How to Meet Other Travelers as a Solo Woman: Your Guide for Making Friends Abroad
You’re sitting at a cute café in Paris, solo. The croissant is perfect, the sun is warm, and you feel that incredible solo travel high. But then you look around. Tables of friends laughing, couples sharing stories, and you think: “This is amazing, but I really wish I had someone to share this custard tart with.”
I’ve been there. More times than I can count. After 59 countries and 7 continents, I’ve learned that how to meet other travelers as a solo female traveler is actually a skill. And you can get really, really good at it.
This guide is about fun ways to find your people on the road. It’s about having the freedom to choose exactly who you share your journey with.
Your Travel Roadmap
📍 In this guide, you’ll discover:
🏨 How to hack hostel friendships (common rooms > your bed)
📱 Apps that work: Bumble BFF, Meetup, and Hostelworld chat
☕ The café strategy: community tables and “what is that pastry?”
👯 Why finding one person makes everything easier
🌍 Connecting with locals (without being a tourist)
🛡️ Safety: public places, share location, trust your gut
🗣️ Be the one who speaks first (everyone else is waiting)
How Solo Female Travelers Can Meet Friends on the Road
Welcome to this solo female travel blog where I share real, practical ways to meet other travelers as a solo woman without losing the independence and freedom that makes solo travel so powerful.
Walking into a room full of strangers alone is intimidating. You may feel like a penguin at a flamingo party… but penguins are adorable, and so are you. The fear of “Will I meet anyone?” is one of the most universal solo travel anxieties.
But here’s what almost every solo traveler discovers: that fear is almost always outweighed by the reward. The friends you meet on the road become the people you talk about for years.
Why Meeting People While Traveling Solo Feels Hard (And Why It’s Actually Easier Than You Think)
I’ve traveled solo across multiple continents and tested many of these methods in real travel situations. While every destination and experience is different, these strategies are widely used by experienced solo travelers to build meaningful connections abroad.
Your brain serves up thoughts like “Everyone already has friends” and “What if I’m the awkward one?”
But every single solo traveler in that room is thinking the exact same thing.
The difference? The people who make friends aren’t braver or cooler. They just know a few simple tricks. And now, you will too.
If the thought of putting yourself out there still makes your stomach flip, start here: How to Overcome Solo Travel Fear: A Woman’s Guide to Crushing It. It’s your pre-flight confidence booster.
Best Places to Meet Travelers as a Solo Female Traveler
Before we dive into where to meet people, let’s talk about how to show up. Your mindset is your most attractive accessory.
- ✨ The Golden Rule of Solo Friendship: You are not interrupting anyone. You are offering them a conversation. Most travelers are secretly hoping someone will talk to them first
- 😐 The “Open Face” Strategy: Smile at your phone less. Look up more. Think of your eyes as social Wi-Fi… people are drawn to strong signals. Keep your body language open (uncrossed arms, earbuds out in common areas). It’s the non-verbal equivalent of a welcome mat
- 🌟 Rejection Reframe: Not everyone will be your travel soulmate and that’s fine. A quick, polite chat that goes nowhere still counts as social practice. You’re not collecting friends, you’re collecting moments.
1. Hostels: The Friendships
If you want to know how to meet other travelers immediately, stay in a social hostel. It’s not 2003 anymore, hostels now have everything from private pods to rooms with en-suite bathrooms. You don’t have to sacrifice sleep or comfort.
How to Hack Hostel Friendships
Real solo traveler wisdom
2. Apps That Actually Work For Solo Female Travelers
Your phone is the bridge. You just need the right tools.
- 📲 Bumble BFF: Not for dating. For friends. You can match with local women or other travelers days before you arrive. It’s like pre-gaming your social life. Pro Tip: Put “Just landed in [city], looking for a coffee buddy!” in your bio. Specificity wins.
- 👥 Meetup: Search for expat groups, language exchanges, hiking clubs, or board game nights. They’re locals and travelers who share their hobbies.
- 🏨 Hostelworld App: The chat feature lets you message people before you even check in. That little “anyone want to explore together?” message might feel vulnerable but more often than not, someone else is hoping you’d send it first.
