Traveling alone doesn’t mean being lonely. In fact, learning how to make friends while traveling solo can transform your journey into an enriching experience filled with new connections and shared adventures. Whether you’re staying in hostels, joining group tours, or attending local events, there are countless opportunities to meet like-minded travelers and locals alike.
If you’re thinking about embarking on a solo adventure, here are some tips, tricks, and apps to make sure you never really feel alone on the road.
Tips to Make Friends While Traveling Solo
1. Join Local Tours and Activities 🌍
Group excursions and experiences are one of the easiest ways to meet people without even trying. Some must-tries:
✅ Free walking tours: Almost every city offers free guided tours where you’ll not only learn about the place but also meet other travelers.
✅ Cooking classes or local workshops: Learning how to make traditional dishes? Taking a flamenco class? Fun and social experiences like these are great ways to bond with others.
✅ Day trips: If you’re heading on a hike or visiting a nearby town, join a group tour instead of going solo.
And if your destination has a beach (wink, wink 🌊), surf lessons are the perfect excuse to make friends while trying to stay on the board.
2. Use Apps to Connect with Other Travelers 📲
The digital world can also help you make friends in real life. These are some of the best apps to meet people while traveling:
📌 Backpackr – Connect with fellow travelers with similar interests.
📌 Couchsurfing Hangouts – Meet up with locals or travelers in the same city.
📌 Meetup – Find group events and activities based on your hobbies.
📌 Tinder & Bumble BFF – Not just for dating, but also great for making friends in new cities.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to make the first move! Most people on these apps are in the same situation as you.
3. Stay in a Hostel, But Not Just Any Hostel 🏡
If you’re traveling solo and staying in a hotel or an Airbnb without common areas, making friends will be much harder. The key is choosing a hostel with a traveler’s spirit, where connections happen naturally.
Here at Superlativo Hostels, we get it—a good hostel isn’t just a place to sleep, it’s a place to connect. From our common areas to our organized activities, there’s always the perfect excuse to break the ice with other travelers.
Tip: Sign up for group activities hosted by the hostel.
4. Break the Ice with Confidence: No Fear of Rejection 😎
One of the biggest keys to making friends while traveling solo is learning to break the ice without hesitation. Some go-to conversation starters:
✅ “Where are you from?” (A classic, but it always works.)
✅ “Do you know any good places to eat around here?”
✅ “I’m doing this later—want to join?”
Most people are open to meeting new people while traveling, but sometimes you just need to take the first step.
5. Enjoy the Experience Without Expectations And With an Open Mind ✨
When you travel solo, it’s normal to have moments when you’re on your own. And that’s totally okay. Enjoying your own company is part of the journey.
Sometimes you’ll meet people for just one dinner, and other times, you’ll make lifelong friends. The key is to go with the flow and let connections happen naturally.
In Summary…
Traveling solo doesn’t mean being alone. It means being free, choosing your own adventure, and having the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world. And if you pick the right hostel (cough, cough, like Superlativo Hostels 😏), your chances of making friends multiply.
So… are you ready to take the leap? ✈️🌎
