How to Make Friends as a Digital Nomad Without Awkwardness
As of February 22, 2026
Being a digital nomad doesn’t automatically mean being lonely — but it does mean being intentional about connection. I love my quiet rhythm: working through the day, winding down at night with my dog, and wandering solo on weekends. Still, every so often, I feel the pull to step out — to trade the messy bun for something stylish and swap screen time for city lights.
Loneliness as a remote worker is subtle. Your job becomes your routine, your laptop your daily companion, and evenings can blur into quiet nights alone. Over time, isolation seeps into your habits, shrinking both your social calendar and your confidence. And let’s be honest — building a social life takes more than dressing up and hoping the nightlife delivers.
Through years of trial and error across different cities, I’ve learned simple, realistic ways to meet people and build friendships as a location-independent professional — without forcing extroversion or exhausting myself. These aren’t theoretical tips. They’re lived strategies that helped me keep my social muscles strong while staying true to who I am.
Because connection doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intention. Looking polished and practicing self-care matters — but meaningful friendships grow from genuine interaction, shared experiences, and smart networking approaches that go deeper than surface-level small talk.
Meetup.com: A Practical Way to Connect
In a new city, one of the first things I do as a traveler is go on Meetup, look for groups, match my interests, and join the meetup platform; a picture taken at a goat yoga class I found, with a little dress, shows how this safe way to go out actually works to meet people and build connections in a shared city and environment. My favorite group, Shut Up and Write, has a local chapter in every city I visit, and while chapters are not the same quality, the hour-long writing hour lets me write anything I want, then at the end I socialize or simply leave, whether it’s blog posts, copy, fiction, or poetry, depending on the feeling of the day, making it a perfect activity for an introvert who values quality, comfort, and real friendships.
With some caution regarding Meetup, as a solo female traveler I prefer to stick to groups with activities other than drinking, because pub crawls and brewery gatherings are often a mixed bag where folks show up to meet great people, but in my experience, many people, mainly men, are looking for hookups or dating, which may be not what you’re looking for and can feel mildly uncomfortable or super creeped out—Ick—creating discomfort instead of trust. I now focus on non-drinking rather than drinking-focused gatherings, choosing meetup groups that support writing, socializing, people, groups, safety, shared activities, and genuine bonds formed at a thoughtful chapter level.
Timeleft: Shared Dinners, Real Connections
Timeleft is an app that pairs you with up to 5 strangers for dinner, and when I sign up and answer questions about my interests, hobbies, and work, I get paired with other people in my age group the app thinks I’ll jive with; you select a price point for the restaurant, whether casual, mid, or fancy schmancy, which makes it a super cool concept I genuinely enjoyed. The restaurant choice picks places that are highly rated by locals, with no tourist traps, so everyone I met was nice enough, and I’d happily do it again because these dinner meetups happen in major metropolitan areas internationally, making it easy to travel and still connect.
After dinner, there’s a meetup at a nearby bar where you can meet other Timeleft groups from a different place, but there’s no pressure, which I value when traveling alone; Wednesdays at 7 p.m. feel like a great way to make friends, a fantastic way to try new restaurants off the beaten path. If solo dining isn’t your cup of tea, this is a great alternative, and I always tell fellow nomads to check one out next time they plan a night out.
How to Connect with Locals: Facebook Groups for Solo Travelers
When I arrive in a new city as a digital nomad or solo traveler, one of the first things I do is search for Facebook groups or meetups to connect with new friends. Some groups in NYC or Austin have amazing quality, while others seem like a free-for-all with drama or posts about relationship struggles. A disclaimer might say it’s not for dating or that members could be banned if they treat it as such. I recommend reading every post carefully before you plan to introduce yourself or join an activity like coffee, fitness class, or something based on your interests.
In my experience, this method can help you make meaningful connections with people on an individual basis. Try to say hi, pull someone into conversation, and see if anyone wants to join you in an event. Look for a few first opportunities to get involved, even if it’s just a small boudoir photoshoot, a casual meet-up, or other group activities. Though some seem chaotic at first, it is actually a great way to do something new, introduce yourself comfortably, and connect with the right people with, etc, a bit of patience and effort.
