After recently spending four months backpacking through Central America, I can say from experience that meeting people while traveling can look very different depending on your stage of life. As someone who is single and in my mid-30s, I’ve found it can sometimes be a bit more challenging to connect with others on the road. I don’t really feel like I fit the typical hostel scene anymore, and the idea of going out drinking every night to meet people is becoming less and less appealing.
That’s why I’ve found it incredibly helpful to have a few apps in mind before heading out on a trip. These platforms make it much easier to connect with like-minded travelers, locals, hikers, and digital nomads who are also looking to explore or simply share a meal or conversation. If you’re traveling solo and hoping to meet people along the way, the apps below can make the process a whole lot easier.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my solo time and have walked countless beaches and towns on my own, but I’ve also used plenty of apps over the years and had some great experiences, meeting like-minded people who have been great adventure, learning, drinking, and fitness buddies.
These apps are part of what organizational psychologist Constance Hadley calls “portable communities,” which digital nomads can find and join wherever they are in the world. With that in mind, below are some of the apps and online spaces that you can use to find friends and social activities while you work and travel abroad:
| App | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Meetup | Events and local groups | Free |
| Bumble BFF | Making friends | Free / Premium |
| Backpackr | Meeting other travelers | Free |
| Couchsurfing | Traveler meetups | Subscription |
Meetup is a great place to (oddly enough) meet people with shared interests. One of the most difficult things you find while traveling is that, sure, the people living the same lifestyle as you also like to travel, and there are always stories to swap, but liking traveling is not really a subculture or niche interest.
Enter Meetup. Meetup is free, it lets you link your Facebook, Google, Apple or email account, and once you’ve signed up and logged in, you just choose your city, select your interests and you will be presented with a list of available meetups. It might be a language exchange, a beach volleyball game, a salsa night, or just a bunch of people meeting at a bar for a drink.
If you want to take the initiative and create your own group, you can do that too.
Dating apps get a bad rap, particularly for dehumanizing romance and making dating into a market. I try to take the good with the bad, and I’ve always preferred Bumble to Tinder or the other options out there, but if you are not looking for romance at all and simply want to meet people and make friends, consider Bumble BFF.
Bumble BFF was created by the same team that built Bumble and its aim is to “build a supportive community around them—no matter where they are.” It works the same way as the dating app, and is actually just a specific setting on the original app. Tap the profile icon on the bottom left, then your grey silhouette, hit the setting icon and the choose “BFF” in the following menu.
Best for: Backpackers and solo travelers who want to meet others nearby.
Backpackr is a social networking app designed specifically for travelers. It shows you other travelers currently in the same city and lets you connect with them through a shared community space called the “Common Room.” Users can chat, plan meetups, and even coordinate trips together.
Because everyone on the platform is traveling, conversations tend to start easily and meetups often happen quickly. It’s particularly popular with backpackers, digital nomads, and people doing long-term trips.
Pros
Designed specifically for travelers
Shows people currently in your location
Group chats make organizing meetups easy
Cons
Smaller user base in less touristy destinations
Best for: Meeting locals and travelers through community events.
Although Couchsurfing started as a hospitality exchange platform where travelers could stay with hosts for free, many people now use it primarily for its social features and meetups. The app allows travelers to find local events, hangouts, and other travelers nearby.
One of the most popular features is Couchsurfing Hangouts, which lets users quickly see who else wants to meet up for coffee, sightseeing, or drinks. Even if you’re not looking for a place to stay, the community is often very welcoming and eager to connect.
Pros
Large global travel community
Easy way to meet locals
Regular meetups and events
Cons
Some features now require a small membership fee
Best for: Digital nomads and long-term travelers.
Pangea is a newer app focused on helping digital nomads and remote workers meet each other around the world. The platform lets users share travel plans and see who will be in the same city at the same time.
This makes it particularly useful for people who move between destinations frequently and want to build connections with other nomads. Many users also use it to organize coworking sessions, group dinners, and weekend trips.
