Traveling solo equals freedom and fun, but what if it’s your first time? It’s normal if you want to save tons of content on Instagram or TikTok about solo traveling, looking for reassurance. Then, if you have been solo traveling for a while, you might think that having a travel buddy is also great. This is where travel forums play a role! In the tailored forums, globetrotters swap tips, debut itineraries, warn about scams, and occasionally organise meetups. Whether it is your first time stamping your passport or you have seen the lesser-known destinations in Europe, travel forums can be a game-changer. So, we have compiled the best travel forums for solo travelers, what makes them special, and practical tips for using them.
Why travel forums still matter for solo travellers
Although nowadays social media has brought a deep sense of connection, forums offer something that it cannot always deliver. You can do in-depth Q&A with experienced travelers, discover searchable archives, and create a sense of community across time zones. Moreover, travel forums are friendly for all generations, whether you are an early Gen Z or a late millennial.
Then, how can you use travel forums for solo travel?
- Ask destination-specific questions and get concise answers.
- Find travel buddies or local meetups.
- Read real experiences
- Get planning feedback, especially surrounding routes and lodgings
Now the list! Each entry includes a quick overview and the forum’s best feature for solo travellers.
1. SoloTravel.cc
SoloTravel.cc is a German-based group tour operator that caters specifically to solo travelers. Aside from the business, they built the SoloTravel forum where solo travelers can talk to each other and decide on meetups. You’ll find destination threads, safety conversations, accommodation recommendations, and a welcoming tone for first-timers. Besides that, the forum is easy to join and use, as you only need to sign up with your Facebook account. By using authentic Facebook accounts, the forum ensures the safety of the travelers, especially as meetups can start from the forum.
Why go there: The community understands solo-specific concerns — from how to handle loneliness to where to stay as a single traveller.
Best feature: Dedicated solo-travel categories (e.g., women solo travel, long-term solo travel) that make it easy to find targeted advice without sifting through general travel noise.
2. TripAdvisor (Forums)
TripAdvisor’s forums have been a long-standing hub for destination-specific questions. Besides that, they provide a relevant sub-forum for solo travelers called Solo Travel Forum. There are currently 9,300 topics in the sub-forum, ranging from asking about a destination’s safety to group company reviews. The large number of topics also reflects the large number of travelers joining the forum, meaning that you can find travelers who gets your concerns or travel plans.
Why go there: While you’ll be less likely to find a travel buddy on TripAdvisor, the responses are very clear and niche (specific hotels, trail conditions, plus-seasonal advice).
Best feature: The combination of user reviews and forum threads — you can read a hotel review, then hop into a thread where multiple travellers discuss recent conditions or safety tips.
3. Reddit — r/solotravel
Reddit is a long-standing forum that is available for all needs, including solo travel. Dig deep into Reddit’s r/solotravel forum, which brings together seasoned and newbie travelers in helpful dan casual conversations. Expect a mix of trip planning threads, inspirational trip reports, safety questions, and “where should I go?” posts. The subreddit’s voting system highlights the most useful answers quickly.
Why go there: Quick replies, honest experiences, and easy-to-digest anecdotal advice. Great for crowdsourced answers and last-minute checks.
Best feature: Active community with upvoted threads. You’ll often see the most practical answers rise to the top within hours.
4. JoinMyTrip (Forum + Facebook Group)
JoinMyTrip features social group trips to multiple destinations across the globe. Travelers can simply find their travel soulmates by joining curated group trips. But if you are not down for group travel, you can join their forum instead. JoinMyTrip’s travel forums are mostly tailored for solo travelers and available on Facebook and Meetup. Solo travelers can drop a self-introduction and destination they’re looking forward to travel, calling friends who’d like to join them.
Why go there: It’s designed to help solo travellers meet like-minded people and join planned trips, so it reduces the awkwardness of “finding a travel buddy” from scratch.
Best feature: Facebook group is open to public yet curated specifically for solo travelers. Meetup groups are destination-based.
Pro tip: If you’re a solo traveller who wants social stability but not a fully guided tour vibe, search for JoinMyTrip’s forum or Facebook group and jump into trip threads or “looking for travel buddy” posts — it’s built for that.
5. Quora
Quora isn’t a traditional forum, but it’s a long-form Q&A platform where travel experts and passionate amateurs answer detailed questions. You’ll find everything from “Is it safe to travel alone in X?” to “How do I plan a two-week solo itinerary?”
