Abduljabbar Ali If you are traveling solo it doesn’t mean that you have to do it all by yourself. You can make friends while traveling, let me share with you how you can do that.
Once in a while when you are traveling you will find yourself feeling lonely.
You will feel that way because you have no one to talk to and explore the locations you go.
You can get a one-way ticket alone from your hometown, but you won’t be solo for the rest of the days you will be in that destination.
You can meet people along the way who are into what you like and connect in a way you have never imagined before.
For you to make friends while exploring, you need to have an idea of how you will come across like-minded people.
You will share these people with your stories, challenges, and the lows and highs of traveling.
Making friends while traveling isn’t as hard as you think, you only have to get yourself out of your comfort zone.
It doesn’t matter whether you are an introvert or extrovert, you can connect with people from different destinations as long as you follow the tips I am about to share.
This is how to make friends while traveling;
1. Initiate conversations with strangers.
The basic rule to meet people as you are traveling requires you to be ready to strike up conversations with the people you meet.
You simply have to get out of your comfort zone and be willing to say ‘hello’ to the people you meet.
When you teach yourself to start conversations with strangers anywhere you are, this is what will help you get to know people and connect with them.
What I can tell you is that it doesn’t hurt to start a conversation with strangers.
You won’t be fined for talking to someone you don’t know in the middle of a tour.
If you are hanging out in a park and someone comes to sit next to you, the best way to start a conversation is by saying ‘hi’.
After you have said ‘hi’ talk about anything that you have observed from the park.
The conversation will just start flowing that smoothly, and before you know it, you will know so much about each other.
At first, it won’t be easier to just start a conversation with anyone you meet.
But if you make a goal of greeting a stranger every day as you are exploring, it will reach a point where you will find it easier to strike up long and deep conversations with anyone you meet.
When you are traveling, you have a lot of things to talk about with the people you meet.
You have seen so much and experienced things that everyone would like to hear about.
So, when you are in a new destination, you can just start a conversation with a stranger, opening it with just a statement about your hometown or the destination you are in.
Something that will help you initiate conversations easily is getting yourself out of your comfort zone, and realizing that nothing worse can happen when you start conversations with strangers.
When you strike up a conversation with a stranger while you are exploring, he or she might either respond to you or ignore you.
If someone ignores you just keep moving on, you will find someone else who will be willing to talk to you.
When you are traveling to new destinations that speak a different language from yours, take your time to learn the basic phrases.
You don’t have to be completely fluent.
The moment you start a conversation with a local using his or her language, it will grab his or her interest and that will spark a chain reaction that will eventually connect the two of you.
This is how you make friends while traveling — always make the first move, don’t expect people to come to you.
2. Stay in hostels.
Another easy way of making friends while traveling is by staying in hostels.
It doesn’t matter whether you choose to book a private room in the hostels or you will stay in a shared room — you will still come across other solo travelers.
I consider hostels one of the best and easiest places to make friends while traveling because you get to meet like-minded people.
The people you will come across are also on the same path of meeting people while traveling.
In most cases, the hostels you will choose to stay in, you will come across people in your age set thus making it super easy to connect with them.
The most important thing is that they are also in search of adventures, meeting new people, and getting new experiences.
When you have so much in common with someone you meet it’s going to be super easier to connect.
As good as it may sound, you can’t just make friends when you isolate yourself even if you are staying in hostels.
You have to take the initiative to start a conversation with these people, show genuine interest in what they do, and share with them your stories.
This is how you will get to make friends in these hostels you will choose to stay in.
Don’t be afraid to go out of your way to help other solo travelers in need of something when you are in these hostels.
Be nice to the people you meet in these hostels — be selfless and always have the best intentions when it comes to creating connections.
When you are true to what you say and do, everyone will see it and they will all want to be around you because of it.
Start using the common spaces often, have your meals at the hostel dining hall, and always sign up for any activities that the hostel offers.
When you mix up yourself with these groups of people it will be easier for you to make friends while you are enjoying the activities.
You are likely to meet other solo travelers from different parts of the world.
People make incredible connections with people they never expect. Five years down the line someone will tell you that they met someone at a hostel and they stayed in touch since then.
When friendship is created out of what both people enjoy doing, it usually grows stronger.
So, if you want to make friends while traveling, you have to stop staying in hotels and Airbnb.
