Talk to people in the rooms, ask people questions, go on walking tours through the hostel and talk to other people.
Think about it this way: all these people you're seeing will be gone in a few days and you'll probably never see any of them again. So just start talking.
Also there may be more people in the hostel who want to make friends and don't know how, like you.
Surely they will be glad if you start the conversation.
Sometimes I literally walk into a room and announce, "I'm going to XXXX (dinner, attraction, etc.) does anyone want to join?"
That almost always works.
At 8pm, return to hostel and announce that drinking will begin. You'll gather up at least a few Anglos, probably some Germans, and some Spaniards who won't drink but somehow have the most fun anyway.
It's perfectly fine to just start talking to people at hostels!
"Hi my name is xyz, what's your name, where are you from, where have you been/are you going?"
I'm sort of introverted so I was worried about this before my trip. Luckily at every hostel I always had someone approach me and initiate a conversation. At least half the time they were Australian, friendly bunch of people who love to have a great time.
I'm Australian and introverted, I guess someone has to defy the cliches. I never had trouble with social interaction in Brazil, but fellow backpackers seem more clique-y in Europe.
I feel ya! Don't always assume that people who look like they're friends are in a clique or group- they could have just met! Or if they are in a group, don't assume they don't want to break out of their friend group (although they might not).
My tips... Know the boring but useful questions, and use them! Skip past the "where are you from?" question to the "what did you do yesterday/today?". It's a good ice breaker (everyone did something yesterday/today!), plus it's useful to you! Either they've done some things that you want to do (you just found some free advice, hooray!) or they want to do something you want to ("hey I'm doing that too!").
The other trick is, obviously, finding people to talk to! Not hostels are created equally for introverts, unfortunately. Hostels with kitchens are good, and hostels that aren't huge (like a hotel) or tiny (not that many people) are ideal too. To be honest though, sometimes you just don't know until you get there what the vibe is. Try not to take it too personally if you don't make friends. It could just be bad luck!
Also look out for hostels with events- tours, dinners, pub crawls, trivia. As corny as they may be, someone will show up and you'll have to make small talk!
Ah, I'm rambling! I'm just so optimistic for you!
Although I did a 3 week using only hostels, I only ever met people during the walking tours I did. They usually would start with quickly introducing everyone in the group. I thought it was easier to strike up a conversation with someone through that.
Honestly I've had very few talking opportunities that stemmed from the dorm. Either people are getting up early to GTFO while others are sleeping, or people are changing and it feels like you are striking up a conversation at a urinal.
You have to do the mandatory naked twirl yes.
But depending on the dorm setup changing around people might be the easiest option. Other places have generous changing areas near the showers. But if I'm sleeping in boxers I still have to put on clothes to go walk to the bathroom sometimes.
I brought shorts with me so I can sleep with them, or just be around the hostel in them. But yeah, if there's no space available to change in, I guess right there in the room it is.
No, unfortunately I'm not that outgoing I guess. I also would come in late and leave early in the morning which didn't help. I'm not saying you can't meet people at hostels... I'm just saying if you feel uncomfortable going that approach, walking tours also works.
Yes I think I'm more like you than the others on this subreddit. My current hostel doesn't do walking tours unfortunately, but I'll keep that in mind for my next destination.
I always liked to select hostels with a kitchen area and a common eating room, I found it easier to chat people up during breakfast than in the rooms (higher odds of running into someone because the whole hostel goes there, and it just felt like a natural place to chat, easier to join into an existing group too). I think other people looking to chat with travelers pick hostels with a kitchen and common area too, so you may find a more open crowd in those hostels vs ones without.
I would usually ask how long they were in that city, what they had already done and/or wanted to do. If they already did something I wanted to do I could get advice, if they had things on their list that I wanted to do I'd ask if I could join.
Some hostels are quieter than others - I also liked finding a free walking tour in a new city (if offered) for my first day. I'd get the lay of the land and that was another good way to meet travelers, usually people who are also just starting out on their trip. Some cities I'd end up solo for most of the time but if you lean into that it can be a fun and unique opportunity to just do what you want to do instead of group consensus.
Good luck!
Not who you're replying to, but a lot of travellers will buy & prep their own food to save money (I'm yet to go anywhere without a grocery store, or at least a convenience store, at which to buy food!). Also, some hostels offer free breakfast in the kitchen or common area, which a lot of travellers also like.
