How to make friends while travelling solo (even if you’re introverted)
- Jan 27, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Travelling solo can be both the most rewarding and challenging thing you ever experience. Making connections probably falls into both categories. While it can seem intimidating at first, but once you push beyond your comfort zone, you'll discover it's simpler than you anticipated. Making friends while travelling rarely happens in the dramatic movie-like way we imagine. Usually, it starts with very small moments: sitting next to someone, asking a simple question, or deciding to say yes instead of automatically isolating yourself. And truthfully, those small moments can completely change the course of your trip.
Honestly, I think one of the biggest misconceptions about solo travel is that you either naturally make friends everywhere you go, or you spend the entire trip feeling isolated. In reality, it usually falls somewhere in between. From my experience, the easiest ways to meet people while travelling solo are staying somewhere sociable, joining activities or day trips, spending time in work cafés, and simply staying open to small interactions throughout your trip. And despite what social media sometimes makes it seem like, you absolutely do not need to be extroverted to connect with people while travelling alone.
Why making friends while travelling feels so intimidating
Let’s be honest, making friends as an adult is already difficult enough in everyday life, so when you suddenly find yourself alone in a completely unfamiliar country, it can feel even more intimidating. I think a lot of people imagine solo travellers as naturally outgoing people who can walk into any room and instantly start talking to strangers, but in reality, many of us are just figuring it out as we go. Sometimes the fear is not even about being physically alone, but about feeling emotionally disconnected while everyone around you seems to already have their own people. You start overthinking small things, like whether you should speak first, whether you’re interrupting someone, or whether you look silly sitting alone in that cafe. Those feelings are completely normal. Solo travel pushes you outside your comfort zone socially as much as geographically, and I think that’s something people don’t talk about enough.
Throughout my travels I had my fair share of awkward moments, and I have to admit that initially I was way more closed off to new connections than I am today. But over the years I have really grown into a confident solo traveller, so I am sharing my top tips and insights with you on how exactly I did that.
Stay somewhere social (without forcing yourself)
I have to start with the obvious, your choice of accommodation can massively influence how easily you will find friends on your solo trip. Obviously, if you opt for a quiet apartment, you will have to make more effort to go out there and join a day trip, or other events to meet anyone. Hostels would be the obvious choice when travelling alone. I know, comfort-wise they are not the best option, but what I would recommend is the following: many hostels now actually offer private rooms, often en suite, so you get to enjoy having privacy and more comfort while also being surrounded by new people you can hang out with or chat to. I think this is the perfect balance between nice accommodation and sociable accommodation. If you feel more comfortable staying in a building with other travellers, rather than isolated somewhere residential in an Airbnb, this could be a good option for you.
You don’t have to become extroverted
I think one of the most exhausting parts of solo travel can be the pressure to suddenly become the most social version of yourself. Social media often makes it seem like solo travellers are constantly surrounded by groups of friends, going out every night, and effortlessly talking to everyone they meet. But honestly, that’s not realistic for a lot of people. Travelling won't magically turn you into an extrovert, and you don't have to feel like you have to force yourself into being someone you are not. You may still need quiet mornings, time alone, and moments where you can disconnect from everyone around you. And I think that’s completely okay. You do not need to be loud or constantly outgoing to connect with people. Sometimes simply being approachable, open-minded, and willing to say yes occasionally is already enough.
Join activities instead of waiting for friendships to happen naturally
Spending the whole day together, exploring the area, will surely bring you closer to strangers. You can meet many other solo travellers, and some of these organised day tours are even free which helps with the cost element. This is probably one of the most natural and easiest ways to make connections. I can guarantee that there will be at least one occurrence during the day that will spark a conversation. Even if you don’t leave with lifelong friends, those small temporary connections can still make your trip feel warmer and less lonely. Sometimes all it takes is one nice conversation to completely change the energy of your day.
Work cafes
This applies even if you are not a digital nomad. Work cafes can be the perfect spot to meet like-minded people. This is another place where solo travellers tend to go, so don't be afraid to start that conversation. A lot of solo travellers end up spending time in cafés to read, journal, plan their trip, work on something, or simply be around other people without the pressure of constantly socialising. And I think that environment can feel much less intimidating than trying to meet people in louder or more overwhelming places. Sometimes even a small comment about the coffee, asking for a recommendation, or simply recognising someone you have seen there before can naturally lead into conversation. Not every interaction has to turn into you being BFFs with someone, but I think these small moments of connection are part of what makes solo travel feel less isolating.
Solo dinner dates
The solo part may make this sound a little contradictory, but trust me, I do this wherever I go, and somehow I always end up chatting to people. When you go out on your own, you will be more likely to engage with people based on a simple: "can I use this chair" question. This is how I ended up having dinner with a random family in Mexico or spent the evening sipping cocktails with another solo traveller in Madrid. Being alone will make you more open to engage with others compared to when you already have company. If this part of solo travelling scares you, make sure you read my blog post on how to enjoy solo dining while travelling alone for more tips.
Is it normal to feel lonely while travelling solo?
I honestly think loneliness is one of the least talked about parts of solo travel, even though almost everyone experiences it at some point. There can be moments that feel incredibly freeing and empowering, and then suddenly, later that same day, you might feel disconnected or emotionally overwhelmed for no obvious reason. I think part of it comes from constantly moving, constantly adapting, and not always having someone familiar to share things with. Social media tends to romanticise solo travel as this endless journey of self-discovery and beautiful sunsets, but there are also lonely or sad moments where you miss home, routine, or simply having someone who already knows you. And just know, that does not mean you are bad at solo travelling. It just means you are human. In my experience, loneliness comes and goes in waves, and learning not to panic when those feelings appear is part of the journey itself.
Set expectations, but don't take things too seriously
You know the saying: some people are there for a season and some people are there for the whole ride? When you make friends while travelling, you have to understand that most of the time these people will be your friends/company for a season. I think this puts people off a little from making too much effort, but in my opinion, they could not be more wrong! The more I travel, the more I realise that seasonal friends are super important too. You may not be in each other's lives forever, but through travelling, there will be some pretty epic moments you will share, like seeing Machu Picchu for the first time, or travelling across the desert in Jordan. Don't take it too seriously. And you never know, these seasonal friendships can always turn into a lifelong one. One of my biggest travel regrets from my few first trips, is how close minded I was to making new connections, thinking 'what's the point, I am going home soon'. Don't make the same mistake, take travel friendships with a pinch of salt and see where they go!
Making friends while travelling solo is rarely as effortless as social media makes it seem, but I also think that’s what makes those connections feel more meaningful. Not every conversation will turn into a friendship, and not every day will feel socially fulfilling, but little by little, you start realising that you are far more capable of connecting with people than you originally thought. And honestly, sometimes the biggest thing solo travel teaches you is not just how to meet others, but how to feel more comfortable with yourself too.
Hope that you found these tips and insights useful. In my opinion solo travelling is way more social then some people expect it to be, purely because when you travel with companion you are likely to be focused on them, and not open up to the world. I hope that this post encouraged you a little to go out there and travel solo. And if you are ready to take the next step, make sure you read my post about the top destinations for solo travellers.
And if you’re looking for a way to feel more grounded while travelling, don’t forget to grab my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder. It’s packed with simple tools like a printable checklist, self-care prompts, and mini rituals to help you feel more at home—wherever the journey takes you.
