Episode 105 of the One Girl Travel Podcast:
“From Shy to Social: Solo Travel Tips for Meeting Strangers” Learn how to meet people while traveling solo with simple tips to start conversations and feel more confident on your trip.
Hi there,
I used to be the shyest, quietest kid, and learning how to meet people while traveling solo took real practice.
Most of my childhood, I barely spoke above a whisper. I avoided eye contact with people on the sidewalk. If there was an opportunity to talk to someone new, I usually found a way not to.
And now?
I’ll talk to just about anyone.
So, what changed?
Solo travel gave me practice. Lots of it. When you’re traveling alone, learning how to meet people while traveling solo means you can’t always wait for someone else to introduce you, start the conversation, or make you feel comfortable first.
Sometimes you’ve got to do it yourself.
That doesn’t mean you suddenly become the loudest person in the room. It means you start working your “meeting new people” muscle, one small interaction at a time.
In One Girl Travel Podcast Episode 105, I’m talking about exactly that: how to feel more comfortable speaking to strangers, making connections, and being open to the people you meet while traveling solo.
Because solo travel doesn’t have to mean being alone the entire time. In fact, once you learn how to meet people while traveling solo, meeting people can become one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
How to meet people while traveling solo starts with being approachable
Before you say a single word, your body language is already communicating something.
Are you walking around with your phone held up in front of your face? Do you have your headphones in? Are you looking down, rushing from place to place, and avoiding eye contact?
Those things might be helping you feel protected. But they can also send a very clear message: “Please don’t talk to me.”
And maybe that’s what you want sometimes. There’s nothing wrong with wanting quiet time. But if you’re hoping to meet people during your trip, you’ll need to make it a little easier for someone to approach you.
Put your phone down.
Take out your headphones.
Look up. Smile at someone. Be present in the space you’re in.
That doesn’t mean you have to smile at every person you pass or invite every stranger into your day. You’re still allowed to have boundaries. It simply means you’re giving people a small opening.
A smile can be enough.
A little eye contact can be enough.
And if someone does start talking to you, you can decide whether you want to continue the conversation. You’re in charge of that.
How to meet people while traveling solo in places people already gather
One of the easiest ways to learn how to meet people while traveling solo is to choose social places on purpose.
Instead of taking a table tucked away in the corner of a restaurant, sit at the bar. This is especially helpful if you’re nervous about going out to eat alone.
The bar gives you a natural place to sit, and there’s usually someone nearby to chat with. You can talk to the bartender, ask about the menu, or make a comment to the person sitting next to you.
The same applies at an airport.
I always seem to meet someone sitting at the airport bar. Maybe it’s because people are waiting around with time to spare. Maybe it’s because travel gives you an easy topic to start with.
“Where are you headed?”
“Are you going home or starting your trip?”
“Have you been there before?”
Simple, right?
You don’t need a brilliant opening line. You just need a normal reason to say hello.
Look for communal areas, hotel lounges, shared tables, cafés, markets, and anywhere people naturally pause instead of rushing through. If you’re wondering how to meet people while traveling solo, these are the kinds of places that make it feel easier and more natural.
And if sitting at a bar alone feels uncomfortable, start small. Sit there for ten minutes and have a coffee. You don’t need to make a whole evening of it.
You’re practicing being visible. That matters.
Tours, excursions, and classes do some of the work for you
If you’re not ready to walk up to a complete stranger with no context, this is one of the best ways to practice how to meet people while traveling solo.
Tours, excursions, workshops, and classes are perfect for this.
You already have something in common. Everyone is there for the same experience, whether that’s exploring a new city, learning to cook, visiting a historical site, or taking a day trip into the countryside.
That shared experience gives you an easy opener.
“Is this your first time in Scotland?”
“Have you done one of these tours before?”
“What made you choose this excursion?”
“Are you traveling alone too?”
See? You’re not forcing a conversation out of nowhere. You’re simply commenting on what’s already happening around you.
And conversations often become easier as the activity continues. You might start with a question, then discover that you’re from nearby places, have similar travel plans, or both want to visit the same restaurant afterward. That’s a big part of how to meet people while traveling solo without forcing anything.