Building Friendships on the Road with Bumble BFF
When I arrive in a new city as a digital nomad, one of my favorite tools is Bumble BFF. This app is different from the dating app or Bizz because it focuses solely on friendship and building professional relationships or casual connection. You can set up a profile, include your interests, and select whether you want to meet people for conversation, coffee, or any activity. Females and men both use it to find new friends, and the feature allows you to strike up a chat, arrange a meeting, or grab a drink. It’s easy, and successfully using it can lead to one or a couple of meaningful friendships.
I’ve learned that checking your list frequently is key because you only have 24 hours to move on a match before it expires. Quantity isn’t important—quality matters more, so focus on potential keepers. Even if some matches don’t work out, the tip is to simply form a connection, go for a meet up, and look for the best option. Another thing I’ve realized is that networking with people in this way helps forge strong bonds. Things like being comfortable, saying hi, and actively participating definitely make it easier to use the app as a reliable way to make friends with like-minded people.
Why Taking Tours Is Perfect for Solo Travelers
Going on a tour is one of the best ways to meet cool travelers while exploring a city. Whether it’s food tours, ghost tours, or vampire tours, every tour offers a unique experience. I remember a photo from my Ahoy tour company trip in NYC, exploring Chinatown and Little Italy, where I tried the best dumpling. Even if you feel uncomfortable eating alone at restaurants, this is a great alternative to solo dining. Sharing a fun post, chatting, and feeling the high of dopamine while traveling makes the whole trip more engaging.
Tours can also show you hidden gems in American cities or European cities. Guides at Free Tours by Foot help you pay attention to interesting details, and everyone ends up in a good mood while chatting. Even if some tourists are entitled or annoying, and a few rude people show up, the overall vibe is positive. The fun fact is that traveling with a group activates your brain, keeps you high on energy, and makes it easier to wish for more adventures while meeting like-minded people.
Making Connections at Live Shows While Traveling Solo
Going to shows like music, comedy, open mic nights, or poetry readings is a great way to meet strangers and feel part of the background while traveling. This is a safe option because you control how visible you want to be while watching the show. I usually look for other people who are alone and say hi—sometimes you hit it off, and sometimes they walk away.
One of my favorite nights of travel started when I said hello to a woman who was solo at a show. That post made for a memorable day. Even if nothing comes of it, just socialized and interacting with new people enriches your experience and makes it easier to meet others on your journey.
Making Friends at Bars During Off-Peak Nights
Sometimes the best way to meet interesting people while traveling is to explore bars on a random Tuesday instead of busy weekends. I’ve found that bringing a book and enjoying the mood of a smaller crowd at a brewery, winery, or dive bar makes it easier to connect. Using this method of socializing can reduce the madness of crowded nights and help you met and befriended locals or other folks who are in town for work or fun.
Through these meetups, you can make new connections naturally, and sometimes it even leads to a date. Observing the scene, chatting casually, and being approachable allows you to enjoy the experience without pressure while meeting people who are open to meeting others. It’s a subtle but effective way to expand your social circle while exploring the city.
Finding Local Events While Traveling with Eventbrite
Using Eventbrite as a resource is a smart way to find events nearby while traveling. I usually look for events and go solo, which gives me space to make a new friend naturally. You can also combine this with method 3, like Facebook groups, and ask if anyone in the group wants to join with you.
This approach helps you connect with locals and other travelers in a low-pressure environment. Even attending alone, you’ll find it easier to meet people, start conversations, and enjoy new experiences. The key is to stay approachable, check the event details, and be open to saying hello to anyone who seems friendly.
Making Friends Through Fitness Classes as a Digital Nomad
Attending fitness classes is a fantastic way to make friends as a digital nomad. Many studios organize happy hours and social events, giving you a chance to go beyond workouts. Going to the same class consistently helps you recognize people, which naturally makes it easier to eventually get to know them.
By being regular and approachable, you can turn shared exercises into real connections. Even small conversations after class or during social events can help you bond with other travelers and locals, making your fitness routine more enjoyable and socially rewarding.
Making Friends at Dog Parks While Traveling
Visiting dog parks is a fun way to meet human friends and new puppy friends while traveling. My dog, L.G., loves interacting with other dog friends, so I always take caution in smaller parks and prefer larger ones when possible. This helps everyone feel safe and enjoy themselves.