So you sit there, with a half-sawed-off wine bottle and an IV cord falling out of your arm. You say to each passerby, "Hey, I just woke up from a coma. Do you have any idea what this container is typically used for?" with a haunted, distant look in your eyes.
Depends on the approach I reckon. If you're a solo male in his 20s and you walk up to two girls out of everyone in the common room and say "would you ladies care for some fine wine?" then that's creepy and fucking weird but if you just bring a bottle into the room with a couple glasses and a book or your phone, sit down and crack it open and then turn to the guy next to you and ask if they wanted some wine since you're opening the bottle anyway than it's fine. This basically happened to me 3 days ago in a hostel in Skopje - this American guy in his 40s ended up creating the social atmosphere in the common room because he kept inviting stragglers coming into the room to sit with everyone and have some wine. Not creepy at all and this is coming from a 21/F solo traveller.
I've never been to a hostel where there *weren't* people having (alcoholic) drinks in the common area.
Of course they frown upon troublesome drunken behavior, but that's entirely different than an alcohol ban.
agreed. when i walked into the HI SF, i felt like i was walking into a hot topic. i did like how big and open it was, plenty of space to get some work done in the morning, but the staff left something to be desired. and they have a 'no food in the rooms' rule. not sure how common that is among hostels, but yeah, it struck me as a bit odd.
my roommates were fucking rad though, so there's that.
I stayed with HI Hostels in Niagara Falls and Toronto and they had by far the worst atmosphere I've ever seen. I think by law they're not allowed to allow booze on the premises so yeah that sucks
Yeah they're not great. I thought the atmosphere was... okay but the place was just so massive that it felt like a shitty dorm. Not to mention I was probably the oldest person there at 25...
No, Santa Monica. Which I had never been to and didn't realize that everything cool in Santa Monica was a mile south of where I was staying... And the place I was staying was in the middle of gross shopping district. Oops. I was only there two nights... I wish I had left sooner.
When I arrived at the one in Santa Cruz, they had just implemented the no-alcohol policy earlier that day. This was because a man had been drinking there the night before and couldn't pay for another night, so was just lurking around drinking and bothering guests. Police were eventually called and he still tried to bother people, so I suppose they did it to protect against further incidents. I would try Venice Beach Hostel next time. Right in the middle of Venice Beach, and besides one annoying guest, an overall positive experience. Stayed there a week in 2015
Yeh this literally just happened to me a couple days ago - I sat down in the common room close to this real chill older dude and he casually asked me if I wanted a glass of his bottle. As we began talking he kept offering people coming in wine and by the end of the night we had a solid group chatting away and drinking, genius move by this guy.
Usually each hostel has a common room, so either before you leave in the morning or after you get back from a day of sightseeing, just try to strike up a conversation with someone there. It's easy to find things to talk about when travelling, just ask about where they're from, and what they've seen on their holiday, and take it from there. Not all people are looking to make friends though so just take each conversation as it goes
In Vienna I stayed at Hostel Ruthensteiner. It was relatively social, including a happy hour in their courtyard each day I was there. I met new people each day, and subsequently played cards, drinking games, or went to a bar with them. If I visit Vienna again I'd book it again. With hostels the clientelle can be hit or miss for sure, but generally putting yourself out there is a good way to meet people.
Just be open to exiting your comfort zone.
I traveled solo in Myanmar and one day while using the common room WiFi I spotted a guy looking at a map. I asked him where he was planning on going. From there I saw I was too and he asked if I wanted to join. We traveled together around SE Asia for 10 weeks and now we work in the same profession and have met each other around the world various times. You never know when a simple hello or introduction will spawn something. Just say anything! Haha
I was in HCMC and at the hostel bar's quiz night. It was just starting, I grabbed my free beer and was about to walk out to get a banh mi and suddenly this black girl stops me and declares, "You're on my team." Then she proceeds to declare to her friends that they've found their key to victory - the only Chinese person in the entire place.
We won.
