — the user base is massive.

10. Couchsurfing Hangouts. Even if you are not couch-surfing, the “Hangouts” feature connects you with travelers nearby who want to grab coffee, explore, or just hang. It is spontaneous and low-pressure.

11. Meetup.com. Search for expat groups, language exchanges, hiking clubs, or digital nomad meetups in your destination. The events are usually free or cheap, and everyone there is actively looking to connect.

12. Fairytrail. This niche app matches you with travelers heading to the same destinations. Think of it as “planning a trip with someone you have not met yet.” It is quirky, fun, and surprisingly effective.

13. Local WhatsApp and Telegram groups. Here is an insider trick: search Facebook for “[City] + digital nomads” or “[City] + travelers” and ask to join the local WhatsApp or Telegram group. These groups post meetups, restaurant recs, and spontaneous plans daily. And if you are looking for something more than friendship, discover the best travel dating apps for 2026 — they are built for exactly this kind of adventure.

Cafes, Bars, and the Soft Intro That Opens Doors

Not every connection starts with a swipe or a group tour. Some of the best encounters happen organically — at a cafe, a wine bar, or a coworking space. The key? Master the art of the “soft intro.”

14. Sit at the counter or bar. This is the oldest trick in the solo traveler’s book, and it works every time. Sushi bars, tapas counters, wine bars, ramen shops — shoulder-to-shoulder seating naturally invites conversation. Skip the corner table. The counter is where the magic happens. Pair this with our romantic solo travel destinations for the ultimate solo evening out.

I learned this lesson on a rainy Tuesday in Barcelona. I sat at a tapas counter, ordered patatas bravas, and commented to the person next to me that the salsa brava smelled incredible. Thirty minutes later, she had sketched out an entire hidden-gems map for me on a napkin. We spent the next three days exploring the city together. All because I chose the counter seat.

15. Master the soft intro. You do not need a clever pickup line. A genuine compliment (“I love your bag — where did you get it?”), a local question (“Do you know any good bookshops nearby?”), or a simple observation (“This wine is incredible, right?”) is all it takes. Solo travelers are almost always happy to chat — they are waiting for someone to break the seal.

16. Hit the coworking hubs. Cities like Bali, Lisbon, Chiang Mai, and Tbilisi have thriving coworking scenes. Spaces like Hubud, Outsite, and Dojo regularly host networking nights, language exchanges, and skill-sharing workshops. You will find a mix of digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and creatives — all of whom chose this lifestyle because they love meeting new people.

Staying Safe When You Meet People While Traveling Solo

Let us talk about the elephant in the room. Meeting people while traveling solo is incredible — but safety matters, especially for women. 66% of solo female travelers worry about personal safety, and that concern is valid. The good news? Experience helps — safety anxiety drops from 77% to 55% after the first solo trip.

17. Always meet in public first. Whether it is someone from an app, a hostel acquaintance, or a local you met at a cafe, keep first hangouts in public spaces. Cafes, restaurants, busy plazas — places with people around. Share your live location with a friend or family member back home, and give them a heads-up about your plans.

I have a personal rule that has never failed me: if I meet someone new, the first hangout is always somewhere I could comfortably leave in under two minutes if I needed to. That does not mean I am paranoid. It means I am free to relax, because I know I have an exit.

Trust your instincts. Always. If something feels off, it probably is. You do not owe anyone your time, your story, or your politeness when your gut is telling you to leave. Have an exit plan. Download local emergency numbers. Consider travel insurance that covers evacuation. And remember: the vast majority of people you will meet are genuinely kind, curious, and just as excited to connect as you are. For a deeper dive, read our complete guide to travel dating safety — it covers everything from red flags to safe first-meet strategies.

FAQ: Everything You Want to Know About Meeting People on the Road

Is it really easy to meet people while traveling solo?
Yes, often easier than at home. Solo travelers are naturally more approachable, and hostels, group tours, and coworking spaces are filled with people who want to connect. The key is choosing social environments and being open to conversation.

What if I am shy or introverted?
You do not need to be the life of the party. Start with structured group activities like cooking classes or walking tours, where conversation happens naturally. The shared experience does the heavy lifting for you.

Are travel friendship apps safe?
Most are safe if you follow basic precautions: meet in public, tell someone where you are going, and trust your instincts. Stick to well-known platforms with verified profiles and read reviews when available.

How do I keep solo travel friendships alive after the trip?
Swap Instagram handles, start a group chat, or plan a reunion trip. Some of my closest friends are people I met for only a few days in another country. Shared adventure creates a bond that distance does not erase.

Can I meet people in luxury hotels too?
Absolutely, though it takes more effort. Boutique hotels sometimes host wine hours or rooftop events. The bar and lounge areas can be social, but hostels and group tours generally offer more built-in opportunities to connect.

What is the best first step to meet people while traveling solo?
Book a social hostel or join a free walking tour on your first day. It immediately puts you in a room full of people who are also looking to connect. Momentum matters — once you make one friend, they often introduce you to more.

How We Built This Guide

We did not pull these tips from thin air. This guide is based on a combination of large-scale travel industry reports, expert interviews, and thousands of miles of real solo travel experience. We analyzed data from Condor Ferries, Skyscanner, and Forbes to understand current solo travel trends. We then cross-referenced those findings with firsthand stories from travelers across five continents. Every tip here has been tested on the road — some of them in hostel kitchens, others on delayed trains, and a few over shared plates of street food at 2 a.m.

Trusted Sources

• U.S. Department of State — Travel Advisories
• CDC — Travel Health Notices
• UNWTO — World Tourism Organization
• Hostelling International

Written by Walter, Founder of Gallivanta

Walter / Gallivanta

Walter is a passionate solo traveler who has explored over 35 countries across 5 continents, often traveling alone for weeks or months at a time. As the founder of Gallivanta, he’s on a mission to make solo adventures safer, more social, and full of unexpected sparks.

From backpacking through Southeast Asia to road-tripping across Latin America and hiking solo in Iceland, Walter has experienced firsthand what makes a destination truly welcoming for independent women travelers. He writes from real experience. Not just research.

When he’s not building Gallivanta or analyzing markets, you’ll find him chasing sunsets, trying local street food, or striking up conversations in hostels and rooftop bars.

🌍 35+ countries solo • ✍️ Travel-first storytelling • ❤️ Adventure first. Sparks welcome.

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