10 Great Ways To Meet People While Trevelling

Sometimes, as much as it is really amazing to have your freedom and go wherever you want whenever you like and do whatever you want, it can get lonely. I have actually experienced that loneliness, whether I was on a short weekend trip or a long trip, I have felt that loneliness at some point. But that doesn’t mean that travelling alone is bad or that I’m put off travelling alone. It just means you go through the motions and learn lessons along the way. I’ve found that it’s made me more proactive in going out there to meet people, taking the step, and taking the initiative.

Here are a few things you can do if you want to meet people while you are on that solo trip you’ve been dreaming of doing for ages, or even for the trip you’re on with your friends. Here we go, here are 10 ways:

Hostels: The first way is through staying in hostels. I’ve stayed in hotels before, and I’ve stayed in Airbnb-like properties before, but I found that hostels were the best way to meet people naturally. Hostels are very social places simply because of the concept of sharing rooms. You literally sleep in the same room as other people. If you say hi, the conversation naturally leads to “How are you? How long are you here for? Where are you from? What’s your name? What are you doing here?” There are so many questions that lead from a simple hello when you are sleeping right next to someone. Sometimes people have set plans, and other times they are super flexible, and you can just go with the flow as long as you are also flexible. I want to expand on flexibility in another point. So yeah, the number one way you can meet people is through hostels. If you want to check out a few of the hostels that I stayed in in the countries I’ve travelled to, I’ll link a couple here so you can see what kind of hostels they are and the kind of culture that exists. It’s really not as scary or as weird as you may have previously thought.

Apps: The second way to meet people while you are travelling is through apps. There are so many apps out there. While I haven’t used a specific travelling app to meet people, I did some research and found one called Backpacker for people who are backpacking and want to meet each other. If you are curious about that, you can check it out.

Flexibility and Open-mindedness: The third way to meet people is by being flexible and open-minded. I mentioned this in my first point. If you are flexible and open-minded, you will also attract people who are flexible and open-minded. Ask them about their day, and naturally, it will just happen. If someone invites you out for a drink, go out for a drink. It may not just be a drink; it could be a drink and some museums, playing sports, or hiking. It may turn into something else. If you are not so rigid in your plans and are willing to include others, you will automatically meet people because you are in the mindset of meeting people. You never know; someone could be sitting next to you on a plane. This has actually happened to me. While many people don’t like talking to others on planes because they want to cosy up and relax, you never know. Having a conversation with someone might lead to a new friendship.

Sign up for Activities: The fourth way to meet people is by signing up for activities. There are many ways to sign up for activities. One way I’ve observed is through hostels. There’s usually a notice board where you can sign up for different activities like pub crawls, pub quizzes, hikes, sports gatherings, festivals, or language classes. There are so many opportunities usually listed on those notice boards for meeting people and hanging out. Don’t ignore the notice board next time you see it.

Meetup.com: The fifth way to meet people is through Meetup.com. Whether you are new to a country or just travelling, Meetup is helpful. It’s beneficial for business people, entrepreneurs, artists, or specific community members. I found conversation classes on Meetup.com, and it was a helpful place to find communities. While travelling, it’s perfect. I recommended Meetup.com to a friend new to Europe, and after signing up, she met people easily. So, try it out if you haven’t already.

City Tours: The sixth way to meet people while travelling is through city tours. You can search online for city tours that give you a tour of the city. A lot of the time, it’s free; sometimes, you have to pay a small fee. In Stockholm, it was completely free. Groups of people walk around the city, visiting different landmarks, and you can talk to people along the way. I joined one briefly, but I had my own schedule. If you have the time, join city tours to meet people while exploring the city.

Friends: The seventh way to meet people while travelling is through friends. Sometimes when travelling, you may have a friend who knows someone where you’re going. You might visit a friend, and they introduce you to their friends and acquaintances. You can ask your friends to invite their friends along for drinks, dinner, lunch, coffee, or a meal at home. If you know someone in the city or have connections there, talk to them about it and be open-minded.

Couchsurfing: The eighth way to meet people while traveling is through Couchsurfing. I have used it once before and felt comfortable with it. Couchsurfing isn’t just for free accommodation; it’s also about cultural exchange. People on Couchsurfing want to network, share their culture, and have a cultural exchange. You can meet people on the Couchsurfing website to hang out, even if they can’t host you. Some people might meet you for coffee or a hangout. Couchsurfing is a platform for finding accommodation and meeting people.

Social Media: The ninth way to meet people while travelling is through social media. If you already have friends on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you can network with people there. There are specific groups dedicated to connecting people within a city or country. Check them out; you might find something that helps you meet people.

Volunteering: The tenth way to meet people while travelling is through volunteering. By offering your help to different organisations or individuals, you can meet people. Whether it’s showing someone around the city or offering a skill you have, volunteering is a great way to meet people. A simple Google search or asking around in your hostel can lead to volunteering opportunities. You can also connect with organisations that match volunteers with needs.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my video on how to meet people while travelling. There are so many practical ways to meet people, like in a coffee shop. Leave your comments below on how you’ve met people through travelling and any advice you can give to someone looking to travel solo. While my advice is for solo travellers, these methods can also be used when travelling with friends.