Best Dating Sites & Apps for Travelers

Philippe Berry
TheTravellingFrenchMan
13 min readJun 25, 2024

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As they say, life is a daring adventure or nothing at all. And I want to take the most out of my adventure; that’s why I’ve already been to 33 countries and don’t plan to stop!

But adventure is not the only thing that drives my life. Like many of you, I’m powered by love and still searching for “the one.”

With years, my belief in “the one” changed more to “the ones.” 😏

I never stay for long in one place, which is not a Petri dish for long-term relationships. Well, dating for travelers has never been easy.

A few days ago, I had a wonderful catch-up with one of my good old friends, Steve. We’ve known each other for over 15 years now. And a fun fact about him: he’s been living as a digital nomad for over 5 years now. He told me how hard dating and romance have been for him since he followed his passion for travel. I think that many other travelers are in a similar situation. That’s what inspired me to write this post.

So, you know, I can ramble for hours, but thanks, Steve, you inspired me to make the top of the best travel dating sites and apps. They can help you meet not just a lovely person but someone to fall in love with in your next destination 💞.

Let’s roll!

My personal top 7 travel dating sites & apps I use

Oh, my… if you only knew how many travel dating sites there are on the market, and I’ve tested over 70 options to help you find the best dating app while traveling. Here are the platforms that made the cut.

  • Overall best platform for travelers interested in long-term relationships: SofiaDate
  • Best for meeting locals anywhere in the world: TravelGirls
  • Best for making friends to travel abroad together: TourBar
  • Best for going on fun dates all over the world: TripWithBenefits
  • Best for seeing your potential date in a live broadcast: Scout
  • Best for meeting like-minded individuals: Fairytrail
  • Best for getting a match fast: MissTravel

I know that’s not enough info to choose a dating app for travelers. That’s why I also share my experience on the site, what I liked, current prices, and things that will help you in real life.

So, keep on reading to explore the dating sites for travelers that actually work 👇.

#1. SofiaDate — Focus on long-term dating

Key takeaways:

  • SofiaDate was founded in 2020, and in 2023, it has become a popular place to look for a potential partner from Eastern Europe
  • Over 350K monthly visits (based on SimilarWeb), and most active users come from the US, Canada, and the UK
  • The dating site has 100% TrustScore from ScamAdviser

Why did I choose it?

SofiaDate is not a typical travel dating site, as it’s an international dating platform that perfectly works if you want to meet someone from Eastern Europe. I’ve been recommended this site a lot during my trip to Ukraine, and after testing it, I understand why.

Singles on SofiaDate seek different types of relationships, but it’s not the best place to get a hook-up. Most members look for real connections and long-term relationships.

I like that SofiaDate is credit-based as it gives more control over spending. There are a bunch of free features, like search tools, profile browsing, watching one video per day, and even more. The balance between free and paid features gets a 🥐 from me!

Oh, and costs for credits, which members can use on chat, mail, videos, audio messages, and other connecting ways, range from $2.99 for 35 credits (discounted price) to $200 for 1,000 credits.

Features I liked:

  • Very detailed search. When dating, I’m not just looking for new people. I have a type of woman I like, and the search tool with over 15 (!) filters is so helpful. And I also need to give some applause for the site’s interface, which looks fresh and only adds to the ease of use of all the features and services.
  • Video intros on a dating profile. I think it’s cool that many women on SofiaDate have profile videos that you can see partly for free (1 per day is free, and each extra will cost 50 credits). It helps to follow one of the main safety tips and ensure that a person is real and not a scammer.
  • Photo exchange. Just a profile photo is never good enough for me, as I’m more into real-life pics, and the photo exchange is perfect for that. To my surprise, many SofiaDate’s members were open to it, and evenings of traveling solo were quite steamy.

Pros

  • Free to join for all travelers and daters globally
  • 100% ease of use and high convenience
  • Multiple communication ways to start connecting fast
  • The Like feature for interactive swiping-like matching

Cons

  • No SofiaDate dating app yet
  • You need to spend on communication

⚡ Join SofiaDate and get 30 free credits after signing up and email confirmation to bring love to your travel plans!