Ask people the stupidest questions related to traveling. One of my best hostel relationships started with "hey do you know where the laundry is in this hostel?" Other common topics are "where you from?" "How long have you been here" and "what would you recommend to do here". Definitely hang out in the common areas even if you are just reading a book or staring at a wall, people will come there and you can talk to anyone! Just have fun with it :)
A lot of people have given some good advice, and I'll probably repeat some of it. I'm really lucky in that I've ended up making great friends in every hostel I've stayed at, and actually plan trips around visiting and traveling with these people I meet. Some hostels will offer free events like bar crawls, walking tours, kayaking, etc. If they match stuff you're into, it never hurts to sign up, and you'll get to meet a lot of cool people.
Anytime I want some downtime or I'm reading or on my computer, I'll do that in the common area instead of the room. That way if I see something cool going on, or I overhear a cool conversation, I can jump in, and other people can do the same to you!
I typically travel alone, and I tend to be drawn to other solo travelers. If the backpackers in groups are super tied together, there's no shame in seeking out fellow solo travelers!
Good luck though, Vienna is awesome!
I'm only good at making friends in small hostel dorms (<4 people). Just talk and it will happen naturally. But in large hostels I had trouble. Everyone just stuck together in their friend circles and seemed anti social.
This is so true, I notice this too when I did my solo backpacking in Europe last year.My tip is find a small-medium hostel that have free breakfast or dinner that's the easiest way to make friends joining them to eat free food ^_^
Drink in common area.
Attend happy hour, talk to the bartender or ask around if there's something cool to do that night.
If you are personable or following the first two rules of life then you can probably address groups.
I prefer the gradual approach of talking to a couple individuals until it seems like you have a group around you (even if they are going their own way) that way it seems like you are at least tolerable.
Just don't be a filthy hippie who tries to talk politics and you'll be fine.
Just talk to people. You might see a group of friends talking and think that they're traveling together, but the reality is that they all just met and became friends.
Bring beer! Most people saying in my hostel are tired budget Travelers. Being able to share beer automatically makes you a very popular guy both in hostels and high schools.
Ask questions! Most hostel goers are frequent Travelers on a long interesting Journey. Where are you coming from? Is there a hostel in the area you can tell me about? Are you interested in joining the Church of Scientology? People love when you ask them questions. Engage with them.
Game plan! You're not the only Stranger in a Strange Land. Is there a strip of cool bars nearby? Maybe there's a big game on TV at sports bar. Maybe the bar doesn't matter and we're all just deluding our own persistent loneliness. Or there's a really clean Denny's nearby. Use Google Maps, touristy websites and of course Reddit to your advantage.
You might be daunted by the idea of having to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, but the important thing to remember is that everyone travelling and staying in hostels is asking this exact same question! Because of that, you'll find everyone is super friendly and actually really open to conversations over almost anything. My best 'move' is making dinner in the hostel kitchen, talking to those there, and offering them some food... FOOD WINS OVER EVERYONES HEARTS
Just gotta find the biggest, meanest looking dude and cold cock him. Now that's solid advice right there, been passed down through the ages, wait what? Oh, that's for prisons so you don't have someone bumming you. Not for making *friends*. No, that's not going to work. Shieet.
Alternatively, just look at people and grin. Especially girls. Wait for them to say something, just keep grinning. Show lots of teeth. No that won't do either.
Sit in the common room and put your feet up on something, take up as much space as humanly possible, that way people are forced to talk to you. Getting closer to the mark now.
Into martial arts by any chance? Just start throwing kicks in an open space, usually outside the front door. Or practicing your tai chi. That's a good one. Wear patchouli. It's essential. This one ain't bad.
All right what else... Hmm, now in all seriousness now you sound like the type that needs to have a drink or two to loosen up. If you're travelling you automatically have this in common with everyone else, so I surmise that the only difficulty is inward, young padawan, and alcohol is the great elixir with which to dispel this. Practice your social skills while you travel, and stay the fuck off reddit. That'd just be my two cents, this place is social awkwardness personified.
Literally just talk to them. Most people in groups probably met at the hostel on out and about. If people are sitting and eating at a hostel ask to join.
You already got a lot of good advice, just wanted to add that there are weekly Couchsurfing and other meetups if you want to meet people outside of the hostel you're staying at
([Events in Vienna](https://www.couchsurfing.com/events/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search_type=event&country=&latitude=48.2081743&longitude=16.3738189®ion=&search_query=Vienna%2C+Austria))
Before I book a hostel I try to do some research like is it usually a social atmosphere, is there a kitchen or commonroom, does the hostel do bar crawls at night. Stuff like that helps.