By making connections at the park, you can naturally set up playdates or casual meetups. Even casual conversations about your dog can turn into lasting friendships, giving both you and your pup a chance to socialize and bond with other travelers and locals.
How Karaoke Can Help Introverts Meet New People
Even if you’re introverted or neurodivergent and can’t sing, karaoke can be a surprisingly fun way to meet strangers, friends, or even love interests while traveling. It’s normal to feel nervous, but giving it a try lets you start talking to someone new and connect naturally.
Finding a welcoming karaoke spot can make all the difference. Don’t be shy to come and give it your all, singing your little heart out. You might meet anyone new and create memories while enjoying yourself and supporting other travelers to join in the fun.
Final Thoughts on Making Friends
Over time, I’ve discovered new ways of making friends while traveling alone. Every goal I set, like meeting a new friend on a hiking trail, helps me grow, and I always post about my experiences to let me know what works. It’s important to try, stay open to travel, and engage with comments or updates from others.
I update my methods periodically to improve, and each interaction teaches something. Even small steps, like saying hi or joining an activity, can lead to meaningful connections. With patience and effort, building friendships while traveling is always possible, and every attempt adds to your confidence and enjoyment on the road.
Start Small: Try to Speak with One Stranger Per Day
As a digital nomad, I’ve read many travel blogs suggesting co-working hubs or trendy coffee shops to chat up people with common interests. The idea of trying to initiate conversation at a table when most wear noise-canceling headphones can feel absolutely terrifying, especially for someone preferring online talking over face to face. In my experience, the reason these locations work well is that they organize themed events, giving natural opportunities for socializing or to strike up conversation while waiting for a third americano or dealing with mild overcaffeination.
After months of lockdown, social anxiety is normal, and it’s easy to overthink. But try to speak to one stranger per day. Welcome fellow travellers, meet locals, and treat it as social interaction. Even if the worst thing that can happen is that they spit in your face, the chances are slim. The key takeaway is that the first step may feel hard, but each time you arrive somewhere new, managing the form of conversation and experience will make it likely for friendships to gonna grow naturally.
Level up your small talk game
As a digital nomad, meeting new people can feel weird or intrusive at first. A simple utilitarian conversation like asking, “Where’s the best place to eat?” can break the ice. Seeking advice, help, or solving a problem naturally allows you to make a friend. Even if you’re shy, most people genuinely enjoy helping others and sharing opinions. Neighbors at the next table in a co-working space have made a conscious choice to be there instead of staying isolated at home, giving you something common to embrace in your interaction. Getting out of your comfort zone will re-energize your brain, even if you only manage awkward small talk at first. Others will appreciate your effort, and it helps dissolve tension while meeting efforts halfway.
A practical tactic is to use social media to reach out before arriving at your next location. Join a local online community like Facebook digital nomad groups, or follow travel blogs for tips and ideas. Post a friendly message letting people know you’re in town with an open invitation to hang out, grab coffee, lunch, or beers. This primary strategy has worked for me and my girlfriend over the past 6 months, making great friends with minimal awkwardness in the process. Even painful monotony like small talk about the weather can turn into meaningful social interaction with the right mindset.
Schedule Catch-Up Time in Your Calendar
As a digital nomad, maintaining authentic social interactions can be challenging, especially when people are constantly moving. Keeping in touch with your existing network of friends and acquaintances helps combat loneliness and the pangs of missing familiar faces. While making new friends addresses short-term needs for social contact, long-term relationships are crucial for a high quality of life. Taking time to reminisce, share kinship, or tell inside jokes helps you belong and reinforces real effort in maintaining connections beyond your immediate family or closest friends back home.
Even if connections are temporarily lost or only revived the next time you’re in town, scheduling a block of 30 minutes for friends in your calendar is a small step with meaningful impact. It helps rekindle ties during long stretches without communication and strengthens your strongest relationships. Avoid letting friends leave on read, forget special occasions like happy birthday, and remember next year. Use this investment of time to allocate attention, nurture connections, and maintain bonds across long distances. Send a message, make a call, or share a picture from a previous trip with a buddy. Taking initiative to reinforce an already-existing connection—like a real-world example of sending a postcard from Koh Samui with elephants and a joke—can spark a joyful reaction and strengthen your network.
