How To Make Friends While Travelling Solo

Experiencing another city, country or culture on your own terms, at your own convenience, your own budget, eating what and where, can be a supremely rewarding experience.

But while some find this adventure to be insightful and liberating, there are some who might worry about being alone or lonely in a strange land.

This worry doesn't come as a surprise because humans are social animals, after all. What's important for solo travellers to know is that no matter what the label suggests, travelling solo doesn't mean you have to keep yourself isolated.

There are so many friendships, relationships and acquaintances waiting to be made. How? By following our recommendations that will make you the most social person in a room full of strangers. So travel far, and wide you have a new life waiting for you, filled with new friends, here's how.

1. Forget hotels and opt for hostels.

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There are two reasons why you must forego hotels and that's because hostels are cheap and sociable. Most hostels are done up really well, they have college-like dormitories, a cafe, bar and common rooms designed to facilitate interactions between travelers. This could lead to exciting adventures like going for a hike together, local guide group tours or just endless nights of partying.

2. Please don't order meals up to you room.

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One of the worst things you can do is choose to eat alone, locked up in your room. Please don't be shy or afraid of eating alone in a restaurant, food court or when grabbing a drink at a bar. I used to think people were judging me for asking for a table for one but I have had the most fun eating by myself. Also, you will make friends with people sitting next you, because I am still friends with most of them.

3. Pick a local tour.

If you have taken my advice of booking a hostel, then your hostel will provide you with a lot of options of local tours that you can be a part of. Here you have the chance to meet other solo travelers and quickly wind up with all the touristy things that are a must see in your destination. And head for a meal or drinks with your new found friends.

4. Use Facebook.

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Facebook has so many groups that will help you meet people. There is an ever thriving community of solo travelers on Facebook where travelers from all over the world keep on telling other group members where they are traveling to, share tips and recommendations and also give out numbers of people they loved meeting in particular cities. So make use of that app wisely.

5. Offer to take photos.

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One of my best friends was traveling solo to Croatia and she really din't know anyone. When she was at a famous monument there, she simply offered to click pictures for 2-3 girls who were there. And they asked her to join in. This simple trick of getting a conversation going gave her the best three days of her life in Croatia.

6. Take a class!

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Let your passion lead you to meet people. It could be learning a local language, a boxing class or even learning how to cook a feast of authentic cuisine of that particular destination. If you don't meet a fellow traveler like you, you will become friends with a local and that's even better! Because no one knows a city better than the locals who have spent their entire life there.

7. Find local hangouts.

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When I was in Goa last year, I ended up at a shack at this beach. A few hours later, I saw so many people just getting together with their drinks and guitars. It sounds too good to be true but I spent an entire night singing songs, meeting people on the beach under the stars. Jump out of your comfort zone, there's a fantastic life waiting for you.

8. Use public transport.

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Always use public transport when you are traveling within a new city. And if someone interesting happens to sit next to you, please chat up and ask questions.

9. Go to a festival.

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I know it can be super daunting to go for a festival all by yourself but trust me when you are drunk and happy, you will fit in easily. Book a ticket for one, go with an open heart and wait for the magic to unfold.