Top Relationship Advice from Seasoned Travelers

Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Travelationship

Relationships, whether with family, friends, or romantic, can be challenging. Now add traveling together to create a Travelationship (travel + relationship). Adding all the different layers and intricacies of travel to the mix could range from a delightful love affair to a horrid nightmare outside of your cozy, comfy, familiar surroundings. Think of it as a science experiment or a recipe; whatever known or unknown ingredients you throw in will mold the final product. Personalities, weather, destinations, stress levels, health status, sleep patterns, degrees of experience, patience, adaptability, and many other components can sway the daily outcomes.

We are consistently navigating the levels and directions of our travelationship. What worked last week may not work today because our circumstances or surroundings have changed. We have made plenty of mistakes along the way and learned some valuable lessons. We have had some great times and horrible fights, which in hindsight, we may have been able to prevent or traverse in a much better way. Travelationships can be incredibly rewarding, but they aren’t the nonstop rainbows and butterflies some people perceive them to be. That fluffy perception got us thinking about how others are traveling together and still staying sane.

Let the Relationship Advice Begin

We aren’t the only Travelationship out in the world and are always looking for better ways to get along while we travel. Who better to get advice from than other successful travelationships, Right?

We asked some fellow travel bloggers to share their best advice on how to travel with a partner or in groups. We can see why these travelationships are successful because their advice is terrific!

Matt from Travelationship

Honesty

When it comes to traveling as a couple, I think there is one thing that will carry you through every time, honesty. Being honest with your teammate will eliminate turmoil before it has a chance to take root. It sounds like the easiest thing in the world, but with the possibility of either letting down or failing your partner, it can be difficult always to be forthcoming. Expectations and how events materialize in the light of reality are two of the best places to start with being open and honest. Then take that momentum and enjoy.

Lauren from Justin Plus Lauren

Compromise

The biggest lesson I’ve learned while traveling in a relationship is to listen to each other and compromise. We have discovered that we both have different travel styles. I plan many things, whereas Justin tends to wing it mostly. I also tend to pack too many activities into our schedule for fear of missing out on something, and Justin likes to have a more relaxing holiday. We’ve learned to meet somewhere in the middle. Justin is grateful that I plan our travels, while he’s also taught me to slow down. We’ve had some of our most memorable moments when the day isn’t completely mapped out.

Kelly from Kelly Ella Maz

Schedule Some Me Only Time

My boyfriend and I have been traveling full-time for the past year and
half. Eighteen months of just him and me. Every. Single. Day. The biggest lesson we’ve learned is how to give each other space since we are attached at the hip for an extended period. Sometimes we go down to breakfast buffets at separate times, or sometimes we split up for the afternoon if I want to stay at the hotel and work while Paul goes sightseeing! It’s easy to do everything together, but neither of us wanted to lose our sense of independence. The occasional time apart also helps us get along better because being together as often as we are isn’t always
easy!

Anna from Carry On Wandering | Adventures from the road less travelled

Plan Ahead for Meal Time

Expect to go hungry. There is nothing like traveling in a group to throw off meal times and make you earn your hunger by walking past every restaurant and bar until someone makes a decision. When this happens, you will likely decide to return to the first restaurant you saw only to discover no one can remember where it was or how to get back there, meaning more walking and hunger pains for you. By the time you account for food allergies, vegetarians, and eating quirks of all group members, you will be lucky to be eating a snickers bar in a park come dinnertime. Avoid this by eating alone, splitting up at meal times and meeting back for drinks afterward, or sharing the decision-making by each person choosing a place to eat on different days.

Yvette Barnett from Whirl of Wanderlust

Understand What is REALLY the Problem

Traveling with a partner can make or break your relationship. When you travel with someone, you see they are good, bad and smelly sides! It can also be a huge learning curve for you as a couple. I’ve traveled multiple times with my partner, and when you haven’t slept for 48 hours, haven’t showered for 72, and just missed the last train to your hotel room in a non-English country, it can test you both.

The biggest lesson I have l learned is to understand what is upsetting me because it is easy to take it out on your partner. I look at my situation, realize what is causing stress, and then communicate it to my partner because it is usually annoying him too! Then we can combat it together. However, On occasion, it is my partner that is the issue that is bugging me and vice versa, so in that case, it is best just to spend some time away from them and enjoy the city you are in solo for half a day. Then you can meet up and discuss your days over dinner.

Danielle Desir from The Thought Card

It’s OK to Do Your Own Thing

Last year my two cousins and I spent a week traveling in Europe. I proactively created a detailed itinerary and researched activities and attractions for weeks in anticipation of our trip. When we arrived in London, I soon realized that my cousins had no interest in my planned activities. I was faced with a difficult decision, do I stay in the hostel as they did, or do I grab my map and head out exploring on my own? I chose the latter, and I am so happy I did. My biggest lesson when traveling in a group is to be bold. Venture off if you want to, and do not limit your experiences. You can always swap stories at the end of the night upon your return, and it feels good coming back to your accommodation and seeing familiar faces after a long day.

Connie Pearson from There Goes Connie

Working Together is Key

Every individual or couple has their travel style, pace, or personality. When you are on a cruise, THE BOAT decides the schedule. When you are on a group bus tour, everyone dances to the tune of the Tour Director. But, when you travel with good friends, some give and take are critical to success. When my husband and I spent two weeks in Italy with good friends, we did two main things to keep everyone happy. 1) We took turns setting the pace and making “the plan,” and 2) we sometimes went in different directions for a few hours or a day. We were so grateful to have our travel companions when my husband’s wallet was stolen near Cinque Terre, and they allowed us to live off of their credit cards until a replacement card arrived. Their presence and generosity salvaged our whole experience in Italy.

Heather

Respect

All the advice above is priceless and encompasses the pillars to build a great travelationship. Respect for your partner(s) is a must. I find it challenging to be around someone, let alone travel with someone I don’t respect. Be sure to show respect to and for your teammate(s). Small to significant actions can be done in many different ways. Check in and find out how they are doing. Listen to what your partner says or, at times, doesn’t say to see how they are doing. It seems like a no-brainer but saying please and thank you goes a long way. Communicate openly and honestly, so don’t expect anyone to read your mind. Your respectful behavior to all others will create a stable base for any relationship to build upon.

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Do you have more advice on how to travel together? Please let us know by sharing in the comments below.

*(Lead photo by @ellemayberry on Instagram)*