How do you actually meet people when you’re traveling on your own?
You’re in a new place, no familiar faces, and it doesn’t take long before the excitement starts to feel a bit isolating. Everyone else seems to be with someone. You’re just there, trying not to look awkward.
I’ve been traveling alone since the late 80s, so I’ve been through all of it. The good days, the lonely spells, the unexpected friendships. And over the years, I’ve learned that meeting people isn’t about being outgoing or lucky. It’s about putting yourself in the right situations.
Here’s how to make it happen.
1. Go Where There Are Fewer Tourists
Counter-intuitive right? But it’s actually the best advice.
In big tourist hotspots, you’re just another face in the crowd. Locals are used to seeing visitors, and most travelers already have their own plans. It’s easy to feel invisible, even when you’re surrounded by people. It’s the loneliest place to be.
But head somewhere quieter, somewhere most tourists skip, and everything changes. People notice you. Locals are curious and friendly. They ask where you’re from and what brought you there. You’re no longer just another visitor. You’re a person worth talking to.
Other travelers in these places are often more open too, and more interesting. You’re both off the beaten path, and that creates an instant bond. Conversations are more natural, and often go deeper because neither of you is rushing off to tick off the next attraction.
Some of the best connections I’ve made happened in places with no attractions, no nightlife, and no expectations. Just real people living real lives.
That’s where the magic is.
2. Start the Conversation
If you want to meet people when you’re on your own, you have to be the one who makes the first move.
This is the number one skill that makes a difference.
Most people are open to a chat, but very few will start one. So if you can be the one to break the ice, you’ll instantly open up opportunities.
It doesn’t need to be forced and you don’t need to be an extravert. Just smile, make eye contact, and say something simple like “Hello,” or “Good morning,” Ask where someone’s from or how long they’ve been in town. You’re not trying to be slick. You’re just being human.
And here’s a big one, put your phone away. Nothing shuts down potential connections faster than staring at a screen or talking to friends back home.
It sends a clear message: “Leave me alone.” You might feel awkward without it, but that little bit of discomfort is what makes you approachable. People are much more likely to talk to someone who looks open and available.
Most of the conversations I’ve had on the road started with a nod, a smile, or a simple hello. It sounds basic, but it works.
3. Staying Somewhere Social
Where you stay can make or break your chances of meeting people. But don’t assume bigger means better.
Just like I mentioned earlier, being surrounded by people doesn’t always lead to connections. In fact, large dorms and busy hostels can be some of the loneliest places around.
If you’re crammed into a 12-bed dorm, no one talks. Everyone’s glued to their phone, wearing headphones, or coming and going at random hours. Most people are surprisingly shy.
It’s not a social space, it’s just a place to crash. And if you end up in a party hostel, good luck getting any kind of real conversation. It’s all booze, and surface-level chat. That gets tiresome fast.
Instead, look for smaller places. If your budget dictates that you must use dorms, a 4 or 6-bed dorm is ideal. It’s just the right size for people to feel comfortable introducing themselves.
You’re more likely to talk, share travel tips, or grab a meal together. Private rooms in small hostels or guesthouses are great too, you get a bit of quiet, but you’re still in a social setting.
Guesthouses and family-run places are the best as far as I’m concerned. They usually have friendly owners, and attract independent travelers. There’s often a dining area or communal space where people naturally. You end up chatting over coffee or breakfast and you don’t have to force anything.
The setup just makes it easy and relaxed
When you choose the right kind of place, you don’t have to try hard to meet people. It just happens.
4. Join Tours, Classes, and Walks
One of the easiest ways to meet people on the road is by joining small group activities. It takes the pressure off making conversation because you’re all there for the same reason.
Shared experiences have a way of breaking the ice without even trying.
I tend to be quite selective with the tours I choose. I’m not interested in bar crawls or food tours. I don’t travel to get drunk, and I don’t see the point in paying someone to walk me to a restaurant or a street stall I could find myself.
That kind of tour isn’t for me. But that’s the beauty of solo travel, you get to pick what matters to you.