#2. TravelGirls — Find dates like on Google Maps

Key takeaways:

  • TravelGirls has been around since 2010 and has over 2M members in 2023
  • It’s one of the most popular dating apps, with over 850K monthly visits (based on SimilarWeb) and the most active users from India, Sweden, and the US
  • The dating app has a very low TrustScore (10%) on ScamAdviser and 2.6 stars on SiteJabber

Why did I choose it?

I found a TravelGirls recommendation on one of the forums in a discussion of why the site gets such bad reviews. I understand why other travelers are confused, as the reviews are not bright.

So, I joined the site. It was fast: just a few standard questions, and I was in.

The interface is simple but appealing. The site is designed for travel dating, as the dating profile has sections like “Wish to visit” and an interests section, which deserves a 🥐!

However, there are not enough communication features, as messages are the only way of communicating. To actually start connecting with a potential partner, you need to be a premium member (the cost starts at $59 a month).

Features I liked:

  • Favorites allow you to keep all your favorite women (or men) in one place, and don’t miss a chance to find a partner when you are traveling solo.
  • The trips section is like Google Maps but for travel dating. Travelers can just pick a location and find romantic partners or friends who want to go or connect with locals.
  • Photo request feature to add some spice and get a full picture of who you get before meeting in person on a trip.

Pros

  • Verified members
  • Most people create detailed profiles and have a lot of photos
  • Makes easy to find locals who will show the best local bar or the “beaten path”
  • Profiles views help you track who checks out you in the world

Cons

  • Search is not detailed
  • Limited communication ways
  • Most features are available only for premium members

⚡ Sign up for TravelGirls to meet people who are in love with traveling as well as locals in the country you want to visit.

#3. TourBar — Find a travel buddy for any location

Key takeaways:

  • TourBar was established in 2014, and it’s one of the leading dating apps with over 1M users
  • It has around 200K monthly visits, and the most active users are from Turkey, India, and the US
  • TourBar has 100% TrustScore from ScamAdviser

Why did I choose it?

This app was one of the recommendations of my friend, who told me about many other apps that day. But TourBar caught my attention because I thought that it was a place to find the best local bar…

Not exactly. As you can see from the list of the best travel dating apps and sites, it got to 🤭

TourBar is a place to meet people from all over the world and either go traveling together or get a local guide who will show you the beaten path that all hard-core travelers want to find.

I like that it really works for all of the continents, and I think that deserves a 🥐 from me.

TourBar is similar to other apps in the niche and provides an easy way to connect to new friends and start dating. There is a convenient search with filters, a section for travelers, and instant communication. But you need to pay to have a conversation with a person on TourBar, with the cost of a VIP membership starting at $30 for 30 days.

Features I liked:

  • Detailed search with 4 sections (Basic, Quick filters, Guide services, and Additional info). Though the last 3 sections are available only for VIP members, I like how fun and precise the filters are. You can connect with users who will be the perfect match for any desire.
  • Travel buddies section. If you are uncomfortable being a solo traveler, you can use this section to connect with women or men who want to go on a trip with you. I like that you do not just pick a city and choose from millions of users but pick a location and reason and even cover the money question upfront.
  • Gifts to make a first move with a compliment. It’s hard to impress someone when you are online dating, and virtual gifts, in my opinion, are a cute way to make a first move or just show your appreciation. And it’s just like $3 bucks.

Pros

  • You can join and create a profile for free
  • Many users from all over the world
  • ID, photo, and mobile phone verification
  • Section to find friends or dates for a vacation

Cons

  • No variety of communication ways on the app
  • No video chat to make sure you connect with a real person

⚡ Create a profile on TourBar to meet new people and potentially find a date in any part of the world!

#4. TripWithBenefits — travel dating site for easy dates

Key takeaways:

  • TripWithBenefits is a social dating app that allows you to meet a travel buddy or find a soulmate among the locals
  • It has an 85% TrustScore from ScamAdviser
  • The app has a 2.1-star rating on Google Play and 4.7 stars on the App Store

Why did I choose it?

