This post is all about traveling with friends.
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So you’ve book a trip with your friends, or at the very least thought about traveling with friends. Exciting! Traveling with friends is a great opportunity to get to know them on a deeper level and to make long lasting memories which you can share. Also, if you’re at all nervous about traveling by yourself, traveling with friends is a great option for you. You have the support of your friends being with you, but can dip your toe into doing a couple of things by yourself while your away. This can really help your travel confidence.
While traveling with friends can be such a great experience that has so many benefits, there are a couple of things that can happen along the way that could spell disaster for you and your friends. But, so long you stay aware of them, you can avoid them happening. Let us introduce you to our list of do’s and don’ts while while traveling with friends. This list is chuck full of things to avoid doing as well as things to definitely make sure to do, so that your great adventure is harmonious and is everything you hope it will be. Let’s get started!
Traveling With Friends: What to Do and What Not to Do
Do go on a short vacation first
Not all of your friends are naturally suited to be your travel buddies. While they may be fantastic friends and you share a strong bond in your day-to-day lives, the dynamics of travel can uncover unforeseen incompatibilities. So, if you haven’t ventured out on a trip together before, I would recommend going on a short, modest vacation first—a local weekend getaway, for instance. Doing this allows you to gauge how your friends behave outside their familiar environment, observe their spending habits and time management on the road, identify their travel preferences, and assess whether you are able to tolerate their travel quirks. Discovering compatibility on a short, budget-friendly adventure is far better than realizing you’re not destined to be travel buddies once you’re already on a big overseas trip that you’re both financially and emotionally invested in.
Do get on the same page
When traveling with friends, it’s important to get on the same page about your trip before you head out on your adventure. This can seriously limit frustrations and even avoid some potential disagreements.
Things you need to agree on before you head away:
Your destination
This is no doubt the most obvious one to get on the same page about before you go away. The destination you choose is going to have a big impact on the whole trip. It impacts everything from what you see, do and experience, to just the vibe of the trip itself. So definitely make sure everyone is happy with the travel destination before you lock anything in.
The budget
This is a big one! Definitely get on the same page about your budget pre-trip. It sets expectations for what you might and might not be able to do as a group while you’re away. This can help lessen some of the frustrations for the friends that can afford to what they want, because they get a clear understanding of what to expect. It can also help remove some of the awkwardness for the friends that are a little tighter on their budget. Stay conscious about budget on the trip and be sure to keep communicating about it with your friends to check whether it is still working for them.
What kind of transport you expect to be using
When it comes to transport, people like to travel differently. Maybe your friend is a frequent flyer and only wants to get places via plane. Whereas another friend might love a lengthy road trip or is perfectly happy sitting on a public bus or train. As you can see, people’s travel styles can seriously vary, so it’s best to take a chance now to figure out what kinds of transport you all are happy with using to get around.
What of accommodation you’ll stay in
Again people have very different standards when it comes to accommodation. There are the people that will happily sleep in a 52 bed dorm room to help save a few extra dollars. Equally, there are people who will stay in nothing less than a four star hotel and will want all the perks. Similarly, some people are comfortable sharing a room with other people, even if it’s mixed gendered, whereas others are not. Therefore, it’s seriously a good idea to figure out what kind of accommodation people your friends are before you go.
What kind of vibe to expect
This is honestly something worth discussing before you go. For all you know, one of you might be expecting the trip to be all wining, dining and relaxing by the pool. Whereas, another friend could be wanting it to be focused on art galleries, museums and theatre shows. Get on the same page about what your day-to-day might look like and what kinds of activities you are wanting to prioritise on this trip. It’ll help avoid frustration and disappointment and start solidifying expectations for the trip.
Do share the load and do be sure to chip in
Planning and organising a trip requires a lot of work and effort. Don’t leave it all up to one poor friend to sort. Share the load. Let one friend handle transportation, another scout out accommodations, and someone else dig up some must-do activities and attractions. Sharing the responsibilities is not only fair, but is also a good way for you all to be a part of the experience and feel like you have contributed.
Similary, when it comes to spending, don’t let your friends always be the ones to foot the bill. Make sure you are contributing fairly to the expenses.
If you are the kind of group that is all about splitting things evenly, let me introduce you to your next best friend Splitwise. This app is our go-to for expenses when my friends and I go travelling. No more endless IOUs or awkward “You owe me $8.23 from lunch yesterday” moments. This app takes out all the awkwardness and does all the hard work for you. Just punch in your expense, select the friends you want to split it between, decide on a fair split (50/50 or some other ratio), and voila! It automatically adds the right amount it to everyone’s tab. No more awkward back-and-forths, just a smooth financial journey where everyone’s in the loop.