You don’t have to make a new best friend every time. Sometimes a ten-minute conversation is the whole point.
Maybe you’ll share a meal.
Other times you’ll exchange contact information.
Or maybe you’ll simply have a pleasant conversation and go your separate ways. That still counts.
Watch Episode 105 of the One Girl Travel Podcast on YouTube
How to meet people while traveling solo with a genuine compliment
Giving genuine compliments is one of my favorite icebreakers.
Notice the word genuine. I’m not talking about saying something just because you want a conversation. I mean noticing something you honestly like and saying it.
“I love your bag. Where did you get it?”
“Your scarf is beautiful.”
“That looks delicious. What did you order?”
“I love your camera. Are you enjoying it?”
These kinds of compliments are easy, friendly, and specific. They also give the other person something to respond to.
And if they don’t want to talk, that’s okay too. They can say thank you, and the interaction can end there.
You haven’t done anything embarrassing. You’ve offered a kind comment.
Maybe you’ve felt this too, especially as a woman. We can spend so much time worrying about bothering people, looking awkward, or saying the wrong thing that we say nothing at all.
But a kind, respectful compliment isn’t a problem. It’s a small moment of connection, and honestly, it’s one more simple example of how to meet people while traveling solo.
You’re allowed to be the person who starts it.
Make how to meet people while traveling solo feel like a game
When I’m walking, I play a little game.
I say hello, smile, or wave to people I pass. Sometimes it feels like I’m living in “The Truman Show,” where everyone is part of the scene.
But it makes me laugh, and it gives me a way to practice connecting without making every interaction feel so serious.
That’s the thing is, you don’t have to turn meeting people into a performance.
Make it fun.
Set yourself a small goal for the day. Smile at three people. Say hello to someone in the elevator. Ask one question at the airport. Sit at the bar for fifteen minutes. If you want to get better at how to meet people while traveling solo, these tiny reps matter.
Then notice how you feel.
The goal isn’t to have every person respond warmly. Some people will be distracted. Others will be tired. There will be people who won’t speak your language comfortably. Some simply won’t be interested in talking.
That doesn’t mean you did anything wrong.
Don’t take it personally.
You’re building confidence through repetition. Every small interaction teaches your nervous system that you can speak to someone new and be okay.
By the end of a cruise, around 60% of the people on the ship know me because I’ve talked to them. I didn’t meet all of them in one big, confident burst.
It happened through small hellos, shared moments, questions, and compliments.
One conversation led to another.
You don’t have to wait until you feel confident
This is where your solo travel mindset matters.
You might be waiting to feel confident before you talk to someone. But confidence usually comes after you take the action, not before. That’s true for how to meet people while traveling solo too.
You talk to someone, and you realize you survived.
The moment you sit at the bar, and you realize you’re comfortable enough to order dinner.
You join the tour, ask a question, and discover that everyone else was also wondering the same thing.
That’s how confidence coaching for women often works in real life too. You don’t become a completely different person overnight. You practice showing up as the person you’re becoming.
And if you’re naturally introverted or shy, you don’t need to pretend otherwise. You can be quiet and still be open. You can enjoy your own company and still want connection.
Both things can be true.
If you’re planning your first solo trip, One Girl Travel’s solo travel resources can help you think through the practical and mindset side of going alone.
But when it comes to meeting new people, start with one small action. That’s really how to meet people while traveling solo without putting so much pressure on yourself.
Put your phone away.
Look up.
Smile.
Say hello.
Just show up anyway.
Your Voice Deserves to Be Seen
Maybe you’ve always thought of yourself as the shy one. The quiet one. The woman who waits for someone else to start the conversation.
I understand that. I was that kid too.
But you’re not stuck there.
Every time you speak up, introduce yourself, give a compliment, or ask a simple question, you’re reminding yourself that you can take up space and connect with the world around you. And that’s really what learning how to meet people while traveling solo is all about.
You’re worth the effort.
Have you ever met someone memorable while traveling alone? Or have you learned how to meet people while traveling solo through something as simple as a smile or a compliment?
