15 EASY ways to meet people when you travel solo

Travelling solo is one of the most amazing experiences you can ever gift yourself with. It’s an incredible opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, see how you show up in the world, learn and grow.

Your solo travel will be filled with moments of pure joy and you’ll most likely have parts where you feel sad, lonely and maybe even scared. This is where the opportunity lays to step up and face off with yourself.

How can you easily engage with new people?

1. Do a day tour or take a class – Not only is it awesome to take the pressure off yourself when you’ve been doing all the planning, you will be surrounded by other people who are also interested in maximising their experience… Plus your guide is most likely a local that can give you great tips on their city. Most cities also offer free walking tours which are always a hit.
2. Accommodation – Book yourself into a hostel, B&B, Homestay or couchsurf – All of these styles of accommodation are surefire ways to meet other solo travellers or people who can connect you with others.
3. Smile and be open to opportunity – You will be surprised what opportunities come your way by smiling at someone and engaging with them, People want to be seen and heard.
4. Dine Communal – Look for places that offer communal tables or a bar area where you will be able to mix with other diners.
5. Strike up a conversation – There are so many easy ways to start talking to someone without feeling awkward. Offer to take a photo of them or ask for directions or help of some kind. You cross paths with a large number of people if you stop and think about it… The people next to you on the plane, The flight attendant, Your Uber driver, Receptionist at your hotel, Person at the supermarket and the million others that could be your sliding doors moment if you choose to take a chance.
6. Tinder – Looking for love and/or a  local tour guide – Can it get any easier? Tinder has a passport section where you can search people in the place you are going in advance. You could log on a week before, get some chat happening and set up a few dates.
7. Meetups – Meetup.com has numerous activities in hundreds of cities where you can link up with like minded locals.
8. Apps – There are quite a few apps that work like a social media network to connect travellers. Check out Backpackr, Tourlina, Tripr and Travel Buddies to name a few.
9. Facebook Groups – A few of my favourite travel groups for women are Travel Bffs, Girls Love Travel & Solo Women Travel Tribe. In these groups you are not only inspired by others travel you can also attend meet ups or ask if anyone will be where you will be. I don’t know of any just for men yet – But if you do, Please let me know in the comments below so we can help some brothers out.
10. Volunteer – An amazing way to give back to a charity you align with and meet people with the same interests as you.
11. Group travel – Book yourself on a small group tour if you want to go alone but still want everything organised for you and a guaranteed easy way to connect with others or if you’ve been travelling solo for a while and want to let someone else lead the way for a week or two. There are some incredible companies out there like G Adventures and Intrepid to name a couple and the experiences you have with them you sometimes would never find on your own, Plus it can work out a lot cheaper when you factor in they cover your accommodation, transport, sightseeing and some meals.
12. Instagram – Keep an eye out for your favourite IGer’s if they are in the same place as you and any Instameets where you can meet up and take photos with others. The travel community is a beautiful one where people are keen to share experiences and support each other.
13. Put a call out on your social media – Anyone in Kuala Lumpur from July 1 – 5 or know anyone you can tag in? I seem to always have one friend or acquaintance randomly surprise me and be in the same place at the same time, this gives you an opportunity to reconnect which you may not have known about OR maybe your friends know someone who will be there or lives there that they can hook you up with. Not only will people want to connect, Others that have been will want to give you their top tips too.
14. Be open to change – Leave some gaps in your itinerary to allow the freedom of spontaneity to flow in. You never know when you will meet someone you click with and may want to free up a few days for an adventure with them.
15. Love on yourself – Make sure you take some time out and treat yourself to whatever you love. In a world where we are always connected it is important to unplug, allow your emotions to flow freely and focus on what lights you up.

Now get out there ENJOY and show this world that magical light you’re made of!!! If you have any other tips for meeting people, I would LOVE to hear in the comments below.

Love, Dana x