The Best People I’ve Met While Traveling (And Where They’re From)
One of the most rewarding parts of traveling the world is the people you meet along the way. It’s an experience that goes far beyond visiting landmarks or checking destinations off a list.
It’s the spontaneous conversations, the shared meals, the late-night hostel chats, and the unexpected friendships that leave the deepest impact. Depending on where you go and how you choose to travel, the people you meet will be completely different.
Sometimes you find yourself immersed with locals, learning firsthand about their culture and daily life. Other times, you meet fellow travelers from your own country, bonding over shared accents and familiar stories. But what I love most is meeting people from countries I’ve never even been to.
Fellow travelers who grew up in entirely different cultures, speaking different languages, yet somehow we’ve all found ourselves in the same hostel common room, sharing our stories over a cheap beer or a communal dinner.
As a solo traveler who gravitates towards backpacking and staying in hostels, I’ve found that this travel style opens up countless opportunities to meet people from all walks of life.
That’s why I always encourage others to try hostels and embrace those first few awkward introductions, because those connections are where some of the most meaningful conversations and lifelong friendships begin.
I’ve formed deep bonds with people I never would have crossed paths with back home. We might come from opposite sides of the world, but through travel, we’ve found common ground and created friendships that go beyond borders.
Over time, I’ve come to realize that while people everywhere can be amazing, there are certain cultures and regions I naturally click with more than others. It’s not about stereotypes or judgments.
It’s about the small things, like humor, social etiquette, communication styles, values, and even how people approach travel.
After meeting people from dozens of countries, I’ve noticed patterns in who I instantly connect with, who I have the deepest conversations with, and whose travel style feels most aligned with mine.
So, in this article, I want to share with you, from my perspective as an American solo female traveler, where some of my favorite travelers are from and why I love meeting them.
The Netherlands
Number one is definitely Dutch travelers. In Southeast Asia, it’s impossible not to notice how many Dutch people are backpacking around the region. They tend to form strong communities while traveling, often connecting through group chats where they share tips, advice, and support each other.
These networks help them find familiar faces in unfamiliar places, giving them a chance to speak their native language or simply relax around people who understand their cultural quirks.
But despite often traveling in groups or pairs, I’ve always found Dutch travelers to be some of the most approachable and friendly people on the road.
Whether I meet them in a big group, a duo, or solo, Dutch travelers consistently stand out as trustworthy, easygoing, and genuinely kind. Every time I’ve befriended Dutch people while traveling, I’ve felt a sense of trust and camaraderie.
They’re the type of people who will have your back, whether you’re navigating a chaotic bus station or just looking for someone to grab a drink with. They’re lighthearted and fun to be around, never taking things too seriously, and they always bring good vibes to a social setting.
I rarely see them getting involved in drama or unnecessary nonsense, which makes them really enjoyable travel companions.
Despite the language barrier, Dutch travelers usually have such a good level of English that conversations flow easily. There’s always room for humor and genuine laughs, which I really appreciate.
What’s even better is that even when they’re traveling in groups, they remain open and inclusive to others.
Unlike some nationalities where groups can be a bit closed off or hard to approach, Dutch travelers are welcoming and easy to mingle with, even if you’re a complete stranger joining in on their conversation.
Overall, the Dutch are just really good people. They’re down-to-earth, caring, and know how to have a good time without causing trouble.
Every time I meet Dutch travelers, they leave a positive impression on me, and they consistently stand out as some of the nicest and most enjoyable people to meet on the road.
Australia
Next up are Australians. Aussies are a bit different from other travelers, but that is exactly why I love them. They are some of the most down-to-earth people you will ever meet, and they bring an energy that is simply contagious.
Australians are often full of life, with a fun spirit and a laid-back attitude that makes every situation feel lighter. Whenever I am around Australians while traveling, I find myself laughing nonstop.
It is always a good time, whether we are sharing ridiculous travel stories, joking around in a hostel common room, or just making the best of a long bus ride.
One thing I really appreciate about Australians is their ability to make light of tough situations. They do not take life too seriously, and they always seem to find a way to joke around and have fun, even when things go wrong.
