How to Use Dating Sites to Enhance Travel Experiences 

Reasons to use dating sites when traveling, suitable apps, create a detailed profile, know what you want, and read up on local customs.

Dating apps are essential to travel, especially if you’re traveling alone. They can save you time, keep you from taking risks, and let you meet people you otherwise wouldn’t.  

You can make new friends, go to underground dance parties, enjoy home-cooked meals, go on fun dates, and maybe even meet the One. Anything is possible if you keep an open mind, have a sense of adventure, and read up on the best practices. 

Traveling is popular among dating app users

Research from Match Group shows that 74% of women and 62% of men are looking for someone who shares their travel interests. Tinder marketing campaign polls revealed that traveling is 50% of singles’ favorite thing to do. 

Dating apps for traveling 

Hinge is location-based, but it’s not your device’s location data; it’s where you tell the app. If you travel to a new place, you’ll still see matches from where you used to live. Hinge has creative prompts like “Best Travel Story,” encouraging users to share memories about the best or most unique places they went to. 

Among the best Hinge alternatives are Tinder, Bumble, and OKCupid.  

Tinder

Tinder’s Passport feature allows users to change their location so they can browse wherever they are. It also gives users a head start by allowing them to swipe to chat with people and make plans before arriving at their new destination. 

OKCupid

OKCupid features in-depth questionnaires, robust and informative profiles, and the option to search by category. You can set your location to where you’re traveling. The information from the questionnaires is fed into an algorithm, which determines people’s compatibility score, expressed in a percentage. 

Bumble

On Bumble, female users have to initiate contact with matches suggested by the app. Men are not allowed to make the first move regardless of geographic location. If the woman doesn’t act in 24 hours, the connection disappears. 

Create a detailed profile

The first step to enhance your travel experience using a dating site is creating a more detailed profile. You should not only list where you’re from but also what time you’ll be traveling and how long you’ll be at that destination. Give information about things you like, like favorite activities or types of food. Feel free to state you aren’t looking to hook up with anyone. You never know what people will assume.

If you’re traveling to a big city, set your location within a five-mile radius. You can narrow the age range to people who are a better fit. If you aren’t staying long, don’t be surprised if your match wants to skip the small talk. If getting to the point is what you want, keep the conversation brief. Ideally, you should exchange numbers as soon as possible. 

Post current photos of yourself which show your interests clearly. A clear photo of you in front of a landmark is a better conversation starter than a group picture in a bar. 

Know what you want 

Knowing what you want is crucial to your travel experience. Feel free to share that you’re looking for a companion for dinner, a tour guide, or a language tutor. Many locals relish showing off their hometowns, so you might find a free guide quickly. 

Many people are intrigued by foreigners with exotic accents, and you’ll find locals are attracted to you, so a romance abroad isn’t out of the question at all. 

Respect local customs

Cultural norms vary, so be aware of what’s socially acceptable, especially if you’re a member of the LGBT community. Many countries criminalize same-sex relationships.

Recap

  • Dating apps save time and let you meet people
  • You experience things you normally wouldn’t
  • Hinge, Tinder, Bumble, and OKCupid are great for traveling
  • Your profile should show when you’ll be traveling, where, for how long 
  • When you get a match, get to the point 
  • State what you want: a companion for dinner, a tour guide, a language tutor
  • Be aware of cultural norms.