Traveling is about experiencing different cultures, trying new things, and meeting people who can turn a great trip into an unforgettable one. A lot of my best travel stories are shared with people who were strangers the day before.
Every solo traveler knows meeting new people isn’t always easy.
Navigating social situations while traveling can be exciting and intimidating, especially for those of us with a bit of social anxiety. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in a room full of strangers, unsure of how to break the ice or what to say next. That’s where a solid mix of conversation starters and a good icebreaker question can help.
As a solo traveler, my experiences heavily depend on meeting new people to share experiences with. I’ve always been an extrovert, so I love sparking up conversations with anyone I can in a day.
On top of my non-stop talking habits, I like to set goals or competitions for myself each day I’m on the road. These little challenges have led to countless fun and unexpected stories, and through them, I’ve experimented with a wide range of conversation starters to see what really works.
Of course, not every interaction has gone smoothly. I have had my fair share of awkward silences and difficult topics, so I wanted to share a list of the best ones that have worked for me so far. I go through all the simple and surefire starters that are quite common, then lead into the more unexpected and experimental icebreakers for the brave and weird travelers out there!
These are the ones that work for me. I mix them up depending on the vibe, use them to test the waters, and often find they help me express who I am quickly and naturally. Let’s dive into the best conversation starters for meeting people while traveling solo.
Common conversation starters in hostels
I stay in hostels the majority of my travels, and there is a set of questions that every traveler has somehow unanimously memorized and spread around the world.
These are a great way to quickly say hello, break the ice, and dive into conversations about each other’s journeys. If you’re staying in a hostel for the first time, don’t be surprised when these classic questions come your way:
- Where are you from?
- Is this your first time here?
- What made you choose this destination?
- How long are you traveling for?
- What’s been the highlight of your trip so far?
- Have you tried any local foods yet?
- What’s one place you recommend visiting nearby?
- What’s the best thing you’ve done here?
These are usually all you need to spark a full conversation.
What about those times not in a hostel? Walking about or already with a group? Or those with remote work and need to find new friends at a coworking spot?
Weird conversation icebreakers for travelers
Those classic travel questions can get boring fast, especially when you’ve heard (or asked) them for the hundredth time. I like to mix things up with a fun twist and throw in something unexpected just to see what happens.
I’ve always enjoyed having fun with conversation starters, and while traveling, that fun has led me to meet some of the most fascinating (and occasionally outrageous) people on the road. Over time, I’ve developed a pretty solid instinct for picking up on people’s personalities and seeing who I vibe with. A lot of that comes from the weird questions I like to toss out.
These offbeat icebreakers tend to catch people off guard in the best way. Some people shy away, but others dive right in and those are usually the conversations I remember most.
- What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten while traveling?
- If you could teleport to anywhere except here, where would you go?
- What’s your travel alter ego’s name?
- What animal do you think would make the best backpacking companion?
- What’s your zombie apocalypse survival plan while traveling?
- What would your travel documentary be called?
- Ever had a lost-in-translation moment that ended hilariously?
- If this trip were a movie, what genre would it be?
- Ever tried to make up your own language abroad?
- What’s the oddest hostel rule you’ve encountered?
- If your backpack could talk, what would it complain about?
- What’s your best “oops, wrong train/bus/boat” story?
I love weird conversation starters because they spark curiosity, laughter, and the kind of memorable exchanges that linger long after the trip ends. Whether they lead to deep discussions or just a hilarious few minutes of nonsense, they always leave an impression (good, strange, but never boring).
Thought-provoking icebreakers
I found the best conversations start from the weirdest, thought-provoking questions. When it comes to meeting people on the road, fun icebreaker questions are my go-to. They often give people space to share a little more about themselves, and often way more than I expected. They also lead longer, deeper conversations.
These questions are quick to throw discomfort out the window; they’re less about learning about someone’s life and more about learning different perspectives.
- How has travel changed the way you see the world?
