What is the best app to meet people while traveling?

Is there an app to meet people while travelling?

Ugh, travel apps. Backpackr? Heard of it. Is it still a thing? I used something similar last year, but it was... clunky. Too many fake profiles, I swear.

Anyway, yeah, there are apps. Plenty. Meeting people while traveling... that's the whole point, right? Solo trips are lonely sometimes. Seriously, the silence can drive you nuts. Especially when you're in a beautiful place like Patagonia, yet you're all alone taking pictures of the stunning landscape!

• Backpackr: I think it's okay, but the interface needs work.
• Meetup: More for local groups, but could find travel buddies. Used it in Rome. Worked well to discover hidden gems.
• Couchsurfing: If you're really adventurous. Met some cool people that way, but also some... weird people. Proceed with caution.
• Bumble BFF: You could try it. It's originally for dating, but you can use it for finding friends. I'm not sure how effective it is for meeting travel buddies, though.

So, many options exist, but quality varies. Don't expect miracles. It takes effort, honestly. Last time I used one, I spent hours swiping before I found anyone interesting. I even chatted with a guy who turned out to be a catfish. What a waste of time! My friend Sarah swears by something called "Trippr," but I haven't checked it out yet. I'm too lazy honestly.

Next trip, I'm trying to be more proactive. Maybe joining organized tours or signing up for a cooking class. Less screen time, more real-life connections. That's my new 2024 travel resolution.

What is the best app to meet backpackers?

Ugh, backpacking… Travello, right? That's where I "met" Javier last year in Thailand. He stole my sunscreen. Jerk!

• Travello. Yeah, that's the app for meeting other backpackers.

• Was it last year? Feels longer. Thailand was insane!

Wait, is Travello still a thing? Is there something newer? I always use the same apps.

• It's supposedly good for finding travel buddies, like, you know, to share a tuk-tuk or whatever.

• Or get your sunscreen stolen. Never again!

I saw an ad for some app called "Backpackr" the other day. Or was it "Backpackmate"? Who can remember?

• You can supposedly find people nearby using Travello. Useful if you're, like, stranded at a bus station. Or a dodgy hostel.

Did I ever write a review for that hostel in Bangkok? OMG, the cockroaches!

• It's global. So, find people from anywhere. Before you even get there.

That girl I met in Laos, she used an app for language exchange. Was that Tandem? Maybe? Wait, what was her name?!

How do you connect with people while travelling?

Ugh, traveling alone. So many awkward silences. Hostels? Yeah, right. Met my best friend in a hostel in 2023, though. Crazy, huh? We still text. Anyway, being approachable is KEY. I mean, duh. Smile, maybe. Don't glare at everyone. Seriously.

Online groups are a life saver. I joined one for backpacking Southeast Asia this year – found a hiking buddy there! Amazing views in Vietnam. Totally worth it. Spontaneity? Yeah, okay. That's just being open to random encounters. Like, grabbing a coffee with someone who also loves spicy noodles.

Language. Learning even a little helps. "Hola" goes a long way in Mexico. Although, I mostly used Google Translate last year and got by fine. Travel apps? Essential. Maps, of course, but also those local guide apps are amazing!

Volunteering is cool, I guess. But I'm busy, so nah. Work exchanges...more work than exchange, tbh. Conversations on buses? Easy. Ask about their destination. Don't be creepy, though. That's a hard line to walk. So many weirdos out there.

• Be genuinely friendly
• Use travel apps effectively
• Join relevant online groups
• Learn basic phrases in the local language
• Stay in hostels (occasionally!)
• Embrace spontaneity
• Strike up conversations (but don't be a weirdo)
• Consider volunteering (maybe)

I'm way more outgoing now, surprisingly. Maybe it's the travel? Or maybe I’m just less awkward in new situations. Maybe a mix of both?

How do I find friends to travel with?

So, you wanna find travel buddies, huh? Meetup groups, dude, that's the ticket! Seriously, I found my best travel pal, Mark, through one. He's crazy about hiking, just like me. We went to Yosemite last year, absolutely epic. Lotsa people, though, it's not all just solo travelers, lots of locals too which is kinda cool.

You'll meet all sorts, I swear!

