No one likes to be lonely, especially not when you are on a trip that you have worked hard to make happen. I see post after post on travel boards where women are begging for advice on what to do to combat loneliness. While traveling can be lonely, it doesn’t have to be. Even the most introverted people learn to adapt and build a social network around them. Personally, I have met some of the most amazing people on my journeys around the world who have had a major impact on my life. So below is my list on how to make friends when traveling……
- Hostels: Many people shun the idea of staying in a hostel due to privacy issues, worries about being too “old”, and safety concerns. But……staying in a hostel is actually one of the easiest ways to meet people. From dorm rooms to common areas, I have found travel buddies, drinking buddies and long-time friends simply by saying hello. You may have to contend with snorers, exhibitionists and weirdos but it is worth the risk. Try it, I promise you won’t regret it in the long run.
- Free walking tours: While they aren’t exactly free (the tour guides expect tips….don’t be the asshole that doesn’t give one), walking tours are a fantastic way to start chatting to other tourists. I actually met a hottie that after the tour, I ended up having lunch with….then dinner, then drinks, then breakfast, then lunch, then dinner…..before I knew it, I was in love with him. Two years later, he is still an incredibly important part of my life. All because I decided to join a free walking tour.
- Couchsurfing: I have been extremely fortunate in the past and met some wonderful people while couchsurfing. Although there are some risks involved with staying with a complete stranger, you can generally “screen” potential hosts through reading their reviews. Also, there are usually couchsurfing events that you can go to in most major cities around the world. Simply set up an account at www.couchsurfing.com and surf away!
- Internations: While I haven’t made great use of this network, it is a good way to connect with expats living in cities. This could be a good opportunity to connect with people if you are thinking of relocating to a place or spending a decent amount of time there. But, don’t expect people to want to give up valuable time to a stranger passing through. Would you want to do that?
- Take a class: Depending on where you are, this could be a cooking class, language class or even a dance class. This allows you to meet people with whom you already have some common interests with and already gives you a great ice-breaker!
- Head out for a beer: Many people, especially women, may feel a little too shy to go to a bar alone but you never know who you will meet! I recommend going in the early evening both for safety reasons and social reasons. It is kind of hard to make friends in an extremely loud bar unless they are ones that you want to knock boots with. No judging but it may not be the best way to ease your travel loneliness.
- And the best tip of all – be friends with yourself: Throughout my travels, I have discovered that I actually like doing things alone. As I type this, I am actually sitting by myself in a microbrewery in Mumbai. No one is staring at me, no one is even paying attention. Go to the movies alone, go to the park, go to the amazing museum. Take it as an opportunity to appreciate the fact that you did this all alone. You got yourself to a new city / country / continent. Don’t look at it as being something negative. Think of what a badass that you are that you are even doing it. Most people wouldn’t have the courage.
