kim-wassermann My top 5 ways to meet new people and find friendships.
If you are traveling solo or live abroad for longer period of time, it can get tough at some point. You are missing friends and family and craving a real connection to someone. Traveling solo does not equal to being alone. For me traveling solo has the advantage that I do not need to make compromises. I can exactly do what I want when I want to. And if I want to meet people I can always do so. Of course you can easily get in contact with fellow travelers in your dorm or the common hostel area. However, I have also used several tools abroad. Here are my 5 top ways to meet new people and find friendships while traveling solo:
1. Meet Up App
I discovered this app for the first time when I moved to Mexico and it is my favorite tool to meet new people. You can filter events based on your interest (sports, language, culture, party, traveling) and also by the date and time you are looking for an activity. Looking for a weekend hiking trip, a salsa course, a party night, a language exchange, an early morning yoga session? Meet up got it all! Most of the events are walk in and are free of charge, some require a sign up, others come with a fee. There is something for everyone and at every time of the week. When I connect with someone during the event I either exchange Instagram or what’s app so we can stay in contact after and maybe schedule a new meeting.
2. Bumble Friends
If you are more into one on one meetings and less into big groups, a friend date on bumble might be the ideal option for you. It works the same way a dating app does. You upload your profile information and some pictures and specify what you are looking for. Then you just swipe right for those you think would be a great friendship match for you.
3. Tinder
No this is not a joke. There are people on tinder writing in their tinder bio that they are only looking for friends. If you don’t find a good match on bumble you can definitely try on here as well.
4. Free Walking Tours
I do this in every new city I go to and I recommend it a 100%. Those tip-based tours are usually held in English bring together tourists from all over the world. Everyone is new to the city so you easily get in contact with fellow travelers. I often end up going for lunch, drinks or a follow up activity with some peeps of the group.
5. Facebook Groups
There are facebook groups for everything. Tourradar wrote a great post on Best Facebook Groups for Solo Female Travelers. I recommend you to check it out!
Now you know my 5 top ways to meet new people and find friendships abroad. Happy connecting!