Why go there: Answers are often long and reflective, and some well-travelled contributors provide itineraries and planning strategies you won’t see in short social posts.
Best feature: In-depth, expert-style answers, often with personal stories, step-by-step guides, and follow-up Q&A that add nuance beyond quick tips.
6. Rick Steves’ Europe Forum
If your solo adventures are Europe-focused, Rick Steves’ forum is a goldmine. The community skews toward Europe-savvy travellers and the forum has a helpful structure: country and city boards, topics on transportation, tours, and regional tips.
Why go there: Practical, Europe-centric planning tips, and a respectful community tone. Great for cultural etiquette, museum tips, and less-touristy suggestions.
Best feature: Europe-specific expertise — detailed threads on logistics (rail passes, local transit, seasonal events) and trusted recommendations for small towns and itineraries.
7. Fodor’s Travel Talk Forums
Fodor’s forums have been around for ages and still host high-quality, experienced travellers. The forums cover destinations globally and often feature veteran travellers who give tested advice on routes, lodging, and safety for solo travellers.
Why go there: Well-moderated discussions and in-depth threads from experienced travellers and occasional travel writers.
Best feature: Seasoned-traveller community — discussions frequently include veteran travel tips, alternatives to tourist traps, and practical small-group advice that solo travellers can use when planning or joining trips.
8. Travellerspoint Forum
Travellerspoint combines travel forums with blog and mapping features. The forum is community-focused and integrates well with user blogs and travel maps, which is great if you like documenting travel and connecting through shared stories. Moreover, it has 95,000+ travelers joining the forum and helping each other out to the nitty gritty details. You can ask questions such as, “Can I change the name in my plane ticket?” or “Do I need TDAC when I arrive in Thailand?” in the forum and have helpful travelers answer that for you.
Why go there: Useful for solo travellers who want to blog their trip, map routes, and tip into a community that’s both social and geographically oriented. Besides that, the response is very fast and still active by December 2025.
Best feature: Integrated travel maps and trip blogs — you can map your planned route, post a trip blog, and discuss it in the forum to get feedback or recruit companions.
How to pick the right forum for your solo trip
- Match forum focus to your needs. Are you scouting Europe? Use Rick Steves. Want crowd-tested answers fast? Try Reddit r/solotravel. Looking to join a social trip? Jump into JoinMyTrip.
- Search before asking. Many forums have archives. You can search for your destination or question first; you’ll often find recent, relevant threads.
- Mind the tone and rules. Forums vary: Reddit is informal, TripAdvisor can be transactional, and Rick Steves’ forum is polite and detailed. Read posting rules before you post.
- Verify facts. Forum advice is from travellers, not officials. Double-check visas, safety alerts, and health requirements with authoritative sources.
- Be specific and polite when asking. Provide dates, budget, travel style, and what you’re comfortable doing. In that way, you can give others a clearer definition of what kind of help you’re looking for.
Safety, etiquette, and getting the most out of forums
- Protect your personal details. Don’t post exact travel dates, home address, or passport numbers in public threads.
- Use private messages for planning meetups. Move to DM once you know the person, and meet in public places first.
- Give back. Reply to questions you can answer. Forums thrive when travelers share experiences after trips.
- Cross-check safety updates. If someone warns of a scam or a closed attraction, verify via official sources or recent traveler reports.
Quick comparison cheat-sheet (which forum to use when)
- Trip planning + reviews: TripAdvisor
- Fast crowd-sourced help: r/solotravel (Reddit)
- In-depth Q&A: Quora
- Europe-specific insights: Rick Steves’ forum
- Experienced traveller advice: Fodor’s Travel Talk
- Solo-dedicated space: SoloTravel.cc
- Blogging + mapping: Travellerspoint
- Find trips & travel buddies: JoinMyTrip (forum + Facebook group)
Summary
Forums remain one of the best tools in a solo traveller’s kit: targeted knowledge, real-time help, and a community that can turn a solo trip into a shared memory. Whether you want a deep dive into European rail passes, immediate advice on a hostel, or a friendly group to join on a two-week adventure, the forums above have you covered.
If you’re ready to meet like-minded travellers and join planned trips, start by checking JoinMyTrip’s forum or Facebook group, it’s built for solo travellers who want the social part of travel without losing their freedom. Happy planning, safe travels, and see you on the road!