How to Make Friends While Solo Travelling (Even If You’re Introverted)

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If you search the title of this post online, there are many different blogs that cover this topic. However, none seem to offer a methodical, first-principles approach to making friends on the road. Throughout this post, I am going to attempt to highlight actionable tips that have helped me overcome the fear of trying to make friends when travelling alone!

Let’s break friend-making down to its simplest form.

For the highest chance in making friends you I believe you need:

• Proximity – being around people
• Shared experiences – something to connect over
• Openness – some vulnerability or effort to engage
• Momentum – repeated interactions to deepen the bond

Most travellers and blog posts I have read about this topic stop at proximity (just being in a hostel), but that’s not enough, especially for introverts. The goal isn’t just to talk to more people — it’s to make genuine connections and hopefully friends!

Here’s a 5-part framework I recommend trying if the potential loneliness when solo travelling is holding you back 😢:

Choose places that match your energy, not just your budget.

Hostel type matters. While party hostels offer instant access to social energy (and usually a bar), they can often feel overwhelming, chaotic and sometimes even gross (a lot of them are usually pretty dirty)— especially if you’re introverted or low on social energy.

✅ What I find works better for genuine connection:

• Small hostels with chill common areas
• Guesthouses with family-style dinners
• Homestays
• Accommodations with structured events like cooking nights or local tours

💡 Tip: If a place drains you, switch (that’s why I generally recommend booking for 1-2 nights at a time – see my How To Plan Your First Solo Trip: My 8-Step Checklist).

Shared experiences are easier to bond over than random conversations.

Instead of trying to “make friends,” try joining things where friendship happens naturally:

• Free hostel walking tours
• Local classes (cooking, dancing, surfing)
• Group day trips
• Hostel-organised dinners or games
• Hostel World group chat events

Structured activities give you context and common ground to talk about, and often bring out more meaningful conversations.

💡 Tip: Choose low-pressure events. One small group tour can be more fulfilling than three noisy bar crawls.

You don’t need to be the life of the party, just open the door a little and see where the conversation goes!

Small, situational interactions increase the surface area for friendships to blossom. You’d be surprised how far a “Is this seat taken?” or “Where are you from?” can go.

Examples of micro-openers:

• “Have you done this tour before?”
• “Do you know any good food spots around here?”
• “Is this your first time in [place]?”

I call them micro-opening because if the other person does not want to reciprocate your efforts, you can simply move on from the interaction without feeling awkward.

💡 Introvert tip: Prepare 2–3 go-to lines you’re comfortable with. You don’t need to think of something new every time. I find it easier to start conversations with other solo travellers over joining bigger groups. A simple smile and acknowledgement in the hostel common room is a good indication that they are open to having a chat.

One connection can lead to many more.

Once you’ve met someone, even briefly:

• Say yes to invites (even if you’re nervous)
• Suggest low-pressure hangouts (e.g., coffee, walk, checking out a tourist hotspot together)
• Be open to short, one-day friendships! Not everything has to be deep or long-term. Also remember that you are not obligated to stay with them if you’re not vibing it!

Each small social win builds confidence and makes the next one easier.

💡 Tip: Even a single good conversation can make a city feel way less lonely. It can dramatically change your experience with the country.

Create a system that’s sustainable for your energy.

If you’re introverted, don’t copy other extroverts. Design a travel rhythm that honours your personality:

• Plan solo downtime between social events
• Choose environments where socialising is optional, not forced
• Set realistic goals! Like “talk to one person per day” or “join one group activity per destination”

💡 Key mindset shift: It’s not about being the most social. It’s about putting in the effort yourself, with that effort hopefully leading to social connection.

If you’re a relatively kind and sociable person, chances are that by following some of the steps above, you’ll start making travel friends pretty quickly. Enjoy those moments! Whether it’s a shared meal, a spontaneous adventure, or a late-night deep and meaningful, these connections are what make solo travel truly special.

But it’s also important to stay aware.

In my experience, while most people you meet on the road are genuinely friendly and open, there are some travellers or locals who may not have the best intentions. Just because you’re bonding over a drink or a conversation doesn’t always mean the other person is trustworthy.

Trust your instincts. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, you don’t owe them your time or politeness. Keep your boundaries firm, avoid sharing too many personal details too quickly, and always prioritise your safety — especially in unfamiliar environments.

💡 Making friends is one of the best parts of solo travel. But it’s worth remembering that, at the end of the day, you’ve only just met this person. Let your trust build gradually. Genuine connection takes time, and your safety should always come first.

Making friends while travelling isn’t about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about showing up with intention, knowing your limits, and putting yourself in the right environments.

For introverts especially, real connection doesn’t come from being around more people — it comes from being around the right kind of people, in spaces where you can just be yourself.

And that’s often not the party hostel.

I also want to finish by saying that I always try to put more effort in with locals, whether they are the hostel workers/volunteers or the people you meet out and about. You are travelling overseas and I think it would be such a shame to have your only social interactions with other tourists.

Let me know in the comments below if you agree or have different opinions. Till next week, bye bye!