Pros
Built specifically for digital nomads
Helps coordinate meetups based on travel plans
Growing nomad community
Cons
Smaller network compared to older platforms
Best for: Finding travel buddies and casual meetups.
NomadTable is a simple social app where travelers can find others nearby who want to meet up for meals, sightseeing, or exploring a new destination together. Users can post short meetup invitations and see who else is interested.
The concept is similar to meeting someone at a hostel common area—except it works anywhere, even if you’re staying in a hotel or rental.
Pros
Simple interface focused on meetups
Good for spontaneous plans
Designed for travelers
Cons
Smaller user base in some destinations
Best for: Solo female travelers looking for safe community connections.
While I’m not a girl, I think it’s important for female nomads to have female-only spaces for meeting friends while traveling.
NomadHer is a travel-focused social platform designed specifically for women who travel solo. The app allows users to connect with other female travelers, share experiences, and organize meetups in destinations around the world.
Safety and community are major focuses of the platform, with features like verified profiles, travel tips, and local events aimed at helping women feel comfortable connecting while abroad.
Pros
Built specifically for women traveling solo
Focus on safety and community
Travel resources and meetup features
Cons
Limited to female travelers
Best for: Solo female travelers looking to connect with other women.
Travel Ladies is a community-based travel app and website that helps women connect with other female travelers around the world. Members can join discussions, find travel companions, attend local meetups, and share travel tips within a women-focused community.
Many solo female travelers use the platform to find safe travel buddies or meetups in new cities. Because it’s community-driven, the platform also includes destination advice, safety information, and group discussions.
Pros
Large global community of female travelers
Strong safety and support focus
Helpful travel advice and local recommendations
Cons
Limited to women travelers
Best for: Meeting locals through food experiences.
Really digging this one. So simple. Eatwith connects travelers with local hosts who organize small dining experiences, cooking classes, and food tours. While it’s not a traditional meetup app, it can be a great way to meet locals and other travelers over a shared meal.
Experiences range from home-cooked dinners to small group culinary events. Because groups are usually small, it’s often easier to have real conversations and make connections compared to larger tours.
Pros
Unique way to meet locals and travelers
Food-based experiences create natural social settings
Available in many major travel destinations
Cons
Experiences usually cost money
Anytime you live anywhere for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to join one or more of the local Facebook ex-pat groups. They are often very informative, particularly when it comes to legal and visa matters. Even you if you don’t make any connections, they are also great places to observe the antics and arguments of the many bizarre ex-pats you come across while living abroad.
I like them because they are usually quite active and there are plenty of people who comment and contribute on a regular basis, so you can get to know someone (as much as you can via social media) before deciding to meet up and hang out.
Digital nomad groups are fun places to meet people and make friends, and often helpful places to network and find job opportunities as well. There are plenty of Facebook groups dedicated to digital nomads, as well as some great Slack groups for digital nomads that connect people based on both interests and industry.
They usually have news and information about local or regional meetups, depending on where you are, and at the very least you know the people you are meeting live the same lifestyle as you. If they’re in the same line of work, you have professional interests in common too.
I’m including the original Bumble on this list as well because I have found friendship on Bumble over the years as well.
I’m not going to pretend like I have used Bumble to look exclusively for friendship, but I have met people that started out as casual romance and, when the time inevitably came to leave a place, we have stayed in touch as friends. These are people I have helped and been helped by over the years and who I continue to stay connected with on social media. I think it’s important to point out that if you are a solo female traveler, there are some important safety tips to keep in mind when it comes to online dating (and everything else).
The social life of the digital nomad, by definition, is transient. The price you pay for traveling and experiencing the world is a lack of stability, which very often includes finding stable relationships. But that doesn’t mean you can’t forge meaningful, long-lasting friendships while you go.
Fortunately, the social media era has made it easier than ever for rolling stones to meet people and make friends. Hopefully the above apps and online meeting spaces help you find people to connect and make memories with while you travel.
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