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Over the years, I’ve made many friends and acquaintances on the road. And this number has only gone up as I travel and cover more ground.
A friend once told me it was a really difficult task. I’ve had quite the opposite experience, so maybe it’s a hack that comes naturally for me.
I’ll share the ways I meet people while traveling. This might help you make a new friend or two!
How to Make More Friends
Most likely, you won’t meet people sitting around the hotel room. Walking around with headphones on and looking down won’t work either.
As long as you’re open to meeting people, you stand a chance. Let’s look at some things that I do that you can try.
1. Visit Places of Interest
Well, if you’re going to go somewhere, might as well like it. I like to visit different places of interest.
Choose places that you are interested in visiting. Do you like going to cafes, museums, or nature?
If you go to popular places, you’re most likely going to run into more people. And more people equals more chances to meet someone.
I like going to both outdoor and indoor places. If you like artwork, why not visit an art museum or an art gallery?
You’ll have something in common to talk to someone about. While you look at exhibits, you might ask another person what they think of the art.
Or they may comment to you. That’s a great way to start a conversation.
2. Go Where the Locals Go
If you want to meet the people who live around the area, go where the locals go. And how do you know where the locals hang out?
Well, you ask them. You can find many locals working in hotels, restaurants, and stores.
I’ve met many friendly people this way. When I go to Hawaii and stay in the hotel, the staff will suggest places to explore.
When traveling, I’ve met many locals who were proud of their area and love to talk about it. I’ve gotten great advice from them. I’ve also learned about off-the-path places to visit.
I also read travel guides that may give out information about where the locals hang out and popular areas.
3. Take a Walk
I meet so many people by walking around. Whether it’s to window shop or view the area, you’ll see more this way.
When I’m out and about, people talk to me. This wouldn’t happen if I sat around in the hotel.
Some places to walk include paved walking trails, nature trails, parks, and boardwalks. You can just walk on city sidewalks.
The point is to get out there. Just remember to be safe about this.
That’s why it’s good to learn about the place you’re visiting. You don’t want to walk around a shady spot where you could get hurt.
4. Take Public Transportation
Public transportation has its ups and downs. It’s a great way to get around because it’s relatively cheap.
Many people may take public transportation. So, you’ll run into all kinds of people—good and bad.
I have always met people on trains and buses. For example, in Europe, I took the train from country to country.
I met so many people on the train, including other Americans and Europeans. We had great conversations, and I even ended up traveling briefly with some.
5. Dine in Local Restaurants
When eating in local restaurants, you may run into locals. Rather than eating at a big food chain, we like to frequent small family-owned restaurants.
Many of the customers dine there often, and they all know each other. They are usually happy to talk to out-of-towners.
You might strike up conversations with some really nice people.
Plus, it’s fun to sit outside and people-watch. You can learn a little bit about the culture and way of life.
6. Do Touristy Things
I know some people don’t want to associate themselves with touristy activities. But this is a great way to meet other people.
I like signing up for tours, and they’re usually led by a local who knows a lot about the area. And if you do a group tour, you’ll have others who are looking forward to seeing the area.
Some touristy ideas we enjoy include walking tours, bus tours, and jeep adventures. We always meet people who love to talk about where they’re from.
We’ve run into people from all over the world just by doing these things. And we’ve even traveled thousands of miles away to only meet people from our own city!
7. Use Meet Up Apps
In an age where people use apps to meet people, you can do this for travel too. There are many social apps out there.
I’ve been to many outings through Meetup. Joining a hiking group has been a good way to meet people from around the world.
Think about it. What better way to learn about a city than to go on a hike or city walk with some locals?
You’ll get to know the area and maybe make a new friend. I’ve also gone to concerts, art walks, museums, and parks with other people.
You’ll want to be safe. I always do my research and proceed with caution.
There are some creeps that show up to these things too. But most people have been very nice!
Additional Notes
I read blogs about other people’s experiences before traveling to an area. They might give you more insight on where to find people.
Read magazines and books to learn about places you will visit. The library has free materials you can browse. The locals may have different customs or ways of life from yours.
For example, I’ve traveled to places where it’s rude not to greet strangers when passing on the street. However, where I live, it’s common for people to walk past each other and not say a word.
If you look standoffish, people might not want to talk to you. You don’t have to smile like the Cheshire cat, but a scowl probably won’t attract people.
Always use caution when talking to people. I never go anywhere alone or to secluded or sketchy areas when meeting new people.
Final Thoughts
I think half the battle of meeting people is showing up where they’re at. When traveling, I’m always out and about, so that’s not hard.
But if you’re not very social, you may need to work at it a bit. But with time, you might just meet that friend you never thought you’d have!
More About Travel
I have more posts about traveling that may interest you. You might want to check them out.
- I’ll share the van life lessons we learned after a couple years of travel.
- I’ll tell you the exact reasons why I take time off work to travel.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures.
Originally published: January 16, 2025
