While travelling solo is one of the greatest adventures that you can have on this earth, there are a few drawbacks. One of the biggest issues with going it on your own is plain old loneliness. It gets boring when you have no one to talk to! Rather than spending your time chatting online with friends on the other side of the planet, get to know the locals. It’s the best way to learn about your new culture, get insider tips, and simply have fun!
Ready to connect? Here are a few of the best ways to meet other people while travelling.
Meet People at: Couchsurfing
Rather than trying to chat with locals and other travellers at noisy parties and clubs, why not just stay with a friend? Check out Couchsurfing before you go and connect with someone who lives in your destination. Take over their couch (or spare bedroom if you’re lucky!) and get a real idea of what it means to live like a local. Couchsurfing is a global community of 10 million people in more than 200,000 cities around the planet. Start checking out profiles, send a few messages and make a connection!
Meet People at: Meetups
Not really in the mood to bunk up with a stranger? Get a private bed in a hostel or check into a hotel then head to a local party. There are countless options on Meetup.com for connecting with others. Even better, if you’re in a major city, there is a good chance that there’s a party in your native language! Give locals the chance to practice their language skills while they tell you about local hotspots and give you cultural insights.
Meet People at: Language Classes
If you are travelling for a while, there is no better way to truly dig into local life than to learn the language. Often you can find free language sessions on Meetup.com or Couchsurfing. While signing up for a six week session is the best way to get conversational, you will learn a whole lot by just going to a single session. Find a programme that works for you.
Meet People at: Volunteering
Volunteering abroad is an excellent way to meet people and help out the local community. Sign up for HelpX or Workaway and start browsing. Not only will you get the chance to meet other people, you can also get valuable work experience and find free accommodation. Both HelpX and Workaway have options everywhere from New York City to the mountains of Chile.