Hostelworld Alternatives for Meeting Travelers
By TripBFF · · 3 min read
If you want an alternative to Hostelworld’s social features, start with what you are missing: people on your route, a shared interest, or an activity you can join today. TripBFF, Meetup, Couchsurfing, and organized activities each offer a different starting point. These are social alternatives, not replacements for a hostel-booking service.
We make TripBFF. The comparisons below use public product information checked November 2, 2026. They are editorial recommendations, not claims that one service is best for everyone.
First, you do not necessarily need a hostel booking
Hostelworld Social Pass allows access to traveler chats and events without an accommodation booking. If you like its community but stay elsewhere, check that option before switching. Review current access and pricing in the app.
Choose an alternative by what you want to do
| Option | A good reason to try it | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| TripBFF | Meet travelers and make shared plans | Check activity for your dates |
| Meetup | Join people around a hobby | Not every group targets travelers |
| Couchsurfing | Connect through a travel community | Check access and references |
| Small-group activities | Have a scheduled plan with others | Tickets or reservations may be required |
TripBFF: start with the people you want to travel with
TripBFF offers traveler groups and trip planning. Use it when your question is “Who wants to do this with me?” rather than “Where should I book a bed?” Be clear about your dates and the kind of day you have in mind.
For a first meetup, suggest one part of the day. A coffee before sightseeing gives both people a chance to see whether their travel styles fit before agreeing to a longer plan.
Meetup and Couchsurfing: expand who you meet
Meetup is useful for interest-based events; Couchsurfing offers connections between locals and travelers, including events. Either can broaden your search beyond people staying in the same building.
Check the event’s purpose before showing up. A casual language exchange, a serious hiking group, and a professional networking evening have very different expectations. Choose the setting you would enjoy even without an instant friendship.
A booked activity can be the simplest alternative
A walking tour, food class, or beginner workshop gives you a meeting time and a shared experience. Read recent reviews and check group size; a large bus tour is a different social setting from six people cooking together.
Ask one person whether they want to grab something to eat afterward. An organized activity introduces you, but the follow-up is what creates a chance to get to know someone.