How To Make Friends While Traveling Abroad, According To Solo Travelers

Forbes

3 days ago

Friends Riding Bicycles In A City. Cycling in pedestrian zone and making selfie.
Traveling solo has been steadily on the rise—it's the quickest and easiest way to get out and see the world without having to wait around for those back at home to be ready to join you. It can seem a bit daunting for those who prefer experiencing life in the company of others but meeting like-minded folks abroad is actually relatively easy if you make the effort—and those connections and memories made might just be the best part of your trip.
'A lot of travelers focus on ticking off sights. Nothing wrong with that. But if you're looking to make friends, focus more on shared experiences,' explained Harrison Alley, travel nomad, and founder of Student of Guitar.
Here are some of the best ways to make connections while traveling or living abroad, according to solo travelers, digital nomads, and expats:
'This is the easiest way to make friends while traveling, because it will connect you with other solo travelers and/or like-minded travelers,' explained Katie Treharne, a 26-year-old travel blogger who documents her travels on Escape Artist Katie. 'Most of the time, I stay in private rooms in a hostel or co-living and socialize at breakfast—the best place to make plans for the day—or organized events like hikes, tours and lunches. Of course, staying in a dormitory makes meeting people even easier; there are plenty of opportunities to get talking when you're staying within arm's reach of each other.'
'I have joined WhatsApp groups for digital nomads and expats that run community events, as well as location-specific WhatsApp groups and more niche community groups such as LGBTQ+ backpackers, yoga groups, hiking groups, and even ice bath groups,' said Treharne. 'You can almost always find links to WhatsApp groups by searching for community groups on Facebook, and others have been provided to me through friends at hostels/hotels.'
'This is one idea that I haven't tried myself – but I've met handfuls of people who swear by using Bumble for Friends to connect with other solo travelers,' explained Treharne. 'Your location automatically updates when you arrive abroad. A good thing about Bumble friends is that you can swipe right on profiles for people with similar interests, so it's automatically easier to 'find your tribe'.'
'In my opinion, putting in effort to maintain your relationships is the most overlooked part of making and maintaining friendships while solo traveling. Many people meet someone once, and that's it,' explained Treharne. 'If I genuinely connect with someone, I make it my priority to get their WhatsApp number or social media profile. Then, I keep in regular contact, whether it's a quick text to ask where they are/how they are doing, or replying to Instagram stories.'
'Carrying a guitar while traveling is a conversation starter without saying a word. I've had strangers stop me in parks, hostel lobbies, and train stations, just to ask what I play or if I'll play something,' said Alley. 'Sometimes we trade songs. Other times, we just sit and listen. Either way, it opens a door. It cuts through the surface stuff and lets you connect right away on something shared.'
Alley also pointed out that while not everyone travels with an instrument, everyone has something. Maybe it's photography. Maybe you're into cooking. Maybe you're just really good at asking questions and listening. Whatever it is, use it. Shared interests are the quickest bridge between 'Hi' and 'Hey, let's hang out.'
'Another thing that helps is showing up in the right kinds of places. I look for open mic nights, record stores, jam sessions, or local music meetups,' said Alley. 'Even if you're just showing up to listen, you're stepping into a space where people are already wired to connect. There's no pressure to be outgoing—you're just joining in something that's already happening.'
'Now that we're based in Vietnam, social media has played a large role in making friends,' explains Rachel Howze, digital nomad and founder of Travwell. 'Just this week, I'm meeting a new friend I connected with on Instagram for a lantern-making class because she's in my town.'