It’s common knowledge that going on holiday independently is a great way to meet solo travellers and make new friends. But what’s the best way to find other solo travellers and make firm, lifelong friends along the way? Read on to learn our top tips to bagging yourself a super sociable solo holiday.
Be open
First things first: anyone looking to meet people travelling and make friends while travelling solo needs to step outside of their comfort zone and open themselves up to interacting with strangers.
This is the first step to meeting other solo travellers on your holiday, and an easy one too. Wear a big smile and don’t shy away from making eye contact with other people you meet on your travels.
Next time you find yourself next to someone in the bar, strike up a conversation. You’ll be surprised to see how many people you’ll click with straight away, and who are interested in getting to know you more.
Plus, you’ll find that it’s not just solo travellers who are interested in meeting new people; groups of friends, families and even couples can make the best travel companions!
Try a Solos holiday
We might be biased, but we think that the best way to meet solo travellers is to join us on one of our group holidays for singles.
You’ll join a sociable group of like-minded solo travellers, made up of people from all different walks of life, who are all looking for the same thing: to have fun, find other solo travellers and meet people to travel with in the future.
You’ll also be joined by one of our friendly and professional Solos Tour Leaders, whose job it is to make sure your group solo holiday runs smoothly, and that everyone is having the best time. They’re also there to answer any questions you might have, and to clear up any problems should they arise.
Another great thing about our holidays is that they also allow you plenty of alone time too. Dip in and out of activities as you please, or spend one day with the group and one day on your own. It’s your holiday, and we want you to spend it however you like!
Join some trips, tours and excursions
Joining a tour or excursion that interests you is a sure-fire way of finding yourself amongst a group of like-minded people.
Whether you’re an adrenaline-junkie on the hunt for your next thrill or a history-buff looking to step back in time on your solo holiday, there’s something out there to suit everyone’s taste, from ziplining and white-water rafting to vineyard visits, boat trips and tours to neighbouring towns and cities.
Share your experiences with travellers you’ve met before, and use this opportunity to strike up new conversations with ones you haven’t.
Give everyone a chance
By keeping an open mind when you travel solo, you’ll meet people from all over the world that you would never normally encounter back home. Differences such as age will become irrelevant, and the people you’ll bond with will surprise you time and time again.
You’ll quickly discover that there are interesting people in every bus, café and bookshop, and that everyone has something to offer if you give them a chance. Who knows, your new best friend could be sat beside you on the plane!
Hit the bar
It’s no secret that meeting new people once you’ve had a drink or two suddenly becomes far easier and more enjoyable, and this is rings true for when you’re holidaying solo too.
Local pubs and bars in hostels or small, intimate hotels are ideal. The people you’ll find here are already in a sociable mood and are therefore far more likely to be willing to have a chat.
Smile!
Not only does smiling make you look friendly and more approachable, but it’ll help ease your nerves too.
Smiling has been scientifically proven to relieve stress and actually make you feel happier and more relaxed, so by starting your solo holiday with a smile you’ll be instantly putting yourself at ease, while also making it easier to meet people when travelling alone.
