Travel Besties & Awkward Moments: How I Made Friends Abroad (and Ended Up at a Stranger’s Wedding)Travel Besties & Awkward Moments: How I Made Friends Abroad (and Ended Up at a Stranger’s Wedding)
Blog post description.
4/26/20252 min read


1. Stay in Social Accommodations
Hostels, guesthouses, and homestays are prime friend-making territory. Even if you love your personal space, consider it for a night or two.
Pro tip: Use Hotellook to find budget-friendly options with great reviews on social vibes.
2. Book Group Tours (Or, How I Ended Up Dancing in a Cave Bar)
Signing up for group excursions is like speed-dating for travel friends. Whether it’s a food tour in Florence or a haunted pub crawl in Edinburgh, shared experiences bond you fast.
Check out these tour options:
Tiqets for skip-the-line museum and attraction passes
WeGoTrip for immersive, self-guided audio tours
3. Download an eSIM Before You Go
Because “Where’s everyone meeting up later?” texts don’t work without a signal.
Stay connected affordably with Airalo or Drimsim — both lifesavers for travel communication.
4. Say Yes to Random Invitations (Within Reason)
One of my favorite travel memories started with a random café conversation in Istanbul and ended at a backyard wedding. Would my mother have approved? Absolutely not. Did it become an epic story? Absolutely yes.
5. Try Local Experiences & Rentals
Renting a scooter, taking a cooking class, or joining a boat day? Perfect opportunities to mingle.
I’ve used:
BikesBooking for two-wheeled fun
Localrent for cheap car rentals abroad
Searadar for yacht charters (if you’re fancy like that)
6. Use Rideshares & Transfers
Long rides mean good conversations. I once made a road trip bestie through a shared airport transfer.
Book yours through:
7. Always Have Travel Insurance
Because if your new travel buddy breaks their ankle on that volcano hike, you’ll be very glad you both had it.
I recommend VisitorsCoverage for easy, affordable policies.
Bonus: Meet Millionaire Singles on the Road (Why Not?)
Feeling flirty while abroad? Find luxury travel-minded dates with MillionaireMatch. Because love (or a dinner companion) knows no borders.
Want More Travel Tales and Tips?
Sign up below for my free travel email list — get my funniest fails, secret deals, and how-not-to-get-lost hacks straight to your inbox:
[Sign Up Here]
Disclosure: As a travel blogger, I partner with companies I trust and personally use. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
Explore
Your guide to elite vacation destinations and resorts.
melissaridge@beyondmybudgetvacations.com
Resorts
© 2025. All rights reserved.
Gfjdndkebfk