Don’t overpack and do keep your spaces tidy
Overpacking
The idea of travel is that you don’t bring your whole wardrobe with you. Seriously, being the friend who needs to lug around five bags isn’t a good look. Also who wants the hassle of playing Tetris with your luggage when trying to fit it all in the back of a car? Plus, bringing less stuff is good for your piece of mind. The more stuff you bring with you the more you have to pack and unpack, the more you have to manage and the more you have to worry about losing. Trust me, it’s not worth the added stress.
Sure, it’s tempting to prepare for a fashion emergency or every possible change in the weather. I’m not suggesting you leave your raincoat at home when the forecast is looking iffy. Rather, pack with caution and try not go overboard. For example, if you’re going on island vacation, it’s okay to bring something warm for the cooler evenings, but maybe just stick to bringing one hoodie rather than four. It’s okay if your friends see you wear the same thing more than once.
Plus, if you’re really honest with yourself, you’ll likely spend most of the trip in a couple of your favourite outfits. Or, if you’re on a beach vacay, then how much time are you going to actually not be in swimwear? Also, let’s not forget all shopping you might do on this trip… you’ll want to have some space in your bag for your new wardrobe items. So, embrace the freedom of having less stuff to lug around, less stress in packing and unpacking, and less anxiety about misplacing your favorite items.
Tidiness
This is a big one, keep your room tidy when travelling with friends, especially if you are sharing a room.
Have you ever been away with that one friend whose bag seems to explode across the room? Not fun right? Don’t be this friend. One, it makes it a total minefield having to navigate to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Two, it’s just not respectful. Your friends should not have to be impacted by your mess, nor should they feel like they have to tidy up after you.
Look, I get it. It can be easy for things to go from tidy to total chaos in no time, especially when you’re looking for that one random item of clothing hidden at the bottom of your bag. So, if tidy is too much to ask, at least keep your mess contained. I once travelled with a friend who’s luggage was not the neatest, but they were respectful and they kept it all inside their suitcase, so it genuinely didn’t bother my other friends and I. Aim at the very least to be like them, your friends will appreciate it.
Don’t be too chill and do speak up
When you’re on a trip with your friends, it’s all about finding that perfect balance between being chill and making decisions. If someone tosses you the classic “Where should we go for dinner?” or “What’s the plan for today?” don’t just hit them with the “I don’t know” or the “I don’t mind” vibe every time. It might seem like you’re keeping it cool, but let’s be real – you’re just passing the decision-making baton back onto your friends and after a while that may start to get a little frustrating for them. When your friends ask for your thoughts, they genuinely want you to weigh in on the decision making. Even if your suggestions don’t always win, they’ll appreciate the fact that you’re throwing ideas into the mix. So, next time, don’t hold back – let your opinions and ideas be heard!
Do make compromises (within reason)
Let’s face it – not every journey will unfold exactly as you imagined. There are going to be times where things don’t go your way. This is something you have to understand before you go. Plus, you are traveling with your friends. That means there is more than just your wants and needs to be taken into consideration. They have every right to have equal say during the trip. It in the best interest of everyone on the trip that you all are willing to compromise. Don’t be so stubborn that you can’t entertain the idea of doing something that your friends want to do. Learn to let go and go with the flow a little bit. You never know you may end up really enjoying doing what your friend suggested. If you are not willing to let up and make compromises, you may need to consider traveling solo. You might be best suited to this kind of travel.
On the flip side, don’t turn into a total pushover either. Remember that it is your trip as well. So don’t be so willing to compromise that you abandon all your wants and desires for the trip. You deserve to do some of the things you want to do on this trip.
Don’t turn on each other if things go wrong
Let’s face it, on any trip there is likely to be at least one hiccup, big or small. How you and your friends handle these bumps can completely shape the vibe of the trip and the bonds between you. So try to keep your emotions under control and act calmly and assertively with one another when things go pear-shaped. Don’t turn on each other, have each others backs and try limit blame and unnecessary picking at one another. If you are able to work together and support each other through the challenges that come with travel, you can improve your friendship with them.
