The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad

The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Buddy Up at the Airport

Traveling solo can be liberating, but it also comes with certain disadvantages. Navigating a busy international airport alone can be stressful, especially if it's your first time visiting a new destination. However, by teaming up with a travel buddy, you can breeze through the airport with ease.

I'll never forget my first solo trip to Tokyo. I felt completely lost at Narita Airport, struggling to find the right train into the city center. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a girl who looked just as bewildered as me. I gathered my courage and asked if she was headed to downtown Tokyo too. It turned out she was an American student starting her study abroad program. We joined forces and navigated the train system together. It was such a relief having someone to share the confusion with!

Travel buddies can help you get oriented in an unfamiliar airport. You can trade off watching luggage while the other uses the restroom or grabs food. It's also reassuring to have someone to consult if your flight gets delayed or canceled. And if you're prone to getting lost, your buddy can make sure you get to the right gate at the right time.

Language barriers can become exponentially easier to handle with a companion. In many international airports, employees only speak the local language. By teaming up with a fellow English speaker, you can work together to communicate your needs. And if one of you happens to speak the local language, then you've hit the jackpot!

Sharing a ride to your hotel or Airbnb is another excellent way to save money, since you can split the fare. This is especially helpful in cities where taxis have high flat rates or supplements for the airport. For example, a taxi from JFK to Manhattan costs a flat rate of $52 before tip, so two people can slice that fare in half.
Making a new buddy at the airport gives you someone to chat with during those inevitable flight delays. Pass the time getting to know each other instead of staring at your phone. You might discover shared interests and travel tips. And you'll disembark with a sense of community instead of feeling all alone.

What else is in this post?

1. The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Buddy Up at the Airport
2. The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Split Costs on Local Transportation
3. The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Share a Room to Reduce Accommodations Costs
4. The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Eat Family-Style for Group Discounts
5. The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Shop Together for Bulk Pricing
6. The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Learn Insider Tips from Locals
7. The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Barter Your Skills for Freebies and Deals

The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Split Costs on Local Transportation

Getting around in an unfamiliar city can get pricey, especially if you’re constantly hailing taxis or relying on rideshares. That’s why pairing up with a buddy to split the cost of local transportation just makes fiscal sense. Whether you opt for public transit passes, shared rides, or old-fashioned legwork, dividing the bill for transport can save solo travelers some serious cash.

Say you’ve just landed in an exotic locale halfway across the globe from home. Hopping in a cab from the airport is the fastest route to your hotel, but the fare alone can run you $50 or more. If you link up with a fellow wanderer, you can easily slice that total in half. Some cities like London even offer flat rates from the airport for multiple passengers going to the same neighborhood. Teaming up means more money left in your wallet to enjoy experiences in your destination.
Many popular tourist areas offer unlimited transportation cards for a flat daily fee. But this single person pass can cost around $10-15. If you and an airport buddy get joint passes instead, that daily rate becomes way more manageable. For instance, in Copenhagen the 24-hour city pass costs 79 DKK for one adult. But for two or more people, the price drops to just 129 DKK total. Now that’s a scenic, budget-friendly canal tour for the win.

UberPool, Lyft Line, and other ride shares make splitting the tab for taxis even smoother nowadays. These services allow you to book a carpool-style ride while indicating separate drop-off points. So you and your new travel mate can divvy up the cheaper joint fare, then go your separate ways once you reach your individual hotels. Through ride share apps, you can easily predetermine who will foot which portion of the bill.
When sightseeing across a walkable city, traveling on foot with a buddy can be the most affordable option of all. You’ll have someone to chat with during long strolls between attractions. Extra sets of eyes mean you’re less likely to get turned around and lost. And you can take turns being photographer, ensuring you both get decent pics at top sights. Maybe you’ll even decide to skip taxis entirely and hoof it like locals. Your feet will get tired, but your wallet will thank you after a day of urban hiking.

The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Share a Room to Reduce Accommodations Costs

Lodging often makes up a huge chunk of any travel budget. Hotel rates in popular destinations can easily soar over $200 a night once taxes and fees get tacked on. Even modest rooms can put a dent in your wallet. But you can drastically cut costs by getting creative with accommodations and bunking up with a new travel buddy.

Sharing a hotel room or rental with a companion you meet on the road is a tried-and-true way to keep lodging affordable. For starters, you can split the nightly rate down the middle, automatically slashing your individual tab in half. Doubles and suites usually don’t cost vastly more than single rooms either. So you wind up with way more space for just a bit extra.

I’ve had great success rooming with fellow backpackers I met spontaneously on the road. At a party hostel in Prague, I befriended a girl from Australia with similar sightseeing plans. We shared a cozy double in the heart of Old Town for less than $60 total per night. Had I stuck to a cramped single instead, I would’ve paid nearly double!

