Is solo travel lonely?

Many are under the misconception that travelling solo means you’re alone the whole time, but that’s far from the truth. Meeting people when travelling solo is easier than you think.

There have been times when I can’t get rid of people and want time to myself. Society tends to associate being alone with wanting company, even though that’s not always true.

As a person on their own seems more accessible, people are more likely to approach and initiate conversations on your solo sojourns. They may even want to take you under their wing and assume they’re doing you a favour, as in the minds of some, there’s no possible way you want to travel by yourself – you must need the company.

Sometimes, I appreciate the company and indulge, while other times, I want my alone time. Life is, after all, all about balance.

Alone doesn’t necessarily mean lonely

As I want this post to be an honest account, I sat here and asked myself – do I get lonely while travelling solo? (*pondering*). I concluded that as I had to think about it, the answer must be no. However, whether you get lonely depends on the kind of individual you are, the length of your trip and how you feel at the time – emotions come and go.

Another question is – what is your solo trip for? You may want to get away from people and take comfort in the solitude or use the time for relaxation, reflection, or creativity. On the other hand, you could hate it and miss the familiarity, but you don’t know until you try.

If you do feel lonely while travelling solo, there are plenty of ways to meet new people and stay connected in a way that balances your alone time with opportunities to socialise.

How do you meet people when travelling solo?

In transit

Don’t write me off as a crazy lady who goes around speaking to anybody, but sometimes, things just happen naturally. You could meet people before reaching your destination. Conversation could ensue while boarding or on the plane.

There’s been a few times I’ve met people in this situation. We struck up a conversation (usually about a delayed flight!), and we ended up sharing a transfer to our destination and sometimes exchanging details.

We often stand out as tourists on our travels, and it can be easy to recognise other travellers, solo or otherwise. More often than not, you will both be open to conversations and ways that we can assist each other.

You’ll be surprised how many other solo travellers you’ll meet on your journeys. Furthermore, as you and your fellow solo traveller already have a commonality, along with being pretty easy to spot, conversations can be easy to initiate. Situations may arise where we can help each other overcome certain obstacles along the way.

It could be as simple as asking, “Do you know what time the next bus is?” or “Do you know where X is?”. It could turn out that you’re both going to the same tourist site and sharing a taxi is more convenient and halves the cost.

Plan accommodation strategically – Hotel or Hostel

Depending on what type of traveller you are, the best way to socialise while travelling solo would be to stay in a hostel. I’ve never been a hostel person, and I’m too old to start now. That said, hostels are a great way to interact with others if you are.

Depending on the length of your trip, staying in a hotel over renting an entire apartment to yourself means you are less isolated and can offer the opportunity to meet new people. Conversations are often instigated around the pool or on the beach, at breakfast or in other communal spaces.

When choosing your hotel, check out the reviews of what fellow solo travellers say about the accommodation, such as location and distance from the main points of interest. Avoid places in the middle of nowhere, especially when not driving.

Stay at a AirBnB guesthouse or with a hosting family

Staying at a guesthouse or an Airbnb with a host is a unique way to get a local experience. This accommodation allows you to meet new people and immerse yourself in cultural exchanges you would not experience when staying at hotels or hostels.  

While visiting the Nubian Village in Egypt, I stayed at a guesthouse, which provided great insight into local culture and was like staying with family. This kind of holiday accommodation is popular in Cuba, where you can stay at a “casa” – the Cuban answer to bed & breakfast.

Do tours and excursions

Joining group tours or activities and attending local events and classes are great ways to meet fellow travellers and locals. You could even end up making lasting friendships.

I have met numerous people while on my solo travels, many of which I am still in touch with today. Some were travelling solo, some with groups and some were locals. I’ve even met up with them in their native country since initially meeting them, and with their local knowledge and insight, I experienced way more than I would have otherwise.

When you book a tour, you can see the country, embrace the culture, have a great time and interact with others. I prefer small group tours booked through Get Your Guide and Viator, which are apps that offer tours worldwide. Additionally, most cities will offer a free walking tour, another great way to interact with fellow travellers.

If you wish, you could also use social apps or join online travel communities to connect with likeminded individuals.

Plan your itinerary

Plan your trip by looking up all the exciting and awe-inspiring things to do in the country you plan to visit.

Before your trip, look on Get Your Guide and Viator, see what activities are available at your intended destination and make a wish list. Schedule accordingly to fill your days, giving you enough balance for alone time and social interaction.

Your itinerary doesn’t have to be set in stone, but it gives you an idea of how you will spend your days. Should your plans change, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity is due to commence free of cost.

Tours, excursions and local activities are a great way to occupy your time. You’ll have no time to be lonely because your days will be fun-filled, and at the same time, you may meet new people.

Be open

We can often read energy and tell whether it’s ok to approach. We read social cues, and if you’re open, people will approach you, whereas if you seem closed off, they won’t. Depending on the country you’re visiting, if the culture of the people is warm and open, then being approached may be the norm.

People have just stopped to talk to me in Egypt, Senegal and Morocco, and I’ve been called over and offered tea and conversation. I’ve gone on tours with people I’ve stopped and talked to, and we’re still friends and keep in contact. I’ve even had a marriage proposal (it was a no from me – lol), so you never know – you may even meet the one.

Safety first!

Safety is a consideration, and discernment and intuition come into play. I’m not saying to go around talking to everyone. However, my point is that natural situations arise more than you would think, where conversations ensue.

Travelling allows us to appreciate the uniqueness of each culture, and demonstrating an open-minded approach could lead to positive and impactful interactions.

Locals often appreciate travellers who show interest in their culture and are usually willing to offer directions, advice, or recommendations.

Generally speaking, people are helpful when travelling solo, and you can build an affinity with fellow solo travellers. Conversations with fellow solo travellers are easy as you both immediately have common ground and will draw inspiration from each other.

Fellow travellers can also offer great tips or new places to visit. You may also find from talking to people from different walks of life that there is a good takeaway from said conversations that could shift your perspective.

I have met some inspiring people on my travels, and you’ll be surprised how many kind and helpful humans you can meet on yours!

Learn the language

Learning the language of a country you’re planning to visit can be a fantastic way to connect with locals and enhance your travel experience. Download Google Translate and Duolingo, and start with simple phrases.

Listen to podcasts and local radio, take a short course, or practice with native speakers online. Immersing yourself in the language can make your travels more meaningful and enjoyable. You’ll experience far more with basic language skills.

Conclusion

Travelling solo is a great way to meet new people if you’re open, but it may sometimes get lonely, depending on the individual you are and the situation. Many solo travellers, myself included, find solo travel liberating and empowering and enjoy the freedom to explore at their own pace.

It’s highly probable that instead of feeling lonely, you will be living your best life, meeting new people, immersing yourself in different cultures, being present and realising you can do way more than you thought.

You may even find solo travel addictive, but if you ever feel lonely, there are often opportunities to connect with others along the way.