Traveling Solo? Here Are Safe Ways to Meet People

Whether you’re new to traveling alone or already hooked, these tips will help you find friends, stay safe, and savor your independence.

Traveling alone has so many benefits, including a greater opportunity to make connections with locals and other travelers. Nevskii Dmitrii/Shutterstock

The late afternoon light in Agra, India, is a little strange, almost supernatural, when the subcontinental sun is on the wane. Its rays cast down through a rising haze of thousands of cooking fires that form a sort of fragrant fog over the city of millions of people. As I pass through the gates of this world-famous complex, everything around me is cast in amber.

But the first time I see that great monument—a mausoleum, of course—it’s unmistakable. The Taj Mahal stands directly ahead, its soaring domes and graceful minarets immediately recognizable. Together, they form one of those places that’s a totally ubiquitous sight throughout the world. But it’s somehow even more beautiful, extraordinary, and intimate here in person.

And despite the crush of visitors around me—people snapping pictures and pushing into the line to see the tombs—I am alone. Even my guide has walked on ahead, preoccupied with some issue related to our entry tickets. So I’m left to appreciate one of the world’s great destinations completely and entirely on my own.

And you know what? I’m just fine with that fact. Because I’ve visited dozens of countries totally solo, and I enjoyed each and every one of those trips.

Along the way, I’ve picked up on some tips—both practical and philosophical—for how to make the most of it as a single traveler. Particularly, how to safely meet people. Here’s some advice, whether you love to travel solo or you’re still drumming up the courage to do it for the first time.

Appreciate the Power of Travel

It helps to think about the context and consider the big picture. Travel is such a dynamic and powerful force, one that unites people across the globe.

There’s really, truly, nothing like getting on a plane, flying 14 hours to a country on the opposite side of the world that has a culture completely different from your own, and then finding out that you have a whole lot in common with someone who lives there. Your ability to sense and see this is even more attuned when you’re solo. So keep this truth top of mind, and it will help you value and cherish everything that comes your way.

Enjoy Your Freedom

When you travel with a partner or a group, compromise is key. You’ll go to the natural history museum, say, because two of your friends want to see it. And then they’ll come with you later to the baseball game.

But going solo means that nobody will be disappointed if you don’t make the trip to the museum at all. And perhaps the best part: If you’re tired, jet-lagged, or simply have no motivation to go out, you don’t have to.

Solo travelers have the independence to choose whether to adventure or relax during their vacation. Tamba Budiarsana/Pexels

From Tokyo to Mumbai, India, to Mexico City, after a stressful and busy stretch on the road, I’ll take what I call a “hotel day.” I'll sit by the pool with a good book, sink into the bathtub in the evening, and order the cheesiest pizza available for delivery before watching a funny movie. With no guilt whatsoever.

Sit at the Bar

In most cities, for the majority of people, grabbing a seat or a stool at the bar means that you’re open to a chat. This doesn’t mean that you need to actually go to a pub or club. Instead, a lot of restaurants are happy to serve you a meal in this essentially social setting.

But—and this is important whenever you’re traveling alone—keep your head on a swivel. Be aware of any potential creepiness. If you have any doubts about someone, inform the bartender. Also use his or her help to find a safe way back to your hotel (usually via a trusted taxi driver or someone similar).

When meeting new people in new places, it's best to stick to public venues. BAZA Production/Shutterstock

Lean on the Locals

The people who inhabit the city, country, or region that you’re visiting are very knowledgeable. In many cases, those folks have lived there for their entire lives. This makes them an invaluable resource. So—ask them for recommendations.

Ask, “What’s a great place for a solo traveler to eat, drink, tour, or see?” They’ll know it.

Going beyond the usual concierge tips will give you a fresh perspective on your destination.

Stay in Communal Places and Take Group Tours

This will be a stretch for some travelers, especially those older than their teens and 20s. But if you’re still fine with sleeping in a communal dorm—or even a hostel-type accommodation with private rooms but shared lounges—it’s far easier to meet and connect with fellow travelers.

Group tours provide safe opportunities to meet other travelers. Ryzhkov Oleksandr/Shutterstock

Group tours are even easier. On my very first trip to the dramatic and volcanic Greek island of Santorini, I sailed out into the middle of the steaming caldera with a small tour group: two young Aussie women, an American man, and me. We’d all just met for the first time, but immediately found common ground in our shared backpacker stories.

We made plans to stick together, and after having dinner as a group, we booked passage on the same ferry to Crete the following morning. The next week, we all stayed in the same room in a small hotel in a rustic little village on the southern coast of the island, even convincing the owner to bring in an extra bed to accommodate our new cadre.

The result? Instead of experiencing lonely journeys, we shared many laughs and memories in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Seek Out Formal Social Gatherings

When you’re young, nightclubs might be a great place to form ties and have fun. But I’ve found, as I get older, that no matter how hip the place may be, the pounding music—paired with my meager dancing skills—really inhibits connections.

A better plan is to go on community message boards (or even open up a printed local newspaper, where they’re still available) and discover local gatherings. From a vinyl record night in the Baltics to pub trivia in the Blue Mountains of Australia, these are fine opportunities to start conversations and find common ground. Even if the end result is no more than an interesting night out, you’re bound to learn something about life in your travel destination.

Most locations have formal social gatherings listed online or on their community board. DGLimages/Shutterstock

Make the Most of People-Watching

Sometimes, you don’t meet anyone to share the experience. This was the case during my afternoon at the Taj Mahal—but few places on earth provide better people-watching. So after snapping my photos and seeing the tombs, I just sat down and watched. I enjoyed the spectacle of seeing others encountering one of the world’s greatest places for the very first time.

It was the perfect way to slide from afternoon to evening on that warm day in India.

5 Quick Tips for Staying Safe

Stay Connected

Make sure you have a functioning local cell connection, and someone to call, if things seem to be going sideways.

Travel Light

Take only the minimum with you, especially if you’re out touring at night. It’s best to leave expensive watches, jewelry, and anything flashy in the room safe.

Think Safety

Go out with a group—you’ll find greater power and safety in numbers.

Plan Ahead

It’ll help to know, say, when your chosen restaurant will be closing or when public transit shuts down for the night—and how you’ll get home if you’re out later than that.

Take Advice

Again, ask a dependable and knowledgeable local person (perhaps the concierge at your hotel) what neighborhoods, bars, and attractions are safe, especially after dark—and then take their good advice.