I’d love to hear about it. You can email contact@onegirltravel.com with your story or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast.
And if you’d like to keep in touch, follow One Girl Travel on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok.
You can do this.
Talk to you soon,
xo
Alessia
🎙️ Full transcript & key moments from “riverside_One Girl Travel podcast ep 105”:
https://app.castmagic.io/share/HEu49vUQgnwg9x8N
lessia Tenebruso [00:00:01 – 00:00:24]
Welcome to the One Girl Travel Podcast, your passport to the world of solo travel with certified life and travel coach Alessia Tenebruso. Join Alessia as she shares her own journey of self-discovery through solo travel while also focusing on topics such as life coaching insights and travel tips along the way. Now here’s your host, Alessia Tenebruso.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:00:28 – 00:01:12]
Welcome to the One Girl Travel Podcast, episode number 105. I’m back. Um, I’m excited to be here. I love the podcast because I feel like we’re having a conversation. It’s as if we’re on the phone, we’re yapping together, and just get to share like unfiltered, uncurated conversation with you. And something that came up recently was that it’s assumed pretty much when people meet me, they think that I was always very outgoing, very friendly, very extroverted. And that couldn’t be further from the truth. Growing up, I was the most shy, quiet kid ever.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:01:12 – 00:02:06]
I barely spoke above a whisper. Very, very quiet. And it was always Until I got comfortable with somebody, then I would open up, then I would show my personality more. But when I began solo traveling and I want to meet new people, that really pushed me outside my comfort zone to just go all in and put myself out there, to introduce myself to new people, to start conversations with new people. And I was not comfortable with it at all, but I knew if I wanted to make friends, if I wanted to be social, I had to do it, right? And this comes up a lot with people when they’re like, I don’t know how to approach people. I feel uncomfortable talking to people I don’t know. I feel uncomfortable starting conversations. I feel comfortable going places by myself.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:02:06 – 00:02:49]
It comes up all the time in conversations I have. And that’s why I love solo travel because it forces you outside your comfort zone to do the things that you normally wouldn’t do. But if you don’t do it, then there’s consequences of maybe being bored or being lonely or not having as good of a time, whatever it is. So I was recently at an event and it— that came up where the person I was talking to was like, I just, I feel like I’d be so bored by myself if I traveled by myself. And I’m like, there’s no reason to be bored. One, because you should be your own best friend. That’s the work that you have to do. It’s inner work.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:02:49 – 00:03:26]
It’s mindset work where you actually become your own best friend, where you love your company. You don’t need anybody else because you are a great time on your own and you know it. So that’s a podcast for a different day. But 2 is just being open to meeting new people, making yourself vulnerable and introduce yourself and start a conversation with somebody you don’t know. And it’s practice. A few years ago, even when I would walk down the sidewalk, making eye contact with somebody was very uncomfortable. I would avoid eye contact all the time. I would avoid it.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:03:26 – 00:03:39]
If somebody was walking towards me, I would divert my eyes. I did not want to look at them. I think in some way I thought if I don’t look at them, they can’t see me. I don’t know, but I, it was something I avoided.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:03:39 – 00:03:39]
But then.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:03:40 – 00:04:16]
I started solo traveling and I would basically play a game and it’s like, okay, what can I do that’s gonna make me uncomfortable? Like, let me start saying hello to strangers. And I would do that and I would just say hello or bonjour, where it depends on where I am. But I would look people in the eye, I would smile and I would greet them. And then I started applying it at home. When I would take walks around my neighborhood. And it is so fun. It is so much fun. I love this.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:04:16 – 00:04:58]
And I do think of it as a game. Like, as soon as I leave my sidewalk and I start walking, every single person I see, I’m waving. I, I feel like I’m in a movie where, like The Truman Show or whatever, where I’m going around and I’m like, good morning. And I’m petting dogs on the head and I’m sniffing flowers and I’m frolicking along. Like, that’s what it feels like because it’s that interaction. with people, and I would just greet everybody I saw, everybody. And it became really fun. It’s just a way, like a simple way to enhancing your everyday, your activities, your just your interactions when you make it fun.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:04:59 – 00:05:32]
