Do you think it will be easy to meet people if backpacking alone as a person in your late 30's?

Question

I did this in my 20's & no problem, but I'm in my late 30's now so a little wary & only want to meet other women (straight ones!) not men as too risky. When I was backpacking in my 20's quite frankly people in the hostels used to look at older people travelling alone (& there were very few of them) as though they were weirdo's & did not engage them in conversation. I have to say that all the ones I saw were weirdo's though (or maybe they started out normal & after months of no one talking to them they turned weird!). I'm just normal so will I be seen as ok or will people think at her age she should be travelling with a partner, why hasn't she got one, is she weird/mental/an alcoholic?

Answer 1

I have travelled alone ever since my 20's, and have not noticed a change in the people in the hostels. Maybe you had bad luck in meeting people then.

Now I am in my 40's I more often opt for a cheap hotel or a bed and breakfast, but for longer travels I still prefer the hostels.
I have had single rooms in hostels in many countries now, the best of both worlds.

If you can, travel outside the summerholidays, as the people you meet are the ones that travel because they like it.
You might need to start to conversation but most people find it normal if someone in a hostel starts talking with them.

Some people travel with a partner, but in the hostels a lot of people travel alone, eiter because they do not have a partner or because their partner has to stay home for whatever reason. So you will not be the only one.

Please, remember, most men are innocent and might even be nice company for a day, but you are right to be careful about who you travel with.