How to Meet People When Traveling Alone: 10 Ways I've Loved

Five years ago, I met up with a fellow solo traveler from Bumble BFF in a Barcelona bar. We’ve since traveled together to six countries.

Having traveled solo to 26 countries (including Spain), I have learned how to meet people when traveling alone to satisfy my need for connection.

Whether it’s your first solo trip or your fifteenth, I’ll show you different ways I’ve discovered to make friends while traveling solo, including apps and great spots to meet other travelers.

In this post, I’ll share ten ways I’ve used to meet people and how effective each method has been for me. I’ll also cover what I wish I had known about how travel friendships work before my first adventure, so that you can set proper expectations.

Setting Expectations for Travel Friendships

Building friendships at home is different from while traveling, as sometimes you’re just ships in the night, and that’s okay!

I tend to be very forward about wanting to hang out and be friends; meanwhile, some people just want someone to hang with for the night.

Knowning how to navigate the difference will save you some heartache.

If they do want to be friends beyond whatever city, great, keep in touch however you feel comfortable (e.g., WhatsApp, Instagram, etc.)

Now, let’s say they stop responding once they leave the city; that’s okay. It’s not you; they just weren’t interested beyond the time you spent together at that pub, activity, hostel, etc.

Learning how to meet people while traveling solo is a lot of trial and error.

How to Meet People While Traveling

1. Download Bumble BFF

After a couple of failed dates using Bumble Date in Barcelona, I swapped to Bumble BFF.

The difference between the two is that Date is for romantic endeavors, while BFF is for friendships.

I’ve never been very good at romance, and since building a potential friendship puts less pressure on me, I’ve had a lot more luck with the latter, making it one of my favorite apps for solo travelers.

The winning formula for me was also being clear in my profile that I was traveling, not living in Barcelona. This way, anyone looking for a local friend knew I wasn’t for them.

This instead helped me attract a fellow solo traveler who just happened to live in California.

We’ve since traveled together to Italy, England, Finland, Czechia, Denmark, and Germany.

Two women sit as passengers in a gondola steered by a gondolier through a narrow canal in Venice. The scene is framed by traditional Venetian brick buildings. — Venice, Italy

Two women stand in front of the Hogwarts Express steam train at the Platform 9 ¾ exhibit inside the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. The red locomotive is stationed beside a brick platform, recreating the iconic film scene. — Venice, Italy

There is also Bumble BFF groups, but I’ve found those meetups to be a bit flaky and recommend the one-on-one matches instead.

2. Sign up for Timeleft

If you’re someone worried about being lonely while solo at dinner, then Timeleft is your answer!

Founded in France, it has multiple locations across Europe, the USA, South America, South East Asia, and Eastern Australia.

Essentially, you sign up for dinner with five strangers.

However, since you’re all solo, you’re on an even playing field.

They also have drinks and coffee meetups in some cities and you can book them weeks in advance when planning your solo trip.

I’ve met people on two continents this way and have kept up with some of them!

One guy from Liverpool and I have struck up a friendship, and he even inspired me to visit Budapest solo.

I also traveled to Mexico City with one of the women I met in California and her friend.

Read my dedicated Timeleft review for more details.

Three smiling women holding small ceramic shot cup souvenirs on colorful ribbon lanyards aboard a trajinera boat during a Xochimilco canal tour in Mexico City, surrounded by lush tropical palm trees and a red-and-yellow painted boat canopy. — Xochimilco canal tour, Mexico City

3. Stay in a Hostel

A great way to be around people in general is to stay at a hostel, as many of them also boast other solo travelers.

I shared a dorm at Generator Dublin during my 2 days in Dublin, and I am still friends with some of the women in my room over a decade later.

If you’re a bit shy about approaching people, don’t worry, most hostels host events if they’re community oriented and that’s a great way to break the ice.

A promotional graphic titled “Linkups Events” for Prime Backpackers Angel Hostel London with a purple background, inviting guests to join hostel-organised events. Three events are shown: Family Dinner with an image of a large cooking pot, scheduled for 7 May. Cocktail Night with an image of a colorful cocktail topped with fruit and a straw, scheduled for 8 May. Free Pancakes with an image of a tall stack of pancakes topped with syrup and butter, scheduled for 9 May.

I met many others at Prime Backpackers Angel events (pictured above) and saved myself a few bucks since they were cheap to attend.

I also met people at the Loft Hostel in Budapest during a pub crawl to ruin bars.

A group of six young adults smiling and sitting closely together around a small round table at a dimly lit bar or lounge. The table holds several glasses of drinks and a large hookah with multiple hoses. There are plants and graffiti-covered surfaces in the background of Szimpla Kert in Budapest. — Szimpla Kert in Budapest

I will note that I have found some hostels that are more family-oriented and thus harder to meet people at, since they tend to stay in their family unit, but I can usually tell what type of hostel it is by the reviews or description.

Just make sure to check Hostelworld, one of my top solo travel tips, for the best reflection of what you’re signing up for.

4. Use the Hostelworld App

One of the bonuses of booking a hotel on Hostelworld is that you get to use their app!

For larger cities such as London, I found it to be a popular way to connect with others staying in hostels.

The notifications can be a bit overwhelming (I turned mine off), but you won’t be short on options for things to do or people to connect with.