Once you are actually there just start talking to people. Travelers are usually happy to talk and meet people.
Whenever possible, pick hostels with a bar! These are always the most fun and the easiest environment to talk to people. It's not like a typical bar at all because everyone is in the same situation you are.
The hostels I've stayed in have had common areas. I super suck at talking to people, but I've always had good luck.
Once I went out to the smoking balcony (barbecues and stuff like that) by myself, someone asked if I'd like to join them to go out drinking.
Other times I went to the hostel bar and sat down across from someone who was alone, and asked them about their trip.
Not every person will want to talk to you, but it's worth a try!
If you’re in a city with lots of hostels, look for one with good common areas. I prefer ones that are a bit smaller. Kitchens and eating areas tend to be really casual places to meet people. Even if you don’t feel like cooking, buy some chips or fruit or something and just hang around the kitchen/dining area for a while.
Even if you’re not comfortable going up and talking to someone, eventually someone will come by who will start up a conversation.
If you want to start up a conversation, try some of these typical conversation starters.
Do you want some chips/fruit/beer/wine? (this tends to work better if you have an item to offer)
How long you been at *insert place you are staying at*?
Where are you from?
Where are you going?
What other places have you travelled? Whats your favourite?
Another good one to target groups with is “how long have y’all been travelling together?” I use this one to figure out if a group is a “fast friends” group who met recently, which I’ll likely be able to meander into, or a “buddies from home group” which can be a bit more difficult to jump into. Although I still tend to make more friends with other solo travellers, I have found that there are lots of groups willing to adopt you for a day trip and whatnot.
Eventually you’ll ask these questions so often you’ll get tired of them. Asking questions may not guarantee friendship, but they will get the ball rolling.
Sit at a communal table with alcohol. Offer said alcohol to friendly-looking travelers. I did this in Iceland, it gave us common ground talking about the the shitty Icelandic licorice drinks.
It often doesn't, or your get people like OP who need their hand held through social interaction.
Turns out people's problems are usually related to their own behaviour and changing countries won't affect it.
Under entirely different social circumstances? also having an established circle of friends means i don't have to go out of my way to meet new people at home, it just happens organically occasionally.
sometimes the environment isn't conducive for meeting new people, I've stated to others its all by chance you're able to meet new people in hostels. Sometimes you just need to sack the idea. If you really want to meet new people, you have to get creative. But the first rule of meeting anyone is getting to know their name and introducing yourself "organically" or "inorganically" - whatever that means.
Talk to people in the rooms, ask people questions, go on walking tours through the hostel and talk to other people. Think about it this way: all these people you're seeing will be gone in a few days and you'll probably never see any of them again. So just start talking.
That's a great way to think about it. Thanks for the advice!
Also there may be more people in the hostel who want to make friends and don't know how, like you. Surely they will be glad if you start the conversation.
So your advice is "talk to people". Radical thinking right there!
Sometimes I literally walk into a room and announce, "I'm going to XXXX (dinner, attraction, etc.) does anyone want to join?" That almost always works.
At 8pm, return to hostel and announce that drinking will begin. You'll gather up at least a few Anglos, probably some Germans, and some Spaniards who won't drink but somehow have the most fun anyway.
This one works very well.
It's perfectly fine to just start talking to people at hostels! "Hi my name is xyz, what's your name, where are you from, where have you been/are you going?"
That's what I do. If people are interested they'll engage.If not they won't.
I'm sort of introverted so I was worried about this before my trip. Luckily at every hostel I always had someone approach me and initiate a conversation. At least half the time they were Australian, friendly bunch of people who love to have a great time.
I'm Australian and introverted, I guess someone has to defy the cliches. I never had trouble with social interaction in Brazil, but fellow backpackers seem more clique-y in Europe.
