Should you use Tinder while travelling? 10 Pros and Cons of Tindering Abroad

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Let’s start with the basics: Yes I met my boyfriend on Tinder while I was travelling. However, that’s not the reason I’m writing this post. With Valentine’s Day so close, I decided I should write something appropriate and since I don’t do cheesy, I decided to go for the next best thing, which is a dating app of dubious reputation.

I had been postponing the topic for different reasons. But primarily because it seemed to scare the hell out of the guys I dated. Most of the time I managed to have a really nice conversation with the prospect in question until he discovered I was a travel blogger. And then the inevitable question came: Are you going to write about me?

Chill out, dude. I have tons of Mexican guides, border horror stories and travel book lists to write before even considering damaging your ego online. But anyhow, now that I have been in a serious relationship for more than a year and that my Tinder days are way past, it seemed appropriate to pass some of my lack of wisdom to my lovely readers and share the pros and cons of using Tinder while travelling. Also, Conor (my boyfriend) doesn’t mind about what I write about him on my blog. At least until now.

Tinder while Travelling
Picture to prove a point. He probably won’t even notice.

*Update: Conor has read the article now and wants me to state he is still doesn’t mind what I write about him:

Tinder while travelling
Just so this can’t be used against me in the future…

Why I started using Tinder while travelling?

To be honest, I was never a big fan of Tinder while I was at home. I don’t know if it is the same in other countries, but, at least in Mexico, Tinder is basically an app for last-minute booty calls with strangers.

Tinder while travelling
Someone actually used that line with me.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against people who decide to have casual sex, but one-night stands are not really my thing. I need a sort of connection before moving to the physical aspect. I’m not asking for flowers or chocolates, but I need at least a couple of good conversations until 3:00 am.

However, a few of years ago, when I was a super newbie traveller, I found myself in Anstruther, Scotland. Population: 3500 inhabitants, all of them over five decades of age.

http://www.thedreampacker.com/best-books-and-movies-about-scotland-what-to-read-and-watch-before-your-trip/
It was as beautiful as it was boring.

Although I enjoyed my first weeks of solitude and me-time, after almost a month I state craving for a bit social interaction with someone who did not want discuss his retirement plan with me. That was how my Tinder account was born.

Pros of using Tinder while travelling 

  • You get to know new people

    Tinder while travelling
    The basis of any good relationship, right?

    As you might know, I mostly travel solo. And that’s OK and I love it, but, from time to time, it is nice to have someone to talk to (and get your pictures taken). I know what you are going to say: “Dann, but you stay in hostels so often and hostels are the perfect place to get to know new people. Why do you even need Tinder for?”

    Well yeah, you are right, hostels are full of people willing to socialise. And, although I did party with several hostel guests, let’s not forget that hostel travellers leave very soon. You can hang out for a day or two, say goodbye and then start all over again with the new guests. That’s a nightmare for introvert/extroverts like me.

    However, using Tinder while travelling, especially if you are a long-term traveller like myself, gives you the chance to meet up with someone on a more constant basis. If the first date is not super awkward, that is. But, even if things don’t work out, it is always good to have an acquaintance in the area.

  • Super interesting conversations

    Tinder while travelling
    I couldn’t miss the chance to add a good Mean Girls’ gif

    Although sex is usually the reason most people turn to Tinder, being a foreign woman in a new country really spikes the curiosity of the locals. I am not saying I didn’t get a few “fancy a fuck?” opening lines, but they were considerably fewer than in Mexico! The fact that you come from a completely different place brings a lot of topics to the table and leaves the sexual topic on a second basis.

    I met a guy from the Scottish Highlands who taught me a bunch of magical local legends and I also dated a fella from Cape Town who demystified all the wrongs prejudices most people have about Africa. There are definitely a bunch of things you can talk to with your potential match before considering moving to the sexual scenario.

  • You get personalised tours of a new city

    I think this might sound as if I was using the Tinder guys to get free tours or something, but I promise that’s not the case. The thing is that when you are a foreign girl in a new place, it is only logical that guys will want to show you around.

    To be honest, I think it is great, because it takes away the pressure of the awkward first date. You get to walk around the city, there are a lot of things to talk about and nerves are not so present as in a regular date.