Tip: The best thing to remember (and to remind yourselves in the moment), is that whatever is happening right now, likely is going to be something you can laugh about it in the future. Seriously, some of our best, most interesting stories from our adventures were the times when things didn’t go to plan or we encountered problems.
Do have a rough plan but don’t overbook activities
Yes, when you go traveling with friends, it’s great to prebook/plan activities- especially if it’s an experience that you have to book in advance because of availability. But nobody likes a crammed schedule when you go away. Ultimately a crammed schedule = stress. When you’re trying to have a fun and relaxing holiday , a crammed schedule can seriously interrupt it.
Just be careful not to overbook activities and cram your day full of things to do. Seriously, you won’t fully enjoy each experience because you’ll be too worried thinking about your schedule and making sure you aren’t going to be late for your next event. Also, you can be more flexible with your day if everything isn’t already set in stone. This is great because it allows you to accommodate for you and your friends’ moods and energy levels. It also gives you the flexibility in being able to adapt your trip as it progresses. This means that if you arrive and learn about a really cool place to check out that you didn’t research or you meet people that invite you and your friends to go and do something with them, you have the flexibility to be able to join them if you desire.
Tip: Do a bit of research, sketch out a loose plan, and stay open to the unexpected. This way, you’re not stuck not knowing each morning what to do. A little prep saves decision time on the day and leaves you with more time to enjoy everything.
Don’t feel like you have to do everything together
A big trap that people fall into when they go traveling with friends is feeling like they must spend 100% of the trip with one another. Yeah, it is nice to spend a large amount of the trip doing things with your friends. However, you don’t have to be glued to their side every step of the way. It is perfectly healthy and even beneficial to have some time to yourself when traveling with friends. Whether it’s going off on your own to explore, chilling out some evenings by yourself, or treating yourself to a solo dinner date, it’s all about giving yourself and your friends some breathing room. This way, everyone gets a chance to unwind, pursue their own interests, and digest everything going on around them. Believe me, this makes for a far more peaceful and amical trip.
Don’t forget to keep your friends informed and communicate changes
Okay so like we said above, it’s important to have some alone time when traveling with friends. So this next tip is super important. Please, don’t forget to keep in contact with your friends while you’re out and about! Remember, you’re exploring unfamiliar territory. Anything can happen, especially when you’re by yourself. So be sure to let your friends know what your plans are and how long you’ll roughly be. If you don’t know exactly what you plan do go out and do, at least give them the general area of where you plan to be. That way, if there some sort of emergency or something happens to you, your friends know where to start looking
It’s okay if you’re plans change. It’s also perfectly okay if you’re going to be back later than you had planned. Just, whatever you do, make sure you communicate those changes to your friends. That way they know you are safe and know that they don’t have to stress. Seriously, a little communication can go a long way. Keeping everyone updated helps avoid confusion and frustrations. Especially if your friends have waited around for you because they thought you’d be back in time do go out and do something together.
Don’t put too much pressure on things
Don’t put pressure on yourself or your friends
Yes, you booked a trip away with your friends, but ultimately you worked hard to earn a trip for yourself. That means if you aren’t feel up to something that your friends want to do, don’t force yourself to do it. If you aren’t in the mood to do something or are not comfortable doing something that they want to, don’t feel like you have to. Similarly, if you’re feeling unwell or generally exhausted, take a break, don’t force yourself to go out and do things. It’s okay to need a moment to rest. Seriously, it’s not going to be fun for your friends either if you do force yourself to tag along and then spend the whole time complaining or being in an off mood (it’s genuinely a vibe killer).
Same goes for your friends. If one of them is not feeling up to doing an activity. Don’t pressure them to participate. They are an adult, they know their limits and they are capable of making their own choices. Listen to them and give them the respect that you’d want them to give you in return.
Don’t put pressure on the trip Itself
No trip is 100% perfect – get that out of your head now. Even if it’s only a small thing something is likely to go wrong at some point on a trip, it’s just the nature of going away. Micromanaging everything and getting upset when things don’t go exactly how you imagined them to go is not going to help you. Adjust your expectations and try go with the flow a little bit. It‘s a good idea to get out of your head and not stress about things too much. The more you live in your head stressing that things aren’t going to plan or causing a scene and getting frustrated when things happen, the less room you have to enjoy what you are doing and soak in the trip.
