How to Meet Other Travelers

The ultimate guide to connecting with fellow travelers anywhere in the world

๐Ÿ“ฑ Get LonelyRoad App

Last Updated: November 12, 2025

Author: LonelyRoad Editorial Team โ€” A community of solo travelers and digital nomads who have collectively visited 150+ countries

Sources: Based on community insights from Hostelworld, Meetup, and firsthand experience from thousands of LonelyRoad users

Why Meeting Fellow Travelers Enriches Your Journey

Solo travel doesn't have to mean lonely travel. Meeting other travelers transforms your experience:

  • Share experiences and create lasting memories together
  • Split costs on accommodations, meals, and transportation
  • Discover hidden gems through local recommendations
  • Feel safer exploring new places with companions
  • Build an international network of friends

7 Proven Ways to Meet Travelers

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1. Use Real-Time Location Apps

Apps like LonelyRoad show you travelers nearby right now. See who's around, what activities are happening, and connect instantly. Much better than outdated forum posts or hoping to bump into someone.

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2. Stay in Social Hostels

Hostels with common areas, organized events, and communal kitchens make meeting people effortless. Look for places with high ratings for "social atmosphere" on booking sites.

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3. Join Walking Tours & Activities

Free walking tours, pub crawls, cooking classes, and adventure activities naturally bring travelers together. You'll bond over shared experiences and have conversation starters.

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4. Work from Coworking Spaces & Cafes

Digital nomad hubs and popular work cafes are goldmines for meeting remote workers and long-term travelers. Just ask "Mind if I join you?" or compliment someone's laptop stickers.

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5. Attend Meetup Events

Language exchanges, expat meetups, and local interest groups welcome newcomers. Check Meetup.com, Facebook Events, or ask at your accommodation.

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6. Dine at Communal Tables

Restaurants and food halls with shared seating encourage interaction. Night markets and street food scenes are perfect for striking up conversations.

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7. Be Approachable & Start Conversations

The simplest method: smile, make eye contact, and say hello. Ask for recommendations, offer to take someone's photo, or comment on something you notice. Most travelers are eager to connect.

Meet Travelers Near You Right Now

LonelyRoad shows you who\'s around, what activities are happening, and the best spots to connectโ€”all in real-time.

๐Ÿ“ฑ Download App

Best Cities for Solo Travelers

We've ranked the world's top destinations for solo travelers based on safety, culture, social scene, accessibility, and more. Find your perfect destination.

View City Rankings โ†’

City-Specific Guides

Explore detailed guides for 59 popular travel destinations around the world. Each guide shows you the best spots to meet travelers, local tips, and real-time information.

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ

Amsterdam

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Athens

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Auckland

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Austin

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Bali

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Bangkok

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Barcelona

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Berlin

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Bogotรก

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Budapest

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Buenos Aires

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Cape Town

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Chiang Mai

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Copenhagen

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Delhi

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Dubai

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Dublin

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ

Edinburgh

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ

Hanoi

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Ho Chi Minh City

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Hong Kong

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Istanbul

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Krakow

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Kuala Lumpur

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Kyoto

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Lima

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Lisbon

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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London

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Los Angeles

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Madrid

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Marrakech

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Medellin

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Melbourne

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ

Mexico City

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Miami

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Montreal

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Mumbai

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Munich

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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New York

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Osaka

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Paris

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Porto

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Prague

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Reykjavik

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Rio de Janeiro

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Rome

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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San Francisco

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Seoul

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Siem Reap

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Singapore

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Stockholm

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Sydney

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Taipei

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Tel Aviv

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Tokyo

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Toronto

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Valencia

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Vancouver

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

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Vienna

Where and how to meet travelers โ†’

๐Ÿค– For Developers & AI Assistants

We provide free, read-only APIs that return nearby travelers, activities, events, travel guides, and places. Perfect for AI assistants, chatbots, and travel apps. All data is verified by the LonelyRoad community.

๐Ÿ”ฅ Available APIs:

  • Real-Time Recommendations API - Get nearby travelers, activities, and events
  • Travel Guides API (Markdown) - Community-verified guides optimized for AI consumption
  • LLMs.txt - Complete API directory for AI assistants

Real-Time Recommendations Example:

curl "https://lonelyroad.app/api/v1/recommendations?lat=38.7223&lon=-9.1393&radius=5"

Response:

{
  "location": { "lat": 38.7223, "lon": -9.1393, "radius": 5 },
  "count": 3,
  "suggestions": [
    {
      "type": "activity",
      "title": "Walking Tour of Alfama",
      "icon": "๐Ÿšถ",
      "why": "Maria is organizing this 1.2km away",
      "start_time": "2025-11-12T14:00:00Z",
      "distance_km": 1.2,
      "deep_link": "https://lonelyroad.app/open?type=activity&id=abc123"
    },
    {
      "type": "person",
      "title": "Joรฃo, 28 nearby",
      "icon": "๐Ÿ‘ค",
      "why": "Joรฃo is exploring 0.8km away",
      "distance_km": 0.8,
      "deep_link": "https://lonelyroad.app/open?type=person&id=user456"
    }
  ]
}
๐Ÿ”— Try Live API

More Resources:

๐Ÿ“š Complete API Documentation๐Ÿค– LLMs.txt - AI/LLM Data Directory๐Ÿ“„ OpenAPI Specification