    The first time Conor and I dated, he basically showed me EVERYTHING you need to see in Northern Ireland in just one day.

    what to do in Northern Ireland
    “Please, let him not be a crazy murderer”

    We had brunch at the Antrim Coast, we went to Dunluce Castle, then we stopped at Giant’s Causeway, had some whiskey at Bushmill’s Distillery and we finished the day getting lost in the rain on our way to the Dark Hedges. I believe that when he re-enacted Finn McCool’s legend at the Antrim beach (he made different voices and everything) I fell for him a little.

  • Experience a new city like a local

    Tinder while travelling
    I really think you see a city differently when a local shows it to you.

    Sure, the Eiffel Tower and the Big Ben are great, but there’s no better way to experience a city than having a local insight. Touristy, must-see spots are ideal for a first date, but if things go well, it is possible that you get to see a different side of the city and even get an exclusive insight of the day-to-day life.

    After a brief tour of Ghent, this guy I dated took me to meet his friends from Uni and we ended up playing board games and eating hummous in one of the Belgian girl’s apartment. I really got a real feel of the university life and the quotidian routine of the inhabitants of Ghent. And there is no way I could have gotten to experience that without my date.

  • You can get lucky

    Tinder while travelling
    Oh yeah!

    Hey, if your ultimate goal is international sex, go for it! I am not here to judge. For some reason, sometimes being foreign gives you some extra appeal. If you and your date are both conscious and sure of what you want, there is no reason you can’t get down and dirty using Tinder while travelling.

Cons of using Tinder while travelling

  • Your Tinder date might only be looking for sex

    Tinder while travelling
    Another line that has been used.

    You should not forget that, even though there are exceptions, Tinder is perceived, after all, as a hook up app. As I said, there is nothing wrong with that if you are also just looking for sex, but if you are not in to get some, then you should make it very clear.

    Some people will go straight for the nasty (seriously, I received so many cringe-worthy opening lines), while other might play it cool first and then surprise you with unreal sexpectations.

    I had this American roommate that agreed to go on a date with a guy in Croatia. He asked her to meet him at the beach, but since Allison was new in town she didn’t know that a bunch of Croatian beaches are actually… Well, nude beaches…. So when she arrived to her date this is basically what she found:

    Tinder while Travelling
    Only Allison didn’t laugh

    There’s no need to say that things didn’t work out between Allison and the guy.

    Anyways, Just remember, just because you agreed to date someone and even decided to go to his/her apartment, that doesn’t mean you have to do anything you are not comfortable with.

  • Unrequested dick pics… So Many unrequested dick pics

    Tinder while travelling
    I-do-not-want-to-see-your-penis

    Yeah, you matched, you have been talking for a while, things seem to be going well, so you exchange Whatsapp to communicate better. A notification appears, it’s him, you get a bit excited, wonder if he finally asked you on a date. You finally open the message and you find an unrequested portrait of male genitalia automatically saved in your phone.

    tinder while travelling
    You can also send another dick pic back. That also works.

    Why?! Why would people think it is socially acceptable to send pictures of their junk to any woman who agrees to exchange phone numbers? Beats me, but truth is that using Tinder while travelling might possibly bring you a whole gallery on unwanted human anatomy in your phone.

    There is no easy way to avoid them. Some people will ask you at some point why are you on Tinder, and that is basically code for “Wanna honka-honka?”. So you can use that opportunity to clarify what are the things you want and don’t want, but even when you clarify you are not there for the goods, you can still get some proofs of fragile masculinity straight into your inbox.

  • Stereotypes are everywhere

    tinder while travelling
    *Sighs in Spanish*

    I don’t actually know if this happens to everyone who uses Tinder while travelling, but the fact that I am from Mexico really spiked the “Horny Latina” stereotype among some of my matches. A bunch of conversations started with something along the lines of: “Mexico! Muy caliente! Spicy sexy mami!” Or some cheesy, disgusting cliché like that.

    I also had some Asian friends telling me that they received a lot of matches just because they were Asians and not because they were… Well, people. Go figure.

