{"id":3410,"date":"2017-04-06T10:11:10","date_gmt":"2017-04-06T10:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.hostelworld.com\/?p=3410"},"modified":"2023-12-08T13:57:57","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T13:57:57","slug":"quick-easy-ways-to-find-the-coolest-friends-when-travelling-alone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/quick-easy-ways-to-find-the-coolest-friends-when-travelling-alone\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Fun & Easy Ways To Meet People While Travelling Solo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to know how to meet people while travelling alone? Well, it\u2019s easier than you think, and no, you don\u2019t need to be a social butterfly. Right now you may be thinking \u2018but isn\u2019t it a bit weird to talk to random strangers?!\u2019 To that we say, welcome to the dark side, friends! The normal rules of politely averted gazes and stiff upper lips don\u2019t apply when you\u2019re backpacking, and that\u2019s a good thing. You\u2019ll soon come to realise it\u2019s the people you meet along the way who make travel such a rewarding experience.<\/p>\n

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Whether you\u2019re eager to meet locals while travelling, or you\u2019re searching for the perfect Roamies<\/a> group to travel with, we\u2019ve got you covered. Read on for 11 tips to help you meet people abroad like a pro.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

1.\u00a0Give everyone a chance<\/h2>\n

\"how\u00a0Away With The Fairies<\/a> Hostel\u00a0\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@labuschagnehannes<\/a><\/p>\n

By keeping an open mind when you travel, you\u2019ll meet different people from all over the world that you would never normally encounter back home. Differences such as age become irrelevant and people will surprise you time and time again.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll quickly learn that there are interesting people in every bus, caf\u00e9, bookshop or club; everyone has something to offer if you give them a chance. And guess what, you are interesting too!<\/p>\n

2. Always stay in a hostel when you travel abroad alone<\/h2>\n

\"how\ud83d\udcf7Lucky Lake Hostel<\/a> in Amsterdam<\/p>\n

Breaking news: Hostelworld recommends staying in a hostel. Seriously though, this is the best way to meet people while travelling solo; you simply can\u2019t beat the social aspect of staying in a hostel. Don\u2019t just take our word for it though: ask any solo traveller and they\u2019ll say the same thing.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t worry if dorms aren\u2019t your thing \u2013 even when you stay in a private room in a hostel, you\u2019re guaranteed a social stay. If you\u2019re wondering where to meet people in a hostel, the answer is EVERYWHERE. Traditionally, the hostel bar has always been the heart of the social action, but if you\u2019re not the partying type then fear not, there are still plenty of opportunities to meet other guests: whether you bond over the free pancakes at breakfast, or just find a chill buddy in the hostel\u2019s adult ball pit.<\/p>\n

Download the Hostelworld app for iOS<\/a> and Android<\/a> (Free)<\/em><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0One word: FOOD!<\/h2>\n

\"how\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@lola.photography<\/a><\/p>\n

Sharing food with others is a guaranteed way to get the conversation flowing and meet new people, whether it’s in the hostel kitchen or a cool underground\u00a0supper club. If you’re looking for a unique dining experience that will help you meet both locals and other travellers, then our friends at\u00a0Vizeat<\/a>\u00a0have just the ticket. From\u00a0wine tasting on a Parisian rooftop to pasta making classes in Rome, there’s a foodie event to suit every taste. Delicious grub + loads of new friends\u00a0\u2013 you’re welcome!<\/p>\n

Book a social foodie experience with Vizeat<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

4. Learn the lingo if you want to meet locals while travelling<\/h2>\n

\"how\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@globaldegree<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s usually possible to get by with just English and some imaginative sign language while travelling, but learning basic phrases in the local lingo will go a long way. And a little more than the basics will enable you to connect with people outside the familiar circle of English-speaking backpackers, giving you a whole new perspective on the destination you\u2019re visiting.<\/p>\n

So all you have to do is become fluent in every language on the planet. Easy, right? Well, it is if you\u2019ve got the Hostelworld app on your phone: to help you meet locals while travelling and generally make life a little easier, we\u2019ve launched a brand new feature that lets you converse like a near native in 43 languages and counting. All you need to do is download our free app, or update it if you\u2019ve already got it, and select \u2018Speak The World\u2019 from the menu. It\u2019s that simple.<\/p>\n

Download the Hostelworld app for iOS<\/a> and Android<\/a> (Free)<\/em><\/p>\n

5. Get an app that helps you meet people to travel with<\/h2>\n

\"how\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@teejayhughes<\/a><\/p>\n

For introverts, a carefully chosen app can be a quick and painless way to meet other people to travel with \u2013 whether you\u2019re looking for someone to join you on a two-day trek into the jungle, or someone to travel India with for three months. There are quite a few apps to choose from, but we think our new app features are the best (sorry!) While it might be shameless self-promotion, you can meet new people and get involved with hostel events using some of our most recent app features. The new Hostelworld app<\/a> has a bucket loads of social features,<\/a> allowing you to connect and chat with fellow travellers before your plane hits the runway. All that’s left to do is meet people #IRL.<\/p>\n

For all you solo female travellers out there worried about unwanted attention, Backpackr lets you configure your settings so that only other female travellers can contact you. Alternatively, give Tourlina a spin \u2013 it\u2019s the first female only app that helps you meet people to travel with.<\/p>\n

Download Backpackr<\/a>\u00a0(free) \/ Download Tourlina<\/a>\u00a0(free)<\/em><\/p>\n