How to connect with local communities: a guide for solo female travelers

Whether you’re looking to connect with other solo travelers, or you’re looking for some simple tips on how to meet people when traveling alone, we have you covered! No matter what your personality type is - introverted, extroverted, both, neither - bonding with fellow like-minded people can make your adventures all the more memorable and enriching.

Regardless of where you are in the world, for solo female travelers, there are numerous ways to meet people while traveling. Let’s explore our suggestions on how to meet people whilst traveling solo…

Try a house sit or pet sitting

The advice to stay in a hostel may sound like a default option to the more seasoned travelers. But having the opportunity to stay in a real home, particularly one with pets, is perfect way to meet other pet-minded people.

If you’re looking for a more authentic, local experience, a house sit may be what you’re looking for. As well as being able to directly connect and meet local people and families, you’ll have the chance to experience life in different communities by caring of other people’s pets and homes.

Local dog parks

Pet sitting a paw-some pooch? Why not use a walk to their local dog park as a means to make new friends! Pet people love talking about, well, pets, and whilst you’re caring for someone else’s fabulous fur-baby, take advantage of it as a great conversation starter. Striking up a conversation with a fellow dog enthusiast could open up opportunities to connect with both local communities and like-minded people.

Free walking tours

No matter where you are, we cannot stress the benefits of doing any free walking tours. Firstly, they’re free, duh! Secondly, they attract other interesting people (like yourself) and can provide a vast amount of local knowledge to help integrate you into the community whilst you stay. Guides will nearly always be happy to chat during or after said tours and can help you connect with solo travelers like yourself.

Free walking tours

No matter where you are, we cannot stress the benefits of doing any free walking tours. Firstly, they’re free, duh! Secondly, they attract other interesting people (like yourself) and can provide a vast amount of local knowledge to help integrate you into the community whilst you stay. Guides will nearly always be happy to chat during or after said tours and can help you connect with solo travelers like yourself.

Social media - particularly Facebook groups

The power of social media! Facebook groups remain the best ways to connect with other solo travelers whilst you’re out and about. For solo female travelers, other social media platforms, particularly Instagram, are a great way to find out if any of your connections are in nearby. You may be surprised at who else you can bump into in the most random of places!

Solo travel websites, online communities, and apps

There are dozens of solo travel websites out there. Literally. Some you have to pay for, whilst others are more about that community feel. One of our top solo travel websites is meetup.com which lists events, classes, tours, and activities all over the globe that are free for fellow travelers to participate in.

For online communities and apps on how to meet people while traveling, you can download niche travel apps like EatWith for food tourists. Or for those looking to broaden their search for new friends, try Thelma and Louise (they have a great find a buddy feature).

Do a local cooking class

Most cultures have a strong connection with food. Honestly, try to name a country or culture that doesn’t have some identity around its meals, for better or worse! So, by taking a local cooking class not only will you have some tasty tips to take home, you can bond with other fellow travelers and keen cooks. A local cooking class is normally quite intimate, with no more than 10 or so people.

If you’re feeling bold, take it one step further and suggest partnering up with a stranger during one of the lessons!

Try to learn some of the local languages

For many solo female travelers, this is a rule of thumb! But brushing up on some local phrases opens the door to meeting local people more easily. Free apps like Duolingo and Memrise, or cheap paid apps like Babbel, can offer some helpful phrases to make new friends and discover localized experiences.

Volunteer

If you’re keen to spend time giving back to a local community, as well as meet new people, volunteering is an excellent way to do both. Incorporate one of your own passions - animal welfare, offering access to education, helping the environment - into your solo trip. For solo female travelers, this is a perfect way to meet other similar-minded people.

Stay positive and be kind to yourself

Solo traveling is in so many ways an incredible experience. But there will be times when you feel tired, drained, or simply not in the mood to meet people. And that’s okay! You’ve taken the leap to do a solo trip, so remember to be kind to yourself every day to make sure you care for yourself as much as you have fun.

Related article: Melissa and Michael's story: what it's like being part of the pack

When it comes to solo travel, meeting people can be easier in some places than others. Similarly, your personality type and mood will determine how to meet people while traveling as a solo woman, or even if you want to at a particular stop! To kick-start your potential travel plans, read our tips for solo female travelers before checking out our list of the safest places in Europe for solo female travelers.