The travel industry is only ever growing, and solo traveling is growing even faster. However, barriers still hold people back: 71% of the tourists stress about higher costs without someone to split expenses, and women face even more serious concerns — 66% worry about personal safety, while 44% simply want someone to share the experience with. With client pains so itchy, how do you open up a large new market segment for your business?
The solution sits right in these statistics. What if you could give hesitant travelers an app to find travel buddies — connecting people who share destinations, budgets, and hesitations? This article will tell you the essential details of travel buddy apps: what they are, why they're good business investments, which features matter most, and how to build one that brings profits and happy customers. We'll also examine the top solutions and give you tips on integrating them.
First things first: What is a travel buddy app?
Ever since the question "How to find a travel buddy?" became a massive problem for tourists, there has been a need for such a solution. A travel buddy app is a digital platform that connects travelers heading to the same destination during overlapping periods. The core purpose centers on matching people with similar travel interests, financial constraints, and safety preferences, turning what used to be an impossible search into something simple.
It can be compared to a specialized social network for travelers. Users create profiles detailing their planned trips, interests, and what they're looking for in a travel companion. The trip buddy app then matches them with others going to the same places at the same time. From there, matched travelers chat, plan activities together, and decide whether to meet up for parts of their journey or stick together from start to finish.
Who is it for, any how does it solve problems? Let’s figure out the best use cases.
Main use cases for a travel partner app
Travel buddy apps serve several key use cases that address real traveler needs while creating business opportunities for you.
Matching solo travelers for companionship.
Solo travel continues growing, but loneliness remains a major concern. Matthew Holman explains: "I used to travel frequently overseas for business. I used to struggle in silence with a very empty feeling." His LinkedIn poll found 57% of business travelers feel lonely sometimes or always during work trips. Apps that help people find someone to travel with solve this emotional barrier. Business owners benefit by selling group packages and shared experiences that solo travelers typically avoid, expanding their customer base beyond traditional couples and families.
Cost-sharing for budget-conscious travelers.
Solo travelers pay 47% more on average than couples due to single supplement charges. With many of them citing high costs as their main barrier to solo travel, travel companions who split expenses create immediate appeal. Hotels fill more rooms by offering shared accommodations, tour operators sell more group packages, and rental companies move inventory faster when travelers split costs.
Group formation for safety and security.
Safety concerns affect most women considering solo travel, leading to advice like "Never say you are alone — always say you're traveling with family," like the one widely shared on Reddit talks. Instead of pretending, apps connect verified travelers into real groups. When businesses book guided tours through these platforms, they tap into the 96% of women who would travel solo if they could join organized groups — a massive market previously sitting on the sidelines.
These use cases demonstrate how travel buddy apps create win-win scenarios: travelers get companionship, savings, and safety while businesses access entirely new customer segments.
Market trends that drive the popularity of trip buddy apps
The travel buddy app market sits at the intersection of several powerful trends that make investment particularly attractive right now.
Solo travel boom. Solo travel is exploding with spending power. In 2025, 62% of respondents plan two to five solo trips, with 36% solo travelers planning four to five more! One in six book trips for at least two weeks, spending $1,000 to $3,000 per trip, excluding airfare. Only 7% travel alone because they lack companions — the rest want safety and shared experiences, driving demand for apps that help find a travel buddy.
Technology integration. Gen Z drives digital adoption with 73% using AI trip planners and 68% trusting technology for destination recommendations. They expect tech facilities in accommodations, with 76% seeking robotic services. This generation treats travel buddy apps as natural planning tools rather than foreign concepts.
Experience-focused preferences. Modern travelers prioritize authentic experiences. As Eric Weiner notes, "Traveling alone forces me to engage with my surroundings." Yet 53% still hope to engage with locals away from tourist spots. Solo traveler Meg O'Connor explains the appeal: "I've realized over the years that traveling alone means I don't have to compromise my idea of a perfect trip to make someone else happy" — but apps let them find compatible travel companions without compromising their vision.
Premium spending on solo adventures. Parents especially splurge on solo breaks, with one-third budgeting up to $5,000 for solo trips. Overall, 27% of travelers will spend up to $5,000 on single solo journeys, showing this market has both volume and value for businesses targeting connected solo travel experiences.
