If you ask me, “Why do I travel?” the answer is swift and confident—to meet new people and learn about their cultures. Every time I’m abroad, I love to discover new ways to make friends while traveling. Drinking tequila with locals in Mexico, chatting about mountains with Sherpas in Nepal, scuba diving with Maldivians in magical atolls—everywhere, you can make friends. There’s a good chance that these friendships will last a lifetime!
And it’s even easier if you travel solo.
So, I am often asked a question that might sound simple—How do you make friends while traveling?
In this blog post, I’ll share some practical tips and mindsets that will help you connect with others on the road.
The Right Mindset for Making Friends While Traveling
Whether in your own country or traveling abroad, having the right mindset is key when learning how to make friends while traveling. Be open and approachable. Smile often, and maintain eye contact. Keeping a positive attitude will make people more likely to approach you—or at least, they won’t run away after your simple “hi.”
There is one aspect you’ll need to overcome: stepping out of your comfort zone. You need to take the first step, whether it’s joining a group activity, attending a social event, or starting a conversation with a stranger. The more you practice, the easier it will become. You’ll soon find that many people are more than happy to chat with you.
Use Apps and Social Media to Meet People
In today’s digital age, it’s easier than ever to meet new people while traveling. You can start preparing the ground even before actually traveling to another country. There are plenty of travel communities—just Google some that align with your interests. Personally, I connect a lot with hikers and scuba divers.
Facebook and Reddit are popular platforms for finding communities, while Meetup and Couchsurfing are great for discovering local events to join. Discord is also a good place to try. On Instagram, you can find like-minded travelers by checking who’s in your area through location-tagged stories.
Dating apps are also a great alternative. On Hinge, Bumble, or even Tinder, you can set your status to indicate that you’re looking for friends. In your bio, mention your interests, and happy matching! It might be a good idea to purchase a premium option so you can use passport mode and change your location to your planned destination.
Engage in Social Activities to Make Friends While Traveling
One of the most effective ways to make friends while traveling is by participating in social activities. In Istanbul, I joined a group to visit Hagia Sophia. In Mallorca, I took a tour bus. In Kathmandu, a local tour guide showed me and a few other tourists some interesting places. After all these gatherings, we decided to have dinner together, chatting and sharing our stories.
There are many opportunities to join social activities—whether it’s yoga, cooking, or something else. Sharing experiences or learning something new will make your interactions much easier, and mutual interests will strengthen the bond.
Staying in social accommodations is another great way to make friends while traveling. Hostels and guesthouses usually have communal areas where travelers gather to relax and socialize. Some hostels even offer events like movie nights, pub crawls, or group dinners, making it even easier to meet new people.
Another good idea is to check out local food markets, festivals, and gigs. Engaging in these events will open you up to new friendships and also allow you to better understand the local culture.
A couple captures a fun moment with a selfie while enjoying a boat ride in Hong Kong Harbor.
Master the Art of Conversation
Learning how to make friends while traveling often comes down to mastering the art of conversation. Keep in mind simple questions like “Where are you from?” “How long have you been here?” “How long have you been traveling?” and “Do you have any other destinations planned?” Don’t underestimate the power of small talk. Be curious about the other person and their stories. Ask simple, open-ended questions, and give them the opportunity to express themselves. Last but not least, listen actively.
The more you travel, the more travel stories you accumulate. These stories are amazing icebreakers. Storytelling is a powerful tool in many situations, especially when making new connections. If your storytelling involves adventures, challenges, funny or sad moments, or unique experiences, you’ll easily capture the attention of others, sparking their interest in you.
Learn Basic Phrases in the Local Language
Knowing a few basic phrases in the local language is a great way to make friends while traveling. It has never failed me to know how to say “excuse me” in the local language. When I say this and see the positive reaction from locals, I feel like a hacker who just broke into the FBI’s website (though I don’t know why I used this comparison, since I can’t even remember my email passwords!). Even if I don’t speak the language fluently, locals are often willing to help after hearing a simple “excuse me.” Of course, it’s good to know more basic words to show appreciation and respect.
Apps like Duolingo, HelloTalk, and Google Translate can help you learn the basics. Personally, I love using HelloTalk, where I can not only learn some words but also find a language partner who can introduce me to their culture.
Say YES to New Opportunities
When learning how to make friends while traveling, it’s important to be spontaneous and adventurous. Don’t refuse invitations to dinner or events. These opportunities can lead to unforgettable memories and lasting friendships. If I hadn’t accepted an invitation to go pubbing in Mexico, I wouldn’t have tried a raw scorpion (okay, you don’t have to go that far) after many shots of tequila, hours of karaoke (well, shouting more than singing), and dancing with locals until morning. I’m still in touch with many of them and can’t wait to do it again (except for the scorpion part!).
Follow the energy. If you feel positive vibes with someone, suggest spending more time together. This could be hanging out, grabbing a meal, or doing some activities. Enjoy the moment!
Maintain Friendships Made While Traveling
Making friends while traveling is one thing; maintaining those friendships is another. It’s important to stay in touch, even after you return home. Thanks to technology and the internet, staying connected with friends you’ve made while traveling is easier than ever.
Instead of asking for someone’s phone number, I prefer to ask for their Instagram. Sometimes, after knowing someone for only a short time, it’s not easy to find many topics to talk about constantly. With Instagram, I can comment on their photos, send them reels, or ask about what’s happening in their stories. You can also use it as a communicator to keep the conversation going. Even with many colleagues and friends, I text on Instagram instead of WhatsApp. It has many features that can enhance the conversation, and the app is popular worldwide.
When I ask for someone’s Instagram, it doesn’t feel too personal, since some people may not want to share their phone numbers.
Don’t forget to organize meet-ups when possible. Maybe in the future, you’ll be traveling to a country near your friends—make a stopover to see them, or let them know so they can visit you. The power of friendship is unpredictable and can work wonders.
Simply put, be a good friend. Be supportive, show appreciation, and be there for them—even if they’re far away. Don’t forget the moments you created together.
Happy traveling!
