The best way to meet people on a solo trip is to use an app that matches the kind of meeting you want: chats tied to where you sleep, a hosted dinner, a hobby group or a traveller community. Hostelworld, Timeleft, Meetup and Going Solo each do one of these. Solo Era is first on this list for a different reason: it is not a meet-people app, but it is the practice tool for the part many solo travellers dread, which is walking in alone and starting.
How we chose
We picked apps whose official App Store listing or site describes meeting people, then ordered them by the job they do. Facts come from each app's US App Store listing (iTunes lookup) and official site, read on 2026-11-01. We do not quote prices, user counts or ratings, because they change, differ by region or are marketing figures. Check the listing for pricing and your destination before you plan around any of these.
Quick comparison
| App | How you meet people | Best for | Platforms (listing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Era | You don't; you practise going alone | Building the nerve to go and to start talking | iPhone |
| Hostelworld | Chats tied to your booking, city chats, events | Staying in hostels and meeting guests | iPhone, iPad |
| Timeleft | Matched dinners and other group meet-ups | Shared meals with people you have not met | iPhone, iPad |
| Meetup | Interest groups and events | Joining a hobby or activity | iPhone, iPad |
| Going Solo: Travel Friends | Nearby groups, trip plans, buddy matching | Meeting other solo travellers | iPhone, iPad |
1. Solo Era
Best for: people who want to meet others while travelling but feel stuck at the first step.
Solo Era is an iPhone app for practising doing things alone, and it is honest to say what it is not: it is not a travel-buddy, matching or social app, and it will not introduce you to anyone. What it does is give you small missions across seven categories (food, movement, culture, travel, everyday, solitude and people) at five difficulty levels, plus a journal and before-and-after nervousness ratings.
For this topic the useful ones are the people and food missions. At level 1 the people mission is "Ask a staff member one genuine question." At level 3 it is "Join a public citizen-science briefing alone." The food category includes "Order a starter, a main and a dessert, alone." Each is a rehearsal for the same skills you need on the road: asking, joining, sitting down alone. You rate how nervous you felt before and after, so you can see your own evidence that it gets easier. Screens in the app show example data.
Solo Era is free to download, and a subscription is required to start missions. Prices and any free trial are shown in the app and depend on the offer and eligibility. It is not therapy or medical care.
Solo Era for iPhone
Rehearse the first hello before you leave
Try a people or food mission close to home and rate how nervous you felt before and after. Solo Era is an iPhone app for practising doing things alone.
2. Hostelworld
Best for: travellers staying in hostels who want company built into their stay.
The App Store listing describes Hostelworld as an app to book hostels and meet fellow travellers, with a Traveller Profile, plan-based chat groups, City Chats linked to your booking, Hostel Chats with people staying at the same hostel, direct messages and local events. The official site says you can see traveller profiles once you book and chat to travellers in your hostel and city. That is a gentle way to meet people because you already share a place. Hostels are not for everyone, so read the room types and descriptions on the official page, and see our guide to hostels for solo travelers. Cancellation and booking terms are on the official booking page; check them before you pay.
3. Timeleft
Best for: people who would rather share a table than swipe.
Per the App Store listing, you take a quiz, book a dinner, drinks, coffee or a run, and the venue and a preview of who you meet are revealed on the day. Listed formats include weekly dinners in groups of 4 to 6, women-only dinners, group runs followed by coffee, coffee on Saturday afternoons and, in select cities, drinks after dinner. The official site says there is no swiping and the location is revealed just before. Whether Timeleft runs in your destination, and the cost, are on the official site and FAQ, so check there. If you are looking for options beyond it, see our Timeleft alternatives.
4. Meetup
Best for: people who want to join something they already enjoy.
Meetup, by Meetup LLC, lists interest groups and events online and in person; the listing says you can join or host events, discuss and message people you meet. For a traveller, the approach is to search for an activity in the place you are visiting (a walk, a language exchange, a board-game evening) and join one event rather than a group. Events vary by city and week, so check what is available for your dates. Our Meetup alternatives page compares other options.
5. Going Solo: Travel Friends
Best for: meeting other solo travellers, or friends when you move to a new city.
The listing says Going Solo is an app to meet other solo travellers and friends in a new city, with nearby groups, trip plans, a way to find people heading to the same destination and travel-buddy matching. How active it is in your city will vary. Check the listing for what is free and what is a premium feature. For safety around meeting someone you matched with online, see the checklist in our travel buddy apps guide.
Which one should you use?
| If you… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Freeze at the idea of walking up to a group | Solo Era to practise, then any of the others |
| Are staying in hostels | Hostelworld |
| Want a shared meal | Timeleft, if it runs where you are going |
| Have a hobby you can do anywhere | Meetup |
| Want other solo travellers specifically | Going Solo |
None of the apps is a guarantee. Plan to meet people in public places, in daylight when you can, and tell someone where you are going. Our safety tips for solo travel cover habits that apply everywhere. For people-first advice that does not need an app, read how to meet people while travelling solo, and for a wider planning view see best solo travel apps.
A low-pressure way to use the apps
- Choose one app and one event, not five.
- Pick something with a clear end time (a dinner, a walk), so you can leave.
- Arrive a little early. It is easier to join a table that is still forming.
- Have two opening questions ready. "Where are you from?" and "What have you liked so far?" work almost anywhere.
- Afterwards, note how nervous you felt before and after. You'll have your own evidence for next time.
Last checked: 2026-11-01. App facts come from the US App Store listings and the official sites of each app. They can change, so confirm current details before you decide. We do not quote prices, user counts or ratings.
FAQ
What is the best app to meet people while travelling?
It depends on how you like to meet people. Hostelworld suits hostel guests, Timeleft suits shared dinners, Meetup suits hobbies and Going Solo suits solo travellers. Solo Era helps you practise the first step but does not match you with anyone.
Is Solo Era a meet-people app?
No. Solo Era is an iPhone app for practising doing things alone, with missions, ratings and a journal. It has no matching or social features.
Are these apps safe?
Apps are tools, not guarantees. Meet in public, tell someone your plan, keep personal details private until you trust someone and leave if anything feels wrong.
Do I need to pay for these apps?
The listings show them as free to download, but paid features or bookings can apply. Check each listing and the app for current pricing.
What if there are no events where I'm going?
Try the others on the list, ask your accommodation about local events or join a walking tour. Smaller places often have fewer events.
I'm too nervous to join anything. What then?
Start with small steps at home, such as asking a staff member a question. Our solo travel anxiety page has more ideas.
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
