Solo, Not Lonely: Finding Connection While Travelling Alone
- Gail Hughes
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 7
“Aren’t you lonely?” my niece asked with big, curious eyes. “Aren’t you... you know, alone?”
It was an innocent question, but one that often lingers in the minds of many when they hear about solo travel. And it’s a fair one. After all, we’ve been conditioned to believe that doing things alone must surely be isolating.
I want to tell you about someone special I met on this trip: Pancy.
I was in Bangkok, one of my favourite cities, and I’d made it a habit to explore using the ferries, or what the locals call water taxis. They glide gently down the river and offer a calmer, quieter view of the bustling city. One day, while waiting at the ferry station, I noticed a woman sitting directly across from me. She was staring at me!
At first, I didn’t know what to make of it. I looked around awkwardly, but then I leaned in, smiled, and said, “Hi, how are you?”
Normally, I would have greeted her in Thai, saying "Sawasdee ka," but for some reason, I spoke in English. She replied in English too, and just like that, we started talking. Her name was Pancy. As it turns out, we were taking the same water taxi, although she was getting off one stop before me. In the short time we had together, we shared stories about our lives, our families, and what brought each of us to that moment.
When I returned to Bangkok weeks later, we met up again. And honestly, it felt like reconnecting with an old friend. There was a natural comfort between us, a kind of unspoken understanding that made our connection feel timeless.

Meeting Pancy reminded me of something I told my niece: when you travel solo, you end up meeting people you were never looking for, but who feel like they were meant to cross your path. Travelling alone opens you up to the unexpected, and often, the unforgettable.
So, to my niece, and to anyone wondering if solo travel is lonely, here’s what I say: Yes, you might begin your journey alone. But you won’t stay that way. The world is full of extraordinary people waiting to be met. Travelling solo doesn’t mean being without connection. It means making space for it to show up in the most surprising ways.

Cheers to the Pancys of the world, and to all the beautiful souls we have yet to meet.
Have you ever made an unexpected friend while travelling solo? I’d love to hear your story in the comments.
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