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I sat in the Portland hostel lobby surrounded by fellow guy travelers, all quietly engaged in a soccer game, and a sudden wave of loneliness washed over me while I was working on my posts.

 

I felt really sad all of a sudden. That’s why I’m writing this post, to help others who might feel the same way when they’re far from home

 

It doesn’t happen all the time when we travel solo, but I am sure many solo travelers encounter this problem from time to time and try to find solutions.

 

I hope you find these tips dealing with loneliness when traveling solo useful, and they will make your journey more positive and enjoyable.

20 Best Tips Dealing With Loneliness When Travel Solo

1. Be Brave and Start a Conversation

The great places can be restaurants, bars, or even a street if you see like-minded solo travelers. Don’t wait for them to make the first step, as they can be as anxious as you are and can never do the first step. But who cares if the plan fails and they won’t be engaged in the conversation? Nobody. You won’t see them again so you can forget them. On the bright side, you will most likely have great discussions and some laughs and can make new friends to hang out with.

 

Force yourself, and you will see how it becomes easier and easier the next time. I am an extroverted introvert and I am usually very communicative, but it also depends on my mood.

 

Sometimes we are just not in the mood and do not want to do anything, and then we start feeling very lonely and hoping that somebody will talk to us first, but I am more than sure they think the same way. They are waiting for somebody to start the conversation, but it never happens. And people go to their rooms and isolate themselves from other people entirely till the next day when they will explore the city on their own.

 

Sounds familiar? I am sure it does. But imagine, if you were brave enough and started talking to locals or people who stayed at the same hostel, you could just find a good friend or at least a good company to spend time in a new city. Most of the time, it is essential to have company, communicate, and share the same experience.

 

I have an excellent example of when a conversation with a stranger led to continuing the journey. Sitting on the grass at the park by the Louvre museum, just having a break after exploring; one guy approached me and started talking. We talked and laughed for a while, which was a good feeling. He was from Israel and told me he was going on a long walking trip across the country. So, after having such a great time sharing our experiences, we decided to explore Paris together for the rest of the day.

 

Another example was in New Orleans. I was already going to sleep as I couldn’t walk anywhere in New Orleans by myself at night, and there was a girl who had just checked in.

 

She started talking to me and insisting (in a good way) to go somewhere, so I agreed, which was a good decision as we had so much fun and the next day traveled together. Or in Singapore, I just started talking to my roommate, and we decided to go-to to sushi and see some sights together after. So all these experiences are the same. I started the conversation, and it led to good communication.

 

As you can see, communication is the key that leads to great things.

 

Tip: Don’t hesitate to strike up conversations with strangers. They may start as unfamiliar faces, but they could become lifelong friends and make your journey unforgettable sometimes.

 

2. Join a Group Tour

Group tours are excellent options for having company when you travel solo. Tours can be free, cheap, or expensive. The choice is yours. When you’re feeling alone in a new place, taking a tour is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your exploration. Tours are enjoyable, and many fellow travelers are curious about your experiences. So why not seize this chance and give it a try?

 

Book your tours with GetYourGuide here.

3. Use Sites to Meet With Locals

• I’ve recently discovered Couchsurfing, and I should tell you that this is a perfect chance to meet a new friend. It was always free, but after Covid, they made it available for a small fee of $15 yearly. CS is an excellent site to find a place to stay or to meet like-minded people. Whenever I go to a new destination, I post my trip publicly, and most of the time, I meet locals with whom we explore together and exchange our experiences. Be aware though that some guys might have different intentions by hosting you, so please trust your intuition on that.
• Another great resource for solo travelers is Meetup, a platform where you can find various events organized by locals. It’s an excellent way to connect with others while traveling solo.
• Find a Facebook community. I am not a fan of social media, and I stopped using it for personal purposes, but I have a FB account where I just joined some great groups, most of which are for solo female travelers. Where people ask questions, share their experiences, and support each other. So I highly suggest you join some too. If you ever feel lonely on your solo vacation, post your concerns in the group, and you can make sure you will get a lot of support and warm messages.
• Tinder can also be useful for meeting locals. Just make sure you mention there that you are just traveling and interested in the company to explore the city only.

4. Stay in Hostel

Hostels are the best places to find like-minded people, as most travelers who stay in hostels are also solo travelers and have no company. That is why I like to stay in hostels and not hotels. Hotels are so expensive and tedious, and there is a tiny chance you will meet somebody there as people are usually in the rooms or are not interested in talking.

 

At hostels, it is always fun and most of the time there are social events going on as well. So,  people always try to get together. So, yes, there are good chances that somebody will start a conversation with you first there, but again, chances are just chances. There are no guarantees and you are the only one who can change the situation for yourself by taking a first step.

 

Please take it as an advantage; go out of your comfort zone. You are not at home when you have the same daily habits. You are traveling. Exploring new places and meeting new people is part of travel. Why would you come to this place then, if you want to do the same thing you do at home?

 

Don’t be afraid of anything. Remember, nobody knows you, and it’s okay if someone doesn’t continue the conversation you started. Don’t take it personally. You’re on your own, so make yourself comfortable in any situation. Stay positive, savor the experience of being in a new country, and embrace the opportunity to gain life experiences.

 

Always remember, there will never be a time like this. So why not use this chance and try to be a different person NOW? To be a better version of yourself. Try new things and overcome your fears. That is why life is for, right?