Recent risks of Booking com issues with scamming. Booking.com has faced issues with scammers listing fake accommodations, exploiting lax verification processes, leaving travelers vulnerable to paying for nonexistent stays. Solo travelers are particularly at risk as they often book last-minute or remote stays, making them easy targets for fraudsters who exploit delayed refund policies and hidden negative reviews. Due to this, tourists increasingly need pre-planned trips in companionship.
These trends reveal a market ready for travel buddy apps — solo travelers with spending power, tech-forward planning habits, and a desire for meaningful connections.
What are the benefits for businesses?
Travel buddy apps create multiple revenue streams and business advantages that make them smart investments for companies.
Solving real customer problems.
Solo travelers represent a valuable but underserved market struggling with loneliness and safety concerns. As Kellie Paxian puts it: "Solo travel isn't always the easiest or most comforting way to go." Your travel partner app directly addresses these pain points, creating customer loyalty and willingness to pay for solutions that work.
Expanding market reach across different groups.
The user base goes far beyond solo travelers to include couples seeking new friends and groups wanting to expand their circles. From young backpackers to older adventurers seeking a female travel companion for safety, the platform appeals to different ages and travel styles.
Creating repeat business through social features.
User profiles, messaging, and community forums keep travelers engaged between trips, increasing their lifetime value. When users share experiences and build relationships, they return repeatedly rather than treating your app as a one-time booking tool.
Generating trust-based premium services.
Safety checks, background verification, and review systems become premium features travelers happily pay for. Many think "when you're traveling alone, you can meet other people" but as one Medium writer notes: "Ha. Nope. It doesn't work this way." Trust-building services command higher prices because they solve real meeting challenges.
Using technology for a competitive edge.
AI matching and AR travel experiences set your platform apart from basic social networks. Continuous updates keep users engaged while creating new ways to make money through advanced features.
Building global revenue opportunities.
Travel connects people worldwide, making international travel companion matching a natural way to grow. Supporting multiple languages and currencies opens revenue streams across different markets while increasing user engagement through diverse cultural exchanges.
These benefits show why travel buddy apps generate both immediate revenue and long-term business value. Now that you know why these apps are worth developing, let’s figure out what they should present as to functionality.
Key features a buddy app should have
Travel buddy apps need specific core features to successfully connect travelers while ensuring safety and smooth trip coordination.
Trip planning and coordination. Users need to create detailed trip profiles with destinations, dates, budgets, and preferences to attract compatible matches. Collaborative planning features like shared expense tracking and group polls for activity decisions help manage trips once travel companions connect and start planning..
Advanced matching and profile systems. Detailed traveler profiles showing travel style, interests, and experience levels enable better matching between users. The travel friends app needs sophisticated filtering to connect compatible travelers based on spending habits, activity preferences, and travel pace for successful partnerships.
Real-time safety and emergency features. Location sharing and emergency assistance access provide peace of mind for travelers meeting new people in unfamiliar places. Weather forecasts and local emergency numbers integrated into the app help travelers stay informed and prepared during their journeys.
Secure communication and verification. In-app messaging keeps conversations within the platform while building trust before travelers meet in person. Whether someone seeks a luxury travel companion or a partner for a budget-friendly travel, verification through ID, social media linking, and user reviews creates accountability that makes travelers comfortable connecting with strangers for shared adventures.
Community building and social features. Forums, local meetup organizations, and photo sharing create engaged communities that keep users active between trips. When travelers share experiences and build ongoing relationships, they return to find new companion travel for future adventures rather than switching to competitor apps.
Smart recommendations and local integration. Personalized attraction and restaurant suggestions based on user preferences enhance the travel experience beyond just finding companions. Connections with local guides and ambassadors provide insider knowledge that makes trips more memorable and valuable.
These features work together to create platforms that solve real traveler problems while building lasting user engagement. However, they cannot work in isolation.
Core integrations for travel buddy apps
Travel buddy apps require strategic integrations with existing travel infrastructure to provide a simple, fast user experience and comprehensive functionality to tick off all boxes.
Booking platform integrations.
Direct connections with major online travel booking solutions like Expedia, Booking.com, and Airbnb let users book accommodations and flights without leaving the app. When travelers find compatible partners, they need immediate booking capabilities to secure shared rooms and coordinate travel dates before availability disappears.
