Sorry about your bad experience, I also travelled to India alone and although it wasn't easy it was probably one of the best experiences of my life. I couchsurfed and met some great people.

All in all it's I think it's better not to depend on people through the internet, most are unreliable and don't reply to messages. It's really not easy finding a Travbuddy sometimes. I find that facebook and couchsurfing give you a better idea of the person than TB profiles. But people are people... and the internet is easy, there is no commitment. In a way this is no different than a dating site, people choose who they want to meet. Even if they are travelling the same time as you to the same place, if they don't like your face you won't get a reply. That's been my experience anyway.

I agree with Marek's point of view.

I had a travel buddy in Laos, we met via CS, and kept in contact on a regular basis before the trip. If people aren't replying to your messages, discussing travel plans, dates and interests, it's not a good sign. True, people also change plans, meet other people, may want to travel with someone of the same age or gender, there are so many factors involved. But regardless, people should be honest about their expectations and who they want as a travbuddy.

Added note: I've frequently offered to meet travbuddies visiting my city for a drink or an outing, they sounded very happy to here from me, but once they were here I never heard from them.

Last edited by altmtl (12-5-2012 7:14 AM)

Valid Point

Then again, even as a regular with photos, info, blogs, etc the experience can be similar... people in general always tend to look on the bright side, talk about how awesome the trip was and so on. Some people have lousy trips for whatever the reason.

Also they were men and not girls to be afraid  loooool

It's true that it is rude to not show up at a meet-up, once it has been decided by both, BUT....

What Philip said was exactly my first thought too, and I also agree fully with Ian. On my first meet-up, at my home country airport with a relatively new member flying in, we had already been in frequent contact about what she could do, see etc. I did have to be around there anyway, so it would not have been a huge thing if we could not have met. It was a short meet-up but we had a good time

On the second mini meet-up, with two TB members, I knew the TB friend who arranged where to meet already through many comments and PM's, over a longer period of time here on the site. Of course that was more like meeting people whom you already know quite well, only had not met in person yet.

In my opinion making friends here is always a two way street. It takes investing quite some time (postings, blogs, pictures etc.) before people can get some idea who you are. You can't expect to walk into here just like that, contribute next to nothing to the site and tell little about yourself, and then expect everybody to spend a lot of time on answering your every question, let alone meeting up with you. It usually doesn't work like that.

Last edited by westwind57 (12-5-2012 12:28 PM)

Personally, I've met about 100 - 150 TBers with no problems at all.  There probably have been a few that either I've contacted, or I have been contacted by with a view to travelling, or joining part of a travel, with, that hasn't materialised.  It doesn't bother me at all.  I don't worry if I just turn up; I know I'll make new friends in each and every place anyway.

TravBuddy is brilliant for meeting others, and you shouldn't be discouraged because your first attempts fail.  Maybe it came across as a bit pressured that you were looking to travel with people all the way through your trip.  It's not how it works.  Everyone wants their own thing from travels, and if you meet up with someone, perhaps you have a lot of over-lapping ideas and interests, but you cannot rely solely on your own plans.  I would suggest trying to meet travellers more on an informal basis first i.e a coffee or beer somewhere.  If you get on and have similar plans, you talk about it all in person, and go from there.

What a bummer.  Don't depend or expect meetup to fall through, especially with people whom you have never met.   Yes, I don't like to travel alone as well.

I hooked up with a Travbuddy while in Las Vegas, contacting through email first and switched phone #.  Meetup in Vegas along with 3 other site members.  Good first experience.  I may return to Vegas next week so hoping to meetup with some Travbuddy mates if I do.  Happy travel!

i guess you shouldnt rely on others that much?

i planning for a solo trip in Feb 2013. Doing all the planning by myself and organizing using Tripit. There are people from TB & CS msg that they are interested, and would want to join me. I share with them my plans & link to my itinenary. But I would keep an open mind to it.

If they REALLY able to join, then it will be perfect. The more the merrier! However if last minute, they back out or just MIA, my trip would still be good Afterall my original plan is to travel solo. I still go to places I want, I still do the things I plan.

it happened to me when I was in Bali and Sydney. many TB sign up for the meet up but only one show up.  It didn't deter me to meet with other TB as the point of my travel is to enjoy myself.

If nobody come to the meet up, I will just do other things and don't bother with the TB who promised to come but didn't show up, not even any apologies or try to contact me.  I don't know this new TB friend and if the first behavior is not  communicate openly and responsibly of what itself saying, what is the point to be friend with that kind of person.

If this person want to know and be friend with you, that person will show up.

Deats wrote:

You only have ONLY 4 photos on your profile.

You have only been a member for 2 months.

You have no blogs.

You have no reviews.

You have no comments.

Your profile is basically empty.

You have made 1 friend (so who are all these other 'friends' from travbuddy who agreed to meet you?!)

It doesn't matter if you are on travbuddy, couchsurfing, or any other internet site, people will not be willing to meet you when you share no information about yourself. How can they trust you.... more importantly WHY should they trust you?

Would you just walk into a bar, say "Lets be friends. I will meet you in a month. Bye." Then expect that person to meet you again?

Try spending more than 2 minutes 'making friends' and I am sure you will make some real friends.

ditto   well put  - i would only meet active members on tb

gingerbatik wrote:

it happened to me when I was in Bali and Sydney. many TB sign up for the meet up but only one show up.  It didn't deter me to meet with other TB as the point of my travel is to enjoy myself.

If nobody come to the meet up, I will just do other things and don't bother with the TB who promised to come but didn't show up, not even any apologies or try to contact me.  I don't know this new TB friend and if the first behavior is not  communicate openly and responsibly of what itself saying, what is the point to be friend with that kind of person.

If this person want to know and be friend with you, that person will show up.

I absolutelly agree. That's the point!