This is a real friendship story about two Gofrendly members who matched over a shared travel dream and came home best friends. Here’s how it happened, in Linda’s own words.
Hanna & Linda’s Story
Linda had long dreamed of exploring the US West Coast, but she was missing one thing: the right travel companion. She found the answer on Gofrendly, matching with Hanna in April — both were looking for someone to travel with that summer, and both shared the same passion for exploring new places. “We met over coffee and immediately realized how alike we were,” Linda says. “It felt natural and easy.”
Hours on the Road
After that first coffee, they kept meeting regularly and planned the trip together — the type of vacation, the budget, the route. By mid-June, they flew out and drove the West Coast together. “The trip was incredible — one of the best I’ve ever taken,” Linda says. “Hours of driving and talking gave us the chance to really get to know each other. What makes finding a travel companion this way special is that you don’t come in with built-in expectations — you build everything from the ground up.” If you’re hoping to do something similar, how to meet travel friends has more practical tips for finding the right person before you go.
Linda admits she had some nerves before the trip. “Before you leave, you’re full of anticipation and a little uncertainty. You don’t really know how it’s going to go. But it worked itself out quickly. We compromised easily and shared the same budget, which made everything smoother.”
“Hours of driving and talking gave us the chance to really get to know each other.”
— Linda
The Closest Bond I’ve Found
Linda believes a lot of people are in a similar spot — wanting to travel but missing the right companion. “It’s important not to get stuck thinking one person has to meet all your needs. Relationships are an ongoing journey, and I recently met another friend through the app I’m going salsa dancing with. I love meeting new people.” “The closest bond I’ve gotten from this experience is, without a doubt, the most rewarding,” Linda says with a smile. “I’m genuinely glad I took the leap.” It’s not the only real friendship story that started with a shared trip — Matilda and Noelle’s journey looked a lot like this too.
By Christmas, Linda and Hanna are already planning their next trip together — Singapore or South America are both on the list. One thing’s certain: this wasn’t their last adventure.
What Hanna & Linda’s Friendship Can Teach You
- Be upfront about what you’re looking for. Hanna and Linda both used Gofrendly specifically to find a travel companion for the summer — being clear about the goal made it easy to match.
- Start small before you commit to something big. One coffee meetup came before months of planning and a multi-week road trip.
- Talk about budget and pace early. Comparing expectations upfront is part of what made the trip go smoothly.
Hanna and Linda’s story is a good reminder of something the numbers back up, too.
87%of Americans now have fewer than ten close friends — up from two-thirds in 1990. Hanna and Linda are proof that a real friendship story can start with something as practical as splitting gas money — and still turn into one of the closest bonds either of them has found.
Source: Survey Center on American Life, American Perspectives Survey (2021)
Common Questions About This Real Friendship Story
How did Hanna and Linda meet?
They matched on Gofrendly in April, both looking for a travel companion for the summer, and met for coffee before planning their trip together.
Is it safe to travel with someone you met through an app?
Linda and Hanna met several times and talked through budget and pace before committing to their trip — that kind of preparation is part of what made it feel comfortable.
What’s the best way to start a friendship on Gofrendly?
Being upfront about what you’re looking for — even something specific like a travel companion — is often how a real friendship story begins on Gofrendly.
Can I share my own Gofrendly friendship story?
We’d love to hear it. Share your friendship story through our form.
Ready to write your own friendship story?
Join the women finding real connections on Gofrendly — you never know where the next trip might take you.
