Solo traveling is often viewed as a liberating and glamorous experience. If you’re traveling solo, you have the freedom to wander, change your plans as you please and eat where you want. But, even if you’re an independent adventurer, you may still experience some degree of loneliness. It is fun to meet people on the road, but how do you form friendships that endure after you’ve repacked your backpack? Fortunately, lasting connections are possible and can even happen in unexpected ways.
The Trend of the Solo Traveler
Solo travel is no longer considered niche and it has rapidly become one of the most popular ways to explore the globe. In fact, according to recent surveys, the market of solo travelers is expected to expand 9.1% from 2023 to 2030.
There are a number of reasons for this, but the most prevalent is that the modern traveler values experiences over possessions and wants self discovery and freedom when they travel, breaking away from routines and exploring passions. This has created a cultural shift where traveling alone is seen as a badge of empowerment.
Technology has made it easier than ever to travel alone. Apps, travel networks and social media have transformed the solo travel experience. Solo travelers can instantly connect with fellow adventurers and locals, finding rides, planning itineraries and booking accommodation to reduce logistical hurdles that may have previously deterred the solo traveler.
Solo travel also flourished as a result of the 2020 COVID 19 pandemic. After the restrictions of the pandemic, solo travel became a flexible option for those who wanted to make spontaneous decisions. In fact, now there are thriving solo travel communities that provide a safety net for solo travelers.
So, as solo travel has become more mainstream, it has created more opportunities to make meaningful connections. There is now a supportive and vibrant travel community that is perfect for those who are interested in making lasting connections.
Embrace a Solo Mindset But Stay Open to Connections
Being alone doesn’t necessarily mean being lonely, so the first step towards meeting people with a long lasting connection is to embrace solitude while staying open to the possibilities of connection.
When you travel solo, it can trigger a mixture of emotions. You may feel freedom and a sense of exhilaration, but you could also have periods of social anxiety or self doubt. Understanding these feelings is the first step to managing them. Feeling lonely isn’t failure, it provides an opportunity.
Many people may shy away from reaching out because of awkward interactions, but genuine curiosity will draw others far more authentically than putting on a forced smile.
| Who They Are | The Vibe They Bring | Why They Stick in Your Story | What They End Up Being Later |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hostel Bestie | Late-night talks, snack runs, shared playlists | Feels like you’ve known them for years after 24 hours | The one who DMs you memes from across the world |
| The Adventure Buddy | Down for spontaneous hikes or questionable street food | Pushes you out of your comfort zone | The person you brag about “surviving” that trip with |
| The Wise Local | Drops insider knowledge and hidden-gem recs | Makes the city feel like home instantly | The friend you always promise to visit again |
| The Creative Collaborator | Joins in on photography, music, or sketching | Turns shared ideas into lasting memories | The one who tags you in their art later |
| The Serendipity Stranger | Met once but left a huge impact | Proof that connections don’t need years to matter | A story you tell forever, even if you never meet again |
If you’re feeling nervous about this, start out small. When you’re having a coffee, comment on someone’s laptop sticker or their local snack. You could also try giving a simple compliment to break the ice or ask another traveler for a recommendation.
These little interactions can spark a more extended conversation.
Load Your Phone With Travel Friendly Social Apps
Digital tools can be invaluable when you travel, but when you use them strategically, you can take them to the next level. There are some great apps that work well for solo travelers.
Meetup
This app organizes events based on shared interest. From photography and hiking to board games and wine tasting, you can find a group for practically any interest. Filter your search results by “travelers” to increase the chances of meeting like minded people. Try to attend consistently to start to see familiar faces and build trust. Try to participate fully in the group rather than just passively listening. You could even volunteer to help run an event.
Couchsurfing
This app provides more than access to free accommodations. It has a thriving community with “hangouts” that facilitate instant meetups with other travelers or locals.
Bear in mind that even if you’re not staying with a Couchsurfing host, you can still participate in local events on the app. These can include city tours, cultural outings and group dinners.
Bumble BFF
This app is designed to help you to make platonic connections. You can swipe through profiles to find travelers with similar interests and overlapping plans.
Be sure to be specific about your interests, your travel dates and the type of connection you’re interested in. This could be a simple coffee meetup, a local for language practice or an adventure partner.
