How to Find a Travel Buddy (and Make New Friends Along the Way)

Have you ever wanted to go somewhere amazing, only to realize you have nobody to go with?

Maybe your friends can't get time off. Maybe they don't share your love for adventure. Or maybe you've talked about that dream trip for years, and somehow it never happens.

Sound familiar?

Here's something I've learned over the years: you don't need more friends who say they want to travel. You need to find people who actually want to go!

Where can you find a travel buddy?

Learning how to find a travel buddy doesn't have to be complicated. Some of the best friendships begin with a shared interest.

Love hiking? Join a local hiking group. Dream about snowboarding in Japan? Find people who chase powder as much as you do. Curious about Europe? Connect with others planning similar adventures.

The key is finding people who share your interests, not necessarily your whole lifestyle.

That's why I love meeting people through activities first. Spend a day hiking, skiing, or exploring a new city together, and you get to know someone naturally, without trying to force a friendship.

Start small before you travel together

Before booking two weeks abroad with someone you just met, start with coffee, a local hike, or a weekend activity.

See how you get along. Do you like the same pace? Are you both early risers, or does one of you think 10 AM is an unreasonable hour to wake up on vacation?

Trust me, these things matter!

Stay safe while you get to know each other

• Meet in a public place the first few times, ideally at a group event.
• Tell a friend or family member where you're going and who you're meeting.
• Keep your chats on the platform until you've met in person.
• Book and pay for your own travel, and double-check plans yourself before sending anyone money.

Our guide to your first travel friends meetup has more tips.

Your next adventure could start with a new friend

At Meet Travel Friends, we're building a community where people connect through shared interests, local activities, and travel. Whether you're looking for a hiking buddy, a snowboard crew, or someone to explore the world with, it all starts with one connection.

Because sometimes the best part of an adventure isn't where you go.

It's the people you meet along the way.

Where Strangers Become Friends.