I’m not exactly sure in what city I first heard about TripWithBenefits, but I tested this platform in many places all over the world. It’s one of the apps that helps you get a travel buddy when you are tired of being a solo traveler and want to have some fun.

But there is a twist — some members are searching for their soulmates.

Well, when you are meeting new people online and having adventures together, you never know what can happen 😏.

TripWithBenefits is a modern and user-friendly app with many fun features to test. One of my favorites is the Search Trips feature, as you can plan a vacation and connect with many new people in a certain location.

Features I liked:

  • Anonymous browsing for all of my friends who value privacy or require it because of work.
  • Search members — a special search tool that allows you to tailor the user base to your particular preferences. I like that I could pick women who speak English (there is a language filter), as I want to have a proper conversation and see how it goes.
  • Profile ratings. You can review a profile, which is quite funny but, at the same time, a cool way to meet a match who is popular and knows the peculiarities of the travel lifestyle.

Pros

  • Convenient search for a date in any location
  • You can ask for private photos
  • Many active users who often post their trips
  • Tracking of visitors and people who like you

Cons

  • No video or phone communication
  • You don’t get access to most features without a photo
  • Communication is paid

⚡ Join TripWithBenefits to meet a woman or man in your dream destination!

#5. Scout — dating app for brave daters

Key takeaways:

  • Scout was founded in 2007 and has millions of members from all over the world
  • The platform has around 486K monthly visits (based on SimilarWeb), and most active members come from the US, Taiwan, and Brazil
  • It has a 97% TrustScore from ScamAdviser

Why did I choose it?

I’ve heard about this app from many of my fellow travelers, as they compared it to Tinder Gold but for people who explore the world. It’s a place to find a short-term relationship or just a woman or man to go on a vacation with.

Firstly, I was trying to join Scout in the web version, but for some reason, the platform wasn’t letting me in.

But you know I’m a persistent type 😏.

I’ve downloaded a free app and tested everything on my phone. The interface of Scout needs some modernization, but there is everything for searching and communicating with people who share your lifestyle.

Features I liked:

  • Swipe. It’s a feature to get a quick match like on Tinder (common for dating apps these days). It was fun to explore all the girls, and I spent a solid 30 min swiping non-stop.
  • Live Broadcasts. I like it when there is more than just a chat, and live broadcasts are just made for that. Also, broadcasters don’t accept people, and you can check out everyone.
  • Nearby members. Perfect for people who like to go with the flow. Sometimes, you end up in an unplanned location, and that’s a feature that allows you not to waste the night.

Pros

  • Easy to find a match nearby in any part of the world
  • Most members speak English well
  • Interactive matching
  • Live videos

Cons

  • A lot of ads
  • The desktop version didn’t work for me
  • It’s on the more expensive side of dating apps, with a max subscription costing $649.99

⚡ Register to Scout to find a woman or man to go to dinner or more in any destination!

#6. Fairytrail — Meet a match who shares your interest in traveling

Key takeaways:

  • 93% of people on Fairytrail work fully remotely or aspire to be
  • The dating site has around 10K monthly visits (based on SimilarWeb), and the most active users come from Germany, the US, and Canada
  • It has 3.8 stars on Google Play

Why did I choose it?

When I was researching the best dating apps and sites for travelers, Fairytrail was one of the top recommendations. I’ve read about its cool concept of connecting people who pick the same adventure and get curious to try it.

I registered on the app, and at first, I was a bit confused by all of the rules of the site. There is no standard search-match-chat-meet combination. But that’s what makes things more fun.

If you are also looking for a special way to connect with singles in any destination, Fairytrail can be the one for you.

I liked all the creative ways the site connects users. And there is a catch: you get to communicate only with people who share your interests, so there is a higher chance of compatibility. Give my 🥐 for that!

Features I liked:

  • Trail with member recommendations, where you can send “Hello” or skip a person. You can never guess who is next, and there is excitement to match with people who share an interest in the same adventure.
  • Video calls. After you match, you can connect in a video chat to discuss your trip or just get to know each other.
  • Shop with different upgrades to access more features of the site. They provide good perks, but still you need to add from $13.99 to $49.99 to your monthly payment.

