Dating while traveling can make your trip totally unique and exciting! There’s no better way to understand and immerse yourself into the culture than going out with a local! I’ve gone on dates all over the United States and in Italy. I’ll share with you how I’ve approached online dating and some of the wild experiences I’ve had.
Why Use Online Dating Apps While Traveling?
My biggest reason for going on dates while traveling is because I genuinely enjoy meeting new people. Going on dates is just one of the many ways to meet new people while traveling and through the dating apps you can have a one-on-one conversation and prioritize your time well. I have gotten some great tips on places to go to because I talked to someone on a dating app. I may get several recommendations and never meet the person. That’s okay, sometimes it doesn’t work out to meet, but it’s kind of like having your own personal tour guide so it’s a travel hack definitely worth trying! Given that it is a dating app, I do try to match with people that I’m attracted to or have similar interests with. If I end up going on a date with someone, I don’t have any expectations from these dates except to be safe and have fun.
How to use Online Dating Apps While Traveling
1. Download dating apps commonly used where you are traveling and set your location before you arrive.
I’ve tried many dating apps both for when I’m traveling and not traveling, but there a couple I think that would be a better fit for when traveling. I would search for “Most popular dating apps in _______” and see what you get.
Why I chose Tinder over Bumble, Hinge, and all the other online dating apps in the U.S.
I used Tinder when I did a solo trip around the US. I went to Tampa, Boston, Chicago, and Denver. Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps around so this was purely a numbers game for me. It’s notoriously known as a hook-up dating app, but it doesn’t have to be used that way. I didn’t use Bumble because I knew I would have to make the first move and my time was limited so I didn’t want that requirement in order to start talking to someone. Hinge was another app that I did not use because it didn’t seem fitting for this type of casual dating.
When I went to Italy, I used Badoo because it was more popular there. I got lucky and the app gave me premium for life (I don’t know why, but I’m not complaining) and so I could see who liked me and that made the process SO much faster. That is a huge plus when you’re traveling and around for a short time.
The benefits of setting the location of where you’re traveling to ahead of time in the online dating app
A few days before you leave for your trip, set your location to start gathering some matches. This way you can start talking to some of your matches before you arrive to your destination. You can weed out the ones who don’t fit your needs or are acting creepy. You can also get some recommendations and start looking into that as well! Sometimes you have to pay for this option, but it can totally be worth it if you use it to your advantage. Traveling solo can be difficult to navigate alone so paying the small price to have access to a ton of locals, pick who your matches are and set your location can really save you time and be worth the price.
2. Skip the snapchat handle. Go for the phone number.
Your safety should be your #1 priority when you are dating while traveling. Yes, you and I want both want to have fun, but it’s important to be alert and protect yourself. If I intend on meeting a person, I will get their phone number in addition to or instead of their snapchat handle because I can check who they are before I meet them.
I use truepeoplesearch.com and type in the number and check who the number belongs to. This usually gives me a last name and address, and it’s public knowledge. This is where I then go look to see if they have any social media accounts.
In the back of my mind I’m thinking, can I verify this is a real person or if I get hurt or robbed on this date, do I have enough information to report this person? That’s a valid and reasonable concern.
When I went to Italy, getting their number didn’t quite work out before the date and the website above only works for US numbers. I ended up getting one guy’s Instagram and the other guy I met at a public place. I still tried to do as much research as possible so I had an idea of who I was going to meet.
3. Ask for non-touristy suggestions.
Whether you’re just chatting with the person or planning a date, I would ask what’s popular for locals. You get to hang out with the locals, see what they’re used to, and the prices aren’t going to be inflated. When I went on my date in Rome, he took me to a local bar and it was so chill. I got to see a part of Rome where most tourists don’t typically go to and the people there were actual locals. It was so cool! When I went on my date in Boston, we went on a walk around a park and I went to a popular chicken wing restaurant. It was definitely not a part of a typical Boston itinerary, but it was nice experience and I’m still keep in touch with that date!
4. Bring self-defense tools.
Before you go on a date, buy pepper spray. Also, test the pepper spray and know how to use it. There are other devices that you can purchase, but pepper spray is usually readily available for me. I could pick one up at my local Walmart very easily. When I went to Italy, I had to go to a pharmacy and they only had two in stock and it was behind the pharmacist’s counter. One downside to carrying pepper spray is that I usually have to throw it away because you can’t take it on flights. It’s a bit of a waste sometimes, but next time I probably will offer it to another traveler before I catch a flight.
Tip: I would not inform your date that you have one. There’s no reason for them to know you have one. Giving them a heads up could just give them more time to think about how to disarm you with it.
I almost had to use my pepper spray while on a date in Rome. After a nice evening, my date had offered to drive me back to my hostel. I felt comfortable about it and he stopped right in front of my hostel. We started kissing and then people walked by his car so he started driving off but didn’t tell me why or where he was going. I panicked and pulled out the pepper spray and he was surprised! He was just driving to a spot to have more privacy. Haha. Oh goodness, I was really nervous about that. Luckily, everything went well and we actually had a second date!
5. Share your location and your date’s contact information.
Even when I go on first dates in my hometown, I will share my location with my friends. It’s just the way dating is these days, especially for women. However, it is even more critical for you to do this while away from home. You are in a new, unfamiliar city and are going to be spending some time with a stranger. Be careful and stay one step ahead.
6. Always watch your drinks. Never let it out of your sight.
Whether you are on a date or not, you should always watch your drinks. This is especially true if you are traveling alone. When you’re traveling solo, you have to be alert at all times. That is why I rarely drink alcohol when I am traveling by myself. Even when you become good buddies with your hostel roommates or fellow travelers, you should always look out for yourself and don’t expect them to be looking out for you.
When I was in Rome, I witnessed the aftermath of a woman drugged from a bar she went to. She had no memory of what happened the next day, but knew she didn’t keep a close eye on her drinks. She was with friends that she met at the hostel, but they were not keeping a close eye either. Regardless of whether you’re by yourself or with friends, you should always take care of your drinks.
Stay safe and have fun!
Some may question you whether it’s worth the risk or the time to date while traveling. To each their own. I think it provides a very unique experience to your trip. I’m sure there are many other ways to stay safe and have fun that I didn’t mention, but these are the tips I would share based on my experience so far.
