Solo travel is arguably the best way to meet new people from various cultures and perspectives. It profoundly impacts any solo traveller, though each person’s experience is unique.
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Whether you’re new to solo travel or a seasoned explorer, the idea of meeting new people abroad can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be! In this post, I’ll show you how to connect with others confidently while travelling solo.
From obvious strategies to more niche opportunities, I’ll guide you through diverse ways to meet people during your solo travels. There’s no one-size-fits-all method, but these tips will help you interact and make connections on your journey.
1. Stay in Hostels!
Hostels offer a unique opportunity to meet people almost constantly. While dorm rooms may not be everyone’s first choice, giving them a try can lead to great experiences.
You might start chatting with your bunkmate about your plans for the day or learn about an evening event from someone in the elevator. Hostels create an environment where social interaction happens naturally, making it easy to meet new friends.
Though you might sacrifice some privacy, the potential experiences and connections you gain are well worth it. Also, hostel staff are usually very helpful and committed to making your stay comfortable. Personally, I always choose hostels when travelling solo because they provide a built-in social network that compensates for the lack of familiar faces.
2. Be Open and Approachable
It is no secret that body language consciously and subconsciously influences people’s perceptions of each other. A smile and open body posture go a long way in increasing the chances of someone striking up a conversation with you.
Let’s delve deeper into this. Here are some tips on how you can appear more approachable:
- Put your phone away: It’s nearly impossible to interact with others if you’re absorbed in the latest social media app. Putting your phone away and looking up can make a big difference.
- Make eye contact: Eye contact serves as a non-verbal green light that you are open to engagement. It shows interest and attentiveness.
- Start light conversations: Complimenting someone or asking a simple question can be a great conversation starter. Comments about a shared experience, like “This local beer is great” or “The group tour guide is brilliant,” can gently initiate a dialogue. The key is not to overthink it.
Show genuine interest in others, and they will likely reciprocate. Once you experience the joy of meeting new people during solo travel, you’ll never look back!
3. Utilise Hostelworld and Social Media
In today’s digital age, connecting with fellow travellers from around the globe has never been easier, thanks to platforms like Hostelworld and social media apps. These tools offer a plethora of opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and create memorable experiences on your solo adventures.
While I was in Germany, a message popped up in the Hostelworld group chat, inviting anyone interested to watch the England game that evening. It turned out to be a fantastic night where we bonded over the match and shared stories. This experience shows that meeting others doesn’t always require elaborate planning; sometimes, a spontaneous decision can lead to unforgettable nights!
Moreover, reaching out to someone on Instagram, whether you’ve come across them through hashtags or mutual interests, offers a mainstream approach to meeting people. Alternatively, platforms like Bumble or Tinder, tailored to local areas, provide ways for more ‘out-of-the-box’ encounters. In today’s digital age, diverse opportunities abound for social interaction.
However, it’s important to exercise caution when meeting people through social media apps. While platforms like Hostelworld offer a level of reassurance with their shared travel context, other apps may lack this built-in safety net. Always prioritise your safety and trust your instincts when interacting with strangers online.
4. Participate in Pub/Bar Crawls
No solo travel experience is complete without exploring the nightlife scene, and one of the best ways to do this is by participating in bar crawls or nightlife tours. These excursions offer an excellent opportunity to mingle with fellow travellers and locals alike, creating memorable experiences along the way.
Embarking on a pub crawl isn’t just about hopping from one bar to another; it’s about immersing yourself in the vibrant energy of local nightlife and connecting with people from every corner of the globe. As you navigate through hidden gems and bustling hotspots, you’ll gain a fresh perspective on the destination you’re exploring. I’ve met countless people on these crawls that I follow on Instagram to this day!
Don’t forget! Tour guides have typically stayed in the city/area long enough to know the best places to go.
A word of caution though, it’s essential to drink responsibly and pace yourself throughout the night as not everyone has your best interests at heart. Eating a hearty meal beforehand can help, and always trust your instincts and prioritize your safety.
5. Take classes
Laughing over making Sangria in the South of Portugal or mastering Salsa dancing in Latin America—there’s no better bonding with strangers. Taking classes offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and have endless conversations with others during your solo travels.
From cooking classes to language lessons, there’s usually a wide range of options available, often found online, at hostels, or through platforms like TripAdvisor.
You might be offered something you instinctively want to say no to, but don’t bash it until you try it!