 

5. Download Some Fantastic Movies and Books

So whenever you feel lonely, take some time and read a great book. Once you are into the story, you start feeling much better. Same with movies. In this case, a great film can make your day or night.

 

The same entertainment will work great if you eat alone in the restaurant. I usually pull a book on my phone or read some articles when I eat alone, so I do not feel awkward and do not care if people stare at me as I enjoy my food and reading or watching.

 

6. Enjoy Your Own Company

That is what solo travel is all about. It might be problematic from the beginning if you have never done that before and you have always traveled with someone or joined activities, but trust me. If you do not start, you will never know how it is. Maybe you will love it more than traveling with somebody?

 

Enjoying your own company is a skill to learn, I would say. Of course, some people can’t do that at all. They can’t even live by themselves. But imagine, when you travel solo, you create your itinerary; you spend your time however you want. You do not have to rely on other people, and you make all your decisions. It’s called freedom. If you want to talk, you do; if you don’t, you do not; no explanation is needed.

 

7. Take Classes

Learning a new skill in a class is not only a fun solo activity but also a fantastic opportunity to connect with others while traveling alone. Look for local groups offering classes in activities like candle making, pottery, or painting during your solo vacation.

 

8. Become a Volunteer

Did you always want to help people or animals by becoming a volunteer, but have not done it yet? Here you go. This is such a great opportunity for you now. You will never feel lonely in that case as there will always be lots of people and fun activities, especially if you will be working with kids. Traveling alone becomes an enriching experience through volunteer work.

 

9. Keep Yourself Busy

When do we start feeling lonely? Most of the time, when we are bored and have a lot of free time. I think you will agree. So to avoid this, keep yourself very busy. Fill your day with lots of activities where you will barely have free time. So you will return to your hostel/hotel, take a shower, go straight to sleep, and wake up the next day for a new adventure. In that case, you will be so tired of thinking about sad things if they arise in your mind and will be concentrated on actually enjoying your solo time.

 

10. Select Destination Carefully

Not all destinations are suitable for solo travel in terms of activities that can be done on your own and places you can safely go. So always keep that in mind, and before picking your next destination, make sure there are plenty of things to do, and it’s safe.

 

11. Listen to Affirmations

Positive affirmations can improve our lives, make our day, and help us feel energized and full of life. They are available for free on YouTube and can be listened to anytime. Preferably in the morning or night, but it doesn’t matter.

 

12. Do the Basics

Sometimes we can feel lonely, sad, depressed, or upset just because we didn’t sleep enough, were hungry, or kept living with the past. These so-called problems can be resolved except for the last one, which can take longer, but you got the point. Just have better sleep, take a warm shower, get a nice cup of coffee with some delicious pastry, and think about your present moment and bright future if you want, and no past. And you will see how things have changed for the better at the exact moment.

 

13. Meditate

These practices are perfect for solo travelers seeking relaxation and inner peace. Meditation techniques can significantly enhance your emotional well-being, promoting balance, tranquility, and mental clarity. Enjoy moments of calm and self-reflection during your solo journeys.

 

14. Do Yoga

Yoga is perfect for the whole body and mind. It can clear your mind quickly and get your body in shape. Stretching is the best. After such exercises, you are going to feel very good. Believe me. Just make sure not to overstretch.

 

15. Do Activities to Get Your Adrenaline Pumping

With all your excitement, there will be no time for loneliness and sad feelings while traveling. Instead, you will discover a new activity that can be your new hobby moving forward.

 

16. Overcome Your Fears

Everyone has fears, and we need to admit them, but not everyone can overcome them. But, this is YOUR time. Being out of your comfort zone is one of the fear, but this main fear can help you to overcome other fears in your life. So that is the perfect opportunity to finally start doing what you have always been scared of as overcoming fears while traveling solo leads to personal growth and unforgettable experiences.

 

17. Take Advantage of Being Alone Time

Instead of feeling sad, try to use this traveling alone time practically. You are by yourself, which is perfect for concentrating on the important stuff. Think about your life, and evaluate your habits, daily routine, and life plans. Whatever is on your mind. Being alone is the perfect time to think about your present and future. Start thinking about what can be changed (if needed), what can be improved, what directions to move, etc.

 

 

18. Stay Away From Social Media

Scrolling through Instagram or Facebook pages will not make you happy during your solo travel journey. Moreover, it’s going to make you feel even worse. So stop using it, at least on your vacation. It can be challenging initially, but you will see lots of benefits after a while.

 

19. Go On a Nature Walk

Nature is magical. It can heal the whole body and mind. Just go for a walk, enjoy the sun and sky, go closer to the water, watch birds, and take your solo time with Mother Nature. It will never let you feel down. It is so beautiful and full of amazingness. Just being outside can change your mood entirely. Hug the trees and see beautiful flowers and plants. After these simple actions, you will realize that you are a different person now. That you are full of energy, motivation, and new goals.

20. Enjoy Your Moments

Life is short; we all know it. And we should not spend our time on sad things. If we get the opportunity to experience a new culture and meet new people, we should thoroughly enjoy it. Solo travel is the perfect opportunity to learn who you are and change your life.

 

Final Thoughts

Solo travel is meant to be for you if you read this post. Do not be afraid of loneliness while you travel solo. Learn how to overcome it. Learn how to make it the opposite and spend your time wisely instead. Take shorter trips, talk to people, and get out of your comfort zone, and that’s when your actual life experience will begin. Happy travel.

 

Thank you for reading my 20 Best Tips Dealing With Loneliness When Travel Solo article.

 

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