How to meet people when you are traveling alone

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Solo travel has its advantages. You can do whatever you want and when you want to, learn something new not only about the world around you, but also about yourself. But if the trip is long, then loneliness can get bored.

Remember what you most often need while traveling? Wi-Fi, of course. So if you go to McDonald’s, any coffee shop or bar where there is Wi-Fi, then you will surely bump into other travelers there.

Naturally, talking to strangers is always a little scary. Especially if you are naturally shy. But travel is just a great opportunity to gain courage. Worst thing that can happen: You will be ignored or answered rudely. But most people will contact you if you are genuinely interested.

Find a reason to strike up a conversation

Don't be afraid to act like a tourist

Being curious and asking questions is a great way to start a casual conversation. Go on group excursions. It is best to opt for small tours led by locals. Ask your guide about life in the region and anything else that interests you.

Don't be afraid to ask the locals what to see or where to go. People are usually willing to answer questions if you are friendly.

At the same time, beware of people who offer you something too insistently and are too friendly. They may be very friendly indeed, but it's better to play it safe.

Offer to take a photo

If you want to meet other travelers, settle down in a popular tourist destination. You will surely notice someone who also travels alone and himself tries to take pictures against the backdrop of attractions. Offer to help. After that, it's easy to move on to discussing the pros and cons of solo travel. And then you can offer to go on an excursion, visit some attraction, or just have lunch together.

Don't hide your interests

Surely you have some things that can become a topic of conversation, for example, the book you are reading, or a backpack with the logo of your favorite band. Keep them visible when you want to get attention. Just remember that what is considered the norm in one country may not be appropriate in another.

It is not necessary to wait for someone to comment on your taste, you can yourself pay attention to the thing that you liked from another person. It's nice to receive compliments for everyone. After that, it will be easier to continue the conversation. For example, mention that you don't know the area well and ask for advice.

Make a wrong guess

Try making some innocent remark, like, "This restaurant has the tastiest noodles in town." Even if they disagree with you, you will be able to strike up an interesting conversation.

People usually don't like answering questions if they feel like they are being interrogated. But they love to correct others and point out to them their mistakes.

Therefore, when you want to start or continue a conversation, but do not know what to say, make a suggestion, just not too personal. Don't worry about being wrong. The interlocutor will gladly correct you, and the conversation will start.

Stock up on small gifts

Buy some unusual souvenirs (just not trivial magnets or key rings) or something edible to share and carry with you. Small gifts like these will help build more trusting relationships and will simply delight your new acquaintances.

Meet in places of residence

Hostels

Hostels are great for solo travelers, especially for short trips. They can save money and meet other travelers.

However, hostels also have their drawbacks. It is almost always noisy there, and they are not very suitable for those who work remotely. And after a week's stay, you get tired of communicating with other guests. In addition, the most important impressions of the trip are still associated with communication not with other tourists, but with locals.

Airbnb Accommodation

Most of the hosts are friendly, some do everything possible and impossible to make the guest happy, but someone may ask you for money for a small tour of the area. Be sure to read comments and reviews before booking your accommodation.

When you meet, present the host with a small gift in gratitude for the hospitality. This will help to further endear him and increase the likelihood that you will be invited to go somewhere together.

Ask the hosts what they like to eat and invite them to have lunch together. It is likely that in this way you will soon get to know not only the landlords, but also their friends.

Use social media

If you are active on social media, share your trip and ask for recommendations on where to go and who to meet. So you can meet friends of your friends in other countries.

You can also search for local interest groups on Facebook. Among them there are probably those whose members speak English. This is a great opportunity to meet locals and other travelers.

Don't forget about safety

This is the first thing to take care of. If you are going to meet a new acquaintance from social networks or are just taking a taxi, send a photo of that person to someone you trust.

If anything about a person or situation makes you suspicious, leave or refuse to meet without a twinge of conscience.

When you move from one place to another or go on a hike, let your friends and host know where you are going and when you plan to return. Say, for example: “If I don’t let you know in X days, start looking for me”. Just remember to get in touch later so people don't worry.

All you need to get to know each other while traveling is desire and a little effort. And although you should not expect that all such acquaintances will remain your friends for life, do not be afraid to take the first step. In the end, dating in travel is no different from dating in your hometown: you need to be active and open and not forget about your safety.