Payment processing and split-bill systems.
Integration with payment platforms like PayPal, Stripe, and Venmo enables easy expense sharing between matched travelers. Split-bill functionality becomes essential when travelers book shared accommodations, group tours, or dining experiences through the travel partner app.
Maps and navigation services.
Google Maps and Apple Maps integration provide real-time location sharing and navigation for travelers meeting up in unfamiliar destinations. GPS functionality helps travelers find each other at airports, hotels, or meeting points while exploring new cities together.
Social media authentication.
Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn connections verify user identities and provide additional profile information for safer matching. Social media integration helps travelers feel more comfortable connecting with strangers by showing mutual connections and authentic profiles rather than anonymous accounts.
Communication platform bridges.
WhatsApp or video calling integrations enable travelers to move conversations off-platform once they've established trust. While initial matching happens within the travel companion site, deeper communication often shifts to familiar messaging platforms travelers already use daily.
Travel review and rating systems.
TripAdvisor and Google Reviews integration helps travelers research destinations and activities together. Shared access to reviews and ratings enables better collaborative decision-making when planning itineraries with new travel partners.
These integrations turn standalone apps into comprehensive travel ecosystems that handle every aspect of connected travel planning. But how to build a solution that will stand out in a fast-paced market?
How to build a travel buddy app
Building a travel buddy app requires following a structured development process that addresses the unique challenges of connecting travelers safely and effectively.
Market research and concept development.
Start by analyzing existing social travel apps to identify gaps in user experience and monetization strategies. Focus on understanding what makes travelers hesitant to use current platforms and how your app will solve specific problems, like safety verification or compatible matching, that competitors miss.
Feature definition and user experience design.
Create detailed user profiles, matching algorithms, and safety verification systems as your core features. Design intuitive interfaces that make profile creation simple while gathering enough information for effective matching — travelers need to quickly understand potential companions without overwhelming signup processes.
Technology stack selection and development team assembly.
Choose mobile-first development frameworks that support real-time messaging, location services, and secure payment processing. Hire developers experienced with requirements like GPS integration, background check APIs, and partnerships that enable hotel booking for solo travelers who require specialized travel industry knowledge.
Backend infrastructure and integration setup.
Build robust servers that handle user matching algorithms, secure messaging, and third-party integrations with booking platforms. Implement safety features for your travel buddies app like identity verification, user reporting systems, and emergency contact capabilities that create trust between strangers planning to travel together.
Testing with real travelers and safety protocols.
Conduct beta testing of your travel companion app with actual solo travelers to identify usability issues and safety concerns before launch. Test matching accuracy, messaging functionality, and emergency features under real travel scenarios rather than just technical functionality in controlled environments.
Launch strategy and user acquisition.
Deploy on app stores with targeted marketing toward solo travel communities, travel bloggers, and safety-conscious travelers. Focus initial promotion on travel forums and social media groups where your target audience already discusses travel companion challenges.
This structured approach ensures your app addresses real traveler needs. However, even with the structured process, the cost might be high. Let’s sort them out.
How much does a travel companion cost to develop?
Development costs for trip buddy apps vary significantly based on several key factors that directly impact the complexity and timeline of your project.
Core feature complexity and scope. Basic functionality like user profiles and messaging costs less than advanced features like AI-powered matching algorithms and real-time safety tracking. The more sophisticated your matching system and safety verification processes, the higher your development investment becomes.
Platform and technology choices. Building for both iOS and Android doubles development time compared to single-platform launches. Cross-platform frameworks reduce costs but may limit performance for location-based features essential to travel apps that need GPS accuracy and real-time updates.
Design and user experience requirements. Simple, clean interfaces cost less than custom animations and complex user flows. However, travel apps need intuitive design since users often access them while stressed or in unfamiliar locations, making professional UI/UX design a worthwhile investment.
Backend infrastructure and integration complexity. Basic messaging and user management require simpler backend systems than travel companion apps with payment processing, booking integrations, and emergency safety features. Travel companion development involves complex backend architecture for safety features and third-party integrations that significantly increase overall costs.
Development team experience and location. Experienced developers familiar with travel industry requirements work faster but charge premium rates. Teams in different geographic regions offer varying cost structures, though travel app expertise matters more than location for complex matching and safety systems.
