Dating while traveling--impossible or something only the smoothest, most charming guys can do? These days, dating app developers know that many of their users are either jet-setters, business travelers, or just people who love to travel. So what better way to incorporate dating and traveling than by adding features that allow you to change your location whenever you need to? This is what makes Bumble Travel Mode one of the features you might want to try when you've got serious wanderlust tendencies.
So is that all there really is to Travel Mode on Bumble? Or are there caveats and other things to consider? Will using it mess up your algorithm and leave you dateless when you get back home? We'll answer all these questions and more below.
What Is Bumble Travel Mode?
Simply put, Bumble Travel Mode is a premium feature that lets you change your current location to another destination either during or before you travel. Apps like Bumble determine your matches based on your location. Once this location is locked in, all your matches will be from within 100 miles or so of your location. Keep in mind that your location is also a huge factor that the Bumble algorithm considers when presenting you with matches.
So if you're traveling to a different city or country without using Bumble Travel Mode, you can only start seeing other singles nearby when you're already in your destination. For some, this is fine since it's pretty fun to discover new people right when you're already at your destination. But if you're strapped for time, it can be a hassle.
The best thing that Bumble Travel Mode does is allow you to change your location up to one week in advance. Doing this allows you to swipe through potential matches (and even make new friends) before you land. Once you're in your destination, your phone's location will reflect this and you can use Bumble the way you usually do. Other users can even see that you're on Travel Mode, so this lets them know that you won't be in the city for long.
Before you get to your destination, you can already get to know each other and plan a date. By the time you're in your new city, you could potentially already know where to go, what to do, and where to meet up for the first time. Super convenient!
Of course, there are plenty of ways to find a date while traveling without using dating apps. But if you're a busy guy or someone who's not confident with approaching women in a foreign country, Travel Mode on Bumble gives you a huge leg up.
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What Is Travel Mode on Bumble Used for?
The term "Revenge Traveling" has been emerging in the past few months to show how much people are crazy about vacationing after years of a global pandemic. But if you don't want to put your dating life on hold because you want to see the world, you can use Bumble Travel Mode to do that.
Here are a few perks of using Bumble Travel Mode that you can use the next time you go out of town:
1. You can engage in fun activities with other travelers or locals
Let's face it, traveling isn't always that fun when you're alone. From someone who toured almost 60 countries by himself, I know what it feels like to be alone in a new city with a new language. You either have to be so good at mingling with people at bars and hotels or you'll have a difficult time watching and comparing yourself to other people partying and having fun.
Luckily, technology has made things better. With dating apps and Meetup groups, you can now meet with a ton of locals and other solo travelers and enjoy fun activities together. It feels so much better when you know you have a couple of people to hang out with than when you tour around all alone, especially with all the anxiety that comes with visiting a new place.
Not everyone uses Travel Mode on Bumble to find a date. Many users instead try to find activities that suit their interests so they don't feel alone while traveling. Think of it like using Bumble to discover new meetup groups and meet new people. Speaking of which...
2. Helps you make new friends (via Bumble BFF)
Not the type to engage in any wild and crazy activities while you're in another city? You're not alone. Sometimes you just want to meet some new people to go out for a drink or explore some new food. You can do this using Bumble BFF on Travel Mode.
Bumble BFF is essentially like regular Bumble. But instead of looking for a date, you're looking for a friend or two. You can swipe based on shared interests and then set up to meet. If you happen to match with a local, even better! They'll be able to show you around and help you find interesting places that you wouldn't otherwise discover on your own.
A week before you head to your destination, you can also hit up your new Bumble friends to help you with learning the language. Many Bumble users are open to meeting foreigners and out-of-towners to show them just how great their city is. Think of it like having a guide who just happens to share your interests.
Of course, this feature also allows you to meet fellow travelers who are open to meeting up with new people. If you happen to match with someone who's also from out of town, you can discover new places together!
3. One of the top perks of Bumble Travel Mode: dating locals
Who doesn't want more dates or enjoy a foreign romance under a new sky? As a single solo traveler, your worst nightmare is a lonely Friday night or a weekend spent at home or sitting alone in a tiny corner at some bar. If you want to expand your dating life abroad then a feature like Bumble Travel Mode will help you make the best out of your trips.
Lots of local singles are open to meeting up with foreigners for dates, especially if they're from a more touristy city. The great thing about using Bumble Travel Mode for this is that you both know that you're in it for something fun, casual, and short-term. That is unless you're looking for a long-distance relationship.
While Bumble is generally geared towards serious relationships, Bumble Travel mode is more like the hookup loophole. Other users can see that you're on Travel Mode, so they know that you're not looking for anything serious. Lucky for you, lots of Bumble users are also open to this arrangement, especially those who can't get matches on Tinder.
4. Saves private touring money
Another extremely common reason people use Travel Mode is to find a local tour guide. Indicating this in your profile helps as it shows other users that you're looking for someone who'll show you around. Let's face it; hiring a tour guide can be pretty expensive, and they usually end up taking you to oversaturated, touristy places.
When you build a genuine connection with someone through Travel Mode on Bumble, you're more likely to meet someone who's into the same things you are. That means they can take you to places that will actually be of interest to you, whether that's restaurants, museums, parks, or other places.
Of course, you'll need to be upfront with your Bumble match if you want to ask them to take you around. Who knows, your guide might end up being a date down the line!
How to Use Travel Mode on Bumble
First off, you can't unlock travel mode on Bumble unless you're a premium user. A premium Bumble membership costs $19.99 for a week, $39.99 for a month, and $229.99 for a lifetime. The best part of paying for a membership is that you also get plenty of perks that make Bumble worth it along with Travel Mode. However, you need to be mindful of which membership is ideal for you. If you'll be traveling for more than a week, we suggest the one-month premium membership. But if you'll just be away for a weekend, the one-week membership should be enough.
Second, when you use Bumble Travel Mode, keep in mind that your potential matches will know that you're using this feature. There will be a little "traveler" icon on your profile to indicate this.
So what are the steps to unlocking Travel Mode? Here's what you need to do:
1. In your profile, tap on the gear icon in the upper right-hand side of the screen.
2. Scroll down to the "Location" section and tap on "Travel"
3. A window will pop-up, then click "Use Travel Mode". Keep in mind that you should already have a premium membership when you do this.
4. Next, select which city you'll be traveling to. Bumble will only place your location in the center of the city, so no need to give the app details about where you'll be staying specifically. Once you're already at your destination, Bumble will then use GPS tracking to narrow down your location and select matches for you.
5. Start swiping and matching with people in your destination!
Safety Reminders
When using Bumble Travel Mode, remember to be vigilant. Scammers can be very clever these days, so you should always be on your guard when meeting up with someone through an app. As much as possible, try to do video calls so you know you're not being catfished. Don't give out too many details about where you'll be staying and how long you'll be there for.
Lastly, when you finally do meet up with someone through Bumble, make sure you do it in a public area where you have an escape plan. Doing this is extremely important, especially if you're going to a place that has a higher crime rate. This kind of wariness might turn your date off, but it's better to be safe than sorry!
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