TIPS TO MAKE FRIENDS DURING TRAVEL IN SOLO TRAVELLING

Are you an introvert but you love traveling? I have some tips to make friends during travel for you to travel the world as an introvert without any hesitations or nervousness. Also, I have some tips for you to build a friendship on your travel. I believe that an unexpected friendship is always best.

I don’t feel uncomfortable while traveling alone. I’m always excited to meet new people and their cultures. It provides me a lot of memories of the places and people.

I have never faced any hesitation or trouble meeting new friends when traveling. I was always super excited to have a friendship with strangers or local people.

If you are feeling uncomfortable to travel alone, then the following tips will be super useful for you. These unexpected friendships may last longer of your entire life.

Tips to make friends during travel while traveling alone

Here I have listed out the tips to make friends during travel based on my experience.

1. STAY IN HOSTELS

Hostels are the best place where you can meet so many travelers from different countries. You can find new friends at the hostel.

Participate in the hostel activities, parties, and kinds of events that the hostel offers. You may have a chance to get a new friend through this. Also, try to book a package tour which the hostel provides. Hostel management will offer a trip for a group of members. Join them with the small group tour package.

Mostly in hostels, they will provide you with complimentary breakfast and you have to prepare the dishes like pancakes and sandwiches for you on your own. Hostels will have a common food preparation area where all the travelers will prepare their breakfast. Try to mingle with them and enjoy your cooking.

Hostels are the best place to meet a lot of new people and you can easily connect with them.

Personally I use Hostel World website to book hostels at best prices

2. TRY TO BUILD CONVERSATION WITHOUT HESITATION

Initially, I was also an introvert and felt shy or hesitant to talk to strangers. Of course, it is a little difficult to talk to someone we never met before.

Two years ago, I randomly met a person one day while traveling and you know we are in touch now through social media and mobile. He is from the Netherlands and he is a solo traveler. We had some conversations when we met each other. It was a good experience. After that only I got to know that meeting new people in our life is very beautiful and it gives us some new experiences in our life.

Speak to the people with a simple smile and you’ll never regret it. If you are still feeling nervous, start with the question like ‘How far is the destination?’, ‘Where are you from?’ something like that. The conversation will build automatically and may end up with unforgettable memories of your life.

3. EXPLORE THE CITY BY WALKING

Go and visit some local places like local shops, villages or some major attractions by walking. You’ll meet a lot of local people and interact with them. Once you start speaking with them, you’ll never feel like you are alone. They will treat you like friends, not like strangers.

Ask the local people about their culture, you’ll get more informations.

Also, you’ll get a chance to meet a solo traveler like you and build your conversation.

Also, read 10 essential solo travel tips

4. TAKE GROUP PACKAGE TOUR

Booking a group tour will be helpful to extend your friendship circle while traveling. Group tour means it’s not a dozens of members. A group tour is limited to six to ten people. You can travel with them by Van. There you may have a good chance to communicate with the people while traveling.

At this time I remember that I met a man with his wife and child when I was on a trip. I had a chance to meet a beautiful family from the UK. I spent the whole day with the family. That was a great memory for me.

Most of the hostels will arrange a group tour for the members who are staying at their place. Gather some information from the hostel reception about the group tour and join with them.

5. TAKE PHOTOGRAPHY OF OTHERS / ASK FOR A PHOTOGRAPH

You can easily recognize solo travelers. They are the ones who take selfies. You can ask to capture a photograph for them. They’ll say yes.

They’ll also offer you to take good photographs of yours. In the meantime, you may get a good friendship through this way.

6. MINGLE WITH LOCAL PEOPLE AND LEARN LOCAL LANGUAGE

If you want to know more about the local people’s culture as well as you are looking to build your connection with the local people, look for someone who can teach you the local language.

Local people are the ones who can help you or share whatever information you need about the destination. Of course, you can get the needed details from the internet. But if you want to learn their culture and if you want real experience, mingle with the people.

If you get a chance to stay with them at their home, do stay with them. Eat and enjoy with them. You will get more confident.

Also, read Things to do before plan your solo travel

7. BUILD CONVERSATION DURING TRAVELLING ON A PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Mostly I’ll travel solo all over the place. I met a lot of friends while traveling. Since the destination place is far from your place, you’ll have plenty of time to spend on transportation.

Whatever the transportation may be (Flight, Train, or Bus), try to start the conversation by asking just a simple question as I told you earlier above. You may have a chance to get attached to someone with the same mind-set.