5 Things You Should Know Before Using Tinder As A Solo Traveler

Tinder gets a bad rap sometimes for being a heartless hookup app, but in reality, it’s an amazing tool for meeting new people during a solo trip (I did it during a recent trip to Vienna). Traveling solo as a female alone is completely possible (and fun!), but there are a few things to keep in mind before you start swiping in a foreign country.

I ended up having a Czech tarot reading with the person I met on Tinder!

1. You're The Boss

This is your travel experience and nobody else's. If you go on a date during a solo trip, make sure you are doing it for yourself and not just because you are having trouble being alone. This is just a tiny part of your trip, not the end all be all.


2. Meet in a Public Place

This might seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes solo travelers get lonely and make rash decisions!

If you decide to meet up with one of your Tinder matches, try choosing a place you’ve already visited or one that is close to your hostel; that way you have an easy out if things get weird. In many European cities you can get coffee even in the evening; try this if you want a more laid-back meeting.




When I met someone through Tinder in Vienna, we met at Café Jelinek. This nofrills coffeehouse in the Mariahilf district is now a UNESCO heritage site (and a good place to meet a stranger).

3. View This As A Cultural Experience

Your number one goal for meeting someone on tinder while traveling should not be to find love; it should be to learn! Meeting someone new in a foreign city is always a learning opportunity; use this date to practice a foreign language, learn more about daily life in the city, and get a feeling for how locals live. 


4. Set Your Boundaries

When traveling, I don’t put in my bio that I am in a certain city for a few days. Instead, I wait until I start chatting with a match to tell them that I’m only visiting. Don’t let your match know all of your travel details, but be clear that you aren’t staying for long and are just looking to have a fun experience in a new place. Share your location with a friend and get out there!

Me setting my boundaries in a furry Russian hat. 

5. Stay realistic

Don’t expect this new foreign suitor to sweep you off your feet and make your trip magical. Besides, why would you want to get attached to somebody with so many other solo trips on the horizon? While you should keep yourself open to new people and emotions, remember that you don’t need other people to make your trip a memorable one.



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