More strategies for maintaining long-distance connections
- Don’t fall into the mental trap of thinking, “catch them next time.” Make the effort to schedule meet-ups with friends when you’re in town, play multiplayer video games, have a virtual happy hour, or do catchup.
- Use random 5 min calls, keep time zone differences in mind, and take advantage of any free website to stay connected.
Not all connections need to last forever
As a digital nomad, you’ll notice that relations with people and communities often come and go. It’s natural to feel that some connections aren’t worth it or that trying to make new friends isn’t always necessary in an always-on-the-move lifestyle. But it’s important to realize that even if connections disappear, the moments, conversations, and memories shared together are meaningful.
You can learn a lot by simply chatting with a fellow stranger or talking to strangers along the way. You’ll learn about them and learn about yourself, and it’s always a chance to embrace the opportunity to connect. Even short-term connections can leave a lasting impression on your travels and help you grow personally and socially.
Harness the Power of Social Media
Using social media can be both a blessing and a curse, but it’s an invaluable tool for meeting people in a new city. You can post on Facebook, share your plans or Instagram story to see if you know anybody in the place you’re heading to. Popular apps like WhatsApp and Telegram have digital nomad groups full of people like you, and expat communities often organize digital nomad events that happen nightly or weekly to encourage friendship.
Other apps, such as TikTok, are location-focused and allow you to let the app know where you are, show content to other people in the area, and use keywords like “digital nomads in city” in your video description to find content and reach out. Local Facebook groups are another resource where you can ask questions, get specific answers, and join groups dedicated to hobbies, meeting up for hiking, play football, book club, coffee, chat, or reading in an easygoing social setting. These steps help you form new friendships, meet your best friend, and enjoy living digital nomad life.
Join a Coworking Space
If you think a coworking space is a waste of money and wonder why you should pay for it when you already have a workspace or desk in your apartment, think again. Digital nomads and remote workers often use these spaces to network and make new friends, turning a simple office area into a social hub.
By becoming a member, you gain access to social events like pizza nights, trivia, and language exchanges, giving you a ready-made friendship group. These activities make it easier to meet like-minded people while working, blending productivity with opportunities to build meaningful connections.
Rely on friends, family, and word of mouth
One of the greatest things in life is using word of mouth to meet new people. Before arriving in a new city, talk to friends and family to see if they know anyone. This shortcut makes making friends easier, even if it feels awkward at first. A mutual friend or someone in common can help introduce you to their friends, giving you a relationship boost right away.
Even if you don’t hit it off immediately, having a close friendship or acquaintance from back home can help you meet more people. These connections make it easier to navigate a new city and expand your social circle without starting from scratch.
Use Meetup to Find People with Shared Hobbies
As a digital nomad in a new city, it helps to use Meetup, an app where you can find friends online or create Meetup groups. When I moved to Valencia, Spain, I joined groups for yoga, board games, cryptocurrency, techno music, and rock climbing. At each event, you can see who said yes, meet the kind of people you click with, and get a sense of the big event before attending. This is a great way to discover shared interests and make meaningful connections.
If Meetup isn’t your style, Couchsurfing is a helpful alternative. While some see it as a way to find a free place to stay, it also hosts an active CS community in almost every city on the planet, with travelers, locals, expats, and nomads ready to meet up, get to know you, and connect with each other. Combining both platforms gives you plenty of opportunities to expand your social circle while exploring your new surroundings.
Give Bumble BFF a Try
If you’re a digital nomad looking to make new friends, Bumble BFF can be a game-changer. Unlike the dating app side of Bumble, this friendship feature lets you strike up conversation and meet up with people who share similar interests. You can create a profile, highlight things you like to do, and specify that you’re looking for BFF. Bumble Bizz is another option if you want to focus on networking or professional relationships. Females and men alike can benefit, as long as you actively arrange meeting and don’t just stay talking on social apps.
The key is to grab coffee or grab a drink soon after connecting, because quality over quantity matters more than endless chatting. Even if you’ve met up with ladies or men before but never spoke again, don’t worry—forget to check app happens. Remember, you only have 24 hours to make a move once there’s a match, or your expired matches will sit in your list. Oops moments happen, but the connection you form with a keeper is worth it.
