How to Meet People While Traveling Solo (And Why You Don’t Have To)
Many women new to solo travel worry they’ll feel lonely or think they have to spend the entire trip meeting new people. The good news is that neither is true.
One of the best parts of traveling alone is that you get to decide how social you want to be and how you’d like to meet people while traveling solo. Some days you may enjoy chatting with other travelers over breakfast or joining a walking tour. Other days, you may want to wander through a museum, read a book at a café, or watch the sunset without saying a word.
You don’t have to decide before you leave. Stay flexible and see how you feel each day. That’s one of the greatest freedoms of solo travel—you get to choose what feels right in the moment.
Why Meeting People Can Make Solo Travel Even Better
One of the best things about solo travel is deciding how much you want to socialize. Many women travel alone because they enjoy the quiet and independence. But if you’re open to it, meeting people along the way can make your trip even more memorable.
Whether it’s another traveler or a local, conversations often lead to recommendations you won’t find in blog posts, Pinterest pins, or social media. You might discover a family-owned restaurant, a hidden beach, or a local festival that wasn’t on your itinerary. Locals are often proud of where they live and enjoy sharing their favorite places with visitors.
One woman I interviewed for my podcast recommended taking a tour early in your trip. It’s a great way to learn about your destination while naturally meeting other travelers. Whether it’s a food tour, walking tour, historical tour, or another activity that interests you, it can be an easy, low-pressure way to start your vacation.
Sometimes the people you meet are only part of your day for a few minutes or a couple of hours. Other times, you may spend the day exploring together. Either way, those unexpected conversations often become some of the memories you remember most long after the trip is over.
Easy Ways to Meet People While Traveling Solo
You don’t have to force yourself to meet people. It will often happen naturally as you explore your destination. However, there are a few easy ways to create more opportunities to meet others if that’s something you’d like to do.
Walking Tours
You can find walking tours in many cities. Some are free, while others have a small fee. Research before your trip to see what is available. Some tours are self-guided using a website, app, or QR code, while others are led by a local guide. I enjoy learning about the history of a destination, and walking tours are a great way to do that while being around other travelers.
Small Group Tours
There are a variety of small-group tours you can join. In addition to walking tours, there are bus, boat, and Segway tours. I have even done a jet ski group tour in the Keys! Not only are there a variety of transportation options, but also a variety of tour topics. You can find historic tours, ghost tours, bike-and-brew tours, photography tours, foodie tours, and so much more.
Food Tours
A recent podcast guest, Malia, suggested taking a tour at the beginning of a solo trip. It’s a great way to meet people while also learning about your destination right away. Her favorite type of tour is a food tour because you not only get to enjoy local food but also learn about the area’s culture.
Museums
Museums often offer guided tours, but you can also explore on your own while still being around other people. I love finding small museums in towns and cities I drive through because the attendants and volunteers know so much about the local area. I’ve learned some wonderful stories and received great recommendations just by asking a few questions.
Hotel Common Areas
Whether you’re grabbing breakfast in the morning or enjoying a cocktail at the end of the day, hotel common areas are another easy place to meet people. One type of accommodation I especially enjoy is a bed and breakfast. Not only can you chat with other guests if you want to, but the owners are usually very friendly and happy to answer questions or recommend places to visit.
Coffee Shops
Coffee shops are another easy place to strike up a conversation. You can ask your server for recommendations or sit at a community table if one is available. Sometimes all it takes is a simple question about the area to start a conversation.
Classes
Many destinations offer classes, especially during the busy travel season when they welcome more visitors. Photography, cooking, and craft classes are all fun options. When I visited Santa Fe a few years ago, I even saw sewing classes being offered inside an art gallery! You never know what unique experiences you’ll find.
Local Events
Before your trip, check what local events will be happening while you’re there. A concert in the park, a festival, an art fair, or even a local farmers’ market can be a fun way to experience the destination while naturally being around other people.
Participating in a tour, taking a class, or visiting a museum often feels much more natural than trying to strike up random conversations with strangers. If you’re hoping to meet people while traveling solo, these activities make it easy to do so without feeling awkward or forced.
Don’t Feel Like You Have to Make Friends
One of the reasons I’m so passionate about solo travel is that I love it.
I enjoy my time alone and being able to do what I want, when I want. At the same time, I enjoy talking to people while traveling because I love learning about the places I visit and hearing locals’ perspectives. It’s not that I need to have conversations every day. I’m probably half introvert and half extrovert. I simply enjoy connecting with people when the opportunity feels natural.