    Using Tinder while travelling means that there is going to be a clash of cultures. You are talking to someone from a different country, a different background and probably a different language, which can be very stimulating. But you must not forget that this app is not precisely the most refined place on the cyberspace, so there might be some misconceptions about you or your country and some ass*oles might expect you to appear with bananas in your head while dancing salsa. But then again, that might only have happened to me.

  • Danger of bonding

    Tinder while travelling
    That works for some people

    I think this is my category. Using Tinder while travelling means that you can get to know local people, explore a new city and even get some romantic action, but you shouldn’t forget that all these come with an expiration date. Travelling is not permanent, so even if you managed to avoid all the sex maniacs and the hog shots, you might still face another danger: feelings.

    When I started dating Conor I made it very clear that I couldn’t have anything serious. I was leaving Ireland in two months, so we would hang out, make out and then kiss good-bye as friends. However, as the time passed, I realised it was going to be harder than expected. We had developed a real connection there and we both knew that moving on was not something we wanted to do.

    In the end we found a solution. And, although we haven’t figured out all the details, we are still trying. He keeps up with my constant travelling, I go back to Ireland as often as possible. He is visiting me in Mexico in a few weeks and we hope to slowly discover a way to make it work.

    However, I know that not every case is the same and I think if I had tried this with someone else different from Conor, it probably wouldn’t have worked. So yeah, I would say bonding is a big con of using Tinder while travelling, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a way around it. Try to keep it casual and if things escalate, talk to your match and look for something that makes both of you comfortable.

  • Safety concerns

    Using Tinder while travelling, or actually using Tinder in general won’t come without risks. After all, you are talking to a complete stranger that might or might not be the person stated on his or her profile.

    I think not so long ago I saw in the news a guy who went to pick up his Tinder date and he got beaten up and mugged inside her apartment. And, as in almost every date, there’s always the danger of getting your drink spiked or having a match that thinks he or she is entitled to your body just because you are dating. So, especially in a foreign country where you don’t have your friends and family around to help, you need to be extra careful with your Tinder choices.

Safety Tips

I have talked abut how to stay safe as a solo female traveller in the past, however, for this article I also wrote a mini guide with some safety tips for anyone who wants to use Tinder while travelling, or any other dating app, for that matter. There are many ways to stay safe, but these are the ones that have worked for me, at least:

  • Don’t go with the first option

    Tinder while travelling
    Standards are good.

    I know this is hard, especially when you are on a limited time. Since I stay at the places I travel for at least a month, I have the opportunity to chat and get a better idea of who is this person on the other side of the screen.

    However, I know that if you are in a place for only a few days and you need a quick date for the night, you might want to speed things up. Just make sure to talk to your prospect as much as possible and ask a bunch of questions so you can get a better picture of the match. If something seems shady, then please don’t date him or her! The Tinder universe is vast, so pick the match that makes you feel the safest.

  • Meet in a public place

    Tinder while travelling
    Somewhere public, please

    This is a good one if you haven’t spoken that much with your match, but even if you have been chatting for a while, I think the safest option is to meet somewhere with other people around. Even if you plan to take things straight to the bedroom, first make sure the person doesn’t look like a murderous maniac or at least that he or she is not wearing flip-flops with socks or something like that.

    It is just preferable to have a public approach the first time you meet. Even though the texts might have been nice, you don’t really know how a person is until you actually face him or her. So having a lot of witnesses is safer for any blind date.

  • Always let someone know where you are

    The first time Conor and I dated, he offered to drive us to the Giant’s Causeway. When we were reaching his car, he asked me if I was not nervous of hopping into a stranger’s vehicle. I confessed that I was a bit, but I clarified that my best friend had his mobile number and I was sending her his car plates as we spoke, so I felt a bit more calmed.

    Luckily, Conor took it with good humour, but my point remains. I have stressed this in the past, and I won’t get tired of saying it: make sure to let a friend or a family member where you are and whom you are with.

    My friend Pau and I always have each other’s backs. Whenever we go out on a Tinder date, we have a small routine where we send our date’s number, we specify where are we going and at what time are we coming back home. If we do not get back to each other by that time, we have Liam Neeson in speed dial.

    tinder while travelling
    We have a whole contingency plan in case one of us goes missing.
  • Go with your gut

    This is hard to explain, but if something doesn’t feel right, it is probably not right. Even if your prospect seems super charming and attractive and funny, if something tells you that you should leave, listen to that something. My gut has saved me a bunch of times while I’m on the road and using Tinder while travelling is no exception. Be smart and be cautious. You are always allowed to say no or to change your mind.