Pros

  • Creative concept of matching
  • Active members
  • Strict moderation
  • No members with no photos

Cons

  • No desktop version
  • Communication is paid
  • Not very user-friendly

⚡ Sign up to Fairytrail to start your love adventure on vacation and plan a trip together to any location!

#7. MissTravel — Easily find a couple for traveling and not only

Key takeaways:

  • MissTravel was founded in 2010, and it’s another example of a decent platform for travel dating
  • The site has around 77K monthly visits (based on SimilarWeb), and the most active users are from the US, France, and Nigeria
  • It has a 3.1-star rating from TrustPilot and 96% TrustScore from ScamAdviser

Why did I choose it?

MissTravel is the site that I’ve heard a lot of but never ended up trying. But once, during my trip to Brazil, one of the local guys reminded me of it, and I signed up.

MissTravel is a standard platform for meeting friends among locals in different parts of the world and potentially meeting your partner for life.

I like that the website is quite straightforward, as you can search, match, and plan a trip together. Everyone knows why they came. The interface of the site is quite simple but pleasant, but there are not many services, just search, trip planning, and chat. That can be good for all new users of travel apps, but it’s not that fun with time.

Features I liked:

  • Favorites to keep all the men and women you like in one place and not miss out on any updates from them.
  • People Near Me section is good for finding a last-minute date. I’ve used it this way, and it worked like a charm.
  • Invisible browsing. Though it’s a premium member-only feature, it is a great way to boost privacy.

Pros

  • Active members
  • Upcoming trips with regular updates
  • Unlimited chat with premium
  • Incognito mode

Cons

  • No dating app
  • Most features are paid

⚡ Join MissTravel to have a good conversation with someone local or even start a family with a like-minded girl or guy!

Tips on using travel dating sites

That was quite a ride!

I had a blast going back in time to my memories of using each app and site on the list. Some of them were oldies but goldies, while others were cool new gems!

I went on millions of dates — well, not that many, but a solid 50 or more over. Most of them I got from SofiaDate, and that’s one of the reasons why it’s my top pick.

But when you are using even the most reputable site or app, you should never forget how to use travel dating sites. Let me remind you of the ground rules:

  • Talk on video before planning a trip or meeting IRL
  • Make safety your priority, and always meet in a public place
  • Don’t share private info online that you don’t want to make public
  • Never send money to strangers online
  • If something feels off when you are talking or on vacation, don’t feel uncomfortable getting yourself out of the arrangement

Follow these tips and date safely!

Comparing the best travel dating apps & sites

  1. SofiaDate
  • Free option: Yes
  • Pricing: From $2.99 for 35 credits to $200 for 1,000 credits
  • Compatibility: Desktop, but the interface is mobile-optimized
  • Welcome bonus: Get 30 free credits after registration and email confirmation

2. TravelGirls

  • Free option: Yes
  • Pricing: From $59 per month in the Advanced Traveler subscription to $256 per month in the VIP Traveler membership
  • Compatibility: Desktop, iOS, Android
  • Welcome bonus: No

3. TourBar

  • Free option: Yes
  • Pricing: From $30 for 30 days to $90 for 180 days
  • Compatibility: Desktop, iOS, Android
  • Welcome bonus: No

4. TripWithBenefits

  • Free option: Yes
  • Pricing: From $19.99 for a month to $99.99 for 6 months
  • Compatibility: Desktop, iOS, Android
  • Welcome bonus: No

5. Scout

  • Free option: Yes
  • Pricing: From $84.99 for 200 points to $649.99 for 1,800 points
  • Compatibility: Desktop, iOS, Android
  • Welcome bonus: You can earn free points

6. Fairytrail

  • Free option: Yes
  • Pricing: One-time entrance fee of $3 + Travel money from $25 to $1,000 to match with users
  • Compatibility: iOS, Android
  • Welcome bonus: No

7. MissTravel

  • Free option: Yes
  • Pricing: From $59.99 per 30 days to $299.94 per 180 days
  • Compatibility: Desktop, iOS, Android
  • Welcome bonus: No

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Philippe Berry
TheTravellingFrenchMan

I’m Philippe Berry, a dating coach for men and your companion for love adventures