A chance meeting on a flight, a Bhutan work trip and a bus ride that turned into a marriage. These travel stories show how the best part of the journey is, quite often, the people you meet.
There’s something about travel that opens us up to the world, to new experiences, and more often than not, to people we never imagined becoming a part of our lives. In the chaos of missed trains, hostel rooms, morning walks or sunrise hikes, strangers become friends. And just sometimes, friends become something more. For this year’s Friendship Day, we bring you stories from travellers who met their closest companions (some platonic and some romantic) while on the road. From chance meetings in mountain towns to serendipitous solo trips, these stories remind us that the best memories of a destination are often the people we meet on the road. We Were Seatmates On A Flight. Now We’re FamilyNot every flight comes with in-flight entertainment but some come with something better. In December 2023, Mahema Bhutia was on an Indigo flight from Bengaluru to Kolkata. It was her first visit to the city in decades, and despite nursing a broken ankle, her spirits were high. She had booked a front-row aisle seat for comfort, completely unaware that this ordinary flight was about to lead to an extraordinary friendship. Seated beside her were two women, one in the middle and another at the window who kept drawing curious glances and excited whispers from fellow passengers. “I asked the woman in the middle who she was, and she told me it was none other than Usha Uthup! I was stunned. I’d grown up listening to ‘Rambha Ho Ho Ho’,” she recalls. “Of course, I had to lean in and say hello. Usha ji was so gracious and warm.” As the legendary singer dozed off between conversations, Mahema’s real connection began, with the woman in the middle seat - Mala. “We started chatting about everything, from food to family to what to shop for in Kolkata. Turns out, she had lived there for many years, so I bombarded her with questions. I’m a chronic shopaholic after all!” she laughs. The flight was long, but the conversation flowed easily. By the time they touched down in Kolkata, they had exchanged numbers and smiles. The very next morning, Mala and Mahema, now firmly on each other’s radar, connected again, exchanging notes about their day. Once back in Bengaluru, casual catch-ups turned into regular meetups, and messages turned into shared meals. “Mala is now the closest friend I have. Our families have grown close too. We both lead busy lives, but we always stay in touch. I’m just so glad I took that flight of fate and made a connection with the most fabulous like-minded person,” shares Mahema. We Met As Colleagues In Bhutan But Left As SistersSome trips are planned around itineraries but fate often has other plans. When Ritika Trehan, a marketing and communications professional, set off on a work assignment across Bhutan, she didn’t expect it to leave her with a deep-rooted sisterhood. “I met three incredible women during a journey across the Kingdom of Bhutan. While we came together due to work, something shifted very early on and our conversations went far beyond the formal.” Among them was Phoebe, a storyteller from China who preserves traditional culture through digital media and Emily, a professor from NYU who teaches Life Design Thinking and Sleep Science. “What connected us wasn’t just travel; it was a shared desire to explore something deeper. Culture, nature, emotional well-being, ancestral wisdom... these weren’t just ideas, they were threads that ran through all our lives. Bhutan somehow made space for those conversations to happen, gently, yet profoundly,” Ritika remembers fondly. As they journeyed across Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Paro, their bond grew stronger with every shared sunset and late-night reflection. “Every evening, we would sit together and talk about the day. Not just what we did, but what we felt. Bhutan is the kind of place that holds space for reflection. And that’s exactly what happened—we weren’t just acquaintances anymore. We were mirrors to each other.” One of Ritika’s most treasured memories? An impromptu roadside shopping spree en route to Paro, followed by a Bhutanese dinner night. “We bought traditional outfits and helped each other get ready—fixing hair, adjusting belts—exactly like a group of girls getting ready for farewell night back in college. That night, at the authentic Bhutanese dinner amid the 14th-century Stone Ruins, we danced, cheered, and clicked a photo I still cherish. We didn’t look perfect, but we felt perfect—because we felt seen, accepted, and celebrated.” The magic didn’t end in Bhutan. Despite living across continents, the women continue to stay in touch, supporting one another in life and work. “That sense of sisterhood… it’s very much alive. And that, to me, is the magic of travel. Sometimes, the road brings you to places. Other times, it brings you to people who change your life,” Ritika adds. We Met On A Bus To Hampi And Now We’re Married With A Mini Explorer In Tow“Back in 2016, I was what most would describe as ‘rebellious and wild’,” says Chandana Rao. On a shoestring solo trip, she boarded a local bus from Hospet to Hampi and found herself seated next to a fellow backpacker named Sunil. “When we started talking, I realised how similar we were. He was travelling full time, which was my dream career, so I kept bugging him with questions!” she laughs. They clicked instantly—bonding over their love for the road, shared independence, and minimalist travel style. “People often saw our nomadic streak as a flaw, but on that bus ride, we both finally felt seen. I also wanted to save money by sharing expenses, so I agreed when he offered to show me around. It was the best decision of my life,” she smiles. Together, they roamed through ancient ruins, trekked to Matunga Hill for sunrise (where monkeys tried to snatch her backpack while Sunil stayed frozen in fear), explored hippie cafes, and even spent long afternoons people-watching at the Virupaksha temple steps. “He tells me he thought, ‘Who is this girl?’—he was charmed,” she grins. What began as a spontaneous travel friendship slowly deepened into love. After some resistance from family, they got married in 2019 at Sri Bhoga Nandishwara Gudi temple in Nandi Hills, surrounded by loved ones and fellow travel buddies. Then, in 2021, came their daughter, Payana—named after the Kannada word for journey. “She’s already seen snowfall in Kasol, explored the Great Himalayan National Park, and has her own travel pinboard. One day, she’ll cover the world,” says Chandana. “Travel didn’t just bring us together but it is what keeps redefining our love.” Travel News - Find latest news and tips based on Indian and World travel including top 10 travel destination, tourism information, how to reach visit and more at Times Now.
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