How to Forge Friendships While Traveling Alone

Traveling solo doesn’t equate to being alone. Building connections with new people while exploring can be one of the most rewarding aspects of visiting a new place, whether you're mingling with locals or meeting fellow travelers. However, your personality type—introverted or extroverted—can influence your approach to making friends while on the road, and whether you decide to do so at all. In a Google Docs chat, Dinogo’s senior commerce editor Lyndsey Matthews and associate destinations editor Chloe Arrojado discuss their strategies for making friends while traveling solo. Here’s what they shared.

Lyndsey Matthews: As Dinogo’s resident introvert, I’m very comfortable exploring solo. However, while I need a good amount of quiet time to recharge, I’m not necessarily shy or reserved. After dining alone three or four nights in a row during a solo trip, I start to feel a bit stir crazy. Plus, I find that connecting with locals often leads to better dining recommendations. I’ve maintained friendships with fellow travelers for years after meeting them on group trips through Instagram. Yet, as an introvert, approaching a stranger to introduce myself is something I’d rather avoid. Do extroverts really just do that without any hesitation?

Chloe Arrojado: Don’t you know that extroverts thrive on the thrill of striking up conversations? Just kidding. I mainly travel solo, but approaching strangers can still be daunting (especially if there’s a language barrier). Reading social cues is key for me: I’m more likely to engage with someone waiting at a train station than with someone rushing down the street.

Often, I start conversations by asking for assistance or recommendations, and my genuine interest leads to deeper discussions. I gain invaluable insights about the places I visit simply by inquiring about others’ experiences: When I visited Zagreb, Croatia, in 2019, what began as a conversation with the hostel owner about city tips evolved into an hours-long exchange about their upbringing in Yugoslavia.

I’m not sure about your experiences, but for me, selecting the right place to stay has significantly simplified the process of making friends. I’ve become adept at scrutinizing online reviews of potential accommodations, particularly as a female traveler. I prefer female-only rooms in hostels whenever possible (especially after an unsettling encounter with a male traveler who wouldn't take a hint) and always ensure my lodging is in a lively area.

I've also come to understand how vital the social atmosphere of each accommodation can be, as they vary greatly. During my trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 2018, I quickly became friends with everyone in my hostel due to its vibrant party atmosphere. However, on my return to the capital three years later, I had a different experience at a shared Airbnb, where guests were more focused on a tranquil workation rather than forming friendships. This is perfectly fine, but if you're seeking social interaction, it's nice to find places that foster it.

LM: Oof, now that I’m out of my 20s, I’m no longer keen on being jolted awake at 3 a.m. by rowdy travelers returning from a pub crawl in a shared dorm. Nowadays, I prefer hotels for some peace and privacy, but I still manage to make connections at smaller accommodations. Last spring, when I checked into Las Qolqas, an eco-resort in Ollantaytambo, Peru, which featured just over a dozen sDinogoi-style tents, I spotted another woman traveling alone. The following day, we were the only two participants in an experimental yoga/dance class offered by the hotel. Although it felt a bit awkward at first, Rozz and I quickly bonded over the experience, and when she invited me to share dinner, I gladly accepted (always let extroverts take the lead, introverts). We ended up talking until 1 a.m., exchanging travel stories and taking pictures of the Milky Way outside our tents. After connecting on Instagram, we even reunited when she visited my hometown in New York last December from Singapore.

That said, I’ve found myself at hotels where it seemed everyone else was on their honeymoon. So, I totally agree—do your homework. Also, consider signing up for the classes your hotel offers, even if they push you out of your comfort zone. Sometimes a bit of awkwardness is worth the experience. And if it isn’t? At least you’ll have a good story to share with friends back home.

CA: Signing up for a food tour right after you arrive? You sound like my kind of traveler. I, too, enjoy group tours, particularly walking tours that give a broad overview of the city I’m exploring. It's especially delightful when I unexpectedly bump into fellow travelers from my home state.

Sometimes, I feel like I've put myself out there as much as possible, yet I still find myself exploring solo most of the time. Traveling alone has definitely taught me to be comfortable with not making friends at every turn. However, I'd appreciate some tips from an introvert: How can I enhance my travel experience when I'm on my own?

LM: I always look for restaurants that offer good bar seating or chef’s tables; it’s far less awkward than dining solo at a table meant for two. If the bartenders or chefs are talkative, that’s a bonus. If not, I always keep a book handy to entertain myself, even if it’s just to observe the people around me. I’ve noticed that some cities are more accommodating for this than others. Almost every restaurant in Paris and New York has excellent bar seating, while Copenhagen, not so much. I also discovered that Tbilisi wasn’t the ideal spot for a solo trip. In 2018, when I asked a barista for bar recommendations, I learned that locals tend to host dinner parties instead of going out, making the bar scene predominantly filled with American and Russian men drinking alone. Being 5,000 miles from home, that didn’t seem like the safest situation, so I opted to return to my accommodations early each night.

Then there was the hiking day trip I took near the border of Georgia and Azerbaijan, where NOBODY engaged with me despite my attempts to strike up conversations with fellow travelers on the bus, during the hike, and at lunch.

When trips start to feel lonely, I try to remind myself that I can do whatever I please without having to consider anyone else's preferences. On my last visit to Paris, I walked 30,000 steps across seven different arrondissements in one day in search of the best croissant—and there was no one there to complain about being tired or fed up with carbs. (According to my thorough research, Stohrer takes the gold medal.) It’s also a wonderful advantage to explore museums at my own pace, without waiting for companions who insist on reading every single display or, conversely, feeling rushed if I'm that person.

CA: You make excellent points. I love spending time in cafés, where I always take my time savoring my coffee when I’m alone. When I reach the point of loneliness, I think extroverts have it easier in shaking off that feeling. Solo travel is, in fact, our ideal situation: we constantly have opportunities to meet new friends. However, sometimes the fast pace can make the connections I form feel more superficial. During my backpacking trip from London to Istanbul, each new hostel stay felt like it resulted in fleeting friendships that lasted only two days.

However, my perspective on making friends while traveling transformed during my seven-month stay in Logroño, Spain. I connected with a guy named Miguel through Couchsurfing, and because I was in the city for an extended period, we could plan future meet-ups and strengthen our friendship. Living there allowed me to build a meaningful relationship while immersing myself in the local culture—whether it was watching pelota mano tournaments or enjoying bird-watching in the scenic countryside. While most people can't afford to stay in one place for months, taking the time to linger and slow down can significantly enhance the experience of traveling and making connections—even if it means sharing that delightful croissant.

LM: Some of those brief friendships have become my most treasured travel memories! Although I can’t recall his name, I’ll always remember initiating a dance party at a club in Valencia, Spain, with a British guy from my hostel when LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip played back in 2007. But I see your point—when you're traveling for an extended period, forming deeper connections is much more valuable. Fortunately, I've managed to reconnect with many of my travel friends when they come through New York, where I live. I’ll certainly keep your advice in mind—earphones off and phone down—to be more open to new friendships with fellow croissant enthusiasts like myself.