Don’t ignore signs of tension or frustration
It’s only natural when your traveling with friends, especially for a longer period of time, that something is going to start bothering you. Whether it’s the fact that your friends alarm goes off for a solid five minutes before they wake up and turn it off or whether your friend faffs around with zero care for the fact that you’re ready and waiting to head out the door. Traveling with friends it’s a completely different ball game to hanging around at home together. You’ll be put in all kinds of new environments and face a whole range of new challenges. You’ll learn so much about them, the good and the bad.
If you do find yourself slowly starting to get more frustrated about something, make an effort to talk about it with you friend. Being open and honest about it while it’s a smaller issue will be far better than when it’s bubbled up into a big issue. You’ll be able to keep your emotions under better control and therefore, be less likely to lash out and turn it into a bigger deal than it needs to be. Stay calm, be assertive, explain what is bothering you and suggest a way the situation could be resolved.
Also when traveling with friends, stay conscious of the vibes they are giving you. While they might be doing things that annoy you, you could be frustrating them just as much. So, if you notice your friend is seeming “off”, make a point of asking them about it and give them a chance to talk about it (and try not get too defensive if you’re the reason).
The more you are able communicate openly and honestly with your friends while traveling, the more pleasant the trip is going to be.
Don’t be that friend that everyone has to look after
Your friends do not want to have to spend their whole trip looking after you and acting like your mum. It’s not fair to your friends and it definitely does not allow them to properly relax and enjoy the trip. Don’t be a burden to your “mom friends” and start being responsible for yourself on your next group trip.
Here are a few ways you can be more self-responsible:
- Be organised- Set your own alarms and make sure you get up with enough time to get ready in the mornings so that your friends don’t have to wait around for you constantly.
- Drink responsibly – Do let yourself have some fun and have a few cocktails or whatnot, but know when to stop. Don’t drink so much that you become blackout drunk and your friends have to spend the whole night babysitting you, apologising for your actions or worrying about your safety.
- Learn how to find your way- Don’t be overly reliant on your friends for navigation. There may be times on your trip where you are left to your own devices and will have to figure it out on your own. Take charge and learn how to orientate yourself in a new place and build a sense of direction. At the very least, improve your Google maps skills and be able to follow it’s directions accurately.
- Take care of your stuff- Don’t be that friend that is always losing everything (especially important stuff like your passport or phone). Learn how to look after your stuff. Develop a system that will help you keep track of your things and helps ensure you don’t leave them behind.
Do make sure to get photos together and enjoy the moment
Take lots of photos
Whether you’re an avid photographer, or hate the thought of being in photos, it’s still important to capture the moment in some way while traveling. Photos have a beautiful way of capturing a memory and making sure you don’t forget it.
When it comes to traveling with friends, group photos are a go to. However, the difficulty with any group photo taking situation other than a selfie, is that unless you are going to trust a complete stranger to 1. Not steal your phone, and 2. Actually take a good picture, then one of you is likely going to have to sacrifice not being in the photo. If you’re going to opt for option number two, make sure you take turns being the one to take the photo. It’d be awful getting home from a trip with friends and looking through your photos and realising that it looks like you were never on the trip. Seriously, make sure everyone is included throughout the trip, it’s only fair.
Lucky for you, there is in fact an option number three that can help you avoid both option 1 and option 2… get yourself a selfie stick tripod. It’s super light and compact and easy, so it’s easy to travel with. It also comes with a remote control so all you need to do is set your phone up somewhere and snap away as much as you please!
Have some post worthy photos but feeling stuck on how to caption them? You need to check out this post. It’ll give you tips on how to write the perfect caption for your next group post and provides you with 99 examples to inspire you.
Enjoy the adventure
You’re on holiday! You’re traveling with friends! You’ve worked hard to get to here. Don’t forget to soak up the moment and enjoy it! Take a minute every now and then to slow down and let the beauty of your adventure sink in. Really appreciate what is happening around you and feel the joy of being on an adventure with your friends. It’ll help make your memories that much more memorable and cherished.
Woohoo! You made it to the end! If you got this far, you are now an expert in the do’s and don’ts of travelling with friends. Keep them close and be aware of them the next time you’re our exploring the world with your friends. Most importantly, embrace the shared laughter, respect individual differences, and find the delicate balance between compromise and personal fulfillment. As you embark on your adventures, may your journeys be filled with joy, understanding, and the kind of friendship that transforms a simple trip into a cherished chapter in your journey as friends.
Happy adventuring!
Feel free to share this list with your friends so that you can all be aware of these things as well. Did you find anything that you need to improve on during your next trip with friends? Let us know in the comments.