Backpackr
This app was specifically built to help travelers connect. You can post your travel plans, activities and location, inviting others to join. Essentially, it blends social networking with shared adventures. You will need to be brave, as you will need to initiate plans, but when you start to reach out to travelers planning on being in the same city, you can meet some great people.
Join Group Activities to Forge Real Bonds
Shared experience will often create strong connections. When you participate in common activities, you won’t just be meeting potential friends, you’re building shared memories.
There are some great group activities that are ideal for solo travelers.
Adventure Tours
From kayaking to hiking, there are some adrenaline fueled experiences that quickly break down the barriers within the group. Look out for small group tours with a maximum of 10 to 12 people, rather than large tourist buses. It will be far harder to spark up conversations when you’re in a big group, but if there are only six other travelers in your group, you’re bound to get chatting. If you want to really bond with your fellow travelers, look for multi day adventures that allows more time to get to know each other.
Food Tours and Cooking Classes
Food is a passion for many people and preparing or tasting dishes together can be an excellent conversation starter. When you join a class, you can be paired with other travelers or a local. You’ll not only get to taste some great food, but you can explore the city together, meeting up during later adventures.
Look out for smaller classes that have interactive participation rather than a basic food demonstration.
Language Exchanges
Even if you’re not interested in becoming fluent, language meetups offer cultural immersion and great social interaction. You can engage with locals and other travelers. Essentially, it is a mutually beneficial arrangement, as you’re teaching your native language and learning theirs. This sense of reciprocity builds rapport.
Volunteer Projects
Volunteering creates a connection through shared purpose. Whether it is a community project or beach clean up, working together in a team fosters lasting bonds.
You can find volunteer projects that align with your interests, career goals and work experience, so you can make friends and boost your resume.
Seek Out Cultural Experiences That Encourage Connections
Rich friendships often come from immersing yourself into local life. When you experience culture together, there are natural opportunities to connect. Fortunately, there are plenty of cultural experiences that are open to solo travelers.
Local Celebrations and Festivals
Festivals and local celebrations are inherently social. You can feel organic interaction by participating, whether it is dancing, cooking or joining in the celebrations.
Before you reach your next destination area, read up on the local calendar, along with details of festival etiquette. There may be local customs to show respect, which will make it easier to interact with the locals.
Homestays
A family run guesthouse often creates communal spaces with shared meals for multiple travelers. You can engage in meals, conversations and group activities without leaving your accommodation. Some homestays may even organize small excursions that help solo travelers to foster bonds naturally.
Cultural Workshops
Workshops offer a shared learning experience. When you struggle together, it sparks a sense of camaraderie and you’ll have the shared memories of completing a group project or mastering a skill.
The Art Form of Social Timing
Making lasting connections isn’t merely about where you go, it hinges on how you interact, but this can be an art form.
So, you need to learn to balance initiative with respect. Try to approach other people with curiosity rather than a sense of desperation. Practice a couple of openers.
- “I’m traveling solo and need a good coffee spot, do you have any suggestions?”
- “Have you seen [famous landmark]? I’m thinking of heading out there tomorrow.”
You can also try expanding your social circle and introducing other travelers to each other. When you help other people connect, it makes you instantly likable. People will remember your generosity at trying to make others feel comfortable. You can do this by being an active listener. Show genuine interest in others and try to remember details that you can follow up with later.
Maintaining Relationships on the Move
Meeting new people is merely the first step, you need to intentionally maintain your new friendships. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to keep in contact with your travel friendships, even long distance. Messenger, Whatsapp and Instagram allow you to update them on your latest travel experiences and see what your new friends have been up to. You can share photos, updates or short messages, tagging your travel friends in your posts. You can then coordinate future visits if you’re going to overlap in a particular place. Even meeting up for a coffee can help to maintain connections.
Just taking 10 to 15 minutes each day to check in with friends can help you to keep that connection going.
Adopt a Mindset of Friendship Longevity
This follows on from the previous point, but there really is a mindset associated with meaningful, lasting friendships. This isn’t about being lucky in who you meet, but rather appreciating the reward you’ll get when you make an effort. The right attitudes and habits can transform casual conversations or a shared hostel dinner into bonds that can last years.
