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Quick answer: The easiest way to make friends while travelling alone is to put yourself in places built for meeting people: social hostels, group tours, classes, language exchanges and events. Repeat exposure helps, so joining something on your first day often beats waiting until you feel lonely. This guide covers 12 practical options, plus safety tips. For a shorter overview, see how to meet people when you travel solo.
Why it is worth the effort
Meeting people brings local tips, company for meals and sights, and sometimes a travel partner for part of the trip. Most travellers you meet in hostels, on tours and at events are open to conversation, because many of them are also on their own. Starting conversations is a skill that improves with practice.
1. Stay somewhere social
Hostels with common rooms, shared kitchens, bars and daily activities make it easy to meet people. Read reviews for words like “social” or “friendly”, check the events calendar, and spend time in the common areas, not just your bed. Some hotels and guesthouses with communal breakfasts work too.
| Feature | Social hostel | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Shared spaces | Lounges, kitchens, bars | Usually none |
| Organised activities | Often | Rare |
| Privacy | Lower | Higher |
| Cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
2. Join group tours and activities
Food tours, day trips, cooking classes and hikes give you hours with the same group and a shared topic to talk about. Choose small groups for better conversation.
3. Use apps and online groups
Meetup, Couchsurfing events, Bumble BFF and city-specific Facebook or Reddit groups list meetups, hikes and language exchanges. Post your dates and interests in advance. Always meet in public places first, and read profiles and reviews.
4. Go to local events and festivals
Markets, concerts, festivals and community events bring locals and visitors together. Ask your accommodation or check the city’s tourism calendar.
5. Take a class or workshop
Cooking, pottery, dance, surfing or language classes give you something to do together, which removes the pressure of small talk. Pick activities where participants interact, not ones where everyone works in silence.
6. Volunteer
Short volunteering projects, beach clean-ups or work-exchange platforms connect you with locals and long-stay travellers. Research the organisation carefully, avoid projects that look exploitative, and be wary of any that charge high fees.
7. Spend time in cafes and public spaces
Communal tables, co-working cafes, parks and plazas offer low-pressure openings. A simple question about the local area, a menu recommendation or a seat is often enough to start.
8. Take a free walking tour
Tip-based walking tours attract many solo travellers. Stay for the last few minutes and ask whether anyone wants lunch or a drink afterwards. Tip your guide fairly.
| Feature | Group walking tour | Private guide |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low or tip-based | Higher |
| Meeting people | Easy | Hard |
| Flexibility | Fixed route | Custom |
9. Talk on long journeys
Long train, bus and ferry rides are good for conversation. Ask where someone is heading, or offer a recommendation. Read the situation: if someone puts headphones on, leave them be.
10. Try a language exchange
Many cities have regular language exchange nights in bars and cafes. They attract locals and long-term residents who enjoy meeting travellers.
11. Do outdoor and adventure activities
Hikes, kayak trips, bike tours and climbing days create bonds through shared effort. Small groups make it easier to talk. Gentle options work fine if you are not very active.
12. Co-working spaces and digital communities
If you work remotely, co-working spaces and nomad communities run socials and meetups. Day passes are common.
Overcoming common worries
- Shyness: start small with a smile and a simple question. Group activities take the pressure off.
- Language barriers: use a translation app, gestures and simple phrases. Effort is appreciated.
- Fear of rejection: not every conversation will lead anywhere. Move on without taking it personally.
- Introversion: pick activities with a shared focus, and give yourself quiet time afterwards. Spending an evening alone is fine.
- Cultural differences: observe local norms and be curious.
Keeping the friendships going
- Swap contact details through messaging apps or social media.
- Suggest a specific plan (a meal, a sunrise hike) instead of a vague “let’s hang out”.
- Follow up after the trip with a message or a photo.
Safety when meeting new people
- Meet in public places, especially at first.
- Tell someone where you are going and who you are meeting.
- Avoid sharing your accommodation details too quickly.
- Watch your drink, and know your limits.
- Trust your instincts and leave if something feels wrong.
- Read reviews for apps, tours and events.
More in our solo travel safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
How can I meet people if I am shy?
Choose structured activities such as classes, tours or hostel events where conversation starts naturally, and set yourself a small goal like saying hello to one person.
Are hostels safe for solo travellers?
Many are, especially well-reviewed ones. Use lockers, read recent reviews and consider female-only dorms if offered.
What if I do not speak the language?
Use a translation app, learn a few phrases and join English-friendly activities such as walking tours and hostel events.
How do I handle loneliness?
Plan at least one social activity a day, keep in touch with friends and family, and allow yourself rest days. See traveling alone for the first time.
Which apps are best?
Meetup, Couchsurfing events, Bumble BFF and local Facebook groups are common choices. Features and popularity change, so check what is active in your destination.
Keep planning
- 10 tips for planning your solo trip
- The ultimate guide to solo travel
- 5 mistakes to avoid when traveling alone
Hi, I’m Lily, a solo traveller, slow travel advocate and writer based in Wales. I’ve been exploring Europe independently for 9 years, mostly by train, mostly without a rigid itinerary, and almost always alone.
I’ve taken 55+ solo trips through France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, the Balkans, the Baltics and Scandinavia. I speak French and Italian, both learned on the road rather than in a classroom, which means I’m better at ordering wine and arguing with train conductors than I am at formal grammar.
My particular passion is the parts of Europe that don’t make the Instagram highlight reels: the underrated cities, the regional trains that no one takes, the local markets, the restaurants where you’re the only foreigner and the menu isn’t in English. I’ve eaten alone in some of the world’s best restaurants and some of its scruffiest tavernas, and I firmly believe solo dining is one of the great underrated pleasures of travel.
I write practical guides for solo travellers who want to actually experience a place, not just tick it off a list.