How to Travel Alone and Not Be Lonely

Hostels, group fitness, Salsa, Couchsurfing, Meetup, Nomadlist, Airbnb experiences, Facebook groups, dating apps, and organizing events. I’ll share how these tools have helped me find community and feel more at home anywhere I go. Solo travel never came easy to me. I remember years ago, wondering what it would be like to be in a new place all alone, and it felt very scary. It was only through the opportunity to work in China as an English teacher that I gained my initial exposure. 30+ countries later, I’ve now adapted to using tools that make it easier for me to assimilate to most places I visit. Although, honestly, loneliness is still very much a reality of this lifestyle, yet I’ve also been pushed to make really meaningful connections that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Hostels

When I first heard of hostels, the idea of sharing a room with several strangers didn’t sound so appealing to me. The only thing I like about hostels, other than affordability, is that they can be a really great place to meet other travelers. Friendship isn’t a guarantee; however, if you are feeling alone, it’s definitely worth considering. The best resource I’ve found for researching hostels is hostelworld.com. The reviews should help you gather if a hostel is going to be a good fit for you. Hostels can truly vary in vibe. I, for one, appreciate the chill, more mature ones rather than the younger party ones. Some hostels will also pour more energy into organizing events, so that is something to look out for in reviews. Also, I avoid more than 6 beds in a room; 4 is ideal. Smaller rooms give way to more personal interaction, and they’re simply more comfortable.

Group Fitness

This was the first tool that really came to my aid in my solo experience abroad. I had come to China for a teaching job and was completely alone. I knew right away that finding a community was going to be essential to my well-being. Right away, I sought out yoga studios because I like yoga and tend to vibe with people who also like yoga. Communication was difficult because barely anyone spoke English well, and I didn’t know any Chinese. But that’s the great thing about fitness; you don’t really need to know the language, you can just show up and do as others do. I was able to follow along, and the studio quickly became like a second home to me. I would teach the owner English, and she would teach me yoga. Years later, it’s still one of the most meaningful friendships I’ve had.

Finding a fitness studio can be as simple as a Google Maps search. However, one app that I have found very helpful is ClassPass. ClassPass has a month-long trial which allows you to try a bunch of different studios in your vicinity. I’ve used the paid version in Madrid and Hamburg, and plan to again in Kuala Lumpur. It’s often more affordable and flexible for exploring different gyms and studios. It isn’t available everywhere, but I have found it to be active in many major cities. I have a referral link for it; which if you use will give you extra trial credits and potentially bonus points to me too.

Salsa

Just like fitness, dancing doesn’t require knowing a language. Salsa dance groups, in particular, can be found worldwide, and I’ve found their communities to be incredibly friendly and welcoming to beginners. It’s been a really incredible way to make friendships and develop a fun skill. So far, I’ve experienced Salsa in Florida, Mexico City, Qatar, and Kuala Lumpur.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is an app and website that allows travelers to stay at no cost in a host’s home. It’s a great opportunity to be culturally immersed in a new place. However, I've primarily used it for its social functions. The Couchsurfing app also offers events and hangouts. Members can schedule events in advance, and hangouts are more spontaneous opportunities to meet up with other travelers or locals. The app has been one of the most active and effective ways for me to make friends in new places. It is $15 a year to use, and like any app, its popularity does vary by location. Still, I highly recommend checking it out.

Meetup

Meetup is another app that I’ve found really useful. It’s simply a place to find and share events. Through Meetup, I've discovered all kinds of activities like salsa classes, vegan gatherings, and many more kinds of educational, social, and creative events. Many Meetup events are also totally free.

Nomadlist

This one is worth mentioning, but I would only really recommend it to long-term nomads, as it is a $100 investment for a lifetime membership. Through Nomadlist, you can find events, connect with other nomads, join location chats, and access tons of helpful tips.

Airbnb Experiences

Besides being a helpful platform for finding accommodation, Airbnb also offers activities, which is a pretty underrated part of the site. Depending on the location, some of these experiences will be more affordable than others, but it can be a great way to find all kinds of tours, events, and classes. It’s definitely worth checking out to see what’s available.

Facebook Groups

Again, in addition to being a great place to find accommodation deals, Facebook can be a helpful resource for finding events and community. There are also often specific interest Facebook groups in major cities too; like “Vegans of Kuala Lumpur.” It’s worth noting a lot of Facebook groups are full of spam and outdated, so this can really be hit or miss.

Dating Apps

Speaking of hit or miss, I’ve put this near the end, not just because it’s a bit awkward to talk about, but because in my experience, it rarely leads to meaningful in-person interactions. However, if you are single, it might be worth a few swipes. Even if sparks don’t fly, it can still lead to finding a cool friend. These days, Bumble seems to be the least dodgy of the apps. A side note, it’s funny to see how in some countries I get much more attention than others.

Make Your Own Events

If all else fails, you could always just make your own events. If you’re in a major city, all it takes is creating a social WhatsApp group and then sharing it in some Facebook groups. A step further is to create an Instagram page, and then promote a post encouraging others to join an event through your WhatsApp group. This approach helped me organize English-speaking yoga classes in Yiwu, China, a meditation group in Mexico City, and a vegan group in Armenia. If you’re having trouble finding a community in a city, chances are others are too, and bringing people together can be really fulfilling.

I hope you found some inspiration and motivation in the tools I shared. If you are traveling, definitely connect with me on Instagram, and maybe we too can meet up somewhere in the world.

Take care,

✌️