What if I don't know anyone on my trip?

Most people don't! Over 60% of EF Ultimate Break travelers book solo. The group dynamic is designed to help you connect naturally through shared meals, activities, and experiences. By day two, you'll have inside jokes. By the end of the trip, you'll have a group chat that stays active for years. The mix of solo travelers means everyone's open to meeting new people.

How do I connect with people before the trip?

Join the [EF Ultimate Break Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/efultimatebreaktravelergroup) to meet other travelers, see who else is on your tour, and start conversations before you even leave home. You'll also get access to the Ultimate Break app 60 days before departure, which includes a group chat for everyone on your specific trip. It's the perfect way to coordinate meeting at the airport or start planning who's bringing what.

Can I bring a friend and still meet new people?

Absolutely! You can book with friends, room together, and have your own crew while still being part of the larger group. Many travelers bring one friend and end up meeting a dozen more. The group activities and shared experiences make it easy to connect with others, whether you're traveling solo or with your best friend.

What if I'm introverted or nervous about group travel?

Group travel actually works great for introverts. You get built-in social opportunities without the pressure of having to initiate everything yourself. There's a natural structure to the day, which means you know when social time is happening and when you can recharge. Plus, you can choose your level of involvement—join the group dinner or grab something solo, hit up the optional activity or explore on your own.

How is group travel different from finding a travel buddy on my own?

When you find your own travel buddy, you're still responsible for all the planning—flights, hotels, itineraries, and hoping nobody flakes. With group travel, everything is handled. Your accommodations are booked, transportation is arranged, activities are planned by destination experts, and you have a Tour Director plus 24/7 support. You're not just getting travel companions—you're getting an entire support system.

What if the people on my trip aren't my vibe?

With 20-40 people on most tours (depending on the trip), you'll find your people. Not everyone will become your best friend, and that's fine. The beauty of group travel is having options—grab dinner with the whole group one night, split off with a few people the next, or do your own thing when you need space. The variety of personalities means there's usually someone who matches your energy.

Can I room with someone I meet through the Facebook group?

Yes! Many travelers connect through the Facebook group before the trip and coordinate rooming together. You can request to room with a specific person when you book or update your rooming preferences later. It's a great way to save on single supplement fees and start your trip with a built-in friend.

What's included in an EF Ultimate Break trip?

Every trip includes accommodations, most meals, transportation between destinations, expert Tour Directors, and curated activities and experiences. Many trips also include flights, though some offer a land-only option if you prefer to book your own. You'll also get access to 24/7 support and interest-free payment plans to make budgeting easier. Check the specific trip page for exact inclusions.

Two people joyfully dancing by the sea at sunset, surrounded by rocky cliffs and gentle waves in the background.

How to Find a Travel Buddy (Or Let Us Do It for You)

Your group chat’s gone quiet and your vacation days aren’t going to use themselves. Here’s how to find your perfect travel companion—or just show up and let us handle it.

A man smiling and giving the peace sign with rolling green hills and vineyards in the background.

by Tom Corbett

February 27, 2026

You know that feeling when you send "who wants to go to Greece?" to the group chat and get back three thumbs-up reactions but zero actual commitments? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Your friends mean well, but between work schedules, budgets, and that one person who takes three months to check their calendar, planning a trip together can feel impossible.

But here’s the thing: the lack of available travel companions doesn’t mean you have to stay home. Whether you’re trying to rally your existing crew or you’re ready to meet new people who actually show up, there are plenty of ways to find a travel buddy. And, spoiler alert (!), some of them require way less effort than you think.

Two people laughing and eating noodles from takeout boxes with plastic forks, standing outdoors and enjoying the moment.

Travel friends sharing pasta and laughter in Venice

Why you actually need a travel buddy (or several)

Travel is better with people. Not because you can’t handle things on your own, but because shared experiences = core memories. Someone to split a pizza with in Rome. Someone who gets why you’re crying at the Eiffel Tower. Someone to laugh with when you both butcher the pronunciation of "grazie." These are the moments that turn a good trip into a great one.

Plus, there’s the practical stuff. Traveling with others often means splitting costs, having a buddy system for safety, and always having someone to watch your bags while you run to the bathroom. Not glamorous, but essential.

The best ways to find a travel buddy

If you’re determined to find your own travel companion, here are some tried-and-true methods:

Ask around (but be specific): Instead of the vague "who wants to travel?" message, try something concrete. "I’m booking a trip to Portugal for the first week of October. It costs $2000 and I’m paying it off at $150 a month. Who’s in?" Specifics get commitments. Vague ideas get ignored.
Use social media: Put up an Instagram story or post for your followers on TikTok. Tell them where you’re going, how much it costs, and see if anyone is willing to take the leap with you. You’d be surprised how many acquaintances or friends-of-friends might be looking for the same thing. Sometimes your travel buddy is someone you haven’t even met yet, but who’s already in your extended network.
Tap a community or social group: In a run club? A book club? A…bowling league? These may be people you only sort of know, but you do know that you have something in common. Ask around and see who’s interested in travel. Maybe find the best running city in Europe or pick a tour inspired by your favorite novel.

