Traveling by yourself is an amazing way to explore the world while learning to love your own company, but it can get lonely. And according to Lonely Planet, the world’s largest travel guide book publisher, the global travel community is a friendly one, and strangers often ask solo travelers to join them for a meal or an activity. And if you want to meet people while you’re out there on your own, here’s what they recommend.
- Join a walking tour - It’s a cool way to get your bearings in a new place and you’re bound to strike up conversations while strolling and sightseeing.
- Connect online - You can find apps that connect travels on the road. Tripr and Backpackr help you meet others going to the same place before you leave and EatWith lets you go to a dinner party hosted by a local chef.
- Embrace hostels - Some host tours, dinners, pub crawls and other social events and the common area in a hostel is an ideal spot to meet other travelers.
- Eat your meal at the bar - Then you avoid the whole “table for one” awkwardness and have the chance to chat with people seated next to you and the bartender.
- Rent a room - If you have a local host who’s willing to share their home, they’re probably interested in connecting with visitors and can hook you up with local info.
- Join a local meet-up - With nearly 30 million members in 184 countries, com can help you find an event you’re interested in during your visit.
- Take a course - Find a visitors cooking class or tango lessons and meet other travelers with a shared interest.
- Sign up for group tours - Small groups provide travel experiences you just can’t get as a solo traveler. Pick an active tour so you don’t get stuck in a bus seat next to someone who doesn’t want to chat.
- Volunteer - Read hostel bulletin boards and check com for opportunities to get involved with a community project and bond with locals and other travelers, plus you’ll feel good about giving back.
- Offer to take photos - When you see other tourists struggling to snap a selfie, offer to do it for them. They may return the favor or at least provide a natural icebreaker to start chatting.
Source: New York Post