Gap year: Top 10 ways to make friends while travelling

1. Stay in hostels: Hotels may sound tempting, and in countries like Thailand they’re certainly cheap, but when travelling with an aim to make friends, check into hostels. So they may not provide chocolates on pillows – they may not provide pillows at all – but even if you’re in a dreadful hostel, moaning about it makes for great backpackers’ conversation. Good hostels, though, give handy advice on how to make the most of your stay, and some even host parties fuelled by locally brewed alcohol – what better way to make friends and sample the local “delicacies” all at the same time?

2. Organise a night out: Even if, usually, you’re more likely to go to bed early watching Dawson’s Creek than arrange a shindig, travelling is not the time to start immersing yourself in Pacey’s teenage angst. Invite everyone where you’re staying on a night out (but avoid bars the guidebooks recommend - they’re usually overpriced tourist dives full of the sorts of people you tried to leave at home). Not only will you make new friends, but you’re likely to have a hilarious time – finding your way back to the hostel on a transport system that resembles a suduko puzzle makes for a great end to a backpackers’ night out.

3. Cook: although you may have the honourable intention of eating out every night of your travels, the reality of this happening is slim. After a couple of weeks of sampling local specialities like tripe soup in Poland or sweetbread in Argentina, chances are you’ll be craving something more familiar. And soon enough your funds will be so depleted that eating out won’t even be an option. But don’t panic, just hit the local shop and buy too much comfort food (I recommend pasta bake) - you can bet your bottom dollar/zloty/peso that you’re not the only one who fancies some cheesy goodness. Make lots, offer it around and before you know it you’ll be the most popular kid in the hostel.

4. Move around: There’s not much point in going travelling unless you’re going to travel. Most major cities can be “done” in three days, so don’t hang around unless there’s something exceptional going on (festivals are a good excuse). This way, you’ll see more of the world, won’t get bored and will meet loads more people. And chances are your new friends will be heading on to the same places as you. Try to remember to swap numbers, but if not, you’ll most probably bump into them further along your travels- it’s a small world, don’t you know.

5. Go on a pub crawl: And you thought you’d left the naff drinking sprees at home? Think again. Many tourist hot spots now host another attraction: the pub crawl. Even if at home it is perfectly reasonable to avoid nights like this like at all costs - this isn’t home. The pub crawls usually involve free drinks, bars you never would have found without the shot-happy guides, and some even give away free T-shirts. And after a couple of weeks on the road, there’s never a better reason than clean clothes to abandon your dignity.

6. Share - everything: 20kg might not sound very heavy, but when it’s on your back it certainly feels it – as such, most backpackers don’t get anywhere near their weight limit while travelling. But although this most probably means leaving your hair straighteners or aftershave at home, someone else might not have. Share and share alike when backpacking, and not only will you gain friends, you’ll also gain the use of tonnes of stuff you’d never dream of stuffing in to your backpack. Draw the line at sharing towels though – after a few weeks, the damp smell may well be enough to lose you all the friends you just made.

7. Remember names: There’s nothing worse than being confronted with someone you know you should remember the name of but can’t. And this fear is never more valid than when travelling and meeting new people every day – all of whom seem to be called ‘Bazza’. Try and remember peoples’ names when they tell you, but if this is too hard (and let’s be honest, the cheap foreign beer isn’t doing you any favours) Facebook is your friend. Ensure you add your new pals as soon as possible, and you’ll forever marvel at the usefulness of social networking.

8. Talk - to everyone: Even if you were told never to talk to strangers when you were five – when you hit the road, it’s time to forget this maxim once and for all. Unlike at home, you won’t get looked at as though you’re crazy if you chat to strangers when backpacking – in fact, locals from tourist destinations are usually more than happy to chat to visitors. It can be all too easy to forget to befriend the locals – but with insider knowledge guidebook writers only dream of, they’re often the most valuable pals of all.

9. Take a pack of cards: Playing cards might not be the coolest hobby in the world, but when you’re backpacking a pack of cards is essential. They’re small and light, and will make you the most popular traveller on the train when you whip them out in the middle of a 14-hour journey. Invite everyone to join you, and play a simple game like 21s that everyone knows. And cards aren’t only friend-makers on long train trips – incorporate some drinks and dares into the games, and you’ll be popular before any night out too.

10. Don’t go alone: Why spend days up mountains or in museums by yourself? Extending invitations to fellow travellers makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. Imagine how much fun a modern art gallery (with all information in an incomprehensible language) is with a companion: “What do you think it is? A fish? I thought it was supposed to represent American independence…” Lots of places also have walking tours which are great to embark upon with a new pal. You’ll not only learn heaps about the place you’re visiting, but also about each other - even if it is only that neither of you know a thing about modern art.