  • Don’t have many expectations

Tinder while travelling

First dates are the worst, huh?

Sounds hard, but it is true. A Tinder date can go many ways. I knew this in advance, so I didn’t open my account with many expectations. I just wanted someone to talk to and maybe meet up for a coffee or a beer. If you are waiting for a long-term, serious relationship, maybe Tinder should not be your first option. Although I have been together with my Tinder match for almost fifteen months now, I’m pretty aware that it is not a very common scenario. And, if I’m honest, it probably happened because Conor and I are a pair of weirdos.

Also, keep an open mind. I dated a few times and I can say it went reasonably well most of the time. But there are some other stories of people using Tinder while travelling that didn’t end up so successfully. My friend Pau agreed to meet a guy in Barcelona who said he would show her a great local restaurant in the area. They ended up in McDonalds.

Or my friend Nynke who got stood up twice by two different guys claiming that they had to pay a last-minute visit to their grannies. I still don’t know if that’s a common Irish excuse.

  • Try other options

Yeah, using Tinder while travelling might be the first thing that pops into your head when you think about dating apps, however, it is not the only one. Recently I found Fairytrail, which is also a dating app, but designed especially for travellers. How cool is that?! It allows you to meet interesting people and explore new locations which is a win-win to me.

The main difference lies in their strong safety standards from online to offline. All users are approved before allowed in the app, and identities are verified during booking. After you video chat with your match, you both buy a ticket through the app to meet on a touristy group activity led by a professional guide.

This way you not only put your safety first, but also get the chance to discover a new destination with a potential SO.

What’s really exciting to me is that you’re much more likely to meet someone who shares a passion for travel on Fairytrail. Hey, you might even find someone who wants to travel the world with you!

Just don’t forget that you need to stay alert and be careful whenever you’re meeting someone new, no matter which dating app you decide to use.

So… Tinder or no Tinder?

If you are curious of international dating and you are looking for a carefree, relaxed way to meet people abroad, I would say why not? Just be very clear about what you are looking for and use your common sense.

Oh and, please! If you have a super cool/weird/horrible Tinder story, I would LOVE to read it on the comments.

Thanks for reading! I guess I’ll see you on the road.

Love,

The Dreampacker signature

 

 

 

 

 

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Tinder while travelling

39 comments on “Should you use Tinder while travelling? 10 Pros and Cons of Tindering Abroad

  1. Personally, I find Tinder pretty much as a ‘hooking’ app all over. 90% of the people are there looking for casual sex or one night stands and not relationships. Which is fine, but it isn’t my kind of thing either. Plus the risk of being in an unknown city/ country, I don’t think I’d really recommend someone to do it. Having said that, I do agree it might get you with a decent local person to show you around the place and there’s nothing like exploring with a local! As long as you can keep the safety tips in mind and use your common sense, I guess you can be safe at least!
    Medha Verma recently posted…Why you must experience the Palm Inner Circle Cruise in DubaiMy Profile

    1. Yeah you have a point. As I said, I never used Tinder while I was home because I knew what most people were looking for. However, when I used it abroad I think the scene changed a bit. Of course I still found people just wanting to hook up, but the international factor made it less of a sex hunt and I had really decent conversations with some people. Luckily, I was always safe and so were my frieds who used the app, but you need to be cautious as you would be in any unknown place with unknown people =)
      Dann Castillo recently posted…Should you use Tinder while travelling? 10 Pros and Cons of Tindering AbroadMy Profile

  2. Hehe, interesting and funny story. I can imagine that this app might be a great and easy way to connect with locals anywhere. But it obviously really depends on what you are looking for and also how long you stay in one place. Nevertheless I see also a high risk in doing that, not only in receiving unwanted photos but also to be alone in an unknown area to meet with a stranger… not sure about that. Great to hear that your experiences so far never were critical, so I wish you always good matches 🙂

