Afraid to travel alone? When travelling, you meet lots of people!

In the reasons that keep you from going on a trip, “I’m afraid to be alone” comes to mind! And yet, you will never be alone! On a trip, you meet a lot of people!

Unless you fervently wish it, you won’t be alone on a solo trip. The great journey is the time of encounters, of new faces, of strangers
 
However, be careful with the advice that follows: it all depends on your attitude, on the communication you are capable of towards complete strangers from different countries and cultures. Your path will be well travelled by all kinds of curious and open-minded travellers and locals. They may not always have the same goals, age or style as you do, but you will find them on your way, rest assured. The fear of being alone on a trip will become your last worry after a week of immersion!

It’s easy enough to make friends on a trip and sometimes even real friends…

Meet other travellers in youth hostels, guesthouses or hostels 

 
These accommodations are full of long-distance travellers. As they are quite cheap, these hostels are more frequented by young people but it is no longer exceptional to meet older people: from 50 to 78 years old!
In these affordable places, you will mostly meet people who are not from the country and the majority will be backpackers. It is often there, on a piece of sofa, a dormitory, a kitchen or a terrace that you can get to know these other travellers like you. Depending on the country, a fully equipped kitchen is available, so we cook, discuss, taste and share. It’s a great place for exchange. 
 

In youth hostels, don’t be shy, be curious about others, listen to their stories and you will have the chance to meet extraordinary people


For my part, the dormitory is one of the best places in the world to meet people. In this type of establishment, you will certainly not find yourself alone spending your evenings locked in your room. Many people find that sleeping in a dormitory is horrible. For me, it suits me very well. It’s also a place where people can help each other and observe the strange animals that humans are.

 

Couchsurfing: sleep on a local couch, it’s free and you meet some nice people

 

If your aim is to immerse yourself in the local life of the country, this is perfect. You’ll be staying with someone who lives there and with whom you can learn a lot about the local culture. Plus, it’s free. There are different websites, registration is often paid for, but if you use it, you’ll gain from it.

The Airbnb: it’s paying and not always local, but why not?

 

Years ago, at the very beginning, the Airbnb really offered multicultural exchanges. We used to meet up with old friends, for a fee of course.
Today, it’s more about making money. You can find Airbnb at 500 euros a night. With a bit of luck you will also be able to find a nice host who will have time to take care of you. The locals are a mine of information to get to know the country. But they still need to be willing to communicate and respect your wishes. I’ve come across a few surprising examples: don’t do this, don’t do that, where are you going, where did you go, where did you come from… And the criticism: don’t buy that, go there… (sigh). But in general, the exchanges are nice. 

Couchsurfing and Airbnb also have a disadvantage

 

In this type of accommodation, you meet people but you don’t do what you want to do: go and meet your friends, come home at 4:00 in the morning, rest all day or immerse yourself in a book or work all afternoon… A couchsurfing is not a hotel where no one will ask you for an account.

Facebook pages and other websites dedicated to expats or travellers on the move : the perfect social média for solo explorer

 
Do you feel lonely, lost in this big city? Check out the FB pages! (French in New Zealand, Expats in South Africa, etc.). Almost every country has a small community of expats or travellers on the web.
Register and follow the news. You will find appointments where other people meet for a drink. It’s a perfect place to know new people! Difficult to list them as they are so numerous, ask your favourite search engine.
 

Organised tours and public transportations are a perfect way to meet people while travelling

 

Meet the other visitors in the Free Walking Tours

 
In almost every major city in the world there are the famous Free Walking Tours. A volunteer guide can be found at a meeting point, usually in the city centre. He often distinguishes himself with a coloured umbrella. This guide may be a professional, a student or a recent graduate who makes extra money. But not only: these young people use the tours to practise their English and learn from foreigners. Whoever they are, they are well-informed, friendly and knowledgeable. So they take the group on a walk, explaining architecture, history, traditions, etc. 
The guide’s salary is at your discretion as the tour is paid with your donation. You give a tip, from 0.50 cents to 10€… or more! To your good heart. So free but… it’s up to you.
In the group thus formed, you will find lots of people like you… and also locals! After the tour, meet up for a coffee or a drink if your schedules match. If you find them nice and feel a bit lonely, offer to spend the evening together or meet up the next day to visit the museum. This is one way to meet people like you on a trip.
 

Organised paid tours bring together several travellers, so it is also a meeting place

 
Well, you got it and the list is long: safari, tour, circuit, walking, sightseeing…
We pay the transport, the guide by the day or by the week, it depends. Again, there is little chance that you will be alone. You will find many other travellers like you who will be very happy to meet you. And why not, meet up again for other explorations in the country!
 

Public transport: a great place to meet the locals and other travellers

 
On public transport you will never be alone. Take the opportunity to spot other travellers or connect with locals. Sometimes it’s a bit tuff, but a 12-hour bus or train journey gives you time to get to know your neighbours. Plus, it’s a great place to collect information about your next destination, a hostel name, things to see or do.
If you always use private (and therefore expensive) transport, your chances of meeting people, locals or travellers, are more reduced.
 

Taxis: if you get together, you’ll never travel alone!

 
Ask around if anyone is going in the same direction and offer to share the taxi! It’s also a way to get together and it’s economical!
Many of them are much younger than you are, but it doesn’t matter, age shouldn’t stop you from casting off!

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