Explore new horizons and embrace the unexpected. Who knows? Your one experience in a class could spark a lifelong passion or lead you down a path you never imagined. Take a chance, and let the journey unfold.
6. Visit Local Cafes and Bars
Venturing into local cafes and bars offers an amazing way to immerse yourself in the culture of your destination. Often, the person serving you is just as curious about your background as you are about theirs.
Cafes provide a unique ambience that allows you to fully absorb the atmosphere of your surroundings, while bartenders can offer invaluable insights into the area.
During my time in Dresden, Germany, a casual chat with a bartender led me to a Techno event at a nearby club called Groove Station and it turned into my favourite night of the entire trip! Don’t get complacent about the opportunities locals can offer you that may not be readily available online.
However, engaging with locals isn’t the only option when frequenting cafes and bars. Many patrons have their own stories to share, some of whom may even be fellow travellers. The key is to approach these situations with confidence and open-mindedness, allowing yourself to experience the richness of your solo travels fully.
7. Language Exchange
I want to start by saying that I speak at a very basic level of Spanish. Other than that, my foreign language knowledge is laughable compared to many worldwide. As a Brit myself, I fully understand that we aren’t known for our language prowess. Typically, we’ve never needed to, given that the rest of the world often learns English. This brings me to the seventh point of this post: language exchanges.
Language exchanges are fantastic ways to meet others, regardless of your fluency in a second language. In my experience, other people are just using the activity to meet other people too!
If you’re able to showcase an additional language, seize the opportunity. Language exchanges are among the best places to meet people. However, I don’t want to dismiss this option for those who don’t speak a second language.
8. Solo Travel Volunteer Opportunities
Are you seeking a deeper, more meaningful solo travel experience? Volunteering abroad might just be the answer. While I haven’t personally ventured into this realm, the tales of friends who’ve spent entire summers immersed in different cultures while contributing to meaningful causes are nothing short of inspiring.
To embark on this journey, start by delving into a few websites on Google. One highly regarded platform is Volunteer HQ, offering diverse volunteering opportunities across the globe. Take the time to explore various destinations and projects that align with your interests. From tending to horses on a ranch in Southern Spain to managing ski lodges in Japan, the options are as vast as your imagination.
But remember, the true beauty of volunteering lies not just in the destination, but in the meaningful impact you can have and the connections you’ll forge along the way. So, if you’re ready to delve into a more profound solo travel experience, consider exploring volunteer opportunities. It’s a chance to give back, learn, and grow as a person.
9. Attend Festivals and Events
Travelling to attend festivals and events can be a fantastic way to immerse yourself in local culture and connect with people from all walks of life. Whether it’s a vibrant local market in Egypt or a renowned international festival like Rock Werchter in Belgium, these gatherings offer a unique atmosphere that fosters interaction among punters.
Festivals often provide a departure from the routines of daily life, creating an environment where people are more open to spontaneous conversations and interactions. Beyond enjoying the music or activities, attendees can explore various attractions within the festival grounds, such as art installations, food stalls, or workshops, providing ample opportunities to strike up conversations with fellow festival-goers.
While attending a festival may require some planning compared to visiting local cultural events, the experience can be just as rewarding, if not more so. Embracing the spontaneity of festival culture can lead to unexpected encounters and memorable experiences that enrich your solo travel journey.
10. Share Travel Plans
From the short-term traveller to the seasoned solo adventurer, sharing your travel plans can be a catalyst for both new connections and shared journeys. While some may meticulously plan every step of their journey, others embrace spontaneity, often travelling to new destinations with newfound companions they meet along the way.
This approach not only adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability to your travels but also opens the door to creating lasting memories with fellow explorers. Whether it’s embarking on an impromptu road trip, joining a group excursion, or simply swapping stories over a meal, sharing your travel plans can lead to unexpected adventures and enriching experiences.
So, don’t hesitate to reach out, share your itinerary, and see where the journey takes you. After all, some of the best travel stories are written when you least expect them.
Conclusion
To summarise, there are numerous fantastic ways to forge new connections while travelling solo. Although the world offers countless opportunities for social interaction, adhering to the principles outlined in this post can significantly enrich your experiences.
Remaining open, approachable, and embracing new experiences is key to paving the way for meaningful connections and unforgettable adventures.
I hope the insights shared here today will serve as valuable companions on your future journeys. Safe travels!