Try to focus on authenticity rather than perfection. The strongest relationships are built on honesty. While pretending to be worldly, adventurous or cultured may work temporarily, it will lack that real connection. So, be honest about yourself and remember that vulnerability invites empathy and will encourage others to be vulnerable with you too. You can then embrace your unique travel style and naturally attract the like minded.
You should also try to give generously without expectations. Friendship may be a two way street, but often it will start with giving of your time, attention or even just simple kindness. Share your knowledge with recommendations of restaurants, cafes or tours and offer local tips if you’ve become familiar with the area. You can also help others avoid feeling isolated by introducing them to meetups or group activities.
Being generous signals that you value relationships beyond the immediate fun or convenience. With time these small gestures can evolve into deep loyalty and trust.
Remember that like plants, your fledgling friendships will need regular attention to grow. If left unchecked, your newly formed connections may fade quickly. Check in periodically, even if it is just a photo share or social media comment. This can help to sustain the connection even if you’re in a different time zone.
Even making tentative plans to meet in another city can show interest and create anticipation. You can use travel journaling apps to track who you meet and remind yourself of their possible plans. When you remember the little details, it will show you care about this new friendship.
When you do meet up, try to make your shared experiences memorable. Celebrate your small wins together and document your experiences with videos, photos and journal entries, so you can reminisce and stay connected, even months or years later.
Be Culturally Sensitive
Remember that travel friendships can often cross national, linguistic and cultural boundaries, so it is important to respect and be flexible to sustain new friendship bonds.
Bear in mind that not everyone approaches travel or even life in the same way as you. Try to embrace the contrasting perspectives as an opportunity to learn and grow. Demonstrate curiosity for others’ cultures to create deep mutual appreciation and lasting rapport.
Set Communication Expectations and Boundaries
While respect for others is important, it is crucial that this respect is reciprocated. Clear communication can help to avoid misunderstandings and avoid the frustration or resentment if you feel like you’re doing all the heavy lifting for the friendship.
While not every connection will turn into a lifelong friendship bond, you can focus on quality. Set and respect personal space boundaries to ensure that you and your potential friends feel comfortable.You should also be honest about your availability. If you are unable to keep in touch daily or travel together, communicate this to avoid resentment or worry that friends may feel about being “ghosted.”
Mindset Practices to Nurture Travel Friendships
The mindset for creating friendship longevity is more than just a checklist of things to do, it’s a way to approach relationships with patience, generosity and curiosity. When you combine authenticity, shared experiences and consistent effort, you can turn fleeting meetings into enduring bonds that have the potential to survive time, distance or even continents.
If this seems a little alien to you, there are several mindset practices that can help you to nurture these new travel friendships.
- Gratitude: When you have a shared experience, express your appreciation. “Thanks for sharing that hidden cafe with me,” “I enjoyed seeing the sights with you today.”
- Reciprocity: Offer support, help or advice in a way that feels natural to you. When they feel valued, potential friends are more likely to stay.
- Positivity: Optimism and enthusiasm can be contagious, Celebrate experiences to uplift your companions rather than dwelling on any complaints.
- Learning Growth: View each new connection as a learning opportunity. People will always evolve and embracing change will help to keep the bonds strong.
Putting the Playbook All Together
So, here’s a practical road map that can help you to put it all together.
- Be yourself: Authenticity will attract the right people
- Be generous: Small acts of generosity will build trust
- Stay consistent: Keep communications and follow ups alive
- Embrace your differences: Respect personality variations and cultural differences
- Create memories: Shared experiences will be the glue or your long term friendships
- Communicate clearly: Set boundaries and expectations to prevent friction.
- Plan intentional social experiences: Mix cultural activities, tours and classes
- Leverage technology: Use apps to connect and maintain fledgling relationships
- Maintain contact: Exchange your socials and plan follow ups
- Practice patience: It takes time to forge deep connections, so nurture them.
When you use this playbook to approach new friendships, your solo travels won’t just be about the places you visit. It will become about the people that you meet and the lasting connections you build.
Where Are You Heading Next?
Solo traveling doesn’t need to be lonely. The world is full of fellow travelers who are waiting to share stories, experiences and laughter. If you have the right mindset and intentions, those quick encounters can become lifelong friendships that span timezones and continents. From shared meals and cultural workshops to adrenaline filled adventures, every interaction is a small seed to grow a meaningful relationship.
