5 ways solo travel helps you meet new people

One of the greatest things to come out of that long stretch of hampered travel freedom and social isolation, is a renewed desire for connection. Not only do we want to see places beyond our own backyard, but we’re eager to meaningfully meet fresh faces. And luckily for us both, one of the best and most fulfilling ways to do just that is through solo travel in a small group. Read on to see how seeing the world solo with National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures helps you build bonds with your fellow travellers, local guides, the people you meet along the way, and yourself.

Meet your new best travel friends

When we say ‘solo traveller’ we're talking about those adventurous folks who want to see the world independent of people in their lives joining them. Can they also be single and looking for companionship? Sure, why not! Travel opens hearts and minds and lets you see how others react to all kinds of situations.

Are they kind? Supportive? Respectful? The inherent challenges and unexpected moments of travel let you see who a person really is and how that meshes with who you are. So many of our small group travellers go on to become great friends and, yes, even life partners. It always warms our heart when we welcome back honeymooners or adventure buddies who met on a previous tour.

Meet like-minded people on: Explore Jordan

Travel solo, not alone

For some, it’s easy to conflate being solo with being alone. That is most definitely not the case with us. In fact, our ratio of solo travellers to paired up friends and couples is a roughly 40 / 60 split. Most of our tours tend to have a 60 / 40 split of women to men which makes for a nice overall balance and a female-friendly environment.

You even get a travel buddy right off the hop as we pair solo travellers with a same-sex roomie. It’s our way of eliminating the dreaded “single supplement” that typically burdens solo travellers with higher costs than couples. If more alone time and added privacy is a must, we’ve got a room to yourself for a great price too.

Travel for yourself, not by yourself on: Natural Highlights of Costa Rica

Small group travel as a gateway

Part of what drives some solo travellers is the ultimate goal of going at it fully alone. But let’s be real — that is pretty stressful in some destinations especially for first-timers. They say figuring things out for yourself builds character, but it also chews up energy and can get in the way of a good time. What if you had a friendly local guide to lean on instead? Ours handle all kinds of logistics as part of the tour, but they also help pave the way for solo excursions and moments that’d be hard to come by on your own. Plus, ours come with specialized training and deep, locally informed knowledge that’ll turn you into a resident expert in no time.

And hey, it’s quite likely that a fellow traveller is also looking to beef up their solo travel skills. Partner up for added safety as you navigate things like language barriers, introducing yourselves to new people, and going deeper into your destination. Think of the confidence you’ll both build that you can carry forward to future explorations!

Grow your solo travel confidence on: Iconic Japan

Sharing is caring for solo travellers too

By our very nature humans are social creatures so it makes sense that we gravitate toward shared experiences. That is especially true when you’re swinging through the jungle canopy on a zipline, reaching the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, or polishing off a really good bottle of local wine. Our tours are filled with so many “I-can’t-believe-we-just-did-that” moments that you’re going to want someone (anyone!) to see your beaming face.

More importantly, we believe that travel is a two-way street. Often our desire to go abroad, especially when solo, starts with what we want to get out of it. All of our tours are designed to be as uplifting for you as they are the communities we visit. You’ll see and experience this most profoundly at community tourism stops run by our non-profit partner, Planeterra. Time spent at places like Parque de la Papa or the Parwa Community Restaurant in Peru, gives you a mutually beneficial experience that empowers the surrounding rural communities.

Spread love to local communities on: Explore Machu Picchu

Really get to know the local people

One of the biggest reasons we travel is to see and enjoy people beyond the ones we already know. We can learn so much by casually chatting about our lived experiences and common ground. Our suggestion for solo travellers who want to immerse themselves in a destination without feeling like a tourist, is to choose adventures that include shared meals or a homestay.

For example, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe you can revel in the rush of the world’s most powerful waterfalls and then meet up with a local family. You’ll visit a nearby village, pick up ingredients at a bustling market, and then help your hosts prepare a traditional Zimbabwean meal. As you eat, you’ll chat and hear stories about local life and culture straight from those living it. It’s an incredibly satisfying way to make local connections, expand your worldview, and not feel even a tiny bit alone.

Engage with local people on: Explore Southern Africa