To meet people while travelling solo, put yourself in places where conversation is expected and easy: hostel common rooms, walking tours, classes, shared tables, group day trips and local events. Then use a short, open opener about the shared situation. You do not need to be outgoing. You need places that do the introducing for you and a few lines you can rely on.
This page covers meeting others on the road. For small talk in general, see our guide to how to make small talk, and for lasting friendships the making friends guide.
Decide how much company you want
Some travellers want a friend a day, others want one good conversation a trip. Decide before you go. A mix works for many people: mornings alone, a group activity in the afternoon, dinner depending on your mood. Having a rule like "one social thing per day" keeps you moving without forcing it.
12 places and ways to meet people
1. Hostel common rooms and social events
Hostels are designed for meeting people: shared kitchens, quiz nights and organised dinners. Even if you book a private room, spend time in the common areas.
2. Free or paid walking tours
You walk in a group, there is a guide to follow and everyone is a visitor. Walk next to someone and comment on what you are seeing.
3. Group day trips and tours
A boat trip, a hike, a food tour. A few hours together is long enough for a real conversation and short enough to leave easily.
4. Classes and workshops
Cooking, ceramics, dance or language classes give you a shared task, which is the easiest basis for conversation. Many are open to drop-ins.
5. Shared tables and counters
Communal tables, bar counters and market stalls make talking natural. Sit at the table, not the corner.
6. Cafes and coworking spaces
If you are staying a while, return to the same cafe. Familiarity helps staff and regulars start talking to you.
7. Local events
Markets, gigs, festivals, open mic nights and sports matches. Everyone is there for the same thing. See going to a concert alone.
8. Meetup-style groups
Language exchanges, running groups and hobby meetings are often advertised online. Check the group's details and meet in a public place.
9. Volunteering or working holidays
Short volunteering days put you beside local people with a shared purpose.
10. Travel and language apps
Some apps help you find other travellers or language partners. See best solo travel apps for options that exist and what they do.
11. Ask for help or recommendations
"Where would you eat tonight?" invites a conversation with a local. People like to share their city.
12. Say yes to small invitations
If a fellow traveller invites you for a drink or a walk and it feels right, say yes. Keep it in public and keep your options open.
What to say: easy openers
You do not need to be funny. A good opener is about the shared moment.
| Situation | Try |
|---|---|
| On a tour | "Have you done any of the other tours here?" |
| In a hostel | "How long are you staying? Any tips?" |
| At a table | "Is this your first time here? What did you order?" |
| In a class | "Have you done this before?" |
| After a chat | "I am heading to X later if you want to come." |
For more lines, try the free what to say tool. A good follow-up is a question that invites a story: "What was the best thing you did today?"
A tiny script for the first five minutes
- Notice something shared. The tour guide, the food, the weather, the queue.
- Ask one open question. "Where are you headed next?"
- Share one thing back. A short answer, so it is not an interview.
- Follow a thread. If they mention a place, ask what they liked.
- Decide. If the chat is good, suggest a small next step. If not, close kindly.
Five minutes is enough to find out if you want more.
Graceful exits
Not every conversation needs to last. A kind exit protects your energy: "It was great to meet you, I am going to explore a bit more." People respect it. Equally, if you enjoy the person, suggest a small next step, such as coffee tomorrow.
Stay safe while meeting new people
- Meet in public places and tell someone where you are going.
- Keep control of how much you drink.
- Do not share accommodation details too early.
- Keep your own way back.
- Leave if something feels wrong.
More in solo travel safety tips.
If you are shy or tired of people
Introverts travel well alone. Choose structured settings with an activity so you are not relying on small talk. Take breaks. It is fine to spend an evening alone, and eating a good meal by yourself can be one of the best parts of a trip. If you notice yourself feeling very lonely on the road, solo travel loneliness has more ideas.
Practise before you travel
Starting a conversation is a skill, and you can practise it at home. Solo Era is an iPhone app that gives you small missions in its people category. Quoted exactly, a level 1 mission is "Ask a staff member one genuine question." Each time, you rate how nervous you felt before and after. Solo Era is not a meet-people app and has no matching features. It is free to download, with a subscription required to start missions.
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.
Keep in touch afterwards
If you click with someone, swap contact details before you part and send a short message within a day or two, ideally with a photo or memory from the moment you met. It keeps the connection alive without any pressure. Not every encounter needs a follow-up, and a good conversation on a train is worth having on its own.
FAQ
Is it hard to meet people when travelling alone?
Not if you choose settings that do the introducing. Tours, hostels, classes and shared tables make conversation normal.
What if I am shy?
Pick activities with a shared focus, such as a class or a walking tour. Prepare two or three openers and give yourself permission to leave a conversation.
Should I stay in hostels to meet people?
It helps, but it is not required. You can stay in a hotel and join tours and events instead.
How do I make friends who last after the trip?
Swap contact details only with people you actually enjoyed, then follow up with a message soon after. A simple photo or memory from the day is a good start.
Is it safe to go out with people I just met?
It can be, with sensible precautions: meet in public, tell someone, keep your own transport and trust your instincts.
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.
