Here's Why Rick Steves' Son Recommends Travelers Try Out Tinder While On A Trip To Europe

Experiencing a place like a local is the goal for many travelers. Why go to a destination and only visit the tourist sites, never getting to see the authentic culture? With that said, it can be hard to get a local's perspective when you don't actually know any locals. Tinder — yes, the dating app — might be the tool to change that.

An article posted by a writer on Andy Steves' website (the son of travel guru Rick Steves) makes a surprising case for using Tinder to learn more about European destinations. According to the writer, Tinder was taking off in Spain during his trip to the country in 2018, and it seemed that all the locals spent their free time swiping. When he tried it out for himself, he found out that matching with locals was a great way to converse with new people and get to know the country better. He even received a private tour of Valencia and access to a Barcelona club he may have otherwise missed. Plus, he had new friends to share these experiences with.

When used this way, Tinder isn't just an app for meeting a fling or lover. It can be a shortcut to meeting people, especially if you're traveling solo. And when those people are familiar with the place you're visiting, you can learn more than any guidebook could ever teach you.

Besides Tinder, there are several other apps that can help you meet locals no matter where you are. Bumble is one option that, like Tinder, is best known as a dating app. However, Bumble has a separate app just for making platonic friends called (fittingly) Bumble for Friends. Set your location to your destination and start browsing profiles to find a BFF match.

If you're open to a little language exchange, HelloTalk can be another way to meet local people. Think of it as a language learning app, but instead of learning from a bot or a professional teacher, you're chatting with regular people. With features such as voice messaging and video calls, it's easy to forge a connection and even move your friendship off the app in no time.

One-on-one not your thing? Use an app made for groups instead. Meetup is a great way to meet people while traveling and offers group events based on shared interests. Backpackr also makes it easy to link up with fellow travelers, though you may have to dig to find local people. If you consider yourself a foodie, try Eatwith, an app that allows you to book cooking classes, dinners, and other food-oriented events hosted by residents.

Apps make it a breeze to meet new people, even if you've just landed in a new city. However, your personal safety should always be top priority. Dating apps like Tinder can be dangerous to use on vacation, and the same can often be said of other social apps, too — especially if you're not familiar with local customs and scams.

This doesn't mean you should avoid meeting people online. Rather, it's crucial to use your best judgment and take precautions to protect yourself. For one, don't share any personal details with your new travel buddy, such as the name of your hotel or your private phone number. Keep communication on the app (instead of switching to another messaging tool) until you've met in person. When you do meet, make sure it's in a public place where you could easily escape if needed. And whether face-to-face or online, don't transfer or offer any money with the expectation that it'll be reimbursed.

Also, be upfront about your intentions to eliminate any misunderstandings. Be honest and say, either in your profile or in your private messages, that you're only in the destination for a limited time. If you're looking for friendship or just a pal to explore the area with, make this clear from the start, especially when using apps designed for romantic and sexual relationships.