How to Find Trustworthy Travel Buddies and Build Lasting Bonds                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Traveling around the world is one of the most thrilling and exciting adventures you can embark on, and definitely one of the most fulfilling. A lot of people want to jump into the next trip but find it challenging to travel alone. Is it possible to find a travel buddy? And how do we do it safely?

Finding the right travel buddy can transform your journey from ordinary to extraordinary. From the joy of shared experiences to the practical benefits of splitting costs, traveling with buddies opens up a world of possibilities. In this guide, we will share with you tips to find travel companions who share your passion for exploration and also enhance every aspect of your journey.

The benefits of traveling with buddies

Traveling with a buddy has many advantages, beginning with the opportunity to share your adventure with someone as excited and invested in the journey as you. The joy of sharing fun moments, learning and exploring new things together, discussing discoveries, sharing moments of awe, and so much more. Having someone like this will enhance your experience and make your trip more entertaining.

Another important benefit is that you can split costs with another person. From meals to rides, you can save a lot of money by sharing your journey with a buddy. It is also possible that you can get discounts and promotions by bringing a group with you. This can help you to alleviate the costs of traveling and allocate your budget for other priorities.

Lastly, depending on the circumstances you will find a greater sense of safety by traveling with buddies, especially in unfamiliar destinations. Going with a group or even just one more person will provide you with social support and assistance if needed. Knowing that you can count on someone can make a difference in your experience.

Where to find trustworthy travel buddies?

The main priority when you are looking for a travel buddy is to make sure you are in a safe situation and that people around you can be trusted. There are locations and methods to find people like this during your trip:

Hostels

One of the best places to find trustworthy buddies is hostels. These are ideal for connecting with like-minded people who have similar goals and lifestyles. Also, they have many common areas that you can use to meet people, work together, and share ideas, tips, and information about locations, and you can take advantage of communal situations like breakfasts or dinners – when almost everybody is at the hostel – to reach out and chat.

What makes hostels great places to connect is that there are high chances you can find people who have the same plans as you, so you can probably meet someone who wants to visit the same locations, take the same tours, and so on. This can also facilitate finding compatible people.

While traveling

While on your journey, you may find people who share your plans or goals. On a day excursion, a landmark, a class, or a guided tour, you can spot people who have the same interests.

In these situations, the best is to chat with the person or group. Share information about locations you already went to, share tips, and opinions, and ask for information about the places you want to explore next. If you two or the group get along, you will know they are compatible with you.

By suggestion

Of course, one of the easiest ways to find a trustworthy travel buddy is by reference. A family member or friend probably knows someone who likes to travel or wants to visit the same locations, and you can plan with this person your next journey. 

Day tours or class

As we mentioned, you can meet trip buddies while traveling. Going on day tours, excursions, or classes is a great idea to connect with like-minded people who are exploring the same places and probably are looking for the same activities.

Book a greeter

Greeters are all over the world, and they are a great idea if you want to explore the city with a local. They can connect you with people like you, or you can just hang out with them and meet new locations through the eyes of an expert. Go shopping, exploring, cycling, and more!

Apps/Forums

Some apps/forums connect travelers like you or create spaces for you to interact with people who are in the same city. You can find in these apps invitations for hangouts, clubs, reunions, classes, and more.

Even though these platforms can be helpful to connect with people, we recommend taking precautions while using them. It is important to exercise discernment while using these platforms to avoid unpleasant connections. Keep reading to find out how to find a trip buddy while staying safe.

Tips on how to find a travel buddy safely

We have seen many ideas to meet new people, but the priority in this process, regardless of what method you choose, is to find trustworthy people to create lasting relationships. We share with you some tips on how to stay safe and meet people with caution.

• Meet them in public. If your first interaction was online, the best idea is to meet them in public for a few days to get to know them better. Explore landmarks or crowded locations together, or meet up in public spaces like a coffee shop or a mall. This can help you with discernment and connect with people safely.
• Make the plans. A lot of people will invite you to activities that maybe you don't like or are not sure of. Don't feel pressure to say yes. Instead, you can create the plans and invite the people you like.
• Don't feel obligated. As we mentioned, don't feel pressured if your new buddy wants to do something you don't like or don't feel comfortable with. Don't feel compelled to say yes just because you want to connect with them. Choose only activities that you like and want to enjoy.
• Don't rush your decisions. Even if you are staying for a couple of days in that city, don't rush into a decision you are not sure of. Let your buddies know that you will take some time to consider the plans. A good travel buddy won't pressure you into saying yes and will respect your time and space if you end up choosing something else.

How to find compatible travel buddies?

Finding the right partner to travel is important, especially since you want to make sure you are both compatible and that your partner is trustworthy. This is a person who will be with you for a few days, so you need to make sure it is the right fit. To ensure this, you can follow some simple tips to discover who is the right fit for you:

Define your priorities, preferences, and expectations

To assess if you are both compatible to spend time together, it is important to define first your priorities, needs, and preferences. It is like creating your own filter to match with the right person.

For example, some people love staying at hostels and connecting with other people, while others prefer the privacy of a hotel room or Airbnb. Maybe one of you has a strict budget and doesn’t want to spend money eating outside, while the other wants to explore the gastronomic scene.

Communication with your group or friend will help to establish expectations, and you will know exactly what you want to get out of this trip, and what the other people want to get out. It is here where you can begin to evaluate if you are compatible or not, and if you could benefit from spending all that time with that person or group.

Plan together

Most destinations have landmarks that everybody wants to visit and explore. Planning together with your trip buddies can be a great idea to discover all those locations with someone else to share it.

Discuss with your buddies where you want to go and when. Remember your preferences, and reach a consensus about your adventures. Planning will also help to establish expectations and everybody will know exactly what to do and when, laying a schedule and a common goal for all.

Logistics also benefit from planning together. You can hire excursions as a group, divide the cost of transportation or food, find discounts, share rooms in a hostel, and have the reassurance that you count on people to help you if needed.

Be flexible and respect each other's space

A good travel buddy knows when to go solo. This is when preferences and expectations play a strong role. If it is important for you to visit a landmark that your buddy or group doesn't want to, it is perfectly fine to go your own way. Equally, if you are being invited to a place you don't feel like visiting, don't feel obligated to participate.

Respecting each other's space is essential to build lasting bonds with your trip buddies. This will show that you are willing to join for the fun but also know your and other people's boundaries.