How to Make Friends While Traveling Solo as an introvert

-

Travelling solo is exciting… until the introvert in you whispers, “But how do I talk to new people?”

If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. A lot of solo travelers want to make friends on the road but struggle with starting conversations, approaching strangers, or knowing when to open up.

The good news? You don’t need to be loud, outgoing, or super social to build meaningful connections while travelling. 

This blog is your gentle guide through practical, realistic, and introvert-friendly ways to make friends while travelling solo

1. Be Approachable: Body Language Matters Here

You don’t need to smile at everyone like a maniac.
Just avoid looking unapproachable.

Do this:

  • Don’t stay on your phone the whole time

  • Keep your headphones off in social places

  • Make eye contact (just a second is enough)

  • Sit in common areas, not corners

People talk to people who seem open to talking.

2. Say YES More Often (Safely!)

When someone says:
 “Hey, we’re going for chai, want to join?”
 Or “We’re watching the sunset at the beach; wanna come?”

Say yes if you feel safe.

These tiny yeses create the best friendships.

3. Share Parts of Your Story, Not Your Entire Life History

People don’t bond over perfect introductions.
They bond over relatable stories.

Share things like:

  • Why did you choose to travel solo

  • A funny travel fail

  • Something you want to explore

  • What you love about the city you’re in

Keep it light. Keep it real.

4. Remember: Everyone Is Just as Nervous as You

The biggest myth:
 “Everyone else finds it easy to make friends except me.”

Not true.

Solo travelers are usually:

  • nervous

  • excited

  • curious

  • and hoping someone else will start the conversation

You’re not alone in feeling awkward.
 Everyone is just trying their best.

5. Respect Boundaries: Yours & Theirs

Not everyone wants to socialize.
Sometimes you won’t want to.

That’s okay.

If someone seems in a hurry, in their headphones, or uninterested, give them space.
The goal is connection, not forcing conversations.

6. Stay in Touch After the Trip Ends

The best solo travel friendships often turn into:

  • future travel partners

  • career connections

  • people you meet again years later

Exchange Instagram or WhatsApp before you leave.
A simple “Hey, it was great meeting you!” goes a long way.

Final Thoughts: Solo Travel Isn’t Solo Forever

Making friends while traveling solo isn’t about being outgoing.
It’s about being open.

If you want more solo-travel tips, especially the basics everyone should know before starting their journey, make sure you check out Blog 1 (click here).

I covered the first four must-know solo travel tips. It completes this guide and will help you travel smarter, safer, and more confidently.

Happy travelling, and yes, you’re absolutely capable of making amazing friends on the road.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why I Invested in a Travel Course (and You Should Too!)

-
Image
I'm obsessed with travel. New cultures , hidden gems & unique adventures. ➡️My ultimate goal? Travel the world AND make a living doing it! But between you and me, planning trips can be heck expensive and difficult to plan! That's why I recently decided to invest in a travel hacking course by Aakanksha Monga , a Forbes-featured travel creator with a ton of experience. Here is what I learnt: 1. How to effortlessly choose your next travel destination by considering factors like budget, travel style, and trip duration. 2. Crack the visa process and flight deals by hidden Chrome extensions and AI hacks .  3. Key steps for budget, travel style, expense tracking apps , and hidden cost-saving tricks .  4. How to travel almost for free, including ways to secure sponsored stays , meals, and trips. 5.  Learn from initial research to discovering hidden gems and using the right apps and methods for smooth travel without any hassle. 6. Learn essential tips and techniques for...
Read more

How to Choose Your Next City as a Digital Nomad: A Real Checklist(Part 1)

-
Choosing your next city as a digital nomad can feel exciting… and overwhelming. There are too many options, everyone's giving different advice, and Instagram makes every place look perfect. But when you’re working full-time on the road, the city you pick can make or break your routine, your mood, and your productivity. So here’s a real, practical, tool-backed checklist that helps you choose a city you’ll actually thrive in, not just visit for cute photos. 1. Cost of Living (Your Biggest Non-Negotiable) Before falling in love with a city, check if your wallet will survive it. The good news? You don’t have to guess. Tools to Use Numbeo: Compare the cost of living between two cities Nomad List: Real-time prices from actual digital nomads Expatistan: Quick comparison charts Google Flights + AirDNA: Estimate travel and stay costs What to Check Rent for a private room/apartment Food + coffee cost (because you’ll be working from cafés) Transport prices Mobile data + WiFi Any hidden costs ...
Read more

