Travelling as a solo female traveller can feel incredibly freeing. You set the pace, follow your curiosity and spend your days exactly how you want. But somewhere between the morning coffee run and the sunset stroll, a small question can creep in: would this be even better if someone else were here to share it with me?
That mix of independence and occasional loneliness is completely normal. Wanting connection doesn’t make you “less” of a solo traveller. In fact, according to Solo Female Travelers Club, while 87% of solo women cite freedom and flexibility as their main reason for travelling alone, 61% also want to meet other travellers along the way.
The usual advice is to stay in hostels. They’re social, affordable and full of travellers looking to connect. But they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you value privacy, comfort or a bit of quiet at the end of the day. The good news is you don’t need to stay in hostels to meet people. If you’re travelling on your own but still want meaningful connections with other women along the way, here are some practical ways to meet people.
Apps and online groups to meet other solo female travellers
One of the easiest ways to meet other women while travelling solo is to start looking before you even leave home. A quick post in the right community can lead to dinner plans, museum visits or even a travel buddy for a day trip once you arrive.
Groups like Solo Female Travelers Club and Girls Love Travel host active solo female travel Facebook groups where thousands of women swap advice, ask questions and occasionally organise meet-ups around the world. If you’re over 50, JourneyWoman is another brilliant community focused specifically on solo travel for mature women. Many cities also have local travel groups where visitors can connect with residents or other travellers passing through, like the London Lonely Girls Club or City Girl Network. When posting, it helps to be clear and specific. Instead of a vague “Anyone in Lisbon next week?”, try something like: “Solo traveller visiting Lisbon 10–14 May. Would love a coffee, museum buddy or someone to explore the flea market with.”
There are also a growing number of apps for solo female travellers to meet other women. Platforms such as NomadHer, TripBFF and Bumble BFF are designed specifically to help women find female friends or connect with other travellers in a new city.
And don’t forget the simplest option: your own network. Before a trip, try mentioning your destination on social media or asking friends if they know anyone there. You’d be surprised how often a friend-of-a-friend, former colleague or expat contact appears. A quick introduction can turn into a coffee, a local recommendation, or a friendly face waiting when you arrive.
Best places to stay as a solo female traveller (that isn’t a hostel)
Hostels often get all the credit for being the “social” option, but they’re far from the only way to meet people. In fact, many of the best places to stay for solo female travellers are smaller, quieter spaces where conversation happens naturally rather than over beer pong. Here are a few types of stays where it’s easy to meet people without staying in hostels.
Small guesthouses and B&Bs
Guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts can be surprisingly social, especially in smaller towns or countryside destinations. Many solo women, particularly over 40, prefer them because they offer both privacy and a relaxed environment for conversation. Breakfast is often the magic moment. With everyone gathered around a communal table, it’s easy to start chatting about travel plans for the day. If you enjoy gentle, low-pressure interactions, this can be one of the easiest ways to meet people.
Social hotels and boutique stays
Some hotels are designed to encourage connection without feeling like a hostel. Boutique hotels with welcoming lounges, shared terraces, or evening drinks can create natural moments to meet other travellers. Look for properties that host things like aperitivo hours, wine tastings, cooking classes or small walking tours. These activities create easy conversation starters because everyone is already gathered around a shared experience. Even something as simple as sitting in the hotel lounge with a book can lead to a conversation with another guest doing the same.
Co-living spaces
If you’re travelling more slowly, co-living spaces can offer a built-in community without sacrificing comfort. Many have communal kitchens, co-working areas or regular events where travellers and remote workers mingle. It’s a particularly good option if you’re staying somewhere for a week or more, as people tend to settle into a rhythm and become more open to making plans together.
Best group tours and activities for solo female travellers to meet people
If you want to meet people while travelling but still enjoy your own space, group activities are one of the easiest ways to do it. You can keep your preferred accommodation while stepping into ready-made social situations where conversation happens naturally. Here are a few activities I’ve tried and met other solo female travellers:
Walking tours and food tours
Walking tours, food tours and wine tastings are some of the best group tours for solo female travellers because they tend to attract curious travellers rather than party crowds. Free city walking tours, small-group food experiences and vineyard visits are particularly good for this. Many people join alone, which makes it easier to chat as you move between stops. To find activities, check the local tourist office or browse platforms such as GetYourGuide, Viator or Airbnb Experiences.