    1. Haha thanks Hendrik. I am pretty sure my Tinder days are way over, but it was an interesting experiment. I guess the risk is the same you face when you meet a new person randomly. I have had stranger people offering to buy me drinks at a bar and I am just as cautious as when I have an online date. I guess you should always be weary and use your common sense =)
      Dann Castillo recently posted…Should you use Tinder while travelling? 10 Pros and Cons of Tindering AbroadMy Profile

  3. I loved reading this Dani, it’s so honest and in a fun and refreshing way! I’ve never used Tinder, simply because I still think the majority of people use it for hooking up. And that’s fine if that’s what you’re looking for too! You and Conor look wonderful together, so it’s nice to hear stories with a happy ending too 🙂 Loved the parts about ‘caliente’ and sexi mami! You’ve just got to laugh at those!

    1. Thanks so much, Lisa! Yeah, I agree that that is the main reason most people use Tinder, so it is hard to navigate your way around it if you are not looking for hook ups. However, luckily there are exceptions. And even though I think meeting Conor through Tinder was the most unromantic thing in the world I am glad I didn’t meet any serial killers or had really disastrous dates. And yeah, haha you should have seen some of the messages I got regarding my nationality, I didn’t know if I should have laughed or cried 😛
      Dann Castillo recently posted…Should you use Tinder while travelling? 10 Pros and Cons of Tindering AbroadMy Profile

  4. I have heard of the word Tinder but I have never know what it is…so its a “hook up lets have sex” app! 😂 I have been married to the same guy for 12
    years so I guess thats why I have never know about Tinder. I think why not use it while traveling as long as you are aware of the danger. I know a lot of people who use couchsurfing for “hooks ups”! Why not as long as both are ok with it. And congrats that you got really hooked with a guy using Tinder while traveling traveling. This shows that you can find love on dating-sites!

    1. Hahaha well, Dada, in theory, Tinder iss an app to meet people you like and potentially date. In practice is a whole different story. The hook up part really depends on the person who is using it, but it has developed that fame haha. I have heard about how some people use couchsurfing for that as well, I guess that if both parts agree, then good for them, but I have also heard that sometimes the host just wants to take advantage. It’s a tough world out there. Anyways, it is so cute you have been married to the same guy for 12 years! Congratulations! And yeah, I was lucky enough to fall in love, although I hate the fact that we met online haha but it is what it is 😛 Thanks for reading!
      Dann Castillo recently posted…Should you use Tinder while travelling? 10 Pros and Cons of Tindering AbroadMy Profile

  5. Dating/friendships are such a big element of long term travel that no one ever really talks about, and this was such a refreshing read. While part of me would love to be a free bird, travelling the world with the wind in her hair and a lover in every city, alas, I don’t think my boyfriend would approve 😉 In all seriousness, meeting new people, whether romantically or not, is one of the most rewarding things about travel. Tinder is great for meeting people, and it must be so fascinating to see how that plays out in different cultures with different norms. I think the cons are the same for online dating wherever you are, and I would definitely use it for the same reasons as you. I’m so glad you found love through it! Such a sweet story. I wish the best of luck to you guys. PS: I want to know what happened to your friend Alison and the nude beach guy! DID it work out?!

    1. Thanks so much, Chesca! You are absolutely right! Dating and frienships are not something I considered before starting my long-term trip, but I realised they are pretty important. Especially when you spend almost two years away from home and you move countries every month or so. Luckily, I got the chance to meet great people, no only in the romantic field, but also friends that will stay with me after I finish my trip. Haha I understand that travelling around like a free bird while you have a boyfriend might be challenging, but you should take him with you on a short trip at least 😉 Thanks for your good wishes! And about Allison, I am afraid it didn’t work haha She arrived to the beach and went straight back home. It wasn’t meant to be 😛 Thanks for reading!
      Dann Castillo recently posted…Should you use Tinder while travelling? 10 Pros and Cons of Tindering AbroadMy Profile

  6. I haven’t used it personally but have heard a lot about it mainly as a flirting kind of app. Your post is too funny with Allison thing and the snapchat & thumb thing.. :p Well on a serious note I wouldn’t think of trying out Tinder while I am solo travelling cause safety is a big concern for me. I would prefer to have a safe although a little boring travel than landing myself in trouble of sorts.

