Tired of exploring world-class cities all by yourself? Connect with verified solo travelers and join local meetups instantly with this free app! Whether you are trekking through the Andes or searching for the best espresso in Rome, a travel buddy app can transform your solo journey into a shared adventure.
Yes, ‘solo’ doesn’t have to mean ‘alone’. With over 1 million verified travelers worldwide, finding local meetups in 190+ countries is now as simple as a few taps on your smartphone. Technology connects strangers and friends, making sure that there is always someone to share a meal, a ride in a taxi, or a sunset with. Got curious? Check this and more on Tripiefly.
Why use a travel buddy app?
The rise of solo travel has created a different kind of social challenge: how do you maintain independence while still enjoying the perks of a group?
A travel buddy app like Nomadtable (that you can get for your iOS or Android) solves this by offering real-time connectivity.
Instead of the hit-or-miss lottery of hostel roommates (who may or may not snore like a chainsaw), you get a vetted pool of humans who are actually looking to do the same things as you. Well, this and other advantages:
- Curated connections: match with people based on age, home country, and travel style;
- Cost sharing: splitting the cost of tours, car rentals, or ‘pizza for two’ becomes much easier when you have a buddy;
- Planned spontaneity: you can join activities happening right now or plan for a trip six months in the future;
- Combatting ‘solo fatigue’: sometimes you just need a break from your own thoughts; having a companion for dinner can provide the social recharge needed to keep going.
Step-by-step: how to find people with Nomadtable
With over 500,000 downloads, Nomadtable has become a leading travel buddy app for those who value simplicity and real-time interaction. Here is how you can go from solo to social in just a few minutes:
Step 1: set up your global profile
Download the app for iOS or Android and create a profile that reflects your true travel self. Include your age, the languages you speak, and specific interests—like ‘nightlife’, ‘museums’, or ‘hiking’.
Step 2: browse ‘Who’s Nearby’
The real-time feature allows you to see other solo travelers currently in your city.
If you are on the Basic tier, you’ll see a selection of travelers; Nomadtable Plus users can unlock the full list and boost their own profiles to the top of the queue for faster matches.
Step 3: join or create an activity
Don’t wait for an invite! You can create a ‘Sightseeing at the Colosseum’ activity or join an existing ‘Taco Tuesday’ meetup.
The app’s AI-powered recommendations can even suggest the best venues nearby based on your group’s collective interests.
Step 4: plan for the future
Input your next destination and dates. You will be matched in a group chat with others visiting at the same time, allowing you to find your ‘trip BFF’ before you even board the plane.
Pricing and the worth of the Nomadtable Plus
While the best things in life are free, the best travel connections usually come with a small subscription fee. The basic version of this travel buddy app lets you set up a profile, see a limited selection of nearby travelers, and join a few activities.
But if you’re serious about never eating another meal alone, consider trying Nomadtable Plus
- Nomadtable Plus 1 Week: $6.99 (7.99 €) – Perfect for a quick city break.
- Nomadtable Plus 1 Month: $14.99 (17.99 €) – The sweet spot for a month-long backpacking stint.
- Nomadtable Plus 1 Year: $69.99 (79.99 €) – For the full-time digital nomads who live out of a suitcase.
Safety tips when meeting people
While Nomadtable is a safety-first platform with optional profile verification, meeting strangers in a foreign country always requires common sense.
A travel buddy app is a tool to facilitate the meeting, but your intuition is your best guide.
- Look for the ‘Verified’ badge: prioritize connecting with users who have gone through the optional verification process to ensure they are who they say they are;
- Meet in public places: for your first meetup, choose a busy cafe, a popular landmark, or a well-lit restaurant. Avoid meeting in private accommodations or remote areas;
- Share your plans: tell a friend back home or someone at your hotel where you are going and who you are meeting;
- Trust your gut: if a conversation feels ‘off’ or someone is pressuring you for personal information, utilize the in-app blocking features. For more in-depth advice on vetting your companions, check out this guide on how to get to know a travel buddy.
Other ways to meet travel buddies
While a travel buddy app is the most direct way to find a partner, it can be supplemented by other social strategies.
Diversifying your approach ensures you never find yourself without options.
- Group tours: booking a day trip is a natural way to bond with others over a shared experience;
- Hostel common areas: even if you aren’t staying in a dorm, many hostels have bars or cafes open to the public that act as hubs for solo wanderers;
- Social media groups: Facebook groups dedicated to ‘Solo Female Travelers’ or ‘Expats in [City Name]’ can be useful, though they lack the real-time location features of a dedicated app;
- Free walking tours: these are a classic solo traveler staple. Simply showing up usually results in meeting at least one or two other people looking for lunch companions afterward.
Solo travel does not always need to stay solo
Solo travel is one of the most rewarding ways to see the world, but it is the people we meet along the way that often define the journey.
Whether you use the free version or upgrade to Nomadtable Plus for unlimited AI suggestions and trip planning, the goal remains the same: never explore alone unless you want to.
Don’t spend another night in a beautiful city watching Netflix in your bunk. Download the travel buddy app, verify your profile, and start meeting people who are just as weirdly adventurous as you are.
The world is too big to explore alone, and honestly, who else is going to take your photo in front of the Eiffel Tower?
