How to Find a Travel Buddy

Taking a trip of any length, whether close to home or as far away as Mongolia, can recharge you as you see different landscapes, meet new people and experience different cultures. But traveling alone, though liberating, can be a lonely affair. Oftentimes traveling with a buddy can make the trip that much better.

Instructions

1. Find a travel buddy as you travel. This is the by far the most common way to find a travel partner. When traveling solo, isolation will often draw a traveler to seek out company. Many hostels have bulletin boards or common areas where vagabonding types can post notes or exchange information in person about where they are headed next, and when. Also, on the bus between towns is a good place to meet someone. After having a conversation with someone for the first time, gauge whether this person might be a good companion.

2. Ask a friend to be a travel buddy. If traveling with a stranger does not sound palatable, approach a friend or two. People who share similar interests are likely to work well together on the road. Traveling with a friend also carries the added bonus of dispensing with formalities. It will make decisions easier to make on the road without the fear of stepping on someone's toes. The category of "friends" should also include significant others and family members.

3. Examine university bulletin boards. Most colleges, universities and schools of continuing education offer students of all ages space to post free notices. On a piece of paper, write out your destination, travel dates, mode of transport and any other pertinent information. List an email address for contact.

4. Search for a travel buddy at the Lonely Planet website. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree Travel Forum offers guests the chance to post messages requesting or offering information on a wide variety of topics. Whether on the road, preparing to leave or just returning, the bulletin board is a good place to search for a travel buddy. Click on the Thorn Tree link, then on the geographical area of interest, and then post a thread. People can reply, and you can then discuss the specifics privately via regular email.

5. Post a profile at Solo Traveller. Solo Traveller is a website that, for a fee, allows users to create a profile stating their travel priorities. The profile includes a brief space where users may state their specific travel goals. Once a profile is created, users can peruse other profiles and send inquiries via private messages. A community message board makes it easy for those already on the road to possibly receive a quicker response.

Tips & Warnings

• When not getting along with a travel companion, simply make the choice to part ways.

Resources

• Lonely Planet
• Solo Traveller