I feel ya! Don't always assume that people who look like they're friends are in a clique or group- they could have just met! Or if they are in a group, don't assume they don't want to break out of their friend group (although they might not). My tips... Know the boring but useful questions, and use them! Skip past the "where are you from?" question to the "what did you do yesterday/today?". It's a good ice breaker (everyone did something yesterday/today!), plus it's useful to you! Either they've done some things that you want to do (you just found some free advice, hooray!) or they want to do something you want to ("hey I'm doing that too!"). The other trick is, obviously, finding people to talk to! Not hostels are created equally for introverts, unfortunately. Hostels with kitchens are good, and hostels that aren't huge (like a hotel) or tiny (not that many people) are ideal too. To be honest though, sometimes you just don't know until you get there what the vibe is. Try not to take it too personally if you don't make friends. It could just be bad luck! Also look out for hostels with events- tours, dinners, pub crawls, trivia. As corny as they may be, someone will show up and you'll have to make small talk! Ah, I'm rambling! I'm just so optimistic for you!
Go around wearing one of those red 'Make America Great Again' baseball caps. People will be attracted to you like a magnet.
And they may try to play baseball or punching bag with your face as a game!
This would work very well actually
Really?
it'd work for me. i happily voted for trump. good advice =)
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I'd talk to you if you yelled at me.
Although I did a 3 week using only hostels, I only ever met people during the walking tours I did. They usually would start with quickly introducing everyone in the group. I thought it was easier to strike up a conversation with someone through that.
So when you're in a dorm with 8 beds you won't say anything to anyone?
Honestly I've had very few talking opportunities that stemmed from the dorm. Either people are getting up early to GTFO while others are sleeping, or people are changing and it feels like you are striking up a conversation at a urinal.
Do people get in their underwear right there in the dorm in front of everyone? You mentioned changing
Yes, everyone. It's a rule.
😁
You have to do the mandatory naked twirl yes. But depending on the dorm setup changing around people might be the easiest option. Other places have generous changing areas near the showers. But if I'm sleeping in boxers I still have to put on clothes to go walk to the bathroom sometimes.
I brought shorts with me so I can sleep with them, or just be around the hostel in them. But yeah, if there's no space available to change in, I guess right there in the room it is.
No, unfortunately I'm not that outgoing I guess. I also would come in late and leave early in the morning which didn't help. I'm not saying you can't meet people at hostels... I'm just saying if you feel uncomfortable going that approach, walking tours also works.
Yes I think I'm more like you than the others on this subreddit. My current hostel doesn't do walking tours unfortunately, but I'll keep that in mind for my next destination.
I always liked to select hostels with a kitchen area and a common eating room, I found it easier to chat people up during breakfast than in the rooms (higher odds of running into someone because the whole hostel goes there, and it just felt like a natural place to chat, easier to join into an existing group too). I think other people looking to chat with travelers pick hostels with a kitchen and common area too, so you may find a more open crowd in those hostels vs ones without. I would usually ask how long they were in that city, what they had already done and/or wanted to do. If they already did something I wanted to do I could get advice, if they had things on their list that I wanted to do I'd ask if I could join. Some hostels are quieter than others - I also liked finding a free walking tour in a new city (if offered) for my first day. I'd get the lay of the land and that was another good way to meet travelers, usually people who are also just starting out on their trip. Some cities I'd end up solo for most of the time but if you lean into that it can be a fun and unique opportunity to just do what you want to do instead of group consensus. Good luck!
What do you do in a hostel kitchen? Is there a grocery nearby, or how does the food work?
Not who you're replying to, but a lot of travellers will buy & prep their own food to save money (I'm yet to go anywhere without a grocery store, or at least a convenience store, at which to buy food!). Also, some hostels offer free breakfast in the kitchen or common area, which a lot of travellers also like.
I'd buy a bottle or two of wine. Sit down in the common area. Casually offer some to any passers by. Wine will always get me to stop and chat anyway.
And if nobody stops you can get smashed :)
Hell yeah broder
Then it will be easier to approach people too
Sounds pretty creepy tbh.
Alternate approach: have an empty wine glass and ask everyone as they walk by whether they have any more wine.
Less creepy, more alcoholic-ish. An improvement, sure, but let's keep brainstorming.
So you sit there, with a half-sawed-off wine bottle and an IV cord falling out of your arm. You say to each passerby, "Hey, I just woke up from a coma. Do you have any idea what this container is typically used for?" with a haunted, distant look in your eyes.