- 🎒 Tours on GetYourGuide: Food tours, walking tours, day trips… these are structured, safe, and full of people who also want to meet others. Plus, you automatically have something to talk about: the tour itself. I use GetYourGuide for many trips. Their small-group tours are perfect for solo travelers.
3. Cafés, Coworking Spaces for Solo Female Travelers
You don’t need a big event to meet someone. Some of my best travel connections started with, “Sorry, is this seat taken? Also, do you know what that pastry is?”
Where to Plant Yourself:
- Community tables in cafés (created for sharing)
- Coworking spaces if you work remotely (instant common ground: laptop struggles)
- Brewery or wine bar seats at the counter (bartenders are great conversation catalysts)
The Magic Phrase:
“I’m new here. Is there anything you’d absolutely recommend I see/eat/drink?”
It’s not cheesy. It’s genuine. And people love being the expert.
4. Group Tours & Day Trips: Friendship on Easy Mode
If your social battery is low, let someone else do the heavy lifting. Group tours are friendships with training wheels.
Why They Work:
- Shared experience = instant bonding
- No awkward “so… what do you want to do?” logistics
- Built-in safety in numbers
What to Book:
- Free walking tours (tip-based) on your first day
- Cooking classes (you literally make something together)
- Multi-day small group adventures
- Pro Tip: Look for tours for 8–12 people. Smaller groups actually talk to each other.
5. Classes, Workshops & Volunteer Days
Activities > Drinks. Doing something together creates a faster bond than just talking over a beer.
Ideas That Work:
Yoga or meditation(shared vibe, zero pressure to talk)
- Ceramics, painting, or dance (creative energy is social glue)
- Volunteering (animal shelters, beach clean-ups, community gardens)
You’re meeting people and making a memory.
6. The Buddy System: You + One = Instant Duo
Here’s a psychological hack: two is easier than one.
Find one person. Have a good chat. Now you’re a duo. Duos attract more people because you look approachable and already vetted.
How to Find Your First One:
“I’m heading to the museum in an hour… want to come?”
Low stakes. No lifelong commitment. Just an afternoon.
7. Going Local: Connecting with Women Who Live There
Some of my most memorable travel moments were with local women who showed me their city like a friend would, not a tour guide.
How to Find Local Connections:
👥 Local Facebook Groups
Search “Expats in [City]” or “Girls Love Travel [City]” before you arrive. Introduce yourself and ask: “Solo traveler here for a week, any local spots I shouldn’t miss?”🗣️ Language Exchange Apps
Tandem and HelloTalk let you meet locals who want language practice. Meet for coffee: you practice their language, they practice yours, and suddenly you have a local friend who actually wants to hang out.☕ Couchsurfing Hangouts (Not Just for Surfing)
Even if you don’t stay with anyone, the Hangouts feature lets you see who’s free right now. Filter by “locals” and suggest a walk or coffee. Zero awkwardness, just people saying “I’m free, let’s explore.”📚 Local Workshops & Classes
A cooking class taught by a local grandmother? A pottery workshop with women who’ve lived there their whole lives? These aren’t tourist traps… they’re friendship portals.Pro Tip: When meeting locals, offer something in return. Ask about their lives, not just restaurant recommendations. The best connections happen when it’s mutual.
Safety First: Meeting New People Without Lowering Your Guard
Meeting people is wonderful. Meeting unsafe people is not. Here’s how to stay smart while staying open.
✅ Do:
- Meet in public places for the first interaction
- Share your live location with a friend back home
- Trust your gut. If it feels “off,” it is. Your stomach has been correct about questionable street food and exes for years, listen to it.
- Keep your phone charged and your exits visible
❌ Don’t:
- Go to a second location alone with someone you just met
- Leave your drink unattended (ever)
- Feel pressured to exchange contacts if you don’t want to
- My Non-Negotiable: I never travel without SafetyWing. It’s travel insurance for nomads, and it covers everything from medical emergencies to trip interruptions. Meeting people is fun… needing emergency help abroad is not. This is my digital safety net.
- 🛡️Download my free Solo Female Safety Checklist with non-negotiables I’ve learned across 59 countries. Your confidence booster before you go.
Scam-Proof Tips for Solo Travelers
- 📱 Pre-trip: Download Bumble BFF, Meetup, and offline maps. Screenshot your hostel address in the local language.
