Traveling alone is something that everyone should try at least once in their life. It’s an opportunity for thrilling adventures and plenty of self-discovery if you can manage to plan out your trip the right way. And although solo travel might invite the idea that you’ll spend the entire trip alone, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, solo travel offers the opportunity to make connections with people that you would have never met along the way had you been traveling with friends.
Yet, as we get older, making friends is not as easy as it once was in our younger years when we simply walked up to someone on the playground. To help you, here are some of the best places for making friends when traveling alone.
Cafes
Although bars are undoubtedly a great gathering place for meeting people, they can often be rowdy, and meeting people you don’t know while under the influence may put you in danger. For this reason, cafes are considered the best place to meet with other travelers since it’s a safe environment where people go to enjoy warm beverages and also strike up conversations with others.
Not to mention, if you bring your laptop, many of these places have free Wi-Fi which can be a great way to upload your photos or connect with family members back home during your travels.
Hostels
If you’re trying to travel on a budget then meeting people in hostels is a great way to connect with other people. Not only are they budget-friendly, but hostels are a fantastic place to meet others since there are often shared kitchens and organized events that encourage socializing with the other guests. You can ask other people where they’re traveling, and consider joining up along the way.
Local Tours
Participating in local tours is a great way not only to get to know your destination better but also to meet with other people who are also curious about where you are. Whether it’s a hiking tour or a city tour, the shared experience of getting to know where you are is a wonderful way to strike up conversations and even lead to meaningful connections that last far beyond your trip.
Festivals
Get to know whether there are any local events like festivals in the area while you’re traveling there. Not only is this a great way to meet other travelers, but also locals who may have some great tips for you about things to do in places to see.
From music festivals to food festivals, there are all sorts of different events to keep an eye out for. Usually, you can find these events on social media sites or even with the local tourist office.
