But if you want something more serious (as a full-time traveler), it can be a bit more difficult, especially since your pool of potential prospects is seriously limited.
I’ve had 3 relationships in the past 10 years, and all have ended in part because I wanted to travel full-time, but the other person didn’t. I’m sure plenty of nomads have run into this same issue – you go to a new location, meet a great person, try to do the long distance thing, and ultimately realize there’s no point unless you both eventually want to settle in the same place. In that case, your options are pretty much only limited to dating a nomad, or being open to settle somewhere eventually if you meet someone you really like.
There’s also the safety factor. As a solo female traveler, you also (unfortunately) have to be a little more careful meeting strangers on the internet.
Here are some tips to help you navigate all of this!
BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR INTENTIONS
Figure out what you want, and be honest with people about it. Clear communication is key here. Do you just want to have fun or are you open to a serious relationship?
I also think you may want to be honest about what you’re looking for on your profile (for example, “Just here for the weekend and looking to meet cool people!”), just so people know what they’re getting themselves into and you don’t waste their time.
WHERE TO MEET PEOPLE
TRAVEL DATING APPS
Tinder is, of course, the classic dating app. I know it gets a bad rap, but I’ve honestly only met really nice people through it. I know Tinder even has the ‘passport’ add on (it’s paid), in which you can prematurely swipe and chat with people anywhere around the world. This makes it easy to plan dates in your next destination!
Bumble is another classic. I know a lot of people enjoy the fact that women message first, but I personally prefer Tinder. I don’t always want to be the one to come up with a catchy pickup line, ha!
Nomad Soulmates is a digital nomad dating site that allows you to meet other fellow full-time travelers. It’s definitely geared towards people living a nomadic lifestyle who want to find that special someone to form a longterm relationship with. I haven’t tried it out yet, but it seems like a great option.
Fairytrail is another nomad-centric app. I also haven’t tried this one myself, but I’ve heard good things about it!
AT YOUR DESTINATION
There are plenty of ways to meet people you may want to date without using dating apps! Pub crawls, walking tours, and Meetups are all great examples. It’s not as difficult as you may think to meet people while traveling – the same rules for meeting friends apply for meeting potential dates!
HOW TO STAY SAFE
CHAT ON THE APP BEFORE MEETING UP
Make sure you message each other for quite a while on whatever dating app you’re using BEFORE meeting up. This way, you can really get a sense for what the person is actually like. If there’s anything that makes you a little nervous, run and never look back.
GET THEIR SOCIALS
I usually also ask for at least one social media profile beforehand. This way, I can determine that they’re a real person. I know that some people aren’t really on social media, but I admit it does make me a little nervous if I don’t see anything.
MEET DURING THE DAY
It’s best to plan your first date during the day, preferably somewhere crowded and public. I admit that I broke this rule once and it turned out fine (he took me on a walking tour of the city, so it was at least public), but meeting up in daylight hours is certainly the safer option.
GET FAMILIAR WITH THE PLACE YOU’RE MEETING
Better if you’ve already been there so you know the lay of the land if things get weird. If not, you can also look it up on Google Maps beforehand and study the area, just to get an idea of what’s around if you need to suddenly bounce.
TELL SOMEONE THE DETAILS
Make sure that someone, even if it’s just someone back home, knows who you’re meeting up with (give them their socials if you get them), as well as when and where your date is taking place. You can even share your location with them, so they can track your whereabouts.
NEVER SAY YOU’RE TRAVELING ALONE
I ALWAYS say that I have a friend waiting for me back at the apartment/a restaurant/hotel etc. I never disclose that I’m actually traveling alone until I 100% trust the person. And on that note, don’t disclose where you’re staying at first, either.
TRUST YOUR GUT!
At the end of the day, trust your gut. If something feels off, leave. Don’t worry about offending the other person – better safe than sorry!
RESEARCH DATING NORMS IN YOUR LOCATION
Look up the dating ‘rules’ in your destination(s) beforehand. It can be very different in other cultures, so it’s best to understand what’s kosher and taboo to avoid any awkward situations. For example, in Germany, it’s typical to go 50:50 when paying for most dates, which either means splitting the bill or alternating who pays. This is very different from the States, where it’s seen as rude if the guy doesn’t pay for the first date! If someone did that here in the US, I might assume they weren’t interested in me or were cheap. However, this is not the case at all in Germany.
Hope this helps to prepare you for your dating ventures abroad!
Other Articles You May Like:
- 9 Easy Ways to Meet Other Travelers
- What I Learned From Spending 2 Months Alone Traveling Europe
- How to Become a Digital Nomad (What I Wish I Knew!)
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