- What’s one belief or idea you’ve questioned because of traveling?
- If you could live in any country for a year, where would it be?
- What do you miss most when you’re away?
- Is there a country that surprised you in a good way?
- How do you define “a good trip”?
- What’s the most humbling moment you’ve had while traveling?
- If money weren’t an issue, how would you travel?
- What’s your “why” when it comes to travel?
- What’s the best life lesson you’ve learned on the road?
- If you could share one truth with every traveler, what would it be?
- What place taught you the most about yourself?
- Do you have a favorite book, and why do you like it?
I love using these kinds of questions in quieter moments, like over coffee, in a hostel common room, during a long train ride, or while wandering through a new city with someone. They may not always spark instant laughter or ease, but they often lead to the most authentic, real moments between people who were strangers just hours ago.
Fun facts to share as icebreakers
I’ve learned that the best travel conversations often start with a bit of curiosity and a touch of weirdness. An interesting fact invites people to really think about why the heck you know this stuff.
I’m a fan of weird conversation starters because they break the usual script and get people thinking (and laughing). They grab attention quickly and lead to long-lasting conversations, for good and for worse, depending on who you’re talking to. But hey, even the weird ones make for great stories later.
Sometimes sharing fun facts can lead to a whole bunch of history of topic bonding. I have a list of facts that interest me, so if you need to borrow one, here you go:
- Did you know there’s a town in Norway where it’s illegal to die?
- Bananas are berries, but strawberries aren’t.
- Iceland has no mosquitoes.
- The Eiffel Tower can grow up to 6 inches in the summer due to heat.
- Finland has more saunas than cars.
- The longest place name in the world is 85 letters long and it’s in New Zealand.
- Russia spans 11 time zones.
- The Great Wall of China isn’t a single wall, it’s a network of walls.
- Some turtles can breathe through their butts.
- Scotland has 421 words for “snow.”
- In Bhutan, success is measured by Gross National Happiness, not GDP.
Mix-and-match conversation starters
The key to making a great impression is asking things that invite stories, not just yes or no answers. It’s best to have conversation starters that naturally have follow-up questions built in so the flow feels easy and organic. That’s why I lean into open-ended questions.
By varying your approach based on who you’re talking to, you’ll be able to connect with more people in more meaningful ways. These mix-and-match icebreakers are great for anyone who wants to move beyond the usual surface-level chat and spark conversations that actually go somewhere.
- What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done while traveling?
- What’s your guilty pleasure food when you’re on the road?
- If you could be fluent in any language, which one would it be?
- What’s one thing you wish more travelers did?
- What’s your weirdest hostel roommate story?
- Are you a sunrise or sunset chaser?
- Do you prefer maps or getting lost?
- What’s a local phrase you learned and can’t stop using?
- If you could pack one “luxury” item without worrying about weight, what would it be?
- What’s the kindest thing a stranger has done for you abroad?
- What’s your go-to travel snack?
- Have you ever tried hitchhiking?
- Do you keep a travel journal or blog?
- Do you prefer cities or nature when you travel?
- How do you usually find cool places to visit?
- What is your favorite place?
Final thoughts
Starting a random conversation has helped me discover new travel groups, get local advice, find transportation hacks, and even stumble on hidden gems I’d never have found on my own. They have also led me to interesting conversations, stronger connections with strangers, and some of the best experiences of my life. It’s the silliest thing, but I really believe a small conversation can have such a big difference in travel experiences.
Starting a conversation with a stranger can be intimidating or hard. It’s a skill that needs to be learned and practiced. But once it’s mastered, it always pays off. I have had random conversations lead to job offers, long-term travel buddies and lasting friendships.
The right questions and conversation starters give you a fun way to jump into a conversation without overthinking it or defaulting to painfully awkward small talk.
Next time, take the chance and try them out!
I hope this helps with some travel moments and bonding for you over the course of your travels. Good luck!