A smartphone screen displaying Hostelworld app notifications from fellow hostel goers in London. The interface highlights the app’s real-time communication features for hostel travelers. — My notications while in London

If you’ve got an attraction you’re wanting to do, a place you want to eat at, or a pub you’re dying to try, this is a great place to pitch it!

Say something like “planning to head to X bar at 9 pm, anyone interested?”

5. Take a Group Tour

I’ve been meeting people on group tours since 2013, when I started solo traveling.

I find it easiest to meet others on longer tours as there’s likely downtime going from location to location, but if you’re nervous, start with something like a walking tour.

They also don’t have to be expensive tours; my trip to the Cliffs of Moher wasn’t costly.

The most memorable tours where I met people are the Krakow’s Auschwitz-Birkenau and Salt Mine tour, and my day tour from Seville to Granada.

For the latter, the lovely older women I met were kind enough to take my photo, buy me a beer, and chat with me throughout the day.

Hand holding a brown bottle of Alhambra Lager Singular beer over the pavement in Granada Spain. The packaging features a tile pattern inspired by the Alhambra building in Granada. — Granada, Spain

Two women smiling and posing together in front of a textured golden-grey salt wall inside the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland, both wearing green tour badges and dressed in layers including a North Face jacket. — Granada, Spain

6. Join Facebook Groups

Even before you travel, you can use Facebook Groups to connect with others.

Tons of them are geared towards different interests or regions.

Just search for whatever you’re interested in (e.g., solo travel, specific city), and you’ll likely find a result.

My top recommendations for solo travel groups are:

Girls LOVE Travel® – the best group I’ve been in
Foodie (Girls LOVE Travel ®) – niche version of the larger group
Women Who Travel – Group by Condé Nast
Travel Community – Group by Going
The Solo Female Traveler Network – solid advice

Typically, I use these for research rather than how to meet people while traveling, but I know many solo travelers who’ve met others and those who’ve also gotten help from these sources.

Just remember to be specific, as that’ll help you get the best responses. For example, if you’re looking for a queer-friendly person to hang with, mention it.

7. Use Meetup.com

I’ve been using Meetup.com on and off for over a decade.

It was one of the OG ways to learn how to meet people when traveling alone, or even while at home, which is primarily where I’ve used it, as I find it best to show up to events a few times to get to know the group.

So if you’re digital nomading and plan to stay a few weeks somewhere, this is a great option for you!

Also, if you’re looking for a language exchange, it’s one of the best ways to make friends who are looking to practice.

Screenshot of a Paris language exchange Meetup event listing with location and participant details. — Language exchange in Paris

Because this site has been around so long, do make sure the group is active, however. Typically, I look for regular events with a good attendance list.

8. Head to the Pub/Bar

If you don’t have any issue striking up a conversation with strangers, then heading to the local pub or bar is a great way to meet others.

This is how I’ve met some of the BEST people while solo.

I went to a pub, the Dark Horse in Belfast, and commented on a woman’s Game of Thrones shirt as I’d just done the studio tour.

After a few exchanges, her group invited me to go to the next pub with them, and then another. We wound up hanging out the whole night, and then on another night a few days later.

I also visited the woman twice in London and have kept up with the group online since.

A group of five friends smiling for a selfie at a round wooden table inside Revolución de Cuba Belfast, a Latin-themed cocktail bar with warm amber lighting, a neon-lit bar in the background, and creamy cocktails visible on the table.

Now, this is admittedly easier in a country where you speak the same language, but there are also traveler bars located in several cities, such as Hoff House in Budapest, which is touted as “Budapest’s friendly international hangout.”

Google, comment in a Facebook Group, or ask the person who works at the hostel for places like this.

9. Go to Local Events

Find local events you can join, such as trivia!

Pub trivia is great as it’s a team game, and you can typically find a group that’ll take an extra player.

Or you can go to events such as Belfast Brunch, which is spreading across Europe, that’s geared towards connection for millennial women.

woman dancing belfast brunch party northern ireland — Belfast Brunch

I had a blast singing along to 90s/00s classics with other women around my age for the afternoon.

I was solo, so I purposely took a table. I knew someone would likely ask to share it, so there was an instant reason to chat!

That group and I have since kept up on Instagram.

I also went to Sparty (Spa + Party) in Budapest and met a lovely Australian girl in line who I hung out with all night!

Two women smiling in bikinis at the SPARTY night pool party at Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest, standing poolside with steam rising, blue laser lights, and the illuminated arched architecture of the historic bathhouse glowing in the background amid a crowd of party-goers. — Sparty

If you haven’t figured it out yet, Budapest and Belfast are two of my favorite European cities for solo travel!

10. Sign up for a Class

I only got into classes because of my travel buddy that I met through Bumble BFF, but I’ve grown to have an appreciation for them.

We did an Italian cooking class in Florence that was spectacular!

I drank wine while learning how to make pasta from scratch.

A woman participates in a Pasta & Gnocchi cooking class in Florence, creating fresh dough on a wooden surface. Surrounded by ingredients and kitchen tools, she learns traditional Italian techniques in a hands-on culinary experience. — Pasta making class in Florence, Italy

Most classes I’ve found aren’t very large, so it’s easy to chat with everyone while learning a new skill.

You can find a lot of classes on AirB&B Experiences or tour websites such as Viator and GetYourGuide.

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How to Meet People While Traveling Alone: 10 Ways I’ve Tried and Succeeded With