Solo Travel, talks to Neil the Founder - and his story

The Real Story Behind SoloBudd (And, Why I Cried for Two Hours in an Istanbul Internet Cafe)

SoloBudd wasn’t born in a boardroom (if we had one). It was born from a ditched plane ticket, a moment of panic, and a two-hour-long, ugly-cry session in an internet cafe in Istanbul.

I’m Neil, the founder of SoloBudd, and to understand why this app exists, you have to understand my journey.

Like many people, I came from a large family; there was always someone around. The idea of being truly alone was foreign - ridic and, frankly, terrifying. As a shy medical student, it was becoming a problem. I knew I needed to change, so I decided on my own form of exposure therapy: a solo trip - a long one…

My first attempt was a disaster before it even began. My friend ditched me (yes you know who you are, lol), I got a refund, and then, staring at the screen, I had a thought: "Fuck it, I'll do it alone."

Days of sleepless nights followed, researching safety and trying to quiet the voice asking, "Is this crazy?" The stigma around solo travel was stronger back then, and I felt it. I just needed to read stories of solo travel and how great it can be; and there were many. So I plunged…

The Meltdown & The Turning Point

I was fine on the flight, but when I landed for my stopover in Istanbul, it all came crashing down. The hostel felt alienating, the staff weren't particularly welcoming, and I felt a wave of isolation so intense it was crushing. I found an internet cafe, called my brother, and just cried my eyes out for two solid hours - really like 2-3 hours..non stop blab.
"How stupid am I? I want to fly back home." Strangers looked on with a mix of pity and sadness. My brother, bless him, tried to reassure me, but it was in that moment, after shedding what felt like tsunami of tears, that something shifted.

I went back to the hostel, slept, and woke up with a new perspective. The next few days, I realised something profound: these strangers were just normal people, just like me. It sounds silly now, but it was a revelation. The culture shock! started to dissipate..

By the time I got on the flight to Thailand, I was still nervous, but now there was a buzz of excitement. I had stepped out of my comfort zone and survived. I started learning these little tricks to connect – always carry a lighter, you’d be surprised who asks for one. I learned that people don't actually bite if you just say "hey."

From Survivor to Avid Traveller

That trip changed a lot of things... I went from being an introvert to someone who actively seeks connection. I’ve since lived and worked in Berlin for a famous e-commerce company, taught English in Istanbul for nine months, and spent two long stints in Brazil. I’ve celebrated New Year's at raves in Berlin and on the beaches of Rio. I’ve stayed in countless hostels – cheap, cheerful, but always with that nagging lack of privacy.

I learned that solo travel isn't just about independence and seeing the world. It’s about the conflicting desires for autonomy and, at times, easy access to good company. People on the same level, the same vibe as you, ready for deep talks after a party, or spontaneously watching a movie in a Bangkok cinema, or raving until 8am with just glances - knowing that Techno is the truth.

The Birth of SoloBudd, for you…

This is where my professional life connected with my passion. With over 12 years in data analytics and data science, and a sincere curiosity about people from my medical and psychology background, I saw a pattern. My experiences weren't unique. After conducting hundreds of hours of research—interviews, surveys, data analysis—the same themes kept appearing.

SoloBudd was born from this deep intersection: a deep, personal understanding of the challenges and immense beauties of solo travel, combined with the technical skill to build a real solution. It’s an app but more, designed to address the issues I faced head-on, using deeper AI, not just superficial metrics.

I consider myself an international humanist, a liberal progressive, and someone who believes inclusivity isn't a buzzword; it's a necessity. SoloBudd is the manifestation of that belief – a tool to make travel safer and more accessible for everyone, especially for women, the LGBTQ+ community, and people of colour.

It’s an app born from passion, tested by experience, and built with data. It’s the buddy I wish I’d had in that internet cafe all those years ago. And I can't wait for you to try it. So please do join our waitlist at on homepage to be the first to know when we launch, a pioneer!