For me, scuba diving is a great example. Dive centers are naturally social. You meet people, you chat on the boat and during surface intervals, and you’ve already got a shared interest.
If you don’t dive, snorkeling trips can be just as good. You’re out on the water, enjoying something together, and that creates a relaxed atmosphere where conversations happen easily.
I also love wildlife, so I’ll happily hire a local guide to take me hiking or birdwatching. These sorts of trips attract people who are a bit more thoughtful and curious, and the conversations often go beyond the usual where-are-you-from routine.
It all comes down to what you enjoy. Maybe you’re into photography, cooking, or local crafts. A short class or workshop can be a brilliant way to meet like-minded people. You don’t have to do anything big or expensive. Just look for something that naturally brings people together.
The trick is to choose quality over quantity. Go on a trip or join a class that you would enjoy even if you didn’t meet anyone. That way, any connection that comes out of it is a bonus, not the goal.
5. Slow Down and Stay a While
One of the biggest mistakes new travellers make is moving too fast. They bounce from one place to the next, ticking off sights like it’s a race. I understand the urge. Everything feels fresh and exciting, and it seems like there’s never enough time.
But if you’re always on the move, you never give yourself the chance to really meet anyone.
The real secret to meeting people is to slow down. Spend more time in fewer places. When you stay put for a while, people start to recognise you.
The person in the corner shop nods. The café staff greet you with a smile and know your order. You stop relying on your phone for directions. You begin to feel part of the place. And when that happens, people feel more at ease approaching you.
These days I travel slowly. Partly because I’m getting older, but mostly because it just works better. I have more fun. I like getting to know a place. I enjoy having enough time to talk to locals and meet other travellers without feeling like I need to rush off somewhere else.
When you stick around, conversations start to feel more natural. You’re not in transit or ticking off sights.
Another thing happens when you stay longer. You start to learn the ropes. You know where to eat, which bus to catch, and what time the local market is at its best.
You can offer sage advice to other travellers, and that creates an instant connection. People warm to you when you’ve got something useful to share.
Slow travel lets you build real connections. It gives you the time and space to enjoy the people around you. And in the end, those moments will mean far more than racing off to yet another tourist ‘experience’.
How to Meet People Traveling: Final Thoughts
After 38 years of traveling alone, I can tell you that occasional loneliness is nothing to be afraid of. It happens now and then, but it never lasts long. You always meet people.
Sometimes it just takes a day or two for the right person to appear, and then suddenly you’re sharing stories over dinner or are hiking together. Solo travel has a way of pulling people toward each other, often when you least expect it.
Back when I started in the 80’s, it was a very different world. There were no smartphones or endless distractions. If you didn’t meet someone, you were on your own.
A good book was like gold dust. Reading became an important way to pass time, and often, a conversation starter with other travelers.
Now things have changed.
Mobile phones are both a lifeline and a curse. Yes, they help you find your way, book a room, message friends back home, and take photos. But they also put a wall between you and the world around you. .
I see youngsters wasting their trip all the time
It’s easy to bury yourself in a screen and miss the person sitting next to you who might have been up for a chat.
Solo travel still works best when you’re present, open, and approachable. That means lifting your head, putting your phone away, and making space for the world around you.
Your best experiences are all about the people you meet along the way, not just the places you visit.
You’ll like these posts too:
- How to Plan a Wildlife Photography Trip for Artists
- How Can People Afford to Travel the World? Do This…
- How Do Wildlife Artists Make a Living? Copy This and Get Started
- The Best Snorkeling in Indonesia: Go to Raja Ampat
- What’s it Like to Travel Solo?
- The Best Place to See Wild Orangutans: How and Where
- How Do You Travel With Art Supplies? (A Practical Guide)
PIN THIS
Hi, I’m Kevin Hayler
I’ve been selling my wildlife art and traveling the world for over 20 years, and if that sounds too good to be true, I’ve done it all without social media, art school, or galleries!
I can show you how to do it. You’ll find a wealth of info on my site, about selling art, drawing tips, lifestyle, reviews, travel, my portfolio, and more. Enjoy