Given these substantial development costs and timeline commitments, making the wrong technical decisions early on creates expensive mistakes that are difficult to fix later. Travel apps face unique challenges like real-time matching, location accuracy, and safety verification that require specialized knowledge — generic app developers often underestimate these complexities, leading to budget overruns and failed launches.
Just like your clients want to hire a travel companion for their journeys, you need a reliable development companion who understands the travel industry's specific requirements. The COAX team specializes in travel mobile app development with deep experience in booking system integrations, GPS functionality, and the safety features that make travelers comfortable connecting with strangers. We provide comprehensive support from initial concept through post-launch updates, ensuring your app scales successfully as your user base grows.
Comparing the best travel buddy apps
The travel buddy market offers plenty of creative ways to connect with fellow adventurers, whether you're looking for someone to split costs with or just want company on your next big trip.
TourBar
A straightforward travel companion app that connects you with travelers heading to the same destinations around the same time you are.
Features: Smart matching based on travel dates and destinations, group chat rooms for popular routes, trip timeline sharing, personality compatibility quizzes, photo verification, and integrated travel planning tools with suggested itineraries.
Cost: Free basic membership, premium subscription at $29.99/month unlocks unlimited messaging and advanced filters.
Safety: Photo verification requirements, user reporting system, background check options for premium members, and safety tips for meeting new travel partners.
Limitations: Smaller user base in less popular destinations, premium paywall for key messaging features, and some users report fake profiles slipping through verification.
To put it short, TourBar is a handy way to find travel buddies with smart matching and solid safety features, though its smaller user base and premium paywall might limit the experience.
Workaway
This platform makes it easy to find people to travel with while giving back to local communities through volunteer work. You'll connect with hosts worldwide who need help with projects in exchange for free accommodation and meals.
Features: Over 50,000 host listings across 170 countries, skill-based volunteer opportunities (from organic farming to teaching English), cultural immersion programs, host family stays, and detailed project descriptions with photos and reviews from previous volunteers.
Cost: Annual membership fee of $49 for travelers, with some hosts offering additional perks like meals and local tours.
Safety: Comprehensive host verification system, detailed reviews from previous workawayers, emergency contact protocols, and community safety guidelines.
Limitations: Requires 4-6 hours of daily work commitment, not suitable for luxury travel preferences, and some remote locations may lack reliable internet.
The bottom line? Workaway is perfect for budget-conscious travelers seeking meaningful cultural exchanges through volunteering, though the work commitment and rustic conditions may not suit everyone.
GAFFL
The go-to best travel buddy app for budget-conscious travelers who want to explore destinations while splitting costs with compatible companions.
Features: Detailed cost-splitting calculators, destination-specific traveler searches, shared itinerary planning, expense tracking tools, local meetup coordination, and compatibility matching based on travel style and budget preferences.
Cost: Free basic membership with all core features included.
Safety: Identity verification through social media links, user rating system, secure payment integration for shared expenses, and safety guidelines for meeting travel partners.
Limitations: Requires a stable internet connection for real-time features, limited offline functionality, and a smaller user base outside major travel destinations.
The final take is that GAFFL is a great free app for splitting costs and finding travel buddies, though its usability depends on internet access and destination popularity.
NomadHer
A community-focused platform designed specifically as a senior travel companion solution for women seeking safe and supportive travel partnerships.
Features: Women-only verified community, mentorship programs pairing experienced travelers with newcomers, destination-specific safety guides, travel story sharing platform, emergency contact networks, and cultural sensitivity resources.
Cost: Free basic membership with optional premium features for enhanced verification.
Safety: Enhanced identity verification for all members, community moderators, emergency contact sharing, and partnerships with women's safety organizations worldwide.
Limitations: Restricted to female travelers only, smaller user pool compared to general apps, and limited male travel companion options for mixed-gender groups.
The conclusion is that NomadHer offers a safe, women-only travel community with strong support features, though its niche focus limits user diversity.
Travel Buddy Meet & Book Trips
An integrated trip buddy app that lets you find companions while booking activities and accommodations all in one place.
Features: Built-in booking system for tours and accommodations, local guide connections, group discount negotiations, shared wishlist creation, real-time trip coordination, and integrated chat with translation features for international connections.
Cost: Free to join and browse, $14.99/month premium subscription for unlimited bookings and advanced matching.
