It can be hard when friends aren’t as interested in travel as you are. In fact ,the freedom of traveling without waiting for others is the main reason people travel solo according to Statista. Traveling solo is becoming more popular across demographics, with searches related this term going up about 20% year over year.
However, it can also be intimidating to embark on your first solo trip without any clear indication if you will like it. Below are some tips for embarking on that adventure, while meeting cool and interesting people.
1. Stay in a Hostel
Staying in a hostel is a great way to meet other travelers. There are often several room options while traveling, including ones with bunk beds.
We’ve also found that other solo travelers tend to stay in hostels, making it a great place to connect with other people. We’ve done excursions and gone out to bars with the people we met. Hostelworld is a prime resource for finding these and sifting through ratings.
Be sure to check the reviews of each hostel before booking, since they can each offer a different experience. In Zadar, Croatia, we stayed at the48, which is a bed and breakfast. It was very relaxed with a shared common room where we could connect with other people around the world. In Rome, we stayed at The Yellow, which is known for partying and nightlife. Hostels will tend to skew toward a younger crowd (20s and early 30s), but reviews can help you determine what is the best fit.
2. Join a Tour Group
According to one survey, tours are a popular way for people traveling alone to see the world. In fact, 9 out 10 respondents noted that they prefer an escorted tour at least some of the time, if not all the time. These tours also offer the benefit that if you are new to travel, they will handle a lot of the logistics, so you can relax and enjoy. This is especially useful if you are planning international travel, since there are a lot of moving parts.
There are several tour groups that you can join that will also often feature other solo travelers. These include:
- Girls Love Travel: This began as a Facebook group supporting women travelers in 2015. In 2016, they launched their first trip and have been expanding ever since. These trips are geared toward women and can be found here.
- Rick Steves: Rick Steves is well known for his travel guides, but his companies also offer tours throughout various countries.
- GAdventrues: They offer tours for young adults (20s and 30s)
Some travel podcasts and groups also offer tours a few times a year, so be sure to follow those in case there are locations that are of interest.
3. Book a Tour
You don’t need to join a tour group for the entire trip in order to reap the benefits of a tour group. Booking a short tour while traveling, whether it be a tour of the downtown or a tour of a museum, can be a great way to meet people. Other people who are traveling alone will also often book tours, allowing you to meet other people from around the world.
4. Study Abroad
If you are in college, study abroad can be a great option that opens you up to meeting new people. There are many study abroad programs ranging from a few weeks to a full year.
While living for the year in Heidelberg, I was able to travel to numerous different countries including Portugal and England with new friends I met through my program. Many people in study abroad programs are also looking to travel, so you’ll be sure to find someone who is also interested in exploring.
5. Take Classes
Even if you are out of college, classes can be a great way to meet other people while abroad. I’ve taken cooking and art classes, where I made friends. Classes can also be a great introduction to the culture, showcasing local cuisines or customs. It can also be a great way to connect with other people who share similar interests.
In March 2024, I took a class making pasta with grandmas in a village located outside of Rome. Our class featured other travelers and we spent the day having fun and learning a new skill.
The pasta from our class with the Grandmas. Food was a 10 out of 10.
6. Couchsurfing or Airbnb
One of my favorite memories from Spain is when our Airbnb hosts took us out to dinner and introduced us to locals from their small town. Some Airbnb hosts live on the property and are excited to show you around their neighborhood or get to know you (Please note: This is not true of all Airbnbs).
Another option is couchsurfing. This is a free service, where you offer to host people in exchange for people in this network hosting you. As a result, you can meet locals around the world, while saving on travel.
7. Volunteer
Volunteering can also be a great way to explore the world. Certain volunteer programs also offer free housing (for example WWOOF). This can also be a great way to meet other people who align with your values, while meeting locals.
8. Be Open
Traveling alone can be scary. I was terrified when I moved to Heidelberg by myself, not knowing anyone. But it was also one of the best times of my life. Traveling by yourself may push you out of your comfort zone, but it will also create new and exciting memories, showing you that you can achieve more than you previously thought.
Be open to new experiences and prioritize seeing things you want to see. Plan an itinerary around what you value and be open to the people you meet along the way.
Final Thoughts
There are several ways to travel without having to do it alone. Consider ways to connect with fellow travelers while overseas and you’ll be sure to meet some really interesting people! Any ways you have met new people while traveling? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
Also read more about traveling alone in our People of the World series here.
Author: KDanck
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