When Forbes asked me to share some tips on how to tackle loneliness on the road, I was like, loneliness on the road, really? There are so many people I could potentially meet than back home! But, I get it, it really is not the same for everyone. I hardly ever feel lonely when travelling, it's really super rare. Or nobody, which I am completely fine with too, I do think I was always good by myself, I don't need people to entertain me.
But, I get it, it really is not the same for everyone. I hardly ever feel lonely when travelling, it's really super rare. Or nobody, which I am completely fine with too, I do think I was always good by myself, I don't need people to entertain me.
My thinking is if I really want to meet people while travelling, I will. Literally anywhere in this world. Often, I also catch up with people again and again in many different places.
Therefore, I have friends who I have met in Chiang Mai, then caught up in Spain and later in the year saw in Bangkok. Or family and friends from back home come join me for parts of the journey. It's great to travel that way, mix it up, have an ever expanding circle of cool people to share the passion of travel with!
Or family and friends from back home come join me for parts of the journey. Like in the photo below, I was swinging along with my best friend on a dreamy beach while travelling through the Philippines together. It's great to travel that way, mix it up, have an ever expanding circle of cool people to share my passion of travel with!
Selfie, Camera Timer or Asking Strangers?
Also, I think long-term travel has made me a more independent and confident person and I am not scared to be by myself or go out exploring even though there is nobody to go with me, it's all part of the adventure.
But then, who takes all the awesome shots you ask?
I am quite happy to ask people to take a photo of me, what's the big deal. Just aim for somebody with a big camera dangling around their head already and you can be safe to know that he takes decent photos. And I even get the camera timer on many times. Like in this shot below. I think I have a lot more patience with myself to get the right shot than some stranger cutting off my feet in the photo anyways.
That being said, it's great to share travel stories and moments with other people and that's why there is some help out there if you are looking for some advice on how to meet and connect with other travellers.
Stay in a Hostel
Nowhere else you'll meet so many new people in one spot than in a hostel. It's a great way to exchange stories from the road and have a fun night out or simply join up and explore places together. Most of the time, hostels offer activities and tours too, try join them and making new friends along the way will be a breeze.
Many hostels put on themed nights, karaoke or pub crawls which are worth joining in care you need a drink to loosen your tongue. No everybody is the same. But just think about this: most people are probably in a very similar situation than you, travelling solo and not knowing anybody. Be open, friendly and most of all be yourself!
Jump on the Lonely Planet Forum
I only recently joined Lonely Planet's Thorntree Forum and was super surprised how alive it is! I thought forums were old and well, dead.. Ha, turns out they are not. It's very much active and people are so fast in replying, it's crazy!
Browse through threats by country or interest and you can even find travel buddy on there. I even saw some housesitting opportunities on there lately.
Use Travello App
Travello is a mobile app, connecting you to like-minded travellers on the go. It's easy to discover and connect with people around you as it's location based. Additionally, you can explore trips of other people and match your travel plans if you are looking for a travel buddy. I had some cool tips and connections coming through it so far!
The app also has an integration to find wifi anywhere in the world, which is super useful when you arrive in a new city and Starbucks for once has no free Internet – yes, I am looking at you, Thailand!
Post a question on the noticeboard and chat in the app directly, get advice from locals or attend events in a new destination, it's so easy!
Ein von Carolin (@breathingtravel) gepostetes Foto am
Join Meetups
A neat little website to find events happening around your location categorised by interest. You can literally find anything on here, from fitness classes to photography walk to arts' workshops to unique things like astronomy catch ups and so much more.
There is an app for iOs and Android which makes it easy to check out meetups and RSVP on the go.
Additionally, Couchsurfing is not only a great way to get a free space to put your head down but there are regular Couchsurfing meetups in many cities too. I attended some awesome ones in Chiang Mai!
Digital Nomad specific communities
As a digital nomad I enjoy meeting all sorts of travellers but also lean toward meeting like-minded people who I can exchange the newest marketing hacks and startup ideas with, something you may not do with regular backpackers so much. There are many Facebook groups for digital nomads, just make use of Facebook's search function and put and city/country in combination with digital nomad and you will surely get heaps of results.
Then there is the Slack Chat HashtagNomads, serving as a social network for digital nomads with over 10k people on it already. Also, check Find a nomad, and NomadForum.io, even Quora is worth a look. And of course meetup.com has nomad specific meetups and even in the Travello App you can search specifically for digital nomads.
Get on Instagram
Last but not least! You know how much I love Instagram and it's not only great for amazing photos and videos but I love leveraging it to connect to people too. I search places on there, stalk menus, recommendations and chat with people.
How do I find the right people though between the 500 million people who use the app? I search hashtags and locations and many people have their current location in their profile too, so it's really too easy to not use.
How do you connect and meet with other travellers? Let me know in the comments below.
Please note, this post may contain affiliate links, which means that – at absolutely no cost to you – we earn a small commission on sales generated through this website. We only recommend sites we actually use and thank you for your support!