  7. One of the biggest things I hear from my traveling girlfriends is the fact they have problems finding guys since they travel so much, so good for you for finding a way for Tinder to work. While it’s been a while since I did the online dating hookup and that was before Tinder, I did do the POF thing and completely agree with all your safety tips and ways to pick guys. There are some weird ones out there and of course, the never-ending dick pics. I’m still not sure where guys got the idea that was a great idea. Guess they didn’t realize it gets them swiped left by most women 🙂

  8. This is an interesting take on Tinder, though I have never used the app, but I have always been curious about it. There are pros and cons of everything, but I still feel tinder is definitely not my cup of tea, lucky you to have met your boyfriend through this, and good for those who wanna experiment 🙂

    1. Hahaha, yes, it is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea and you should be very selective and cautious for it to work well. I don’t think I would use it in my home country, for example. And, although I don’t particularly like the fact that I met Conor through it, I must admit that there were little chances of us meeting in a different place. Thanks for reading, Aditi!
      Dann Castillo recently posted…Best things to do in Copenhagen: 3-day itinerary for first-timersMy Profile

  9. I enjoyed reading it because I can relate! haha! But I think the experience vary from each individual. Luckily for me, when I meet locals, I get to experience a taste of local life that is off the tourist radar.

  10. I have to say that I really enjoyed reading this post. Being a married woman, I haven’t used tinder personally, but I have travelled with friends who have used tinder. And I’ve always been really fascinated by watching how travellers use tinder when they go overseas. I think your pros list is great, and tinder would be a great way to meet locals and explore a city through the eyes of a local. And a few of my friends have actually made good friends from tinder…guess it’s not just a dating app! Your cons list is spot on too – these are some of the things that my friends have complained about…those explicit photos you didn’t ask about or the straight to sex conversations. I think just a few reasons it might scare people at the beginning to join the app. But I think like with many other apps, it is important to use it safely and always keep your friends informed to ensure you are safe. Great post!

  11. I think you covered some valid points here. Yeah there are cons that need to be recognized (cough *dick picks*) yet MANY pros. Traveling solo is great for so long, so mentioning companionship and local tours is a huge pro. I also appreciate your tips on how to stay safe like meeting in a public space.

  12. Really fabulous overview of the pros and cons – I feel so old that I met my husband before Tinder lol, but I know the general gist. I can definitely see how it’s a fabulous way to meet other travelers when you’re traveling abroad and solo, and to meet cool locals who can show you around. Obviously safety is a big thing because you’re more vulnerable when you’re a traveler and would be a lot easier to take advantage of, but I think common sense and listening to your gut here are key, with thing like you mentioned re meeting in a public space, even letting someone back home know where you’ll be going etc 🙂

    1. Thanks so much for reading, Megan! I think it’s sweet you met your husband the traditional way. I am not thrilled with the fact that I met my long-term boyfriend online, but it is what it is haha and otherwise I wouldn’t have met him. Yes, I think Tinder could be a good tool if used carefully. I think there should be better apps for travellers, but, in my experience, Tinder was all right.
      Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to IcelandMy Profile

  13. I love the way you write. I haven’t used Tinder but I think it’s quite fun. Good to read you met your partner there and your friend, Pau? You both are amazingly funny. Lol. Youngot me laughing hard with those GIFs. Thanks for this detailed guide, and I’ll also try using the Tinder app, hopefully, I find a sensible match bloke Conor.

  14. I never had the best luck using Tinder in my hometown. I started traveling, due to work, and found that Tinder worked better for me when I was out of state. Met some great people. Great article, btw.

  15. I’ve never used Tinder, but I’ve done some online dating in the past on other platforms and I had the idea most guys are only looking for sex. That’s why I will never do online dating while travelling. I think as a girl it’s just too dangerous even when following your safety measurements :). Maybe I am just old fashioned :).

  16. Beautiful article Dann! 💕Just ran across this and I 1000% agree, meeting people in other countries through tinder is a great way to connect with people. Safety tips are a must, I’ll definitely remember these tips in my future travels 🙂Fairytrail sounds amazing too!

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