For longer trips, Airbnb is ideal for buddy stays on a budget. Just search for rentals with at least two beds to accommodate you and your new roomie. The prime locations and homey amenities you get through Airbnb often cost far less than a mid-range hotel. You can cook meals together in the kitchen rather than eating out for every meal. With a travel partner to split costs, you may even be able to afford that dreamy apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower after all.

When rooming with a buddy you just met, keep in mind safety and privacy. Consult hotel reviews to choose a reputable spot in a central, public area. Look for a room with beds on opposite sides or separated by a partition. Set expectations ahead of time on matters like sleep schedules and bathroom use. With good communication upfront, sharing a room can be rewarding. But don’t feel bad about getting your own room if you require more personal space.

The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Eat Family-Style for Group Discounts

Sharing meals family-style with a group of travel buddies can unlock serious savings on food costs. In many cultures, communal dining is customary. What’s better than gathering around a table to laugh, swap stories, and pass plates of mouthwatering local specialties? But eating family-style isn’t just more social. Ordering shared dishes in a group often comes at a discounted price.

Throughout Southeast Asia, street vendors whip up steamy pots of phở and curries meant for groups. At tiny plastic tables in Hoi An, Vietnam, I met some British girls and combined orders. For the price of one bowl each, we ended up with a delicious spread of phở bò, crunchy bánh xèo crepes, and fresh Vietnamese iced coffees. Had we dined solo, those extra dishes would’ve cost a pretty penny.

Laos has mastered the art of communal riverside BBQs. In laid-back Vang Vieng, clusters of travelers kick back on mats, passing around grilled skewers of meat, veggies, and fish. Everyone chips in a few bucks toward big bundles of barbecue sticks ordered by the dozen. It ends up being an absolute steal compared to having a sit-down meal alone. Plus, you get to swap travel intel across the table as you eat.
Throughout Turkey, meyhanes embrace group dining with endless small plates. These vibrant taverns serve up cold meze starters like hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh. Then come the hot pinti kebabs and cheese-stuffed peppers you grasp from heaping platters. Going the family-style route with new friends ensured we got to sample way more meyhane specialties without blowing our budgets.

In Hawaii, traditional luaus serve all-you-can-eat buffets of classic dishes like poke, lomilomi salmon, haupia, and kalua pig. Of course, scarfing down that much food solo is hard work! Sharing the feast family-style made pacing ourselves way easier...and saved everyone money.
If you’re self-catering, grocery shopping together allows you to buy staples in bulk. Get double the eggs, bread, and veggies without the extras going bad! You can also split pricier ingredients like meats. Grocery runs as a group prevents wasting food or money.
Many restaurants offer discounts or complimentary items when dining as a party of four, six, or more. Call ahead to ask if they offer special group rates or prix fixe menus. Clustering up saves cash, while getting to toast your new friendships.

The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Shop Together for Bulk Pricing

Shopping solo while traveling usually means paying full price for everything. But when you buddy up, bulk buying unlocks big bargains. From fresh markets to warehouse stores, group shopping tabs can drop dramatically.

Every destination has its own version of bulk goods. In Thailand, chatuchak markets overflow with mounds of produce and street food stalls. Vendors expect you’ll purchase ingredients by the bag or batch of steaming satay skewers by the dozen. My travel mate and I would get lost wandering these mega-markets. But when we pooled our funds, we could justify splurging on all the strange fruits and fiery curries we craved to try.

Throughout Central America, sprawling mercados sell goods like handmade textiles, leather goods, and spices in bulk. At Antigua's markets, I watched as families split sacks of corn, giant wheels of cheese, and bundles of fresh queso. Teaming up with fellow shoppers, I could finally afford top-quality local coffee and chocolate in bulk. No more rationing those food souvenirs to make my backpack weight limit!

Big box stores like Costco allow you to buy discounted bulk quantities of everyday essentials. I'll never forget stumbling upon a Costco on a road trip down Australia's East Coast. My van buddy and I loaded up on boxes of coconut water, crates of passionfruit, and enough Tim Tam biscuits to get us through the Outback. Only by combining forces could we haul all those supplies in one go.

Shopping as a group unlocks bulk discount codes online too. In Istanbul, my new friend and I used a promo code for 20% off museum passes when purchasing two or more. We saved big at attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, and archaeological museums. Other sites offered multi-day bundles or family/friend packages. Going in on group deals stretched our sightseeing budgets further.
When buying unique local handicrafts and art as souvenirs, purchasing multiples could mean negotiating a lower overall price. On a trip to Chiang Mai, my travel buddy and I fell in love with the colorful hand-dyed silks made by Hill Tribe artisans. Since the vendor wanted a big sale, she discounted the per item price if we bought five sarongs each. It took restraint not to clean house of her whole silk inventory!