Find backpackers’ hot spots and take yourself there. Most of them travel on a budget, you are likely to meet them in hostels.
3. Find co-work spaces.
Another way of making friends while traveling is by joining co-work spaces.
If you don’t know anything about co-work spaces; these are public working areas designed for travelers and digital nomads to find conducive environments to focus on their online work.
Most of these co-work spaces have strong WiFi connections, they offer coffee and snacks, comfortable sitting areas, and wide spaces to hold lots of people.
The people who work in these co-work spaces are involved in what you enjoy doing.
Most of the people you will find here are travelers and digital nomads — they all have online platforms that they work on to earn money while traveling.
Read also; 5 Ways To Make Passive Income While Travelling
The truth is that not all the people who go to co-work spaces can work through all the hours they will be there.
Some will take a break and just refresh outside the site, this will be the perfect opportunity for you to connect with these people.
Share the things you all do to make a living while being on the road.
You all have so much in common because you are using the same co-work space site.
Strike conversations with the people you see your vibes align with. And that is how you will make friends.
Areas like these will not only help you to make friends while traveling but also allow you to focus on your online work and learn so much from the other people you will meet.
This is the beauty of taking yourself to co-working spaces and searching for connections from random strangers.
You might be surprised when other people will be approaching you just to start a conversation with you about what you do.
And that is how you will start making friends.
4. Join group tours.
If you want to make friends when traveling solo I recommend you join group tours.
I know it may feel like the opposite of what you wanted to do — you wanted to travel solo and that is why you didn’t bring anyone with you.
Traveling solo doesn’t mean that you should be completely alone, you can take a one-way ticket from your hometown alone but you won’t be alone for the rest of the trip.
If you want to make friends while traveling alone, one way is by joining group tours.
When you are exploring the world with a group of strangers, whether you like it or not, you will end up meeting someone whom you connect with so perfectly.
All of you have one goal — enjoy the trip, gain exposure and experiences, try new things, and meet people.
These are people you can connect with so easily because they are all searching for the same thing as you.
During the entire trip, you will be with these people thus making it easier for you to connect and make friends.
Check out social media accounts — individual influencers plan these kinds of trips thus connecting thousands of people all over the world.
We also have tour companies and travel agencies that plan these kinds of trips. Get into their sites and sign your name up if you want to go on these group tours.
Another positive thing you will gain from joining group tours is that it will help you get over the fear of traveling alone.
Read also; how to get over the fear of traveling alone
When you see thousands of people from all over the world meeting up in a new country for a group tour, it will give you a sense that people are doing this despite how tough it seems.
The people you will meet in these group tours will share with you their challenges and wins since they started traveling thus motivating you more.
5. Join group classes.
The main aim of traveling is to explore, learn new cultures, try new things, and meet people along the way.
If you want to make friends while traveling alone you need to put yourself in situations that will force you to be in contact with other people.
You have a lot to learn while traveling the world. Take your time and immerse yourself fully into learning mode.
What you will carry with you when you leave that country will be experiences, memories, and knowledge.
All these things will remind you what it means to travel alone around the world. Your trips will be meaningful.
You won’t only make friends by joining random classes in areas that you are interested in but also allows you to learn the culture.
These are some of the classes you can join while traveling;
- Language classes.
- Surf classes.
- Martial arts.
- Dancing classes.
- Cooking classes.
In most cases, when you join these classes you will come across people who are also passionate about the things you are interested in.
If it’s a language, you will meet people who will be willing to spend time with you just to learn from each other.
In the process of all this, you will make friends and meet people who are into what you enjoy doing.
These kinds of connections usually last.
So, whenever you travel to a destination and you find out that you are interested in learning something that excites you, search for classes online or talk to the locals.
The group classes are going to help you meet new people while traveling thus making friends.
6. Have a flexible travel plan.
Another way of making friends while traveling is by having a flexible travel plan.
Whenever you plan your trip ensure that you can change it without affecting your entire travel schedule.
Read also; 8 Things To Consider When Planning A Trip
I know you may wonder why a travel plan has anything to do with you making friends while traveling.
Most of the tips I have shared with you when it comes to meeting people while traveling solo have a part to do with your plan.
If your plan is too tight you won’t have time to waste to talk to every local you meet along the way.