They have this goofy, carefree vibe that is just refreshing to be around. There is rarely any drama or nonsense. They are simply here to enjoy the moment and have a good time.
Another thing I love about traveling with Australians is how easygoing they are when it comes to plans. They are not the type to stress over ticking off every single item on a sightseeing list. They are happy to go with the flow, try new things, and are always up for an adventure.
Whether it is a spontaneous beach day, a last-minute hike, or just hanging out with no set agenda, Aussies are down for whatever, and they will not make a fuss about it. This relaxed, no-pressure attitude makes them some of the best travel buddies you can have.
From the first Australians I met on my early travels to the ones I have recently hung out with, I have always felt an instant connection. It is easy to vibe with them, share laughs, and enjoy the simplicity of having a good time together.
And since there is no language barrier, aside from occasionally needing to decode their slang and thick accents, conversations flow easily, making it effortless to build friendships with them.
The United Kingdom
On a similar level are the Scottish and British travelers. Now, this one is a bit more complex because the UK has such a wide variety of traveler types.
But I have found that northern English travelers and solo English travelers, in particular, are some of the most fun and enjoyable people to be around.
I want to make it clear that the reason I distinguish and separate solo travelers is because, especially in Southeast Asia, British travelers often move in groups.
A lot of the younger travelers, around 18 or 19 years old, tend to stick together, and sometimes that group dynamic can feel a bit immature or even frustrating if you are not part of it. They can be loud, clique-ish, and hard to break into as an outsider.
But with that being said, I have also had some of my best travel experiences with groups of English and Scottish travelers who all happened to be solo traveling. None of them knew each other before, and we just met by chance, which makes the group dynamic feel very different.
There is no pre-existing friend group, no inside jokes that you are not part of, and no unnecessary drama. Everyone is open to meeting new people, and that makes all the difference.
One of the biggest reasons I love Scottish and English travelers is because of their sense of humor. I have found that northern English and Scottish people have some of the funniest and most enjoyable personalities to be around.
Their humor is sharp, witty, and often sarcastic, which as a fellow English speaker, I can really appreciate. The longer I spend time with them, the more I start to pick up on their slang and inside jokes, which makes it even more fun.
There is a certain banter they bring that keeps things light-hearted and always entertaining.
They are also very easy to get along with as an American. Conversations flow naturally, and even though our cultures are different in many ways, I feel like we connect through a shared language and a similar sense of humor.
Scottish and English travelers are also some of the most common travelers I meet. They are everywhere, and I have found that I often end up hanging out with them for days or even weeks while on the road.
Overall, when you meet the right kind of Scottish or English travelers, especially those traveling solo, they can be some of the funniest, most genuine, and enjoyable people to travel with.
Germany
Next are the German travelers. Now, sometimes Germans can be a little harder to crack at first. They might come across as reserved or serious when you first meet them, but once you get past that surface level and take the time to really get to know them, they turn out to be some of the most amazing people.
I find that in many ways, there are a lot of parallels between Americans and Germans, which makes it easy to connect once that initial wall comes down.
Some of the most deep and meaningful conversations I have had while traveling have been with German travelers. They tend to be very thoughtful and often bring a level of insight and perspective to conversations that I do not always get from other travelers.
I really appreciate how willing they are to dive into intellectual topics, whether it is about culture, life philosophies, or world issues. There is a depth to their conversations that I find really valuable and refreshing.
One thing that definitely helps is how strong their English skills are. Among all the European travelers I have met, Germans consistently have some of the best English. This makes it so much easier to connect with them on a deeper level.
It is not just about having a casual chat or sharing a funny moment; conversations with Germans often go beyond surface-level small talk. I feel like I really get to know them as people, and they also take the time to understand me.
That mutual effort to communicate and exchange ideas creates a beautiful connection that stands out in my travel experiences.
I believe a lot of this comes from their ability to express themselves in English, and not just basic conversational English, but in a way that allows for real, meaningful dialogue.
With some travelers, language barriers limit how deep a conversation can go, but with Germans, it often feels effortless to go deeper. That is something I truly value when building friendships on the road.