Booking a flight to go backpacking as a solo traveller, especially as a solo female traveller, can be ridiculously daunting in so many ways.
The biggest factor for a lot of people is, but what if I don’t make any friends?
This post is to give you all the reassurance you need to be able to book that solo flight!
Trust me it is the best decision you will ever make.
One of the most common conversations with family and friends before I set off was…
‘Wait you’re going on your own?’ ‘Are you not scared?’ ‘How are you going to make friends?’
And the answer was always quite simple, so many other people do it, I’ll be fine on my own!
And at the end of the day, if I hated it or if it just wasn’t for me, I could book a flight home and at least I went for it! If you are nervous I think this is a great way of looking at it if you are a little concerned but trust me the reality of you wanting to come straight home is slim!
After arriving in South East Asia all the worries of being on my own were quickly resolved and I met so many new people!
Making friends whilst solo backpacking has genuinely got to be one of my favourite parts of my whole experience.
You meet new people every single day. from other backpackers, tourists, people who have moved out there, workers and not to mention the locals.
Everyone you meet has a different story, is from a different place, and often even a different country.
No matter how different everyone is at the start you all share one main thing in common, Travel!
Don’t get me wrong there are times that you can feel lonely or have a couple of days where you haven’t contented with anyone in a specific location, it’s completely normal! I was actually grateful for a little bit of me time in these instances!
The majority of people you will meet in Southeast Asia are solo traveling. So many people are in the same position as you and are also looking to make friends.
The best part for me is that no one has any idea who you are or have been in the past, you can just be authentically you. There is no fear of judgment!
Be you, Be crazy, Be unapologetic & Put yourself out there!
An important thing to remember with solo travel everyone is constantly on the move.
If you meet a person or group of people you instantly click with you can potentially even continue traveling with them onto the next destination. I travelled onwards with new friends multiple times throughout my backpacking trip and it was the times like this that I didnt even feel like I was solo travelling!
On the flip side if you are ready for a day just you aren’t vibing with a group, it’s completely okay! Go your own way and you will meet new people tomorrow!
My Top Tips for Making Friends as a Solo Backpacker
Facebook groups
Facebook groups are a great way to connect will people whilst you are still at home! And then continiue using once you are there to connect with people in the same location as you!
I scheduled it so the day after my flight arrived into Vietnam I was meeting up with 2 girls and we had all connected and arranged this through GALSWHOTRAVEL! I absoloulty love this group and alwasy feel inspired when reading the posts! It really is a group of women helping, inspiring and encouraging others. Let’s go Barbie.
I also use and love The Travel Squad (TTS) they offer what’s app groups for spesific counties in spesific months, literally hundreds of people who are likely going to be in a similar place to you at a similar time!
Hostels
To anyone new to backpacking the idea of hostels is often a little iffy however you will quickly fall in love. (hmm to some extent). Hostels are more than likely going to come to your best friend whilst solo travelling. They are cheap and cheerful, they are normally always in great locations and they are the absolute perfect place to make friends!
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Staying in Dorms
Hostels are known for their dorm rooms. Dorms can range from 4 beds up to anywhere in the 20’s (yep 20+ a no from me). Dorms are often either female-only or mixed and will be bunk beds. Some hostels have dorms with ensuite bathrooms whilst others have a bigger bathroom on the corridor.
Make the most of dorms! Socialise with the other people in your room, collect travel tips, places to visit in that specific location etc! Once you’ve started this conversation you can then see if they are free to explore together or to meet back for dinner.
Not everyone will say yes granted however the ratio of solo travellers is so high that you will find someone who is free!
Going on Hostel-Organised Tours
Hostel-organised tours and trips are a great way to meet people, The majority of people who book onto these tours will also be on their own (if there is a group of you it’s normally cheaper to do it yourself and not go on the tour)
You will spend at least a couple of hours with these people which is plenty of time to get to know them and make friends! You are also all staying in the same hostel which is even better! Arranging to go out for dinner as a group after a tour is always fun!
Pub Crawls or Hostel Events
The perfect way to socialise! If you are feeling anxious get yourself a drink! People will already be drinking and I found that once a couple of pints are involved no one is left out!
If people already looking to be in a group don’t hesitate to try and join in. Granted it can be daunting when people are already in groups but try to get involved anyway!
It’s definitely worth it! Plus the chances that the group only just met each other that day are always high!
Socialising in Hostel Comunal Areas
If your hostel has breakfast included this is game-changing! Vietnam was the best for getting up going down for breakfast and sitting with people who are on their own and making plans for the day.
At breakfast, you often see people you met the on a night out the night before (not always a good thing haha) or even people that you have met in a previous location but are following the same route!
You can then make plans for the day together and boom friends for the day!
Social Media
Keep in touch with people you meet! You will often be following similar routes and might be able to meet up again in another location.
You will also be able to make friends through mutual friends!
It’s always good fun following someone on Instagram and seeing your mutuals and then discussing how and where you both met those people!
Social Battery
I very quickly became aware of my social battery whilst solo travelling. This suprised me as this wasnt something that I expected or even thought about before I left.
This links in well with making friends and meeting new people because as amazing as it is, it drains your social battery!
You will have the same conversation starters every day for MONTHS!
Where are you from? How long are you travelling for? Where have you been? Where are you going?
Some days you just can’t take it, this is absolutely fine! Always allow yourself time to recharge and have time just you.
Solo travelling can be a rollercoaster and some days you just need to stop, take it all in and reset your social battery.
In my opinion, this is also one of the advantages of going solo, if you want a day for you you’re not letting anyone down or disappointing anyone! By going solo, you can always go at your own pace.
You do you, it’s your adventure and journey no one else’s!
Going solo backpacking was the most rewarding adventure of my life.
Granted it had its ups and downs but I wouldn’t change it and I’m currently counting down to do it all again!
Do not let the fear of not making friends hold you back!
Go for it!
Love Zo x