What 6 Months of Travel Actually Looks Like in Different Parts of the World (Based on Budget)

-
 I f you read the first blog, you already know the real cost of traveling for six months. Now let’s answer the next big question: “Okay… but what kind of life do I actually get for that money?” Because trust me, $6,000 in Southeast Asia ≠ $6,000 in Europe. So let’s break down what six months feels like in different regions, starting with the budgets. 1. Southeast Asia: The Classic Budget Haven 6-Month Budget: $3,500 – $7,000 Monthly: $600 – $1,200 What your life looks like: Beach cafés with surprisingly fast WiFi $1–$3 street food that tastes better than home Hostels for the price of a coffee Weekend island hopping just because New friends from 10 different countries every week Best for: First-time long-term travelers, remote workers, slow travelers, and low-budget explorers. 2. Eastern Europe: Europe Without the Painful Prices 6-Month Budget: $6,000 – $10,500 Monthly: $1,000 – $1,800 What your life looks like: Cute cobblestone towns at half the Western Europe price Clean,...
Read more

What No One Tells You About Traveling Solo While Working Full-Time

-
Everyone loves the idea of “work from anywhere.” A beach. A coffee shop. A pretty Airbnb in the mountains. But here’s the truth: Working full-time while traveling solo is not the aesthetic lifestyle social media sells. It’s exciting, yes. But it’s also chaotic, lonely, liberating, exhausting, and transformative all at once. Here’s what no one really talks about: 1. You’re always juggling time zones Working across continents means early calls, late emails, and constant confusion. Half your planning is just adjusting clocks. Your sleep schedule stops making sense, but somehow you adapt. 2. Eating alone becomes normal (and peaceful) Solo meals feel awkward at first, but soon they become comforting. You start enjoying the quiet moments and actually tasting your food. Eating alone turns into a small daily ritual. 3. Your suitcase becomes your whole personality Your life shrinks into a backpack and a carry-on. Packing clothes, chargers, adapters, you become a pro at organizing. Every i...
Read more

What happens when you travel for long

-
  We glamorize travel so much that sometimes we forget the emotional side of it. New places, new cultures, and freedom; yes, all that is amazing. But when you start living out of a suitcase for weeks or months, reality hits in ways Instagram never shows. Let’s talk about that. The real, honest, emotional side.
Read more

How to Save Money While Traveling for Months (Without Feeling Miserable)

-
If you’ve ever planned a long trip, I am talking 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, or even a year, you’ll notice something funny. Every blog tells you to “cook more” and “book flights early,” but no one tells you how people actually afford to stay on the road for that long. After months of slow travel (and too many budget spreadsheets), here are the real, work-in-the-wild money-saving tricks that long-term travelers actually use. Let’s break it down step by step. 1. Slow travel is your biggest superpower Moving fast is fun for two weeks. Moving fast for months? You’ll burn through your savings like wildfire. Slow travel cuts costs in every area: cheaper monthly accommodation fewer flights less paid transportation No rush bookings, better deals from hosts Staying 3–6 weeks in one place gives you stability and savings. Even Airbnb hosts will drop prices if you're staying longer. 2. House-sitting and pet-sitting = free accommodation You’d be shocked at how many people travel the world wit...
Read more

How to Manage Language Barriers While Traveling (Without Stress) - Part 2

-
  One of the biggest worries travelers have, even after their first few trips, is this: “What if the basics aren’t enough?” The truth is, once you move beyond simple phrases and gestures, language barriers can still show up in unexpected moments. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck or doing something wrong. Managing language barriers at a deeper level is about confidence, cultural awareness, and knowing how to adapt when things don’t go as planned. Here’s how experienced travelers handle those situations smoothly, even when words completely fail.
Read more