5 Tips from a Solo-Traveler on Making Friends on the Road through A Dating App

What do you do when you go through a heart-wrenching breakup? Cry? Stay in your bed 24/7? Decide that the world is a cruel place not meant for true love? Well, so did Pankti Chheda, an avid traveler. She sulked, she wailed, and basically did everything a heart-broken person would do. But that was until her friend eventually signed her up on Tinder to help her move on. Little did she know that this would eventually lead her to matches that’ll play a huge role in her solo-traveler journey, helping her explore different cultures, possibilities and experiences.

According to the app’s Future of Dating Report 2023 66% of users agree that the app allows them to date more people outside of their friendship circle or connect them with someone they would otherwise never have met in their day to day life. This has coalesced into dating becoming more diverse, racially, culturally and geographically, than ever before. In fact, there has been a steady increase in search distance ranges on the app – by 12% on average YOY. Interestingly enough, women on the app have a 12% higher distance range than male app users on average.

“Traveling is usually a rewarding experience, and when going solo and making friends on the road, it becomes even more unique,” says Pankti, 36, app user and the owner of Moving Meals, from Mumbai. “Whenever I’m traveling alone, I use Tinder to match with like-minded women who I can vibe with. Sometimes, it leads to romance, and other times I find friends that lead me to new adventures.”

Pankti is living her best life, exploring the world, and making connections in every city she steps in. Her adventures around the world has earned her some serious street cred and now she’s spilling the tea on how to solo-travel and find love and adventure along the way:

1. Say ‘Yes’ to New AdventuresI’ll let you in on a little secret – improv and solo-traveling run on the same golden rule, always say ‘yes’, because that’s where the real fun starts. You can be an ambivert, introvert or an extrovert, either way everyone has their comfort zones that they’d like to stick to, but stepping out of what you know is where you’ll experience your true ZNMD moment. Take it from me, a quick yes once led me to eating the best darn pizza I’ve ever had in my entire existence, just because I decided to meet up with a girl I had just matched with on Tinder on the last day of my Amsterdam trip.
2. Discover your True SelfOnce when I was in Prague I matched with a guy who turned out to be gay. We decided to go on a wild adventure and hop from one gay bar to the next, sipping on cocktails and living our best lives. That’s solo-traveling! It’s a utopia made just for you. So, go where you want to, be who you want to and do as you wish to. A place with no worries, no responsibilities and a place where you’re 100% you, that’s the stuff dreams are made out of.
3. Clarity is key, bestieI’m not playing around when I say this, always be STRAIGHT UP with people you match with. Trust me, mixed signals are a total buzzkill, especially when you’re traveling solo. Ain’t nobody got time for that! I have started to add my Relationship Goal to my app profile to let matches know exactly what I’m looking for, whether it is good-old friendship or a long-term romance. Spare yourself the guessing games and the awkward conversations – instead be clear, and communicate honestly.
4. Stay Safe and SmartRed-flags don’t come with huge neon warning signs, it’s just a vibe that doesn’t work. Especially when I’m traveling, if my gut tells me to get out of a situation, you better believe I’m getting out of there! What’s always worked for me and helped me minimize risk is to use the app’s in-app video calling feature to verify the person’s identity. And since I’m in an unknown place alone, I send my location over to at least one of my friends and set up a meeting in a crowded place.
5. Traveling with Locals Hit DifferentI won’t gatekeep my biggest trick, buckle up because I’m about to spill some serious tea. Ditch the guidebooks and let the locals guide you! Whether you’re in a big city or a tiny village, no amount of research can match the insider knowledge of someone who grew up there. I’ve had some of my most amazing experiences by matching with friendly locals on Tinder who showed me the ropes. In Budapest, I swiped right on this amazing girl who took me on a bike tour to all the hidden gems in the city, these places that weren’t even on my to-do list. And to top it off, she took me to a local bar where we had the best margaritas ever! And here’s a pro-tip: If you’ve planned your trip weeks in advance, and can’t keep calm, use the app Passport to change your geographic location to your vacation destination. Match with people even if they’re miles away and find yourself a friend, guide or fellow traveler even before you land!

Whether you’re out and about in a new city or trekking through the remote wilderness, traveling alone can be a transformative journey. “Every new match on Tinder led me to people that not only enhanced my understanding of the place I was traveling to, but it made me realize that the best way to solo-travel is to be open to unexpected experiences.” says Pankti.