At duty-free shops, you can take advantage of buy one, get one promotions when purchasing jointly. On a late-night layover in Doha, my buddy and I crossed an entire gift list off our lists thanks to a massive sale in the airport’s duty-free. Chocolates, perfume sets, electronics - everything qualified for a major markdown when we combined our hauls.

The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Learn Insider Tips from Locals

Making friends with locals while traveling opens up a world of insider knowledge you’d never uncover yourself. By bonding over shared interests, you gain access to their hidden gems, secret spots, and money-saving hacks.
While planning my trip to Tokyo, I was focused on hitting the tourist hot spots. But after meeting Miyuki at my capsule hotel, my perspective totally changed. During our sushi breakfasts, she revealed her favorite local izakaya pubs, quirky shopping strips, and flower festivals I’d never heard of. Each night, I followed her lead to new neighborhoods tourists rarely reached.

Tomas was my landlord during an extended stay in Medellin. We’d chat for hoursTaking the local bus system was a maze of confusion until I became friends with Anita in Bogota. As we sipped tinto coffees, she mapped out the bus routes like a pro. She taught me which routes to avoid, where to get off, and how to spot dodgy drivers. Her insider advice allowed me to navigate the chaotic system smoothly.
While exploring Maui’s Road to Hana, I befriended Kalani at a fruit stand. As we snacked on fresh mangos, they recommended hiking trails only locals use and beach parking spots that didn’t require permits. After getting an invite to Kalani’s family BBQ, I got to experience Hawaiian culture in an intimate way tourists rarely do.

When my train broke down outside Milan, I ended up chatting with Marco for hours in the stuck carriage. He translated the announcements and arranged alternate transport once we deboarded. Marco then showed me his favorite hole-in-the-wall trattorias and the city’s secret rooftop bars. His insider tips let me experience Milan as authentically as possible.
While planning a road trip through Chile’s Atacama Desert, I connected online with Pia, who ran a hostel in San Pedro de Atacama. She outlined the best gas stations, camp spots, and stargazing routes that weren’t in any guidebook. Pia even connected me with her cousin Felipe in Calama who gave me tips to get an elusive campervan permit. Their insider knowledge shaped my journey.
On a whim during a trip to Bali, I attended a moonlight jam session on the beach. I ended up chatting with the band, local surfers who gave me the lowdown on the island’s most secluded surf breaks, their secret campfire cookout spot, and off-the-beaten-path diving. They illuminated an entirely different side of Bali beyond the tourist core.

The Travel Buddy System: How to Make New Friends (and Save Money!) While Shopping Abroad - Barter Your Skills for Freebies and Deals

Bartering is an age-old travel tactic that allows you to exchange talents and abilities for necessities, accommodations, and even unique local experiences. By getting creative with what skills you can offer on the road, solo wanderers can unlock remarkable deals and forge connections through mutual exchange.

When backpacking through New Zealand's North Island, I connected with a WWOOF host named John who ran an organic blueberry farm. In exchange for lending a hand harvesting ripe berries and tending to the fields, I received free meals and a room in John's hillside cottage. My unskilled farm labor earned me over a week's worth of food and lodging. Bartering a bit of elbow grease granted me access to an authentic lifestyle I couldn't afford to pay full-price for.
On a riverside ranch in Wyoming, I offered my skills as a photographer to a family documenting their dude ranch experience. As thanks for capturing their special trip through candid photos, they invited me on a scenic trail ride through alpine meadows. I essentially traded my camera skills for an unforgettable horseback adventure.

As a solo female traveler, I often struggled to find safe rides after dark. While at a roadside diner in Big Sur, I struck up a conversation with some local surfers. I mentioned needing a lift back to my campsite, and they happily offered me a ride in exchange for basil from my garden when I returned home. Exchanging herbs for transportation got me back to my site securely.
While wandering the markets of Marrakech, I met a henna artist named Aya. I asked if I could photograph her stunning henna designs in exchange for a tattoo. She gladly accepted, inviting me into her home to document her craft. Afterwards, she adorned my hands and feet with intricate floral henna tattoos free of charge.

When my phone stopped working in the Philippines, a store owner offered to fix it at no cost after I tutored her daughter in English for a few evenings. Turns out conversing in my native language was a valuable skill I could trade.
On a road trip through Mexico, I camped at a family-run fruit orchard. I offered to help their toddler practice his alphabet and numbers if they allowed me to pick mangoes and papayas from their grove. The beaming child's parents were thrilled at the free tutoring, sending me off with bags of juicy tropical fruit.