What is the best app to meet people while traveling? It depends on the kind of day you want. Couchsurfing is best for meeting locals through Hosts, Events, Communities, and Hangouts, which also lets you find who is free for a same-day plan. Hostelworld Social Pass suits a traveler crew. NomadTable also finds activities today. Timeleft plans group meals. Pick the plan first, then the app.
Updated and fact-checked September 2026. Apps change often, especially pricing and terms, so check each one for current details in your destination.
Your phone cannot make a friend for you. It can put you in the same place as people who also want to meet someone. So here is a list by mood, with no single “best app” crown.
Which app fits your mood?
| Your mood | Try | Why |
|---|---|---|
| “Show me local life” | Couchsurfing | Meet a local Host, join an Event, or use Hangouts for a plan happening now |
| “I want a traveler crew” | Hostelworld Social Pass | Chat with Travelers nearby and join events without booking a bed |
| “Who is free right now?” | Couchsurfing Hangouts | Opted-in Members nearby who are free right now |
| “What is happening today?” | NomadTable | Browse nearby activities and join solo Travelers |
| “Please plan dinner for me” | Timeleft | Get matched to a group for dinner, drinks, or a run |
| “Find someone on my route” | GAFFL or Backpackr | Share a destination and dates to find a possible trip buddy |
| “I want a hobby group” | Meetup | Find local events around an interest |
How can you meet locals, with or without a stay?
Try Couchsurfing. Couchsurfing is about who you meet, not where you sleep. Couchsurfing has more than 25 million registered Members in over 200,000 cities. Here is what you can do:
- Stay with a Host. A stay might be a couch, a spare room, or shared space in someone’s home. It is a visit with a person, not a hotel booking, and that is the fun part.
- Start a Hangout. Hangouts help opted-in Members nearby who are free right now find something to do together. Free tonight? Open Hangouts and see who nearby wants to grab food or explore.
- Join an Event. Find a gathering in your city and show up.
- Browse Communities. These are forums for cities and shared interests.
Couchsurfing requires a paid Membership to join and take part. Hosts do not charge for a stay, and a stay depends on a Host accepting your request, so send a personal one.
How can you meet other travelers fast?
Try Hostelworld Social Pass. Hostelworld says Social Pass lets you chat with Travelers, share travel plans, and join events without booking a bed. It is a one-time purchase for a set length of time, with no auto-renewal. That works well for a quick city stop when you want someone to join a tour or a night out. Check the current terms before you buy.
What can you do tonight?
Try Couchsurfing Hangouts. Hangouts connect opted-in Members nearby who are free right now to do something together. You can see who is open for plans in your area and reach out directly. Hangouts is included with Membership, so there is no extra cost to use it. Hangouts suits spontaneous meetups with whoever is free nearby. NomadTable suits travelers who want to see a listed activity and its details before joining.
Try NomadTable. NomadTable has more than 2 million users worldwide and lets solo Travelers browse nearby activities, join one, and chat with the group. Look at the activity and meeting place before you sign up. Pick something you would enjoy even if the friend spark takes a little time.
Try Timeleft. Timeleft is for the “please pick a table for me” mood. You choose dinner, drinks, or a run, and Timeleft handles the group and the venue. Getting matched requires its own Timeleft subscription, and you separately pay for your own food and drinks at the venue. Check current pricing and your city’s booking terms before you join.
How do you find a travel buddy before you leave?
Try GAFFL or Backpackr. Both are built for finding people headed the same way. Add a destination and dates, then see who matches. A match is a starting point, not a promise to spend a whole week together. Meet in public first, and keep your own transport and lodging options.
What if you want people who share your hobby?
Try Meetup. Meetup works well for a hiking group, a book club, or a language exchange. Pick an event around something you would do anyway. For travel talk, the Couchsurfing Communities are a good place to ask questions and swap tips.
How do you choose safely with any app?
- Look for a clear plan and meet in a public place first.
- Tell a trusted person where you are going.
- Keep a backup place to stay.
- Read profiles carefully before you meet or stay.
- On Couchsurfing, read a Member’s public References, which stay on every profile. Verification confirms identity through government ID but cannot promise how someone will act.
Need help? Couchsurfing Safety is available 24/7 by Safety ticket.
Can you use more than one app?
Of course! A traveler chat might find you a walking buddy. An Event could turn into dinner. A local Host could show you a side of the city you would never spot from a checklist. Choose the tool for the kind of day you want.
Want the longer list? See Couchsurfing’s Best Apps for Meeting People While Traveling 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app is best for meeting locals? Couchsurfing, because Hosts, Events, Communities, and Hangouts are all built around real people in real places.
Which app is best for meeting other travelers? Hostelworld Social Pass, Couchsurfing Hangouts, or NomadTable, depending on whether you want chats and events, a spontaneous meetup with whoever is free nearby, or a same-day activity to join.
Which app is best for a plan happening today? Couchsurfing Hangouts for spontaneous meetups with whoever is free nearby; NomadTable for travelers who want to see a listed activity and its details before joining.
Which app is best if I am shy? Timeleft. The group and place are chosen for you, so you only have to show up.
Which app helps me find a trip buddy? GAFFL or Backpackr.
Can I use these apps without booking a hostel? Yes. Hostelworld says Social Pass works without a bed booking, and the other apps here do not require one.
