How to Make Friends While Traveling

Hey Travelers, it’s me,  Amanda – founder of SoFe.

Over 90% of you voted LOVE💖 on this newsletter — and had a lot of great things to say… 🥹🥹🥹

And after literally tearing up reading these… I’ve decided I’ll be writing a lot more. :)

Because honestly, sharing ways to make travel as a solo female easier, safer and more extraordinary is what this is all about…

Ellie from the SoFe Facebook Group wrote this the other day…👇

…and I was inspired. 

So today’s topic is on making friends while traveling.

Firstly – this topic has come up A LOT over the years… So if you are worried about feeling lonely or awkward or uncomfortable while traveling alone… 

You are 100% not alone.

When we were 5 years old, we could just walk up and share a toy and you’d have a bff for at least the week. Later, we’d bond over shared interests, celebrity crushes and classrooms. 

But then adulthood hit, people cliqued up and we got turned down one too many times.

…SO now the idea of making new friends feels scary and intimidating.

Very few people are gifted with the 10/10 magnetic charisma that draws people inward –

Most of us are more of a slow burn, like you’ve got to gently peel back the layers to how special we are underneath.

Well – at least I’m like that.

So making friends while traveling isn’t the easiest thing in the world…but after solo traveling for over 10 years… 

I can promise you one thing: if you don’t put yourself out there, you’ll miss out.

On my first solo trip to Honduras — my first few days were really lonely. I was worried about being annoying or interrupting the more interesting, more exciting people…

And TBH everyone was partying a lot – and while I’ve been known to down a few spicy margaritas – I prefer spending my mornings going on adventures rather than sleeping to noon.

Since those first few days way back then… I’ve done a lot of solo travel. And along the way, I discovered a foolproof formula for friendships that works every time:

Like-minded people + new experiences = lifetime friendships

When you are traveling solo you’ve got to show up. Say hello. Try new things. Find your people. If you love hiking, you’re not going to find your tribe by sitting at a bar. If you’re a beach girl – then get your butt to the beach and make conversations. 

On day 4 I decided to invest in my Dive Master Certification course and linked up with a local dive shop — and quickly met my kind of people. We had some of the best times together and I will always remember those days with such fondness.

The truth is: people are good, kind, and friendly.
– and with a bit of effort and a little strategy, you will find them.

👇

Here are 5 ways to make friends while traveling:

1— Stay in hostels or traveler homes
It’s a lot easier to approach solo travelers than groups of people – it’s feels far less intimidating if you see someone else sitting on their own who gasp possibly feels the same way you do… then 4 besties drinking margaritas at the bar. And hostels tend to have a LOT of solo travelers. You can find great options on HostelWorld. If you’re not a hostel girlie, just scope out a local hangout spot near a hostel – and many hostels allow you to just pass a few hours getting a bite to eat or drinking tea.

2 — Connect with others before you get on your flight
The Solo Female Traveler Network is one GREAT example of this… there are literally hundreds of conversations in this group where someone will ask for advice or mention an upcoming trip and other travelers reach out. Here is where those conversations happen. You can also try Bumble BFF or Meetup. If you work remotely or intend to spend a month or more in one place — another great hack is to join local FB groups like “Digital Nomads of Bali” and just comment on posts by other people.

3 — Do solo travel, together
It’s no secret we host Meetup Tours around the world – and if you’re not into that I’m happy to have you in our network either way. The real reason I started creating these tours is that as I traveled, I found so many other people who just wanted to get together with a group of cool, like-minded people and do fun stuff together. So if you’re worried about not making friends, join a tour and I can guarantee you’ll connect with others along the way. 86% of SoFe travelers stay in touch post-travel – which means you’re getting friends for life. 💕

4 — Don’t wait for people to approach you
See someone sitting alone? Pay a compliment – comment on their book/handbag/shoes – start a conversation. Ask strangers about their travels. Share stories.

Here are 3 conversation starters I’ve used that turned into friendships:

- “Hey! You look like you know what you’re doing – have you been here long?”
- “I love that book – how far are you?”
- and my personal favorite, if you see a woman being bothered by someone, pretend to be their best friend and have her back.  9 times out of 10 you’ll make a new friend. (real stat)

5 — Be kind
If you are looking for open hearted, adventurous, kind travelers to connect with – then BE an open hearted adventurous kind traveler. You attract what you are. 💕

More tips by SoFe Travelers 👇

All this brings me back to my original premise…

Like-minded people + new experiences = lifetime friendships

So be brave, be friendly – show up and take up space.

And even if you’re not the most outgoing, most charismatic, or most adventurous person…

You deserve to have genuine connections.

That’s all for today… you’ve got this!

Amanda
Founder of SoFe 💖

(PS – if you live in San Diego and find making friends as an adult hard – you’re going to want to check out my new project HERE.)