Whether you’re exploring a new city or trekking through remote wilderness, taking a solo trip can be a truly transformative experience.
Whether you’re hitting the road in a new city or trekking through remote wilderness, traveling alone can be a transformative journey
What do you do when you’re going through a heartbreaking breakup? Scream? Want to stay in bed 24/7? Do you decide that the world is a cruel place not meant for true love? Well, so does Pankti Chheda, an avid traveler. She sulked, she whined, and basically did everything a heartbroken person would do. But that was until her friend finally signed her up on Tinder to help her move on. Little did she know, this would eventually lead her to competitions that will play a huge role in her journey as a solo traveler, helping her explore different cultures, opportunities and experiences.
According to the app’s Future of Dating Report 2023, 66% of users agree that the app allows them to date more people outside their friendship circle or connect them with someone they might otherwise see in their daily lives would never have met. This has led to dating becoming more diverse, racially, culturally and geographically, than ever before. In fact, there has been a steady increase in search distances in the app – by an average of 12% year-over-year. Interestingly, women on the app have an average of 12% greater distance range than male app users.
“Traveling is usually a rewarding experience, and if you go alone and make friends along the way, it becomes even more unique,” says Pankti, 36, app user and owner of Moving Meals, from Mumbai. “When I travel alone, I use Tinder to match with like-minded women who I can vibe with. Sometimes it leads to romance, and other times I find friends who lead me to new adventures.
Pankti lives her best life, exploring the world and making connections in every city she steps into. Her adventures around the world have earned her a serious reputation and now she’s spilling the tea on how to travel solo and find love and adventure. en route:
- Say ‘Yes’ to new adventuresI’ll let you in on a little secret: improvisation and solo travel follow the same golden rule: always say ‘yes’, because that’s where the real fun begins. You can be ambivert, introverted or extroverted, either way, everyone has their comfort zones that they like to stick to, but when you step outside of what you know, you will experience your true ZNMD moment. Take it from me, a quick yes once led to me eating the best pizza I’ve ever had in my entire existence just because I decided to meet a girl I’d just matched with on Tinder on the last day of my life. Amsterdam trip.
- Discover your True SelfOnce when I was in Prague, I matched with a man who turned out to be gay. We decided to go on a wild adventure and jump from one gay bar to another, sipping cocktails and living our best lives. That’s solo travel! It is a utopia made especially for you. So go where you want to go, be who you want and do what you want. A place without worries, without responsibilities and a place where you are 100% yourself, that’s what dreams are made of.
- Clarity is key, my friendI’m not playing when I say this, always be RIGHT with the people you match with. Trust me, mixed signals are a total buzzkill, especially if you’re traveling alone. Nobody has time for that! I’ve started adding my relationship goal to my app profile to let matches know exactly what I’m looking for, whether it’s a good old friendship or a long-term romance. Save yourself the guessing games and awkward conversations – instead, be clear and communicate honestly.
- Stay safe and smartRed flags don’t come with huge neon warning signs, it’s just an atmosphere that doesn’t work. Especially when I’m traveling, when my gut tells me to get out of a situation, you better believe I’ll get out of there! What has always worked for me and helped me minimize risk is using the app’s in-app video calling feature to verify the person’s identity. And since I’m alone in an unfamiliar place, I send my location to at least one of my friends and organize a meeting in a crowded place.
- Traveling with the locals Hit DifferentI won’t neglect my biggest trick: buckle up, because I’m about to spill some serious tea. Ditch the guidebooks and let the locals guide you! Whether you’re in a big city or a small town, no amount of research can match the insider knowledge of someone who grew up there. I’ve had some of my most amazing experiences matching with friendly locals on Tinder who showed me the ropes. In Budapest, I swiped straight on to this amazing girl who took me on a bike tour to all the hidden gems in the city, these places that weren’t even on my to-do list. And to top it all off, she took me to a local bar where we had the best margaritas ever! And here’s a pro tip: If you’ve already planned your trip weeks in advance and can’t keep calm, use the Passport app to change your geographic location to your vacation destination. Match with people, even if they are miles away, and find a friend, guide or fellow traveler even before you land!
Whether you’re hitting the road in a new city or trekking through remote wilderness, traveling alone can be a transformative journey. “Each new match on Tinder led me to people who not only expanded my understanding of the place I was traveling to, but it also made me realize that the best way to travel solo is to be open to unexpected experiences. ” says Pankti.