Have you ever booked a trip and wished you had someone to share it with — not just the photos, but the actual experience? You’re not alone. Millions of solo travellers are searching for ways to find travel buddies online every single day, and the good news is that it’s never been easier. Whether you’re planning a backpacking route through Southeast Asia, a weekend city break in Europe, or a road trip across the American Southwest, connecting with like-minded travellers before you leave home can completely transform your experience.

Why Travelling with a Buddy (You Met Online) Is More Common Than You Think

There’s still a bit of a stigma around the idea of meeting up with strangers from the internet, but honestly? That’s becoming outdated fast. Apps, forums, and travel communities have made it genuinely easy — and safe — to connect with other travellers who share your interests, travel style, and itinerary. Many long-term friendships, and yes, even relationships, have started this way.

One thing most visitors to solo travel communities miss is just how many people are in exactly the same boat. Facebook groups dedicated to solo female travel, for instance, have millions of members. Reddit’s r/solotravel has over 3 million subscribers. These aren’t niche corners of the internet — they’re massive, active communities full of real people looking for the same thing you are.

The key shift in mindset is this: you’re not looking for a best friend. You’re looking for a compatible travel companion for a specific trip. Keeping it low-pressure makes the whole thing easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

The Best Platforms to Find Travel Buddies Online Right Now

There are quite a few options out there, and the right one depends on what kind of traveller you are. Here’s a breakdown of the most reliable platforms people are actually using in 2024 and 2025.

Apps Built Specifically for Travel Companionship

Travello is one of the most popular travel-specific apps, with over 5 million users. You can post your upcoming trips, browse other travellers’ plans, and connect based on shared destinations and dates. It’s free to download, with premium features available for around $9.99 per month.

Backpackr is another solid choice, particularly popular among younger backpackers in their 20s and 30s. It works a bit like a travel-focused social network where you can see who else is heading to the same destination at the same time.

Forums and Communities That Actually Work

Reddit — specifically r/solotravel and destination-specific subreddits — is surprisingly effective. Post your travel dates, your rough itinerary, and what you’re looking for in a travel buddy, and you’ll often get genuine responses within hours. The community is warm, experienced, and refreshingly honest.

Couchsurfing still has an active community section even if the free hosting aspect has changed. Their “Hangouts” feature lets you connect with locals and travellers in a specific city, which is great for spontaneous connections.

How to Write a Travel Buddy Post That Actually Gets Responses

Think of your travel buddy post like a mini personal ad — but for adventure. The more specific and genuine you are, the better your chances of attracting someone compatible. Vague posts like “anyone want to travel to Thailand?” get ignored. Detailed ones get replies.

Here’s what a strong post should include:

Your travel dates — be exact, even if flexible
Your destination and rough itinerary — even a list of cities helps
Your travel style — budget backpacker? Mid-range comfort traveller? Adventure seeker?
Your age and where you’re from — this helps people self-select
What you’re actually looking for — shared accommodation? A hiking partner? Someone to split transport costs?
A little personality — mention a hobby, a quirk, what you love about travel
How to contact you — usually through the platform’s messaging system first

Authenticity matters more than anything here. Don’t try to sound cooler or more experienced than you are. The right travel buddy will appreciate you being real about it.

Staying Safe When You Find Travel Buddies Online

Safety is the number one concern people raise about this, and it’s completely valid. The good news is that with a few sensible precautions, meeting travel companions online is genuinely low-risk.

Before committing to travelling with someone you’ve met online, have at least two or three video calls. A voice or video conversation tells you so much more than text ever will — you’ll quickly get a feel for whether this person is genuine, sane, and someone you’d actually enjoy spending time with. Trust your gut on this.

Start small if you can. Plan to meet up for a day trip or a shared activity at your destination before committing to sharing accommodation or a multi-week itinerary. Most experienced solo travellers recommend having an “exit plan” — your own accommodation booked independently for the first night, at minimum.

Always tell someone at home who you’re meeting, share your itinerary, and check in regularly. These are just good travel habits regardless of how you met your companion.

Budget Tips for Travelling with a Buddy You Met Online

One of the biggest practical perks of finding a travel companion is the money you’ll save. Accommodation costs alone can drop by 30 to 50 percent when you split a private room instead of booking a solo hostel dorm. Transport — taxis, car rentals, private transfers — becomes significantly cheaper when divided two ways.

For context, if you’re travelling somewhere like Bali, solo costs typically run around $50 to $70 per day (AED 185 to 260). With a travel buddy splitting accommodation and transport, that can drop to $35 to $50 per day (AED 130 to 185) without sacrificing any comfort. Over a two-week trip, that’s a meaningful saving.

Be upfront about budget expectations before you meet. Nothing kills a travel friendship faster than one person wanting $15 street food and the other wanting $60 restaurant dinners every night. Having that conversation early — slightly awkward as it might feel — saves a lot of tension later.

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Travel Buddies Online

Is it safe to travel with someone you met online?

Yes, with reasonable precautions. Always video call before meeting, share itineraries with someone at home, meet in public first, and book your own accommodation independently for the initial night. Thousands of people find travel companions online every year without incident.

What are the best free apps to find travel buddies online?

Travello and Backpackr are both free to download with optional paid features. Reddit’s r/solotravel and Facebook groups like “Solo Travel Network” are completely free and have highly active communities. These are consistently recommended by experienced solo travellers.

How far in advance should I start looking for a travel buddy?

Ideally, start your search four to eight weeks before departure. This gives you time to have multiple conversations, video calls, and to vet potential companions properly without feeling rushed. For popular travel seasons like summer or Christmas, starting earlier — around three months out — is smart.

Solo travel is incredible, but sharing the journey with the right person can make it unforgettable in a completely different way. If you’ve been holding back from searching for a travel companion because it felt strange or risky, hopefully this has shown you it’s neither. Start with one platform, write an honest post, and see who shows up. Your next great travel story might just begin with a message from a stranger who turns out to be exactly the adventure partner you needed. Ready to start? Head over to nextdestinationai.com for more solo travel resources, destination guides, and trip planning tools to help you travel smarter.