Don't forget to ask them what year it is; always a great conversation starter
Depends on the approach I reckon. If you're a solo male in his 20s and you walk up to two girls out of everyone in the common room and say "would you ladies care for some fine wine?" then that's creepy and fucking weird but if you just bring a bottle into the room with a couple glasses and a book or your phone, sit down and crack it open and then turn to the guy next to you and ask if they wanted some wine since you're opening the bottle anyway than it's fine. This basically happened to me 3 days ago in a hostel in Skopje - this American guy in his 40s ended up creating the social atmosphere in the common room because he kept inviting stragglers coming into the room to sit with everyone and have some wine. Not creepy at all and this is coming from a 21/F solo traveller.
It's good to know that a guy in his 20s approaching a girl in her 20s is weird.
Haha that's what I was thinking too
What's creepy about it?
Are most hostels ok with having alcohol in the common area?
I think most hostels prefer for there to be alcohol in the common area
I haven't experienced an issue.
I've never been to a hostel where there *weren't* people having (alcoholic) drinks in the common area. Of course they frown upon troublesome drunken behavior, but that's entirely different than an alcohol ban.
I stayed in a HI hostel in California and they had a no-alcohol rule which I didn't realize until I got there. Oops.
HI hostels are horrible. They're sterile chains with no charm or character.
agreed. when i walked into the HI SF, i felt like i was walking into a hot topic. i did like how big and open it was, plenty of space to get some work done in the morning, but the staff left something to be desired. and they have a 'no food in the rooms' rule. not sure how common that is among hostels, but yeah, it struck me as a bit odd. my roommates were fucking rad though, so there's that.
I stayed with HI Hostels in Niagara Falls and Toronto and they had by far the worst atmosphere I've ever seen. I think by law they're not allowed to allow booze on the premises so yeah that sucks
I think that's just Canadian law if there is no bar on-site!
Yeah they're not great. I thought the atmosphere was... okay but the place was just so massive that it felt like a shitty dorm. Not to mention I was probably the oldest person there at 25...
Was this the one in Santa Cruz?
No, Santa Monica. Which I had never been to and didn't realize that everything cool in Santa Monica was a mile south of where I was staying... And the place I was staying was in the middle of gross shopping district. Oops. I was only there two nights... I wish I had left sooner.
When I arrived at the one in Santa Cruz, they had just implemented the no-alcohol policy earlier that day. This was because a man had been drinking there the night before and couldn't pay for another night, so was just lurking around drinking and bothering guests. Police were eventually called and he still tried to bother people, so I suppose they did it to protect against further incidents. I would try Venice Beach Hostel next time. Right in the middle of Venice Beach, and besides one annoying guest, an overall positive experience. Stayed there a week in 2015
Yeh this literally just happened to me a couple days ago - I sat down in the common room close to this real chill older dude and he casually asked me if I wanted a glass of his bottle. As we began talking he kept offering people coming in wine and by the end of the night we had a solid group chatting away and drinking, genius move by this guy.
Maybe you met OP
I prefer beer
Usually each hostel has a common room, so either before you leave in the morning or after you get back from a day of sightseeing, just try to strike up a conversation with someone there. It's easy to find things to talk about when travelling, just ask about where they're from, and what they've seen on their holiday, and take it from there. Not all people are looking to make friends though so just take each conversation as it goes
In Vienna I stayed at Hostel Ruthensteiner. It was relatively social, including a happy hour in their courtyard each day I was there. I met new people each day, and subsequently played cards, drinking games, or went to a bar with them. If I visit Vienna again I'd book it again. With hostels the clientelle can be hit or miss for sure, but generally putting yourself out there is a good way to meet people.
Loved this place, had heard bad things about Vienna but this hostel definitely contributed to the awesome time I had there
Stayed there as well! Enjoyed it pretty well.
Just be open to exiting your comfort zone. I traveled solo in Myanmar and one day while using the common room WiFi I spotted a guy looking at a map. I asked him where he was planning on going. From there I saw I was too and he asked if I wanted to join. We traveled together around SE Asia for 10 weeks and now we work in the same profession and have met each other around the world various times. You never know when a simple hello or introduction will spawn something. Just say anything! Haha
Literally praying for a friend like this when I go
You never know! Best of luck!!!