Classes, workshops and retreats
Workshops and classes attract people who already share a common interest, which makes conversation feel much easier. Cooking classes, craft workshops, photography walks, language lessons, yoga sessions or guided hikes all create natural moments to chat while you’re doing something together. By the end, it often feels perfectly normal to suggest grabbing a coffee or continuing the conversation somewhere nearby.
Solo female traveller group trips and day tours
Some companies now run women-only group tours and expeditions, which create a ready-made female community. For example, Intrepid Travel runs Women’s Expeditions, small-group trips designed for women and led by female local guides. Communities like Adventure Queens also organise trips, hikes and meet-ups that bring together adventurous women from around the UK. Even if you don’t want to join a full multi-day trip, look out for women-only day tours, hikes or workshops in your destination.
How to meet local women when travelling solo
If you’d like to connect with people who actually live in the place you’re visiting, interest-based events can be a surprisingly easy way in. Rather than relying on chance conversations in cafés or bars, these gatherings bring together people who have already chosen to be there for the same reason. Many cities host regular social events such as language exchanges, book clubs, women’s hiking groups and professional networking meetups. They’re usually informal and welcoming to newcomers, which makes them ideal if you’re travelling alone but curious to meet people beyond the typical tourist crowd.
One of the easiest ways to find them is through Meetup or Eventbrite, where you’ll often see listings for everything from creative workshops to expat socials. There are also a few platforms designed specifically to help travellers connect with locals. Greether allows women to meet vetted female locals who can show them around a city, while Timeleft organises women-only dinners where strangers meet over a shared meal.
As a full-time house-sitter, I often ask the homeowners if they have any favourite local events, cafés or community groups they’d recommend. They usually know about things you’d never find as a visitor. Occasionally, they’ll even introduce me to a neighbour or friend, which can lead to a coffee, a walk or a local perspective on the area.
How to stay safe as a solo female traveller when meeting new people
Meeting new people is one of the joys of travelling solo, but it’s completely normal to think about safety too. Start by choosing public places such as cafés, markets or busy squares rather than private settings. If you’ve arranged to meet someone through an app or group, let a friend or family member know where you’re going and roughly when you expect to be back. It also helps to keep your independence during the meet-up. Have your own way to get back to your accommodation, keep an eye on alcohol intake and avoid relying on someone you’ve just met for transport.
Most importantly, trust your instincts. If something feels uncomfortable or off, you’re always allowed to leave. Solo travel can be nerve-wracking, which causes your awareness to sharpen, and that gut feeling is worth listening to. If you ever need to exit a conversation politely, a simple line works well. Something like: “I’m going to head back to my hotel now, but it was lovely chatting with you.” You don’t need to explain further.
In reality, most interactions on the road are positive. Travellers and locals alike are often open, curious and friendly. But knowing how to stay safe meeting people when travelling solo allows you to enjoy those connections with confidence and clear boundaries.
Final thoughts on meeting people as a solo female traveller
If there’s one thing worth remembering, it’s that you’re far from the only woman travelling alone and hoping to connect with others along the way. Many solo female travellers deliberately choose environments where conversation happens naturally. Walking tours, small group activities, women’s travel communities and online groups all make it easier to meet people without sacrificing comfort or independence.
You don’t have to try everything at once. Maybe on your next trip, you join a food tour, post in a travel community before you go, or attend a language exchange in the city you’re visiting. Often, it only takes one small step to turn a solo day into a shared experience.
Like most things, solo travel becomes easier with practice. The first conversation might feel a little awkward, the first meetup slightly outside your comfort zone. But over time, you learn what works for you, and meeting people on the road starts to feel much more natural. And sometimes, the person you meet for a quick coffee ends up becoming a friend you keep in touch with long after the trip ends.
If you enjoyed this guide, I share more solo travel tips, stories and practical resources in my Substack newsletter. I also keep a continually updated list of ways to meet people in real life, including apps, communities and events that I’ve tried while travelling full time.
