a young woman planning a traveling solo trip

Traveling solo can be one of the most liberating and memorable ways to see the world, but it doesn’t have to mean being lonely. With the right mindset, tools, and habits, solo travel can become a rich, social experience. Here are effective tips to stay social on your solo adventures, plus frequently asked questions, and why choosing the right place to stay (like Lub d) plays a huge role.

Why Socializing Matters When You Travel Alone

Boosts your experience: new friendships bring inside tips, shared laughter, and unexpected travel hacks.
Helps with safety: knowing people locally or fellow travelers can give peace of mind.
Brings deeper cultural connections and richer memories.

Top Tips to Stay Social While Traveling Solo in 2026

Here are practical ways to build connections while exploring by yourself:

1. Choose Social Accommodations

Opt for hostels, guesthouses, co-living spaces, or boutique “poshtels” that emphasize common areas, events, or community dinners. These places are designed to bring solo travelers together.
According to WorldTravelerGuide’s “Solo Traveler’s Guide to Making Friends in 2025”, staying in hostels with shared common areas or lounges is one of the best ways to naturally meet others.

2. Join Small Group Tours, Workshops, or Classes

Even one-day tours, cooking classes, dance classes, or local workshops give you something to do and discuss with others. Shared experiences build rapport fast.
As noted by The Daily Dive’s “12 Best Tips for Traveling Solo and Making Friends Along The Way”, participating in group activities makes socializing easier because you start with a shared interest.

3. Use Apps & Online Platforms to Connect Before and During Travel

In 2026, there are many tools built for solo travelers: Meetup, Backpackr, CouchSurfing (especially for meetups, not just accommodation), Travello, etc.

4. Be Open & Approachable

Simple things matter: smile, offer a compliment, ask a question (“Where did you eat dinner?” or “What brought you here?”). Sit in shared spaces (hostel lounges, café counters), not always alone in your room.
From Unblnd “How to Make Friends While Traveling Solo in 2026”, showing openness through small gestures makes initiating conversation much easier.

5. Attend Local Events, Festivals, or Community Activities

Finding local events is a great way to meet both locals and fellow travelers. These might include festivals, markets, live music, art exhibitions, or language exchange meetups.

6. Use Coworking Spaces & Social Cafés

If you’re working or traveling slowly, coworking spaces and cafés that attract travelers, digital nomads, or remote workers are excellent places to meet people. Shared desks, community boards, events, they all help.

Safety & Comfort Tips While Staying Social

Always check reviews of the accommodation or activities to make sure people report them as safe, welcoming, clean.
Keep your valuables secure, let someone you trust know your itinerary, stay in well-lit public spaces when meeting new people.

Be cautious about oversharing personal details until you really know someone.

FAQs: Solo Travel & Staying Social

Q: What if I’m shy or introverted? Are these tips still for me?
A: Absolutely. Many tips above (shared spaces, events, classes) are low-pressure. You don’t need to force conversation; small acts (smile, ask local questions) can open doors.

Q: Does staying in hostels always mean socializing?
A: Not always, some hostels are quiet or people isolate in their rooms. When booking, look for ones that advertise social activities or common areas. Read recent guest reviews about “social atmosphere.”

Q: How do I find local events or meetups when in a new place?
A: Use apps like Meetup, Facebook Events, Travello, and search hashtags on Instagram for the city you are in. Also, ask hostel staff, they often know what’s happening locally.

Q: Should I reach out to people before traveling?
A: It can help! Joining online groups for your destination lets you meet others ahead of time, share tips, maybe even coordinate meetups on arrival. But stay flexible, sometimes spontaneous connections are the best.

Travel Smartly: Budget Travel Tips & Staying Social

Here are a few more budget travel tips that pair nicely with staying social:

Mix hostels and budget hotels depending on how social or private you feel that day.
Cook or share meals in hostels or communal kitchens, cheap & social.

Use local transport, walk, join free walking tours to interact with locals and other travelers.

Why Lub d is Perfect for Social Solo Travelers

Choosing where to stay can strongly influence how social your trip becomes. That’s why Lub d is an excellent pick for solo travelers:

Lub d hostels offer dorm and private rooms, AND they have well-designed common areas (lounges, shared kitchens) that invite social interaction.
Their locations are usually in vibrant neighborhoods, near transit, food, and local nightlife, places where people naturally gather.
Lub d often runs or supports events, meetups, or social programs in their hostels, giving you built-in opportunities to meet others.

For solo travel on a budget, you’ll get comfort, safety, and a community under one roof, so you spend less time alone and more time making memories.

Final Thoughts

“Solo travel” does not have to mean “solo lonely.” In 2025, we will have more tools, more welcoming spaces, and more people interested in connection than ever before. By choosing social accommodations, joining local events, being open and friendly, and using apps smartly, you can turn your solo journey into one filled with friendships, shared adventures, and human moments you’ll never forget.

If you’re ready, pack light, bring your curiosity, and maybe book your next stay at Lub d to ensure you land in a space made for connection. Happy travels!