How to meet people and make travel friends as a solo traveler – no matter how old you are?

Last updated on May 17th, 2026 at 06:09 am

How to meet people as a solo traveler?

I have just spent three weeks solo in one small area of the Balkans (I am traveling solo long term but this gives a great example of a short space of time and meeting people / making friends in that time.) From that I have two and possibly three people who I know meant it when they said contact me when you get to my country and who I know I will contact.

One, from Jordan, I ended up traveling with for about 8 days – it just worked out that way and we got along really well despite the fact that he was a 30 year old and I am a 60+ year old! The other was another guy, about 25 from Israel, who I hiked with, along with another about 30 year old female. We were all solo travelers and all going the same way and just had a great time sharing the journey.

It is important to note that it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can make travel friends and meet people on the road. And I note if you are older like me that one of the greatest things about younger people in that 20-30 age range is that they are so open these days and if you are in a space with them, they generally simply don’t care about your age. Its way better than it was 20 years ago to be honest!! I just love them for it!

So here are some useful tips on how to meet people as a solo traveler – no matter your age…..

Stay in a Hostel

Many other solo travelers, probably most, will be staying in hostels too – so what better place to start? Spend time in the communal living and kitchen spaces, join hostel based tours, be bold and just start talking to people. Everyone has a story to tell, tips to share, and usually an interest in where other people come from. Even if you’re shy or awkward socially, this is your chance to break out of your comfort zone and start a conversation. Although you will probably find others start them with you anyway!

Hostels are a great way to go – even if you don’t want to share a dorm. i still do sleep in dorms but on a very rare occasion I take a private room. So if you are older or for whatever reason don’t want to sleep in a dorm – don’t forget hostels usually have private rooms. Sure you can find a cheap hotel for the same price as a private usually, but you don’t get any of the benefits of a hostel in those. (PS private rooms are great for bad snorers too – that is the one thing that will put people off you in a dorm!!)

Tip – when booking a hostel check the reviews not just the score out of 10. Look for places that have good communal areas. I use booking.com or Hostelworld to book my hostels. (Not all hostels are listed on both.) See the notes below in the Travel Apps section about the Hostelworld chat function too!

Join Group Activities or Tours

Apart from hostels, there are lots of activities you can do almost anywhere. My go-to options are GetYourGuide and Viator, but you can join free walking tours, group hikes, or use Meetup.com, to find nearby events that might interest you and meet some locals! I often book a GetYourGuide or Viator half day or day activity for anything from a pasta making class in Italy to a hike with transport to and from Tirana, or a e-bike half day tour in any number of cities.

You can even be solo but join a group tour for weeks or even months e.g. the long overland trips in Africa!! Its a way of going solo but in a group and a great way to start if you are worried about making friends!

Check out Facebook Travel Communities

There are plenty of travel communities on Facebook you can join and see if there are other solos around that want to join up for a day or more. Maybe you will make a travel buddy this way!

These groups are also a great way to ask for tips about almost any destination, and people love to help!

Here are some of my travel communities on Facebook – but also do a group search and sew what you find!:

• Female Travel Group | Women Group Travel | GoWonder ®
• The Solo Female Traveler Network
• Solo Female Travelers (FIRST FB group for women who travel solo!)
• Singles 50 and over Travel Club
• JourneyWoman Solo Travel for Women Over 50
• Solo In Style: Women Over 50 Travelling Solo & Loving It! (great title right?)
• Over 60 Solo Women Travelers
• Over 60 and Fabulous Travel Team (male and female)

Go Volunteering

I absolutely love doing this – not full time but throwing it in the mix!

I use Workaway and if you join using this link you will get a months membership for free – and so will I (which would be great and thanks so much!) There are also similar volunteering sites like Helpx, Worldpackers, WWOOF, and International Volunteer HQ you can join too.

What I love is that

• you end up going to places you probably wouldn’t have gone as a traveler or tourist,
• you live with locals and get to discuss all sorts of things about local life and thinking that you wouldn’t otherwise get to do,
• you get to learn all sorts of things you probably never thought about learning,
• you meet people you wouldn’t otherwise meet,
• and of course – you work for your food and board so the added bonus is that you get to travel for longer on the money you have!

There are also lots of “volunteer” places where you pay to volunteer for a week or more – often in wildlife rescue centers around the world. These can be relatively expensive but great opportunities too – especially if you are a wildlife lover. E.g. working with elephants in Cambodia or with sun bears in Borneo

Go couchsurfing

There are quite a few ways of meeting locals by asking to stay with them on their couch or whatever they have available for the night. This is given for free. Basically you join the site, fill in your profile and then connect with people offering a bed. It wont always be successful. Spend time reading their profile and on writing yours. Try and host as well so you know what its like from both sides. Its a great way of having authentic experiences and meeting local people.

The original site is couchsurfing, but there are others – read this post I wrote for more info!

I have both hosted and been hosted by couch surfers around the world and its a great way to meet locals and live local life for a day or two. Note – don’t be a taker, take a bottle of wine, cook them a meal – it will be really appreciated when you are a giver as well!

Download Social Travel Apps

Yes there’s an app for everything these days – including meeting other travelers while your on the road! These few are popular and another way how to meet people as a solo traveler:

• Travello: It not only lets you book activities, but it’s also a social network for travelers.
• Tourlina: Well its pretty much a Tinder but for female solo travelers!
• BumbleBFF: Yes, it’s the same Bumble as the dating app but this feature is for platonic relationships only and can be a great way to make travel friends.
• GAFFL is all about finding travel companions for shared trips and adventures. You can browse itineraries, join someone else’s plan, or post your own travel dates and destinations. It’s a great way to meet people headed in the same direction and potentially split costs too.
• Hostelworld chat: Not a social travel app in itself but a great thing to use is the Hostelworld chat. When you book a hostel, you automatically get included in the chat for that hostel. You will see chats that start with things like “anyone want to go for a beer tonight?” Join in and arrange your social before you even arrive!!

Say hello and be approachable!

On a bus, train, in a hostel or wherever you are – within reason of course! (See my safety for solo female travelers post to help you stay safe as you go.) You never know where it will lead. it doesn’t matter if you are shy or awkward, a smile and hello can go a long way and is not often ignored! See the pic below for my friends made on a train journey – were still in touch!

I hope this helps you have the know how to meet people as a solo traveler, and gives you confidence to go travel solo! Its a great way to go and remember if you wait for your friends to get organised you might be waiting a long time! Show them how its done instead!

Drop a line in the comments if you have other tips you think I should add! That’d be great!

Planning for your trip

These are a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!

Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!

Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!

Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.

Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.

Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains

Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site

Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!

Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith.

Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!

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