When you follow your plan closely you will find out that you don’t even have time to take a coffee with a stranger and start a conversation.
But if you can compromise your travel plan, it will make it easier for you to focus on the people you meet along the way while traveling.
If you choose to stay in a hostel to make friends while traveling solo, it won’t happen if your plan isn’t flexible.
To make friends, you have to sacrifice your time and interact with them — to share things that will connect the two of you.
This means you will have to be ready to say yes to the people you will meet at the hostel.
If they know of incredible spots to explore in that location — and it turns out that they are more knowledgeable than you, you will have no choice but to change your plans.
But when your travel plan isn’t flexible it is going to be harder for you to join these people to their adventures thus missing out on the chance of creating connections with them.
So, ensure your travel plans are flexible if you want to make friends while traveling alone.
Be ready to say yes and join strangers in adventures — you will do that only if your trip plan allows you to.
7. Attend internal festivals.
When you travel to new destinations also have their calendar at your fingertips. You have to be aware of what is going on during the time you are there.
Every destination you will visit when traveling has its internal festivals.
These festivals hold tourists and locals in one spot — they are usually crowded with so many people.
In events like these, it’s very easy to meet up with people — since they are all in fun mode.
These people are here to have fun and thus free to interact with anyone including someone like you who is exploring the world alone.
At these festivals, you will meet people who will turn out to be your friends and create astonishing memories.
Apart from making friends you will also learn so many things about the culture of these people, and the atmosphere of the destination during these festivals and get the raw experience every traveler is searching for.
8. Use public transport.
I know it sounds easier to just get into a cab and head straight to the location you want to.
But if you want to experience the journey and enjoy it before you reach your destination, take the tricky route.
It’s all about the journey, not the destination. So, instead of using private transportation start using public means.
Commuting using public transport is going to put you in the center of so many people.
If you want to make friends while traveling solo, areas like these are going to be super great for you.
You need to be in areas with so many people, the chances of you walking out of there without making connections will be slim as long as you are willing to get out of your comfort zone.
When you are in these buses strike a conversation with the person next to you.
The conversation can be about where you are heading or just a small talk about the weather.
Conversations like these are going to result in you connecting with someone you never expected.
Using private transport will keep you far away from the group of locals who may be super chatty.
Try to put yourself in the situations that the locals put themselves in if you want to make friends.
These are the people who will be willing to start a conversation with you, curious to know more about you thus easier to connect with them.
9. Let strangers host you.
This is another way of making friends while traveling and also one of the ways to save money.
Read also; 11 Ways To Save Money While Travelling
When are traveling alone you should change your accommodations to keep the trip more adventurous.
Sometimes traveling alone can be super lonely — changing routines and doing what pumps your adrenaline can make the trip super fun.
Read also; How To Travel Alone But Not Feel Lonely
The thought of letting a stranger let you sleep in his or her house seems super dangerous and crazy.
For you to let this happen, you have to have been traveling alone for a while and have developed confidence in doing it.
Read also; 8 Ways To Build Confidence While Travelling Alone
If you have been traveling alone for a long time and you are super comfortable with sleeping in a stranger’s space, do it.
But if this is beyond you don’t do it.
You may be exploring a market and meet a local who invites you to his house.
The same stranger will insist that you stay over for the night before you think of leaving.
People who invite solo travelers into their houses and host them for one or more than two days — are usually interested in knowing the person and his or her stories.
You are a tourist in this destination you are visiting, you need to learn more about it and the locals also want to know about where you are from.
The best way to do that is by showing their hospitality — to spend more time with you and get to hear more from you.
People who choose to host you are usually open to getting to know you and connecting with you because you have what they need — information.
You can end up making strong connections and having people who are willing to treat you like family.
Whenever you decide to return to that country these people will be ready to invite you into their houses like you are one of their own.
This is the beautiful thing about traveling solo and allowing strangers to host you.
Not only will you make friends but family as long as you travel.
This aspect of making friends is risky but it’s very effective. You don’t need to worry about it so much if your instincts tell you that the person who wants to host you is genuine.
But if you don’t feel safe in their spaces just walk away.
10. Travel slower.
People who travel slowly are 98% capable of making strong platonic and romantic connections compared to people who travel faster.
The beauty of traveling slowly is that one gets to be immersed fully in the culture of the location.