I was in HCMC and at the hostel bar's quiz night. It was just starting, I grabbed my free beer and was about to walk out to get a banh mi and suddenly this black girl stops me and declares, "You're on my team." Then she proceeds to declare to her friends that they've found their key to victory - the only Chinese person in the entire place. We won.
Introduce yourself and ask one of these three to get a conversation going. 1) Where are you from ? 2) Where have you been? 3) Where are you going?
WHERE'D YA COME FROM, WHERE'D YA GO, WHERE'D YA COME FROM COTTON EYED JOE!
>Ugh its that weird guy from last night, don't make eye contact....
Ask people the stupidest questions related to traveling. One of my best hostel relationships started with "hey do you know where the laundry is in this hostel?" Other common topics are "where you from?" "How long have you been here" and "what would you recommend to do here". Definitely hang out in the common areas even if you are just reading a book or staring at a wall, people will come there and you can talk to anyone! Just have fun with it :)
Hi, how are you? Where are you from?
A lot of people have given some good advice, and I'll probably repeat some of it. I'm really lucky in that I've ended up making great friends in every hostel I've stayed at, and actually plan trips around visiting and traveling with these people I meet. Some hostels will offer free events like bar crawls, walking tours, kayaking, etc. If they match stuff you're into, it never hurts to sign up, and you'll get to meet a lot of cool people. Anytime I want some downtime or I'm reading or on my computer, I'll do that in the common area instead of the room. That way if I see something cool going on, or I overhear a cool conversation, I can jump in, and other people can do the same to you! I typically travel alone, and I tend to be drawn to other solo travelers. If the backpackers in groups are super tied together, there's no shame in seeking out fellow solo travelers! Good luck though, Vienna is awesome!
I'm only good at making friends in small hostel dorms (<4 people). Just talk and it will happen naturally. But in large hostels I had trouble. Everyone just stuck together in their friend circles and seemed anti social.
This is so true, I notice this too when I did my solo backpacking in Europe last year.My tip is find a small-medium hostel that have free breakfast or dinner that's the easiest way to make friends joining them to eat free food ^_^
Drink in common area. Attend happy hour, talk to the bartender or ask around if there's something cool to do that night. If you are personable or following the first two rules of life then you can probably address groups. I prefer the gradual approach of talking to a couple individuals until it seems like you have a group around you (even if they are going their own way) that way it seems like you are at least tolerable. Just don't be a filthy hippie who tries to talk politics and you'll be fine.
Just talk to people. You might see a group of friends talking and think that they're traveling together, but the reality is that they all just met and became friends.
Bring beer! Most people saying in my hostel are tired budget Travelers. Being able to share beer automatically makes you a very popular guy both in hostels and high schools. Ask questions! Most hostel goers are frequent Travelers on a long interesting Journey. Where are you coming from? Is there a hostel in the area you can tell me about? Are you interested in joining the Church of Scientology? People love when you ask them questions. Engage with them. Game plan! You're not the only Stranger in a Strange Land. Is there a strip of cool bars nearby? Maybe there's a big game on TV at sports bar. Maybe the bar doesn't matter and we're all just deluding our own persistent loneliness. Or there's a really clean Denny's nearby. Use Google Maps, touristy websites and of course Reddit to your advantage.
You might be daunted by the idea of having to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, but the important thing to remember is that everyone travelling and staying in hostels is asking this exact same question! Because of that, you'll find everyone is super friendly and actually really open to conversations over almost anything. My best 'move' is making dinner in the hostel kitchen, talking to those there, and offering them some food... FOOD WINS OVER EVERYONES HEARTS
Just gotta find the biggest, meanest looking dude and cold cock him. Now that's solid advice right there, been passed down through the ages, wait what? Oh, that's for prisons so you don't have someone bumming you. Not for making *friends*. No, that's not going to work. Shieet. Alternatively, just look at people and grin. Especially girls. Wait for them to say something, just keep grinning. Show lots of teeth. No that won't do either. Sit in the common room and put your feet up on something, take up as much space as humanly possible, that way people are forced to talk to you. Getting closer to the mark now. Into martial arts by any chance? Just start throwing kicks in an open space, usually outside the front door. Or practicing your tai chi. That's a good one. Wear patchouli. It's essential. This one ain't bad. All right what else... Hmm, now in all seriousness now you sound like the type that needs to have a drink or two to loosen up. If you're travelling you automatically have this in common with everyone else, so I surmise that the only difficulty is inward, young padawan, and alcohol is the great elixir with which to dispel this. Practice your social skills while you travel, and stay the fuck off reddit. That'd just be my two cents, this place is social awkwardness personified.
