Want to meet people while traveling? Try this dating app.
A week before I left for Dublin, I pulled out my phone and got on Feeld, a dating app that brands itself “for open-minded individuals.” I’d joined Feeld four months before and found myself with more dates than I had on any other dating app in years.
I expected I’d have to pay for access or buy a membership to see what Dublin had to offer, but was surprised when Feeld let me swipe in the Irish capital – for free. In two days, I met an attractive guy who wanted to go on a date. This experience, and others, cemented why Feeld is the best dating app for travelers.
What Is Feeld?
Founded as 3ender in 2014, the app relaunched as Feeld in 2016 by founder Dimo Trifonov, after he and his partner and current Feeld CEO, Ana Kirova, had a hard time finding an app that would allow them to date together and separately, was inclusive of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, and non-traditional relationship dynamics.
Today, Feeld is a dating app for those interested in exploring intimacy, dating, sexuality, and gender identity in ways that aren’t limited by society’s expectations or norms. Feeld has been called a “hook up” app, but in reality, it’s a dating app designed for all types of relationships, from monogamy to polyamory, and even friendships. Within the app, people date solo or with a partner(s) or friend(s).
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Feeld has created an environment where it is normal, accepted, and expected for individuals to be completely honest about what they’re looking for and what their boundaries and expectations are when it comes to dating, relationships, and intimacy. Part of the way they do that is by being inclusive of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, offering 20 of each to choose from. Feeld lists everything from intersex to gender nonconforming, androgynous, transfeminine, trans human, pangender, man, man and woman couple, and agender, as well as grayA, omnisexual, queer, skoliosexual, straight, heteroflexible, bi-curious, asexual, autosexual, gay, and more.
In your profile, you can display up to 10 interests – like travel, dancing, plants, anime, etc. – as well as 10 desires that convey your relationship interests from friendship-first dynamics (like celibate or friendships) to one-on-one (relationships, ENM, poly, or singles) or group dynamics (MM or MF). You can also add emotional connections like “cuddling,” “kissing,” “massage,” or “foreplay,” or name your kinks and fantasies like “BDSM,” “vanilla,” “role play,” “being a switch,” etc.
Within the bios, people are usually clearer about their relationship status, what they’re interested in sexually, if they’re looking for someone to play video games with or go for a hike, and hard lines they won’t cross, like political affiliations or lifestyle choices like no drinking/drugs.
As far as my experience, I’ve been on dates with men from Feeld that never resulted in any sexual contact and connected with men who were more interested in intimate online connections, some who wanted a monogamous relationship, and a few who wanted to connect on a personal level long before having a sexual experience. Sure, I’ve had one-night stands through the app, but even those usually started with a date beforehand that involved engaging conversations over drinks.
Courtney Sofia Yates
I’ve used Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder while traveling, and while I appreciate the apps having more users than Feeld, unfortunately, they draw a large number of bots and catfishers that I don’t have time to wade through while traveling.
Perhaps the best thing about Feeld? It doesn’t use a predictive algorithm like you’d find with Hinge, Tinder, or Bumble, which often results in poor user experience, racial bias, or fees to have your profile shown to other users.
The dating app algorithm, especially on Hinge, has been reported as being biased against women of color, limiting their connections and matches. As a woman of color myself (I’m Mixed or half Mexican, half white), I tested this out. I got more and better matches when I labeled myself as “white” on Hinge, rather than identifying as “Latina.” I shouldn’t have to deal with racism or bias from my dating app, and I do not feel comfortable being disingenuous about my identity on my profile.
The nickel-and-dime design on Hinge and Tinder that requires you to pay for a certain amount of likes or to make your profile highly visible to potential matches doesn’t make dating while traveling easier either. When visiting a destination, I’d rather put my money toward tours, activities, and dining out, not paying for a “Rose” on Hinge or a “Spotlight” on Bumble just so my profile could “potentially” be seen by other users.
Perhaps my biggest issue is the dating culture on other apps. Users on Feeld, no matter where they’re in the world, are more upfront and explicit about what they’re looking for in a date or connection. It’s built into the culture of the app. I’ve found that users on other dating apps have a harder time expressing their dating desires, which doesn’t make dating while traveling easier.
Tinder has been trying to combat this with group dating and their explore section, which matches users based on shared interests like “foodies” or “short-term fun.” Although I like the explore section, I haven’t got a date from it while visiting a destination as I hoped.
Feeld
This brings me to my last point – I get five times the number of matches and twice the number of dates on Feeld than I ever have on any other dating app, even when using the same pictures, bios, and paying for membership. I have to attribute this to the fact that Feeld doesn’t use an algorithm but presents all users within a certain location. If I’m looking to increase my chances of going on a date while traveling, then I’m opening Feeld. I want to see all potential users within a new destination, not the select few that a dating app thinks I should be matched with.
You could pay for a Majestic membership on Feeld to see which users like you, filter potential dates by desires, and get unlimited likes. However, I don’t have a membership and don’t think it’s necessary if you want to find a date while traveling.
Why Is Feeld Better Than Other Dating Apps for Traveling?
Like with any dating app, you can use Feeld when you arrive at a destination. It’s not uncommon for me to match with individuals visiting my city for work or vacation. However, Feeld also allows travelers to change their location and swipe for free within 45 popular locations before they travel. Many dating apps like Tinder and Bumble charge for this feature (Hinge lets you change your location for free).
The 45 locations include popular travel destinations like Sydney, Toronto, New York, Mumbai, Mexico City, London, Houston, Berlin, and Chicago, where large numbers of Feeld members exist. Even if you don’t have a trip planned, you can change your location to one of these 45 cities, connect with someone you like, and then plan a trip later.
If you’d like to make connections with people who are not in those 45 cities, you can do so in Feeld’s three virtual locations: “Staying at Home,” “Remote Trios,” and “Fantasy.” These digital spaces allow people with similar interests, life experiences, and kinks to connect, which could ultimately lead to a future date on your travels.
The app also hosts #IRL (In Real Life) Experiences in cities like London and Los Angeles, allowing travelers to pop in to meet folks in person for an impromptu date.
Feeld
How to Use Feeld When Traveling
If you’re traveling to one of Feeld’s most popular 45 locations, adjust your location at least a week before you travel. This will allow you to peruse through the Feeld members in that area, match, and start a conversation before your visit.
When traveling, you might not have as much time to swipe as you normally would, so being particular about your preferred dating settings – like sexual orientation, gender identity, desires, and age range – might help you find the ideal date in the short time you’re visiting a new destination. You can always widen your settings if necessary.
Keep in mind the maximum distance setting as well. How far are you willing to travel for a date in a city you’re not familiar with? Better yet, how far do you think people in that destination would be willing to travel for a date?
For instance, in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, people are comfortable with driving long distances due to the metroplex’s spacious design and lack of a widespread public transportation system. Driving 30-45 minutes for a date is normal. That might not be the case for Londoners, who are used to a good public transportation system and have a different concept of distance and travel than those who live in Dallas.
Last but not least, it’s quite common on Feeld to put your travel dates in your profile, as it provides upfront information to potential matches on your availability. Ask your potential date to show you around the city or take you to their favorite restaurant that only the locals know. Remember this is an app where you can ask for whatever you want with whomever you want – and you’ll have a better dating experience on your travels when you’re clear and communicative on Feeld.
