Ice Breakers for Solo Travelers

Solo travel is having a moment, and we’re not the only ones who think it’s here to stay. You get to do your own thing, forge your own path, look after yourself, explore areas and people all on your own… The list can be made endless.

But, while you may really cherish your me-time and pride yourself on your independence, it doesn’t mean that you’re not going to want to socialize at different parts of your trip. Making new friends can be an absolutely life-changing part of solo travel, and striking up a conversation with a stranger doesn’t have to be a daunting task.

Here are some perfectly simple but proven icebreaker tips for making new friends when travelling solo.

Take a Tour

Not everything can be off the beaten path, and popular destinations and attractions are popular for a reason, with very few yet important exceptions. Taking a walking tour or joining a group experience is a great way to meet new people. You’ll already have a shared interest, as evident by signing up for the same tour, and talking points will be all around you as you experience new sights and sounds together.

Offer to Take a Photo

While the solo traveler may have perfected the selfie by now, we all know that a helping hand goes a long way, and can give you a much different perspective. The quick interaction is a great way to strike up a conversation, and because you’re doing the stranger a favor, they’ll likely be friendly and talkative. If you hit it off, you can build on it from there. If you don’t, then no harm done. You helped take a photo, and finishing the task gives you a non-awkward but perfectly viable exit strategy.

Sit at a Shared Table

A ton of restaurants have communal dining, and finding those places isn’t difficult. Everyone knows that those tables are for sharing, which in turn lowers the barriers when it comes to striking up a conversation with a stranger. You may be seated next to a smaller group, or a fellow solo traveler, but either way you’re likely to socialize.

Pursue Your Passions, Find Your People

Whether you love to try new food in foreign countries, or you’re just learning how to surf, participating in activities that you’re passionate about is a great way to find likeminded people. Along the same lines, a little research and some simple googling will usually give you a pretty good idea of where likeminded people will be. Connecting with fellow travelers, whether it’s at a popular hostel or at a beach that you found on a subreddit, will usually enrich your experience but also give you a better idea of what there is to see and do in said city. By simply engaging fellow travelers in travel-related conversations, you’re bound to get a ton of useful tips.

Tap The Local Contacts

Whether it’s the staff at the local hostel or hotel, your AirBnB host, or the barista of the nearby coffee shop, it shouldn’t be difficult to get some tips on where to go and what to do from them. If you hit it off with anyone during your initial interaction, you can build on it. If you don’t, you’re hopefully left with helpful tips and tricks for where you can find likeminded people next.

Before you hit the road, make sure that you have the right gear. From backpacks that are optimized for international travel (hidden pockets, passport storage), to the popular transformer toiletry bag, we’ve got you covered.

Happy travels!