And it’s like, okay, if they don’t greet me back, I kind of think it’s funny because like I’m looking at them like dead in the eyes, like, good morning. Making them see me, right? I went from avoiding people so they didn’t see me to me directly approaching them and saying good morning. And if they don’t acknowledge me, then I just kind of laugh to myself. I’m like, oh, that’s funny. Like, okay, I guess that’s— they’re uncomfortable, whatever it is. I don’t know. You don’t know what other people are thinking or doing, but it, like, for me, it’s like, okay, I’m gonna do this. I’m gonna do it anyway.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:05:33 – 00:06:13]
And because of all my time traveling by myself, And being open to meeting new people, I can literally go anywhere and meet people. I will talk to anyone now. I don’t care. It, it doesn’t faze me to go to a party by myself where I don’t know anybody. It doesn’t faze me to go up to somebody and start a conversation or compliment somebody. That’s actually my favorite way of meeting new people is to give a genuine compliment. Because that starts the conversation. And I wanna acknowledge how I feel about somebody where like, oh my God, I love your outfit.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:06:13 – 00:06:37]
I love your earrings. Oh, your hair looks amazing. Your perfume smells amazing. Like whatever it is, I will give compliments out and they’re all genuine compliments, but I feel like it’s such a great way to break the ice and to just start talking to somebody. And then of course you’re going to like assess the vibes. Uh, you can tell if somebody’s not interested in having conversation with you. And if that’s the case, you just move on. It is nothing personal.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:06:38 – 00:07:20]
Doesn’t matter. Like, in my head it’s like, okay, it’s their loss. They don’t wanna be my friend, no problem. But the majority of people that I would go up to and have conversations with, they were just open to it and it doesn’t feel forced. And you never know who you’re gonna meet, especially when you’re traveling. I think traveling is the best time to just start conversations with people you don’t know because everyone’s in a good mood. Like on a cruise, I will leave a cruise ship at the end of the trip and I would say 60% of the people on board know who I am cuz I probably had a conversation with them. And I think it is so much fun.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:07:20 – 00:08:06]
It’s just like smile and walk and say hello and have conversations with people from all over the world. It’s really fun. So if you are considering taking a solo trip, but you’re uncomfortable talking to people you don’t know, or starting conversations, or maybe you don’t even wanna solo travel, but you wanna start doing things by yourself. This is all a part of it. Getting comfortable speaking to strangers is basically like a workout. You need to start practicing. You need to put in the reps so you can start getting comfortable doing it, but you’re not gonna be comfortable at first. Like, I’ll guarantee you, if you don’t talk to strangers now, it is not gonna be comfortable the first few times you approach people.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:08:06 – 00:09:07]
But the more you do it, the easier it’s gonna get, the more fun it’s gonna be, especially when you start meeting new people. And it will change your life. It really will. Because I’m at the point, and I’ve been at this point for quite some time, where I can literally do anything, go anywhere, and be happy and have fun and never feel lonely because there are people all around you that are willing to have conversations, that are willing to share their stories, that wanna share experience. And you just have to be open to it. And if you are uncomfortable approaching people, I just wanna give you a few tips that I personally have used that I found really help. The first thing is body language, right? You cannot have your arms crossed with your head in your phone and EarPods in and expect somebody to talk to you. That’s not gonna happen because every single Sign you’re giving them is that you don’t wanna be bothered.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:09:08 – 00:09:59]
So you have to put the phone down, close the book, take out your headphones, and actually smile and look around, like be present, because that’s how the conversations happen. Somebody’s not gonna tap you on your shoulder when they see you have headphones on and you’re reading a book. So you have to show your body language to reflect that you are open to conversation. Now I find the best places to start conversations is in a more like community-centered area. So it’s less likely that you’re gonna have conversations with strangers if you’re sitting at a table by yourself. So let’s say you’re at a restaurant. If you’re sitting alone at a table, it’s less likely that you’re gonna have conversations. It might still happen, but the bar area is a great way to socialize, to sit on a bar stool and just start having a conversation.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:09:59 – 00:10:31]