- 🚶♀️ Day 1: Book a free walking tour. Sit near the front. Ask the guide questions. Look at people, not your phone.
- 🌟 Ongoing: Keep your social door open but your boundaries strong. You are the selector of your travel squad.
What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Solo Female Travel
- 👯 I wish I knew that most people in hostels are also traveling solo. I spent my first two days thinking everyone else already had friends. They didn’t. They were just waiting for someone to talk to them first.
- 😅 I wish I’d stopped apologizing for my accent or my English. People don’t care if you’re perfect. They care if you’re kind.
- 📱 I wish I’d downloaded Bumble BFF before I left, not after. I could have had coffee plans lined up for day one.
- 🧘 I wish I knew that saying ‘I’m going to take tonight for myself’ is totally fine. You don’t have to say yes to every social invitation. Real friends understand alone time.
Mini FAQ: Solo Female Traveler
🚨 Q: What if I’m an introvert? Is this still possible?
🛡️ A: Absolutely. Start with one-on-one interactions (cafés, Bumble BFF) instead of group settings. You don’t need to be the life of the party. You just need one good conversation.💧 Q: Can I drink the tap water where I’m going?
🚰 A: This varies wildly by destination. Don’t ruin a new friendship with a stomach bug! I never travel without my LARQ bottle. It purifies any water source with UV light, so I can refill anywhere and stay hydrated for all those coffee dates and walking tours.🥗 Q: I’m vegetarian/vegan. Will I struggle to find food to share with new friends?
🌱 A: Not if you prepare! Use HappyCow to find veg-friendly spots. You can say, “I’m vegetarian. Do you know any good restaurants?” It’s actually a great conversation starter. Most people love recommending their favorite spots.💰 Q: Is tipping expected when I go out with new friends?
💵 A: Yes, in many countries. Research the local custom so you’re not caught off guard. In the US, tip 15-20%. In Japan, don’t tip at all. Knowing this saves awkward moments when the bill comes.🏧 Q: Are ATMs safe to use when I’m out exploring with people I just met?
💳 A: Be smart. Never let anyone see your PIN, even a friendly new acquaintance. Use bank ATMs inside buildings, and always keep a backup card in your accommodation safe. If you lose a card, SafetyWing covers theft and helps you get emergency funds.📱 Q: What if my phone gets stolen with all my new friends’ contacts?
🔒 A: Back up your contacts to the cloud before you leave. Also, connect on Instagram. It’s easier to find people again even if you lose their number. And yes, travel insurance covers phone theft. See above.🎟️ Q: Should I buy tickets to events or tours from street vendors to meet people?
🎫 A: Nooope. They’re often overpriced or fake. You’ll meet plenty of people on legitimate, pre-booked tours from platforms like GetYourGuide.
Final Thoughts – Last Stop Before Takeoff!
That’s the beauty of solo travel. This solo female travel blog is here to help you build confidence, find your people on the road, and travel in a way that feels safe, social, and completely you. The irony of solo travel is that the moment you stop fearing loneliness, you become magnetic. You stop clutching your phone like a security blanket. You look up. You smile at someone struggling with their map. You say, “I got lost too. Want to figure it out together?”
That’s how it starts.
Not with a grand gesture. Just with a willingness to be the person who speaks first.
The world is full of women just like you… standing at the edge of a conversation, waiting for someone to say hello. Be that someone.
Now that you’re feeling ready to connect, where will your new friendships take you? Start planning with the Best Solo Travel Destinations for 2026, places known for both beauty and incredible traveler communities.
Go on that trip. Be curious, be kind, be smart and be ready to meet your people.
Adventure on, I’ll see you on the road!
Still overwhelmed By Solo Traveling?
Where are you from? Still a complicated question.
But now, when someone asks me on the road, I have an answer I actually believe:
I’m from the space between. And it turns out, that space is big enough to hold the whole world.
Ready to book your first trip?
Book a meentor meeting with me and I’ll bring the virtual coffee. ☕
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This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase through it, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, basically, enough for a little travel snack while planning my next adventure. Solo travel advice is best written with coffee and something sweet nearby.
Feven is a solo female travel mentor who has visited 67 countries, 7 continents and helps women travel with confidence. She creates resources to help women overcome fear and plan their first solo trip. Follow her adventures on Instagram.