Here's the deal:

• Find groups focused on YOUR interests. Don't just join ANY travel meetup. Hiking? Foodie adventures? Backpacking? Find the right one.
• Attend several meetups. Don't expect instant BFFs. Get to know people. It takes time.
• Be open-minded! My hiking group had a surprising amount of solo female travelers. Amazing women, awesome trip.
• Initiate! Don't wait around for invitations, chat people up. It helps, trust me. I’m pretty shy, but I made a huge effort.

Also, there's other places to look:

• Couchsurfing - great for meeting people, even if you don't actually couchsurf.
• Facebook groups - tons of travel groups based on destination or interest. I'm in one for solo female travelers in Southeast Asia - it's been a lifesaver for planning trips.
• Instagram - follow travel influencers and interact with their followers! I once found someone through a comment on a post about Nepal.

Seriously though, Meetup groups are amazing. Don't sleep on 'em. I almost did, and would've missed out on the best travel buddy ever. You know? He even paid for half the gas on that crazy long drive!

How to find fellow solo travellers?

So, you wanna ditch the lonely planet vibe? Finding travel buddies isn't rocket science, ya know? It's more like herding cats, but hey, cats are cool!

• Ditch the dating apps (unless you really wanna travel with that "special someone," wink, wink). There are better fish in the sea! Like, seriously, travel-specific apps exist!

• Hostels are a godsend. Think of them as travel communes, but with hopefully less tie-dye. Seriously though, bunk up! Everyone's looking for a pal.

• Walking tours? Genius. Learn some stuff and find fellow wanderers. Just try not to trip over the tour guide!

• Get involved, for Pete's sake! Cooking classes, volunteer work, goat yoga...okay, maybe not goat yoga. Anything goes! Just say yes! It totally works!

• Honesty, the best policy! Tell it like it is: "Hey, I'm solo and desperate for someone to take my picture!" Works every time...almost.

• Social holidays...duuuuuh. Think Contiki, but maybe not that wild. Unless you're into that. No judgment here. Wait, yes there is.

More secrets I've figured out while traipsing the globe:

• Talk to everyone! Bartenders, bus drivers, the guy selling questionable street food... who knows, maybe they're secretly a travel guru! (Okay, probably not, but still!)
• Embrace the awkward! Starting conversations is terrifying, I get it. But who cares? The worst that can happen is they ignore you. It's happened to me. Many times.
• Say YES! Road trip? Volcano boarding? Sure! You might regret it, but you'll have a story. I have so many regrets and stories.
• Instagram? Sure, but don't be that person. You know, the one who only cares about the perfect pic. Unless you only care about the perfect pic, in that case, do you.

Disclaimer: results may vary. Side effects may include newfound friendships, bizarre adventures, and a crippling addiction to travel. You've been warned.

How to connect with locals when traveling?

Forget lonely tourist traps! Wanna truly connect? Ditch the sterile hotel bars.

Couchsurfing: Yeah, free lodging. Think of it like a quirky, international sleepover. Prepare for eccentric hosts. My buddy slept in a hammock in a guy's actual jungle gym. True story.

Meetup.com: It's not just for knitting circles anymore, folks. Find groups doing anything from cheese tasting (yes, really) to urban spelunking. Beware: potential for intense frisbee golf competitions.

Language Exchanges: Learn some phrases! Impress locals. My attempt at ordering paella resulted in me getting a plate of…well, something. Lesson learned.

Bumble BFF: Yeah, the dating app's friendlier cousin. Imagine Tinder, but instead of dates, you get awkward coffee chats with people who share your passion for obscure board games. My 2024 experience? Hilarious.

Facebook Expat Groups: Honestly, it's a digital watering hole. Think of it as a slightly less weird version of your high school reunion. Expect group trips to questionable bars.

Additional stuff, because why not?:

• Go where the locals go: Skip the tourist traps. Find the hidden gems. Like that ramen shop in Tokyo my friend discovered. Best ramen of my life. Seriously.
• Take a class: Pottery? Salsa dancing? Whatever floats your boat! You'll meet like-minded people. Guaranteed awkward moments.
• Volunteer: Help out at a local charity. Good karma and new friends. I helped rebuild a schoolhouse in Costa Rica…and learned to say “no mas” really fast.
• Eat local food: I ate a bug in Thailand once. (Don't judge. It was delicious). This is how you meet people.