Making friends while traveling: Tips
Let’s be honest: making friends while traveling feels like being thrown into a reality show where everyone else already knows the script except you. You’re in a foreign country, holding a coconut, sweating in places you didn’t know could sweat, and suddenly expected to… socialize?! With strangers?! Who might be cool, or weird, or secretly on a spiritual journey involving kombucha?
And yet — somehow — travelers keep doing it.
People meet, bond, adventure, fall in love for 48 hours, and part ways like beautifully chaotic passing ships.
So how do THEY do it?
How are people out there effortlessly making friends while traveling while you’re trying to figure out if the bus you’re on is even going in the right direction?
Fear not.
Sit down.
Hydrate.
I’m about to teach you how to become the chaotic, magnetic, people-collecting travel gremlin you were always meant to be.
The Chaotic Truth About Making Friends While Traveling
Here’s the highly-classified, top-secret reality:
Nobody knows what they’re doing.
Not the guy confidently holding a map upside down.
Not the girl who looks like she’s been backpacking for 9 years but actually checked into her first hostel yesterday.
Not the couple arguing about whether coconuts count as hydration.
Travelers are all winging it.
And that is exactly why making friends while traveling is easier than making friends at home.
Everyone is off-balance, hungry, lost, sunburnt, and open to connection.
You are never alone.
You are surrounded by other confused nomads pretending they’ve got it together.
Go join them.
1. The “I’m Slightly Lost” Method (Your New Superpower)
This is the #1 friendship starter in the entire travel universe.
Say the following magical words:
“Hey, do you know if this is the right boat?”
Do they know?
Probably not.
Do they pretend to know?
Definitely yes.
Do you now have a friend?
Absolutely.
Shared confusion = instant bonding.
Bonus points if you’re both holding food.
2. Join an Activity That Guarantees Human Interaction
Now, I know what you’re thinking:
“I don’t want to be stuck with strangers for four hours.”
BUT LISTEN.
The easiest way of making friends while traveling is to trap yourself — kindly — in activities where humans are forced to communicate.
Examples that work EVERY TIME:
- A cooking class where someone WILL burn something
- A group hike where you will bond through mutual suffering
- A snorkel tour where someone swears they saw a shark (it was a leaf)
- A sunset boat trip where everyone becomes romantic philosophers
- A fruit tasting where you learn mangoes are slippery little demons
These situations create instant camaraderie, chaos, and shared memories.
Friendship speed-run unlocked.
3. Be Approachable Without Becoming a Cartoon Mascot
People think you need to be some hyper-extroverted cruise director to make friends.
WRONG.
You just need to look… slightly friendly.
Not “I’m gonna sell you essential oils” friendly.
Just “I’m open to human communication” friendly.
A smile.
A relaxed posture.
Eye contact that does not resemble a feral raccoon defending a trash can.
That’s it.
That’s the whole trick.
4. The One Invite Rule (Works 99% of the Time)
Here is the golden strategy of making friends while traveling:
After you vibe with someone even a little, say:
“We’re getting food later if you want to join.”
ONE invite.
Not two.
Not twelve.
Not begging.
One.
If they join — hello new friend.
If they don’t — peace and love, destiny has other humans for you.
5. Accept That Not Everyone Is Your People (and That’s Fine)
Some travelers will be instant soulmates.
Some will become lifelong friends.
Some will talk about crypto for two hours straight and you will spiritually evaporate.
That’s the travel game.
Take the good ones.
Leave the weird ones.
Collect stories like Pokémon.
6. Remember: Every Traveler Wants Friends Too
EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.
Even the confident ones.
Even the cool ones.
Even the girl doing yoga on the beach at 6am for “sun energy reasons.”
Travelers want connection.
They want conversation.
They want memories with actual human beings.
That’s why making friends while traveling works so beautifully — you’re all drifting around the world craving the same thing:
experiences shared with people who get it.
7. The Ultimate Mindset Shift: You Are Not a Burden
You don’t have to be interesting.
You don’t have to be charismatic.
You don’t have to have perfect hair or perfect travel pants.
You just have to be YOU.
Genuine, present, curious, slightly confused you.
People love that.
They relate to that.
They connect with that.
Travel brings out the version of you that people can actually approach.
And that version?
Is magnetic.
If you liked this post, here are 3 more you’ll love:
• Why I Pretend to Be an Influencer Every Time I Go on Vacation
• The Tragic Comedy of Forgetting the Most Important Thing on Every Trip
• My Lifelong Battle Trying to Stay Within Budget While Traveling (HAHA OKAY SURE)