Safety: Verified local guide network, user background checks available, secure payment processing, and emergency contact integration.
Limitations: Reported issues with search functionality, occasional app crashes during peak usage, and limited customer service response times.
To put is simply, Meet & Book Trips combines trip planning and companion-finding in one app, though technical glitches and support delays may frustrate some users.
Fairytrail
A thoughtfully designed travel buddy app that focuses on meaningful connections rather than quick swipes, perfect for serious travelers and digital nomads.
Features: Story-based profile system encouraging detailed personal narratives, human-moderated matching process, compatibility scoring based on travel philosophy, nomad lifestyle support, and community forums for travel advice and destination tips.
Cost: Completely free with no premium tiers or hidden fees.
Safety: Human review of all profiles, anti-spam measures, community reporting system, and verified traveler badges for established users.
Limitations: Slower matching process due to manual review, limited instant gratification compared to swipe-based apps, and fewer location-based filtering options.
Ideal for intentional travelers, Fairytrail trades instant matches for meaningful connections — just don’t expect lightning-fast results.
Travello
A social networking platform that helps you find travel buddy app connections through shared interests and real-time location matching.
Features: Location-based traveler discovery, interest group joins (photography, adventure sports, food tours), real-time chat translation, photo sharing with geo-tagging, meetup event organization, and travel timeline sharing.
Cost: Free basic version with optional premium upgrades for enhanced features.
Safety: Community moderation, photo verification options, user reporting tools, and safety tip resources.
Limitations: Occasional app performance issues, limited video upload capabilities, and difficulty finding specific user accounts through search.
Our recap is that Travello excels at connecting like-minded travelers through location and interests, though technical hiccups and search limitations can be frustrating.
Travel Ladies
A specialized senior travel companion services platform creating a safe space for women to find trusted female travel partners worldwide.
Features: Women-only community with strict verification, couch surfing network for budget travelers, travel experience sharing forums, safety resource library, mentor matching for first-time solo travelers, and destination-specific women's safety guides.
Cost: Free membership with all features included.
Safety: Enhanced verification process, community trust system, emergency contact networks, and partnerships with women's travel safety organizations.
Limitations: Limited to female users only, smaller user base compared to general platforms, and reliance on user trust rather than professional verification.
A safe haven for female travelers, Travel Ladies prioritizes trust, but its exclusivity comes with a smaller network.
Overlap
A unique travel partner app designed to help existing friends coordinate their travel plans and discover when they'll be in the same locations around the world.
Features: Real-time travel alert system when friends visit the same cities, centralized travel plan organization, live travel map showing friend locations, bucket list comparison tools, group trip planning interface, and travel memory sharing.
Cost: Free basic version with premium features available.
Safety: Friend network verification, privacy controls for location sharing, and secure data handling for travel information.
Limitations: Works best with existing social connections rather than meeting new people, limited functionality for solo travelers without established networks, and requires active participation from friend groups to be effective.
To put it briefly, Overlap is perfect for friends who want to sync travels, but it's less useful for solo explorers or building new connections.
So if your potential clients are still asking themselves how to find travel buddies, and you are questioning whether such a solution will justify the investment, choose the solution wisely — or remember that with COAX, you get a partner who can add any custom integration, run a market research on what audience you should target, or future-proof your solution with reliable cloud architecture. Whatever you choose, we wish you a profitable and exciting journey.
FAQ
How to become a travel companion using a travel buddy app?
It’s simple — just create a detailed profile showing your travel plans, interests, budget, and what you're looking for in a travel partner. They work through smart matching algorithms that connect you with people based on your destinations, travel dates, budget, and personality preferences.
Which ready-made solutions can I integrate into my app?
You can integrate booking platforms like Expedia and Airbnb, payment systems like PayPal and Stripe, plus Google Maps for navigation and social media for user verification.
What's the biggest challenge when building a travel companion app?
Creating sophisticated matching systems and safety verification processes requires specialized travel industry knowledge that generic app developers often underestimate.
Should I target just solo travelers?
The market includes solo travelers, couples seeking new friends, and groups wanting to expand their circles, so cast a wider net.
What's the most important feature for a travel partner app?
Trust-building features like user verification and review systems are essential because people need to feel safe connecting with strangers for travel.