I feel like there’s a bad association with sitting at the bar. I had somebody comment one of my posts saying, Only barflies hang out, hang out at the bar or something like that. I don’t know. But everything doesn’t have to be about a pickup. Like you’re not trying to, you know, pick up somebody. You’re just trying to have a conversation. And if it’s interpreted differently than the energy you’re putting out there, then you can just move on. Then that person’s not the right person to have conversations with.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:10:31 – 00:10:31]
Yeah.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:10:31 – 00:11:52]
But I think it is perfectly acceptable to sit at a bar and have a conversation, whether with the bartender or the patrons sitting at the bar. It’s a social place, especially if you’re at the airport. Do you know how many people I have met and had conversations with, exchanged information with, just sitting at the bar at the airport? That is literally like, you wanna not feel lonely, you sit at a bar at the airport because you will make friends immediately. Every single time I have always met somebody sitting at the bar at the airport. And it’s just putting yourself in these places where there’s more opportunity to have conversations. I also think that tours and excursions are also a great way to meet new people and have conversations and to initiate the conversations because you’re already doing a shared experience, right? So let’s say you are in Scotland and you’re doing a tour of the castle and you’re with the people, you don’t know anyone on the tour. You can easily start a conversation like, is this your first time in Scotland? What has been your favorite thing you’ve seen so far? Do you have any recommendations? What do you think of this tour? What do you think of the castle? Can you take my picture? Like, there’s so many icebreakers that you can do because you’re on a shared experience with somebody else. And you can ask them their input.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:11:52 – 00:12:50]
You can ask them for their referrals, whatever it is. And it, it’s a genuine connection and a genuine conversation that doesn’t feel forced. And it feels very easy. So if you want to go to, you know, locally, maybe you want to do a cooking class, a language class, a new sport. Those are all great ways to just start conversations with, have you ever done this before? You know, is there somewhere you can recommend? Where are you from? Like, there’s just all these easy openers that you can do when you’re having a shared experience. And then my last tip is just make it a game, make it fun. When we force ourselves to do things that we’re uncomfortable with, it doesn’t feel good, right? We, we don’t wanna be forcing ourselves to do things that make us uncomfortable, but if we can change the feeling around it to something that’s enjoyable, to something that’s fun, and you’re also seeing results from it, then it changes. It changes everything.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:12:50 – 00:13:29]
So when you make it a game to be like, I’m gonna look into the eye of every person I pass and smile and say good morning, like when you get their reactions back, it, it’s fun. And then even when you don’t get the reactions, it’s just funny. So like, don’t make it personal. Just practice. You’re practicing greeting people. There’s literally nothing that you’re losing from this. You’re just gaining the confidence to do it more often. And the more you do it and the more that you can have conversations with people, I just feel like it opens up so much.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:13:29 – 00:14:24]
It opens up new people, new opportunities, new connections. You never know what’s gonna come from it. And meeting new people is probably, I would say it’s top 3 of my favorite things about solo travel is just meeting new people. I love sharing experiences with new people. And whether I meet them for an hour or I talk to them for 10 years after that, it’s just, it’s so impactful to share experiences, to connect with new people. I feel like it is such a value-added experience for your life. So I want to encourage you to start going up to people, say hello, make eye contact, Start a conversation and just don’t take it personally. Just practice, practice the art of meeting new people.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:14:24 – 00:14:56]
And when you do this, be sure to, you know, tag me, write to me, send me a DM, whatever it is, because I want to hear about your experience doing it. And I hope that it brings you as much joy as it brings me. And for future podcasts, if you have any requests of topics that you want me to cover, Send me a DM or send me an email at contact@ongirltravel.com, and I’ll be happy to address it for you on this podcast. I hope you have so much fun meeting new people, and I will talk to you next week. Bye-bye.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:14:58 – 00:15:22]
Thanks so much for tuning in to this episode of the One Girl Travel Podcast. If you’re enjoying the show, please feel free to rate, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. You can find out more about your host on her website, onegirltravel.com, or follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok. Thanks again for tuning in, and we’ll catch you in the next episode.
Alessia Tenebruso [00:15:22 – 00:15:22]
Bye!