Or, hear us out: let group travel do the work for you

Here’s where we let you in on a secret that’s not really a secret at all. When you book a group trip with EF Ultimate Break, you’re not just booking a vacation—you’re booking built-in travel buddies.

More than 60% of our travelers sign up solo. They show up not knowing a single person, and by day two, they’re sharing inside jokes and making plans to meet up in other cities. By the end of the trip, they’ve got a group chat that’ll stay active for years.

The beauty of group travel is that everyone’s in the same boat. You’re all there to explore, try new things, and meet people. There’s no awkward "will we vibe?" uncertainty because the whole setup is designed for connection. Shared experiences, group dinners, and activities that naturally bring people together mean you’re making friends without even trying that hard.

And if you’re worried about ending up with people you have nothing in common with, remember: you all chose the same trip. You’re already starting with shared interests, similar travel styles, and the kind of adventurous spirit that says "yes" to exploring the world.

Four friends laugh and toss coins into the Trevi Fountain, surrounded by its ornate statues and a backdrop of colorful buildings.

Travelers tossing coins at Rome's Trevi Fountain

The Facebook group advantage

Before you even leave home, you can start connecting with your future travel buddies. EF Ultimate Break has an official Facebook group where travelers meet each other, ask questions, swap tips, and sometimes even coordinate who’s bringing the portable charger.

It’s the perfect low-pressure way to start building those connections. You can introduce yourself, see who else is on your trip, and start getting excited with people who are just as hyped as you are. Some travelers even coordinate meeting at the airport or rooming together before the trip officially starts.

The group isn’t just for pre-trip planning, either. It’s full of Ultimate Break veterans sharing their favorite memories, first-timers asking questions, and people actively looking for travel buddies for upcoming tours. It’s basically a built-in community of people who get it.

When the group chat finally comes through

Maybe your friends do eventually commit. Maybe you convince your sister, your college roommate, or that coworker who’s always talking about wanting to travel more. That’s great! Group travel still works perfectly for you.

You can book together, room together, and have your own little crew within the larger group. You get the comfort of traveling with people you know, plus the opportunity to meet even more people along the way. Best of both worlds.

What makes group travel different

The thing about finding a travel buddy on your own is that you’re still responsible for all the planning. You’ve got to coordinate flights, book hotels, figure out what to do each day, and hope nobody flakes at the last minute.

With group travel, all of that is handled . Your itinerary is planned by people who actually know the destination. Your accommodations are booked. Your transportation is arranged. You’ve got a Tour Director who’s basically a local expert and problem-solver rolled into one. And if something goes wrong, there’s 24/7 support to help fix it.

You’re not just getting travel buddies—you’re getting an entire support system that makes the whole experience easier and way less stressful.

Two women laughing and clinking wine glasses on a balcony, with a scenic view of cliffs and the sea in the background.

Toasting with wine overlooking Santorini's caldera

The real reason travel brings people together

Whether you find your travel buddy through a Facebook group, convince your best friend to finally commit, or show up solo and meet your new favorite people on day one, travel has this magic ability to fast-track friendships.

There’s something about navigating a new place together, trying weird food, getting a little lost, and experiencing moments of pure awe that bonds people quickly. You’re not making small talk at a coffee shop—you’re sharing genuine experiences that become genuine memories.

Those are the stories you’ll tell for years. The people you’ll tag in random posts that remind you of that one night in Barcelona. The friends who’ll text you when flights to Iceland go on sale because "we have to go back."

Stop waiting for the perfect travel buddy

The truth is, there’s no such thing as the perfect travel companion. Your best friend from home might turn out to be a nightmare travel partner. That random person you met on a group trip might become one of your closest friends.

The only way to find out is to actually go.

So whether you’re still trying to rally your group chat, joining the EF Ultimate Break Facebook group to connect with other travelers, or just booking that solo spot and trusting that you’ll meet your people on the road—just do it. Your vacation days are waiting. The world is waiting. And somewhere out there, your future travel buddies are waiting too.

They might be people you already know. They might be strangers who become friends. Either way, the best way to find a travel buddy is to stop overthinking it and start traveling.

Key takeaways

Group travel with EF Ultimate Break gives you built-in travel buddies—over 60% of travelers book solo and make lasting connections through shared experiences, group activities, and the natural bonding that happens on the road.
The EF Ultimate Break Facebook group lets you connect with fellow travelers before your trip even starts, making it easy to find roommates, ask questions, and start building friendships with people on your tour.
Finding a travel buddy on your own requires being specific with dates and details rather than vague invitations—concrete plans get commitments while "someday" trips stay in the group chat forever.
With group travel, you get more than just travel companions—you get expert-planned itineraries, included accommodations and transportation, Tour Directors, and 24/7 support, so you can focus on the experience instead of the logistics.