Take a Class to Connect
As a digital nomad, one of the best ways to make new friends in a city is to learn something fun or unusual. You can join people in cooking, yoga, salsa dancing, or life drawing. Signing up for a class automatically throws you into a community of others with at least one shared interest, making socializing easier and more natural.
The bonus is that you not only learn new skills but also meet like-minded individuals. Being thrown into this kind of environment encourages conversations and shared experiences, helping you build connections that can turn into lasting friendships. Classes are a simple way to combine learning with making new friends while exploring your new city.
Join a Language Exchange
A language exchange is a fun way for a digital nomad to meet people in a new city. Usually held as an evening event in a bar, it lets you practice a new language while also helping others. For example, a Spanish/English session pairs you with a native Spanish speaker, giving each of you 10 minutes in English before switching to Spanish, correcting mistakes, and learning together.
Joining these events is not only about learning a skill, but also about making connections and having fun. Being thrown into a community of learners automatically puts you in the process of meeting like-minded people and making new friends. It’s an easy way to help you feel part of a local community while improving your language skills.
Attend a Digital Nomad Event
Attending digital nomad events and conferences is an excellent way to meet digital nomads, remote workers, entrepreneurs, expats, and travel bloggers. These events bring together people who want to live life on their own terms, build connections, and be part of a community. You can meet people who are based near you or are planning to be, all while having fun and learning from each other.
To find a digital nomad event near your city or state, simply Google “digital nomad event + [your state]” and see whether anything comes up. These gatherings are a fantastic way to learn something new, expand your network, and make friends who truly understand the digital nomad lifestyle.
Volunteer for a Local Cause
If you want to make friends as a digital nomad, one great way is to volunteer for a local community cause. Whether it’s a soup kitchen, refugee center, or another organization, you’ll be helping people while naturally meeting others who care about the same things. Working with charities or nonprofits for a few weeks can lead to forming good friends and meaningful connections.
Being part of a community project means you’ll be sticking around in the area and doing some good at the same time. These experiences not only let you help people, but also allow you to bond with others who are genuinely invested in the same cause, making it easier to build long-lasting friendships.
Making friends as a digital nomad: Final thoughts
Being an adult and striking up friendships isn’t always easy, especially when you have a remote job and your coworkers are on the other side of the country or even further afield. Moving to a new city where you don’t know anyone can feel like one of the scariest things you’ll face, but there are countless ways to make new friends while Traveling Solo and living the digital nomad life, keeping loneliness out of your nomad journey.
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FAQs
1. What are the best ways for digital nomads to meet people?
Join co-working spaces, online nomad communities, and local meetups. Attending workshops, networking events, and social activities helps you meet like-minded people in your city.
2. How can digital nomads make lasting friendships while traveling?
Invest time in consistent communication, attend recurring events, and connect with people over shared hobbies or projects. Using social media groups or apps like Nomad List or Meetup can help maintain long-term connections.
3. Are co-living spaces good for making friends?
Yes. Co-living spaces provide opportunities to network, collaborate, and socialize with fellow nomads in a comfortable environment. Shared meals, events, and workshops make friendships easier to form.
4. How can introverted digital nomads build social connections?
Start small by joining structured events or online communities, participate in workshops, and schedule one-on-one meetups rather than large gatherings. Focus on quality over quantity in friendships.
5. What apps or platforms help digital nomads meet people?
Useful apps include Nomad List, Meetup, Couchsurfing, Facebook groups for digital nomads, and co-working space networks like WeWork or Impact Hub. They help you find events, activities, and like-minded people worldwide.
Conclusion
Being a digital nomad doesn’t mean choosing isolation — it means choosing freedom, including how you connect. Yes, remote work can bring long stretches of solitude, but it also opens the door to intentional, meaningful social experiences in every new city.
From joining Meetup groups and hands-on workshops to booking local tours and shared experiences, opportunities to meet people are everywhere. Apps like Bumble BFF, Timeleft, and NomadHer make it easier than ever to find like-minded connections — whether you’re looking for structured meetups or spontaneous plans.
And sometimes, the best connections happen in everyday places. Coworking spaces, cozy coffee shops, dog parks, and fitness classes can quietly become social hubs when you approach them with openness and intention.
