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on February 22, 2021 For many of us, solo travel is the ultimate way to explore the world. You don’t need to compromise on where you go, what you do, what time you get up, or anything else. Solo travel is ultimate freedom in every sense of the world, and a fantastic way to reconnect to yourself and all that you enjoy. But similarly, there are so many wonderful benefits when you choose to travel with people. Experiences are often best shared, and travel is a wonderful vehicle for creating new friendships based on a shared passion. If you are a solo traveller looking to connect with like-minded folk and wondering ‘where can I find a travel buddy?’, you’ve come to the right place.
Below we’ve rounded up a few different options for how to find a travel partner. However, before agreeing to travel with anyone please ensure you have done your due diligence, asked the right questions and are confident that both your travel plans and wishes are aligned, so as to avoid uncomfortable situations later down the line.
Social media
Social media is a great way of connecting with new people (or reconnecting with old friends) so if you’re wondering how to find travel buddies, this is a great place to start. Facebook is probably the best social media platform to find a travel partner, and a simple search will help you discover a whole range of relevant community group. These could be dedicated to solo travel, general backpacking groups, or based around specific hobbies and interests.
If you are an Instagram user, it’s also worth sharing your story on your feed and including relevant hashtags, so others can discover your content and potentially help connect you to a new travel partner in crime.
Specialist travel buddy apps and websites
When asking ‘where can I find a travel buddy?’, another option are the specialist travel buddy apps and websites out there in the digital world. Travel Buddies for example, is a free social media network that allows you to connect with others on the hunt for a travel partner. Another example is GAFFL, who promise you’ll ‘get a friend for life’. This website is well designed and easy to use – you can search and select the destination you are travelling to, find travel partners, and then connect to those you want to start chatting with in a secure environment. Once matched with a partner, you can even start splitting the cost of your trip in advance and begin the planning process.
Traveller forums
If you’re not a big fan of apps, a traveller forum could be a good resolve when wondering how to find a travel partner. As well as striking up conversation with a new thread, you can scroll through old threads to pick up invaluable tips, insights and warnings. Thorn Tree from Lonely Planet, has been going since 1996 and is one of the most reputable places for travellers to connect, share experiences and seek answers to questions. If you are an older traveller wondering about travel companions for seniors, this could be a good option as a number of older travellers use the forum.
Tripadvisor also has a dedicated section of their website called Tripadvisor Forums, where may travellers ask questions, seek advice and share experiences. You can browse the forum by destination or theme, with the dedicated solo traveller topic hosting invaluable information.
Organised tours
For those solo adventurers that don’t want the hassle of having to find and connect with travel buddies in advance, travelling with an organised tour is a fantastic way to meet like minded travellers.
Choosing to travel solo with a company like Trafalgar Tours, means that you still get all the benefits of solo travel, but with the peace of mind that a reputable business is taking care of you. Trafalgar will organise your accommodation, transport and the majority of your meals and experiences, but best of all you’ll instantly walk into a group of new friends. So many travellers choose to travel on an organised tour solo, and the hassle free nature of this style of travel also makes it appealing for single parents, given Trafalgar has a number of dedicated single parent tours and activities. If you’re asking ‘where can I find a travel buddy?’, don’t want to go down the online route and want a hassle free, stress free experience, an organised tour could be just what you’re looking for.
Do you have any tips for people wanting to know ‘where can I find a travel buddy?’. Share them in the comments below…
