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)

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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?

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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).