Travel tip #124: How to meet people when traveling alone (encore)

Hi Reader,

How are you doing today?

I am in Georgia enjoying alllll the food and wine and the fantastic conversations we are sharing. Including wine ice-cream, pictured below. Have you ever tried it?! It's incredibly sweet!

The beauty of travel and of female connections is in full bloom on this tour. So this week's travel tip is a reminder of all the wonderful ways in which you can meet people when traveling.

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How to meet people when traveling alone

If you are a super outgoing person, meeting people when traveling or in general may come natural to you, but the majority of us need a little encouragement or at least an environment where talking to strangers is common, expected or at least "normal".

Below are my top tips for meeting people when traveling but you can read the complete list HERE.

Hostels

Many members of our community prefer to stay at hostels because they are affordable and convenient but most importantly, they are specifically designed for solo travelers and socialisation.

The hostel bar is THE place to meet people. Walk in, screen the room, find a friendly face, get an invitation to join a group or just say hi to someone, you will undoubtedly be met with a smile and a "where are you from?" which makes for a great start to a conversation.

Hostels also organize social evenings with games or events that make it easy to meet people.

If a hostel is not your thing, you can also join the events without staying there, or pop in for a drink, the bar tends to be open to everyone.

There are also social hotel brands like Moxy designed to replicate the social components of a hostel with the comfort of a 3-4 star hotel.

Tours

Day tours or even free walking tours are a great place to meet other travelers and maybe make friends.

The guides will usually kick off with a round of introductions so you at least have a place to start a conversation if anyone looks friendly and interesting and who knows, you may end up going on your own exploration with someone who has a shared interest.

Bonus points for food tours that are more social in nature and where you will sit around a table and share a meal, so there is a social component that does not exist in regular walking tours. These make for better chances of meeting others in between bites and sips.

Facebook travel buddies groups

Did you know that we set up a specific subgroup for finding travel buddies?

It is only for women and it allows you to a) Host a traveler in your house b) Find a host at a destination c) Swap home with someone d) Find a house / pet sitter / sitting opportunity e) Meet up with a traveler / local.

Join the group here.

There are also many other travel groups out there for the same purpose, the largest of which is Host a sister.

Dating apps

Dating apps are a great way to find locals or other travelers to meet up with. You could go on a nice date or focus on finding friends only, women and men, for something social without any expectations.

All the main dating apps (Tinder, Bumble, etc.) have a friends only option you can select. Start a few days before your trip so you have enough time to meet someone.

Chat with people

I have to say that the best memories I have of meeting people when traveling happened organically, when someone started up a conversation with me or I did with them.

This could be the dive instructor, the bar tender, a guide, another traveler at an activity I was participating in, or even someone sitting next to me on the plane or at the boarding gate.

Nowadays, we all wear headphones and are glued to our mobile phones, but by simply lifting your head up and smiling, you open yourself to interesting and wonderful conversations that could lead to a fun activity and a lifelong connection on social media.

Have you met people in other ways when traveling solo? Hit reply and let me know so I can add it to my next newsletter

2026 / 2027 Calendar of tours

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🏔️ Kilimanjaro climb on Intl Women's Day: 1 to 10 Mar or 1 to 15 Mar with safari extension >> Book here.
🚗 Cuba: 14 to 22 Feb || 14 to 22 Mar || 12 to 20 Dec || New Year's Eve >> Book here
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🍷 Georgia 5 to 13 Sep >> Book here
🦪 Croatia & Montenegro 31 May to 6 Jun >> Book here
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🇪🇬 Egypt: 3 to 12 Apr [2 SPOTS LEFT] || 30 Oct to 8 Nov >> Book here
🦁 Tanzania Value safari + Zanzibar: 28 Aug to 7 Sep (Great Migration) || 11 to 21 Sep (Great Migration) || 23 Dec to 2 Jan, 2027 (Xmas + NYE) >> Book here
🇹🇿 Tanzania Luxe safari + Zanzibar: 25 Sep to 5 Oct, 2026 (Great Migration) || 1 to 10 Nov, 2026 >> Book here
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❄️ Swedish Arctic 28 Mar to 3 Apr [1 SPOTS LEFT] >> Book here
🐬 Ecuador & The Galapagos: 5 to 17 May [I will host this trip, Sold out] >> Join the waitlist
🌴 Caribbean island hopping: 13 to 20 Feb, 2027 >> Book here [Both Meg and I will host this trip]