Also, one gets enough time to learn more about the history and culture of the place.
When you travel slowly it means you have to spend more time at a single location.
This will give you a chance to meet people within the area you stay. These people will be seeing you often thus making it easier for you to indulge yourself into their lives.
Since they know you are staying around their area they will be curious to learn more about you and where you come from.
Having more time at that location gives you a chance to know more about each other thus creating a lasting relationship with them.
You may have been traveling solo for a while but you will end up meeting your travel buddy or your soul mate.
So, if you want to make friends while traveling alone always stay longer at a location before you choose to move to the next one.
The more time you stay at a place the better chances you have of creating strong connections.
When you travel fast — you have less time to stay in an area and explore it to the fullest, and you don’t get the chance to know and connect with the people you meet, and this makes it hard to make friends.
To make strong connections with the people you meet while traveling alone — you need to spend more time with them and get to know each other deeply.
If you have borrowed time it will be hard for you to attain all these things I am talking about.
11. Visit hang-out places.
Another way to make friends easily while traveling solo is by visiting hang-out places in the destination you are in.
When you travel to a place and you want to meet people and make friends, first find out where the locals go to hang out.
In most cases, most locals will go to the local coffee spots, beaches, bars, and parks.
You have to ensure that your plan also includes these areas for you to visit them.
After you have identified them you have to check out the dates when these areas are crowded with the locals and tourists.
If you are in Mombasa, you should think of visiting Mama Ngina Waterfront during the weekends.
During these times the parks are usually crowded with so many locals and tourists enjoying themselves.
It doesn’t mean that when you visit the hang-out places during the weekends you are guaranteed to make a friend.
You have to be willing to put in the work to attract these people into your life.
You have to be willing to start conversations with them, go out of your way to help them when they are stranded, and be nice to them.
In the same places, you will come across people who are alone and also searching for other people who are willing to talk to them.
So, don’t be afraid to say hi and start a conversation with these people you meet at these hang-out places.
That is how you will make friends while traveling alone — connections can’t make themselves.
12. Connect with them via social media
If what I have shared in this article is all out of your means, you should use social media to make friends while traveling.
I have listed this as the last way of making friends while traveling solo because it’s not great and authentic.
The best connections are the ones that are made in person.
I don’t mean that you can’t make genuine connections with the people you will connect with online.
You still can meet amazing people but the process is a little bit different and you don’t know for sure whether the person you will connect with will have the same energy as yours or not.
It’s like doing guesswork — talking to people online and hoping that they are also into what you like.
But when you meet someone in person and talk to them for a few minutes, you already know whether your energy matches or not.
Making friends via social media will require you to invest your time in texting and calling each other frequently.
This might not be easier for someone with lots of things going on while traveling.
Maintaining the connection becomes harder because you are distracted by the amazing locations you explore during your journey.
If you are up for it (making friends via social media while traveling) I have a few tips for you.
The first thing you have to do is find a platform that will enable you to meet these people, connect with them, maintain communication with them, and meet them in person.
During the entire process, you will be able to know if you connect with someone or not.
These are the social media sites that can help you make friends while traveling alone;
- Facebook – There are many Facebook groups created only for solo travelers from different countries to connect and meet up. Some of these groups also organize group trips that you can join. It’s through these group trips that you will make friends.
- SoloTraveler – This is another incredible app that helps solo travelers connect with other solo travelers from different parts of the world. Most people here are usually exploring thus placing you all on the same page.
- Showaround – as the name suggests, it’s an app that allows solo travelers to connect with the locals who will show them around their location. The locals you will connect with speak a similar language as yours thus making it super easy to connect and befriend them.
Lastly…
When traveling solo the hard part isn’t about making friends, it’s about connecting with them and having to say goodbye always when you move to a new location.
You may meet incredible people but they will never stay in your life and connect with you because you are far from each other.
Many people find it hard to maintain the communication line, to keep them you have be revisit the country once in a while.
But if you only went there once and you have no plans of revisiting that country, the connection will just end.
So, it doesn’t matter how badly you want to have friends all over the world, keep it in your head that they won’t stay put if you don’t put effort into maintaining communication.
You will also still have to revisit them once in a while to keep the spirit of friendship going.
It’s useless to create connections with people all over the world and fail to maintain them.
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