Making friends while traveling is one of the most rewarding human experiences imaginable, but it isn’t always easy (especially as a solo traveler). Being open-minded is the first step towards socializing in a foreign place, and traveling with items that lend themselves to social situations can open up the door to a friendly conversation. Here are a collection of things that I pack in my bag when traveling.
Koozies
Nothing says it’s party time like wrapping ice-cold beers & sodas in fun koozies. If you are anything like me, you have amassed a collection of these cheap yet useful souvenirs during your travels.
Never find yourself without some by stashing your koozies inside every backpack or piece of luggage you own. No matter which bag I take on my next trip, I know that I will always have a few personal koozies available.
Having them for yourself is great, but being able to share them with other travelers or friends is a great way to connect with people. If you like them enough, let them keep it! I have traded koozies with some great people in the past, and each of them now hold sentimental value whenever I pull one of them out of my bag.
Dice
It blows my mind to think about how many different games can be played with a handful of regular ol’ six-sided dice. From well-known party games like Yahtzee & Farkle to fast-paced betting games like craps and 1-4-24, the possibilities are endless.
Most games that I am familiar with require between two & six dice. Keeping a total of six dice means that you will be prepared to play any game no matter where you are.
Deck of Playing Cards
It doesn’t get any more simple than a deck of playing cards. These are a lightweight addition to any traveler’s inventory, and the possibilities are seemingly endless. Every time we break out a deck of cards in a hostel or on a cabin trip, I learn the rules to a new game that I never knew.
Just be careful not to lose any cards; a deck loses its practicality as soon as you don’t have enough to play most games.
Various games are commonly known around the world, but games like spades, tiến lên (colloquially referred to as “Thirteen”), rummy, and even king’s cup are popular games that will be sure to attract a crowd at the hostel.
Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Nothing says “vacation” like vibing to your favorite playlist. Bluetooth speakers are ridiculously portable these days. Many of them are waterproof, which means you can bring it along to the pool or the beach without worrying about frying your gear.
Having a portable Bluetooth speaker lets you turn your lodging into your own mini party or liven up any outdoor activity. More importantly, it allows your friends to seamlessly connect their devices and play their music as well. Exchanging favorite songs & discovering new artists is an exciting part of traveling for me, and there are few things that make me as nostalgic as a song I first heard while on a trip.
Bottle Opener
No self-respecting traveler should be caught without a bottle opener on their person at all times. While there are tons of party tricks out there to help open bottles without one, offering up a bottle opener to another traveler in need is a surefire way to build rapport.
I like to carry around a bottle opener from my favorite brewery on my key ring, and I like to keep a spare hidden away in my bag just in case.
Bottle openers also make great souvenirs because they are relatively cheap, sturdy, and lightweight. Every bottle opener I own has a story about who gifted it to me or which awesome brewery I got it from.
Books
If you have been following me long enough, you know that I enjoy reading physical books (no Kindle for me!). I source most of my books from my local library system, but I do have a small collection at home as well. I am not the type of reader who enjoys re-reading books, so I am always looking to give my older books away to a new home.
I think there is something very powerful about entrusting someone with a book that you enjoyed & cherished. The first book I ever traded away was Moneyball by Michael Lewis. I grew up an Oakland A’s fan during the Billy Beane era, so being able to pass along that book to an avid sports fan is something I will never forget. In return, I received The White Darkness by David Grann which chronicles British adventurer Henry Worsley and his obsession with trekking across Antarctica.
Finding free spirits who share your passion for literature is always exciting, and swapping books is a personal way to connect with new & old friends alike. If you need some inspiration, feel free to check out my favorite non-fiction travel books.
Flying Discs
Traveling somewhere outdoors? Frisbees are lightweight & easy-to-pack travel accessories that are great for parks, beaches, and backyards.
These flying discs are an affordable outdoor activity that anyone can join in on. Simplicity is the name of the game.
Camera
On our first night in Beijing, we made some friends with some European student doctors who were also staying in our hostel. We hit the town that night and ended up at a rooftop bar. After a couple of drinks, one of our new friends pulled a DSLR camera out of his backpack and kicked off a spontaneous photoshoot to capture the moment.
Having a camera is a great conversation starter. Being able to meet new friends and share memories with them during your trip is a simple way to foster real relationships while traveling.
Want to know what kind of camera I travel with? Check out what is currently in my camera bag.
Ping Pong Balls
Want to be the life of the party? Make sure you are stocking a couple of ping pong balls during your next hostel stay. Ping pong balls & some cups are all you need to spark a drinking game in the common area.
Not interested in a crazy night of drinking? Setting up trick shots or playing games like whipper snapper are fun ways to pass time with new friends.
Final Thoughts
I always try to pack some combination of these items in my bag when I travel. Some get used more than others, but I like to have options to adapt to the situation.
What items do you bring along when you travel? Did we miss something on this list that you want to share? Leave a comment below!
Hey! This is a fun post–I love to make connections when traveling, when I can. New people and new perspectives always have interest to me.
I’ve read that Uno is a great card game to bring along–very portable, its known worldwide, and it doesn’t require that everyone speak the same language to play together. Also, I’ve heard that power strips and power banks are great ways to make new friends–everyone needs more juice for their devices, these days, so if you have some to spare or a resource to share, people will love you for it.
Uno is a ton of fun. I do always travel with a power bank, but I never thought about the power strip idea. Thanks for a great suggestion!