Why Solo Travel doesn’t mean Travelling Alone

Solo travel can be scary. The thought of venturing off from home without knowing anybody can be anxiety inducing. It involves putting yourself out there, being open to new experiences, and talking with up to hundreds of new people. However, it is the perfect opportunity to make new friends. Although these friendships may only last the duration of a trip, or for a few days, they are often the most fulfilling aspect of solo travel. In my time solo travelling I have had the opportunity to party with, share meals with, and explore with many wonderful people that I wouldn’t have met if I never travelled alone. By far the best way to make these connections is through staying in a hostel.

Hostels make it easy to meet like-minded solo travellers. By sharing dorms, kitchens, ammentities, and activities with others you can easily open the door to new interactions and explore new friendships.

Tips to making friends while solo travelling:

1. Talk to the first person you see in your dorm, at the hostel bar, in the hostel kitchen, etc

   • By opening up immediately you put yourself in the mindset of meeting new people and being open to new connections

2. Join hostel activities/events

   • Hostel activities and events are designed for solo travellers. In these events you can meet to and talk to other solo travellers staying in the hostel

3. Join group tours

   • Group tours designed for backpackers are excellent ways to meet people that are travelling a similar route to yourself

4. Invite hostelmates on excursions

   • Thinking of grabbing a coffee? Invite someone you just met to join you

Overall, some of the best people I’ve met came from interactions I initiated in hostels. Although fleeting, these relationships turned into one of the most fulfilling aspects of my travels. I may never see some of the friends I’ve made again, but it is comforting to know that there are people all over the world that I can reach out to if I visit there country. Below are some of the hostels that I have been to in Australia that created a friendly environment and encouraged me to make new friends.

Best Hostels in Australia (Location, Social Atmosphere, Ammenities, Etc):

1. Bounce, Noosa

2. Pacific House, Sydney

3. Wake Up! Central, Sydney

4. Gilligan’s, Cairns

5. Nomads, Airlie Beach

6. Wake Up! Bondi, Sydney

7. Nomads St Kilda, Melbourne

8. Summerhouse, Cairns

9. Summerhouse Sydney City, Sydney

10. Wake Up! Byron, Byron Bay