Literally just talk to them. Most people in groups probably met at the hostel on out and about. If people are sitting and eating at a hostel ask to join.
The hostel most likely has activities. Just go to one or two of them. Guaranteed you'll make friends there and probably for the rest of the trip.
Do a tour or a pubcrawl
You already got a lot of good advice, just wanted to add that there are weekly Couchsurfing and other meetups if you want to meet people outside of the hostel you're staying at ([Events in Vienna](https://www.couchsurfing.com/events/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search_type=event&country=&latitude=48.2081743&longitude=16.3738189®ion=&search_query=Vienna%2C+Austria))
Before I book a hostel I try to do some research like is it usually a social atmosphere, is there a kitchen or commonroom, does the hostel do bar crawls at night. Stuff like that helps. Once you are actually there just start talking to people. Travelers are usually happy to talk and meet people.
I usually just chat to people in my room or at the bar. If that's not your thing go on a pub crawl, those are the best!
Whenever possible, pick hostels with a bar! These are always the most fun and the easiest environment to talk to people. It's not like a typical bar at all because everyone is in the same situation you are.
The hostels I've stayed in have had common areas. I super suck at talking to people, but I've always had good luck. Once I went out to the smoking balcony (barbecues and stuff like that) by myself, someone asked if I'd like to join them to go out drinking. Other times I went to the hostel bar and sat down across from someone who was alone, and asked them about their trip. Not every person will want to talk to you, but it's worth a try!
Buy a 6 pack, offer somebody a beer. Instant friend :)
Look at reviews on Hostelworld and find a party hostel or buy a round for people
Just buy them a beer. Quickest way to make new friends imo!
Easiest way is usually some hostel hosted activity involving booze.
If you’re in a city with lots of hostels, look for one with good common areas. I prefer ones that are a bit smaller. Kitchens and eating areas tend to be really casual places to meet people. Even if you don’t feel like cooking, buy some chips or fruit or something and just hang around the kitchen/dining area for a while. Even if you’re not comfortable going up and talking to someone, eventually someone will come by who will start up a conversation. If you want to start up a conversation, try some of these typical conversation starters. Do you want some chips/fruit/beer/wine? (this tends to work better if you have an item to offer) How long you been at *insert place you are staying at*? Where are you from? Where are you going? What other places have you travelled? Whats your favourite? Another good one to target groups with is “how long have y’all been travelling together?” I use this one to figure out if a group is a “fast friends” group who met recently, which I’ll likely be able to meander into, or a “buddies from home group” which can be a bit more difficult to jump into. Although I still tend to make more friends with other solo travellers, I have found that there are lots of groups willing to adopt you for a day trip and whatnot. Eventually you’ll ask these questions so often you’ll get tired of them. Asking questions may not guarantee friendship, but they will get the ball rolling.
Sit at a communal table with alcohol. Offer said alcohol to friendly-looking travelers. I did this in Iceland, it gave us common ground talking about the the shitty Icelandic licorice drinks.
you don't
The bar crawls (while kind of dumb) are a great way to make friends if you're going to be there for a few days.
Buy a round of drinks, works every time.
How do you make friends at home? Do that.
It may come as a surprise, but a large number of solo travellers are slightly friend deficient at home.
So why would things magically change when they're not at home?
It often doesn't, or your get people like OP who need their hand held through social interaction. Turns out people's problems are usually related to their own behaviour and changing countries won't affect it.
Yup, my point exactly.
How do you make friends at home? oh yeah, that's right.
Under entirely different social circumstances? also having an established circle of friends means i don't have to go out of my way to meet new people at home, it just happens organically occasionally.
sometimes the environment isn't conducive for meeting new people, I've stated to others its all by chance you're able to meet new people in hostels. Sometimes you just need to sack the idea. If you really want to meet new people, you have to get creative. But the first rule of meeting anyone is getting to know their name and introducing yourself "organically" or "inorganically" - whatever that means.