How to Meet People While Traveling Solo: 17 Proven Ways to Make Friends on the Road

Want to meet People While Traveling Solo? Here’s a truth that might surprise you: the best conversations of your life probably won’t happen at your local coffee shop. They’ll happen in a hostel kitchen in Lisbon at 11 p.m., on a walking tour through the Gothic Quarter, or at a rooftop bar in Bangkok where nobody knows your name — yet.

Solo travel has this magical way of cracking you open. When you’re 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’s not a trend — that’s a movement. And if you’re part of it, you already know: traveling alone doesn’t mean being lonely. It means being available.

Whether you’re 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 haven’t heard of yet. Ready? Let’s go.

Why Solo Travel Is the Best Way to Make Meaningful Connections

There’s a paradox at the heart of solo travel: the moment you stop needing other people is the moment they start showing up. When you’re alone in a foreign city, you become approachable in a way that simply doesn’t happen when you’re rolling with a group. You make eye contact. You linger at cafés. You say yes to invitations you’d 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’re not weird for traveling alone. You’re early.

And here’s the thing nobody tells you: the friendships you make on the road tend to be deeper. There’s no small talk when you’re 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 doesn’t just help you meet people. It helps you meet the right people. If you need more convincing, check out our solo female travel tips for building confidence before your first trip.

Accommodation Hacks: Hostels, Poshtels, and Social Stays

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

1. Stay in boutique hostels or “poshtels.” Forget the grimy backpacker stereotype. Modern social hostels — think Selina in Medellín, Generator in Barcelona, or The Dorm in Bangkok — 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.

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’re dating as a digital nomad.

3. Actually use the common areas. This sounds obvious, but it’s the #1 mistake solo travelers make. Don’t 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 — and seasoned solo travelers agree that the kitchen is the ultimate icebreaker zone.

Group Experiences That Practically Guarantee New Friends

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

4. Join a free walking tour. Available in virtually every major city, these tip-based tours put you in a group of 10–20 curious travelers for two to three hours. By the end, you’ve got inside jokes and a WhatsApp group. It’s the closest thing to instant friendship.

5. Book small-group day trips. Platforms like GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, and Viator offer intimate excursions (8–12 people) that naturally encourage conversation. A wine-tasting in Tuscany or a street food crawl in Mexico City isn’t just an activity — it’s a dinner party on the move.

6. Take a cooking class or food tour. Shared tables are magic. When you’re 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’s where the friendships deepen.

7. 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. Some of the most romantic things to do solo start as group adventures that turn into something more.

Apps and Platforms Every Solo Traveler Should Download

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:

8. 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’re in — the user base is massive.

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

10. 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.

11. Fairytrail. This niche app matches you with travelers heading to the same destinations. Think of it as “planning a trip with someone you haven’t met yet.” It’s quirky, fun, and surprisingly effective.

12. Local WhatsApp and Telegram groups. Here’s 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’re looking for something more than friendship, discover why Gallivanta beats traditional dating apps for travel-minded singles — it’s built for exactly this kind of adventure.

Coworking Cafés, Bars, and the Art of the “Soft Intro”

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

13. 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 solo date ideas for the ultimate solo evening out.

14. Master the soft intro. You don’t need a clever pickup line. A genuine compliment (“I love your bag — where’d 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’re waiting for someone to break the seal.

15. 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’ll find a mix of digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and creatives — all of whom chose this lifestyle because they love meeting new people. If you’re exploring the best cities for travel dating, coworking hubs are where the interesting people gather.

Staying Safe While Being Social: A Solo Woman’s Playbook

Let’s 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 — that same survey shows safety anxiety drops from 77% to 55% after the first solo trip.

16. Always meet in public first. Whether it’s someone from an app, a hostel acquaintance, or a local you met at a café, keep first hangouts in public spaces. Cafés, 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.

17. Trust your instincts. Always. If something feels off, it probably is. You don’t 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’ll meet are genuinely kind, curious, and just as excited to connect as you are.

For a deeper dive into staying safe while being social, read our complete guide to solo female travel tips — it covers everything from destination safety rankings to what to pack for peace of mind.

Ready to Meet Your Next Travel Date?

You’ve got 17 ways to fill your next trip with unforgettable people. But what if one of those people turns out to be more than a friend?

Gallivanta is for adventurous solo travelers who believe the best love stories start with a boarding pass. Whether you’re sipping wine in Paris or surfing in Bali, Gallivanta connects you with like-minded travelers who are ready for something real — no awkward bar approaches required.

Your next adventure (and maybe your next great love story) is one tap away.