If you get your energy from being around other people, there are plenty of opportunities to do that while traveling solo. You might enjoy taking a tour each day, signing up for a class, or eating a meal at the bar seating or a community table.
On the other hand, maybe you’re an extrovert who simply needs a vacation where no one expects anything from you. Solo travel gives you that freedom, too.
That’s what I love most about solo travel. You get to decide how social you want to be. There isn’t a right or wrong way to do it.
Quality Conversations Matter More Than Quantity
One thing I’ve learned while traveling is that you don’t have to meet lots of people for your trip to feel meaningful.
Sometimes, one enjoyable conversation with a tour guide, another traveler, a museum volunteer, or a local restaurant owner is all it takes to make your day memorable. Those are often the conversations I remember long after I get home.
I’ve also heard stories from solo travelers who have stayed in touch with people they met on a trip. Some have even planned another vacation together. While that certainly happens, I don’t think it has to be the goal.
If your only conversation during your trip lasts five minutes while waiting for a tour to begin, that’s okay. If you spend an afternoon exploring with someone you just met, that’s okay too.
Every solo trip is different, and that’s part of what makes them so rewarding.
Stay Safe While Meeting New People
While it’s fun to meet new people while traveling, it’s also important to have boundaries and make choices that help you stay safe.
One of the best tools you have is your instincts. Trust them. They can help you decide how much time you want to spend with someone, whether a conversation feels comfortable, or whether something simply doesn’t feel right.
When I say to trust your instincts or your gut, this is what I mean. Sometimes I get an uneasy feeling, or my stomach turns. Other times, my brain is simply telling me, “Something feels off.” I’ve learned not to ignore those feelings.
When talking with people, keep your personal information private. You don’t need to tell someone where you’re staying, your complete itinerary, or other personal details. I also avoid asking someone I just met to watch my purse or phone while I step away. These are simple boundaries that help protect you while still allowing you to enjoy meeting people.
If you meet someone on a tour or at an attraction and decide you’d like to spend more time together, choose a public place. Meet for lunch, visit another museum, or join another group tour. If at any point you begin to feel uncomfortable, you can leave.
This is something I remind myself of often: you don’t owe anyone your time. You don’t have to explain yourself, and you don’t have to stay in a conversation or situation that doesn’t feel right. It’s okay to politely excuse yourself and continue enjoying your trip.
Meeting people has been one of the enjoyable parts of my solo travels, and I don’t want fear to keep you from those experiences. I simply want you to enjoy them while using good judgment and trusting yourself.
If you’d like to hear more about this topic, listen to my podcast episode, Should You Talk to Strangers While Traveling Alone?, where I share the boundaries I use to enjoy conversations while staying safe.
My Favorite Part About Traveling Solo
My favorite thing about traveling solo is the freedom it gives me. The freedom to:
- pick my destination
- create my own itinerary
- choose where I want to eat and when
- travel fast or slow each day
- change my mind
- meet people if I want to—or not
- take a nap or spend the afternoon relaxing without feeling guilty
There are so many reasons I love traveling solo, and they may be completely different from yours.
Maybe you enjoy the quiet and independence. Maybe you love meeting new people. Maybe you simply want to prove to yourself that you can do it.
There isn’t a right or wrong reason to travel solo. Some people spend a lot of time alone at home and use solo travel as a way to connect with others. Others travel solo because they finally get to enjoy some quiet time. The beauty of solo travel is that you get to decide what your trip looks like.
Final Thoughts on How to Meet People While Traveling Solo
Meeting people while traveling solo doesn’t mean you’re an extrovert, and it doesn’t mean you have to be outgoing. It’s simply one more way to make your trip your own.
Some of your favorite travel memories may come from conversations with people you meet along the way. Or maybe your favorite memory will be sitting on a beach, hiking a trail, or wandering through a museum all by yourself.
If you don’t talk to anyone during your trip except to order a meal, and you’re happy, that’s a successful trip. If you spend an afternoon exploring with someone you just met, and that’s the highlight of your vacation, that’s a successful trip too.
Enjoy your trip, however it feels right to you. Meet people if you want to. Enjoy your own company if that’s what you need. Keep your boundaries, trust your instincts, and check in with your family occasionally so they know you’re doing well.
At the end of the day, there is no one right way to travel solo. That’s the beauty of it. The choice is always yours.
