I’ve been traveling solo for six years. In that time, I’ve downloaded roughly forty apps promising to help me meet people. Most got deleted after one day. These eight are the ones that survived my phone and actually got me real conversations, real meals with strangers, and real friendships. If you’re heading out alone in 2026, this is the shortlist you need.
Backpackr — The One App I’d Keep If I Could Only Have One
Backpackr is the closest thing to a hostel common room in your pocket. It’s not trying to be a dating app or a generic social network. It’s built specifically for travelers who are on the move right now.
What makes it different
You create a trip — say “Thailand, March 2026” — and it shows you everyone else traveling the same route in the same window. You can message them before you even land. I used it to find a hiking buddy for the Inca Trail and ended up spending two weeks with that guy in Colombia. The chat is simple. No swiping. No algorithms pushing paid boosts.
Backpackr costs nothing for the basic version. The premium tier ($4.99/month) lets you see who viewed your profile and sends read receipts. I’ve never needed it.
Verdict: If you’re backpacking through multiple countries, start here. It’s the only app on this list that solves the “I’m in a new city tomorrow and want to meet someone” problem immediately.
Couchsurfing — Still Worth It If You Use It Right
Couchsurfing took a hit when they introduced the paywall in 2026. A lot of users left. But the core community is still active, and for solo travelers, it’s still the best way to get a local perspective.
You pay $2.99/month or $14.99/year to verify your account and send unlimited messages. That’s the catch. But compare that to the cost of one hostel night in Europe (average €25-40) and it’s obvious: if you host or surf even once, you’ve already saved money.
The mistake most people make: They only use it for free accommodation. That’s not the point. The real value is the “Hangouts” feature — a live map showing other travelers and locals who want to grab a coffee or walk around a neighborhood. I’ve used Hangouts in Tokyo, Lisbon, and Medellín. Every time, someone showed up within an hour.
My rule: Only send requests to people with at least 3 positive references. Anyone with zero? Skip them. Too many flakers.
Meetup — For Solo Travelers Who Want Structured Events
Meetup isn’t a travel app. It’s a local events app. But when you’re in a new city, it’s the fastest way to find people who share your specific interest — hiking, board games, language exchange, whatever.
I landed in Berlin last year with no plans. Opened Meetup. Found a “Berlin Photography Walk” happening the next morning. Showed up. Met 12 people, 8 of whom were also solo travelers. We ended up having dinner together that night.
What to look for: Groups labeled “Expats” or “Internationals” usually have the highest traveler density. Search the city name + “travel” or “wanderlust.” Most events are free or cost under $5.
Tradeoff: Meetup requires planning. You can’t open it at 10 PM and find someone to grab a beer with right now. For last-minute stuff, use Backpackr or Couchsurfing Hangouts.
Bumble BFF — Surprisingly Good for Women Traveling Solo
Bumble BFF is the friend-finding mode of the dating app. I was skeptical. It felt like swiping for friends, which is weird. But it works because the user base is massive.
I tested it in Sydney, Melbourne, and Bali. In each city, I matched with at least 3 people within 24 hours. The conversations were normal. “Hey, I just moved here too, want to grab coffee?” That simple.
For men: Your mileage will vary. Bumble BFF has a much smaller male user base. Expect fewer matches. If you’re a guy, prioritize Backpackr or Couchsurfing instead.
One tip: Set your location to the city you’re traveling to a few days before you arrive. Start conversations early. By the time you land, you’ll have a few coffee dates lined up.
Hostelworld — Not Just for Booking Beds
Everyone knows Hostelworld for booking dorms. Fewer people use its social features. That’s a mistake.
The app has a chat function inside each hostel’s page. You can see who else has booked a bed for the same dates and message them before you arrive. It’s basic — no photos, no profiles — but it works. I’ve used it to coordinate group dinners and find people to share taxi rides to airports.
The catch: Not all hostels enable this feature. Only about 60% do. But the ones that do (like Selina, Generator, and Wombats) tend to be the social hostels anyway.
How I use it: Book a bed at a hostel with good social ratings on Hostelworld. Then open the chat 2-3 days before check-in. Post something like “Hey, arriving Tuesday, anyone want to grab dinner Wednesday night?” You’ll get replies.
Eatwith — For Solo Diners Who Hate Eating Alone
Eatwith connects travelers with locals who host dinner parties in their homes. You pay a fee ($30-70 per meal), and you get a home-cooked meal with a small group of strangers. It’s not cheap, but it’s one of the few apps that guarantees you’ll sit at a table with other people for 2-3 hours.
I did one in Rome. The host was a retired chef. There were 8 guests — 5 solo travelers, 2 couples. We ate for three hours, drank wine, and exchanged numbers. I still talk to two of them.
When to use it: When you’re tired of hostel socializing and want a more mature, relaxed evening. Not for budget travelers. But if you have $50 to spend on a meal that’s also a social event, it’s worth every cent.
Alternative: If Eatwith is too expensive for your budget, look for “family dinner” events on Couchsurfing. They’re often free or donation-based.
Travel Ladies — The Best App for Women Only
Travel Ladies is a free app built for women travelers to connect with other women. It has a global map showing nearby female travelers. You can post plans like “Anyone want to visit the Sagrada Familia tomorrow?” and get responses within minutes.
I recommended this to a friend traveling solo through Morocco. She used it to find a walking buddy for the medina in Fes. Said it made her feel 10x safer.
Key feature: The app verifies users with a selfie and a valid ID. It’s not foolproof, but it filters out most bad actors. The community is also strict about reporting inappropriate behavior.
Tradeoff: Smaller user base than Bumble BFF. In less popular destinations, you might see only 5-10 active users. But in major cities (London, Bangkok, Mexico City), it’s active enough to find a meetup every day.
| App | Best For | Cost | User Base Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpackr | Immediate travel meetups | Free / $4.99 premium | Medium (growing fast) |
| Couchsurfing | Local hosts & Hangouts | $2.99/month | Large (aging but loyal) |
| Meetup | Structured group events | Free (events may cost) | Very large |
| Bumble BFF | Quick one-on-one meetups | Free | Very large (women-heavy) |
| Hostelworld | Pre-arrival hostel chat | Free (booking required) | Large (hostel users only) |
| Eatwith | Group dining experiences | $30-70 per meal | Small-medium |
| Travel Ladies | Women-only travel meetups | Free | Small (active in big cities) |
When Not to Use Any of These Apps
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: sometimes the best way to meet people is to put the phone away.
I spent a month in Vietnam using zero apps. I met people by sitting at the communal table in a hostel, joining a free walking tour, and saying “yes” to every invitation. The apps are a crutch. They’re useful when you’re in a dead hostel or a city with no obvious social scene. But if you rely on them exclusively, you miss the random encounters — the guy at the bar who invites you to a motorbike trip, the girl at the bus station who shares her snacks.
The failure mode: You open an app, find someone to meet, and spend the whole time looking at your phone instead of talking. I’ve done it. It’s awkward. Use the apps to find people, then put the phone in your pocket and actually connect.
My rule: Use apps for the first 24 hours in a new city. After that, rely on serendipity. The apps are a safety net, not the main game.
The best solo travel app in 2026 is the one you delete after you’ve made a friend.
