Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Travel

How to pick the perfect travel companion

5 questions to ask your travel buddy. - by Laura Barry
  • 11 Jan 2019
How to pick the perfect travel companion

 Choosing to go travelling with your best friend, sister or another family member may seem like the easiest way to go on a fabulous holiday, however many of us don’t know what kind of traveller we are until we’re already on the road, and by that time even the closest friends can encounter some trying situations.

Everyone has a different style of travelling or holidaying. Some people like to get off the beaten track while others like to lap up all the touristy things on offer. Some people are willing to pay top dollar for all their experiences, while others are a little thriftier. It’s important that you travel with a companion who has the same holiday style as you, otherwise you might find yourselves at odds with each other, arguing about whether or not to take that hike, or about the cost of entry to a tourist attraction.

couple looking out towards mountain range
Getty

5 questions to ask your travel buddy before you book a holiday

1. What is your ideal holiday?

This is a great first question to ask as it’ll give you an idea of whether your travel companion is happy to explore a city, shops, museums and other sights, or if they would prefer hiking the national parks and kayaking out to little known locations. There’s no point booking a two-week shopping and foodie trip to Paris if your travel buddy wants to explore rainforests and hike mountains.

2. How much do you want to spend on this holiday?

This question is important as it will give you a good indicator of whether your travel buddy is happy to splurge on a nice hotel, or whether they want to save money by staying in a budget hostel. It’s also a good time to ask about if they’re happy to pay entry fees to any locations or sights you want to see, and if they are happy to use public transportation, what their daily budget would be, etc.

man hanging out of train window
Getty

3. Can we enjoy/endure each other’s undivided attention and company for days on end?

It’s important that you are fully comfortable around your travel companion and know each other well enough to understand when one person needs some alone time, and not take it personally. Travel often involves delayed flights, wrong turns, getting lost and waiting in long lines, so it’s important that you and your travel buddy get along well and know each other well enough that one bad mood won’t ruin an entire friendship.

4. Are you happy to adapt to new cultures and go with the flow?

Traveling to far off places that are thousands of miles away from your home means encountering different cultures, traditions, beliefs and laws. It’s important that you and your travel buddy are both comfortable engaging with, and being respectful towards, different people, cultures and laws. Nothing ruins a holiday quicker than trying to explain a misunderstanding to a police officer that doesn’t speak English because your travel buddy refused to abide by the local rules and regulations because they are different to those of your home.

two girls kayaking lake
Getty

5. Where do you want to go?

Last, but certainly not least, is the final question of ‘where do you want to go?’ You and your travel companion should want to visit similar places, see the same sights and be open to the same experiences. Spend some time discussing exactly where you want to go and what you want to do when you get there.

You might also like:

How to avoid getting sick on a long flight

These are the most popular travel destinations for Australians in 2019

Packing hacks for every type of holiday

Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

A ROOM WITH A VIEW:  Adelaide Accommodation At Its Best

A ROOM WITH A VIEW: Adelaide Accommodation At Its Best

How to Choose the Best Travel Camera

How to Choose the Best Travel Camera

The best tiny house accommodation around Australia

The best tiny house accommodation around Australia

12 hidden foodie gems you didn’t know existed in Dunedin

12 hidden foodie gems you didn’t know existed in Dunedin

{headline}

{headline}

The New Zealand secret destination you didn’t know you should visit

The New Zealand secret destination you didn’t know you should visit

This is Australia's best holiday home for 2020

This is Australia's best holiday home for 2020

Qantas launches massive 12 Days of Christmas sale

Qantas launches massive 12 Days of Christmas sale

{headline}

{headline}

A taste of Austria

A taste of Austria

The 7 Reject Shop items this travel expert can’t live without

The 7 Reject Shop items this travel expert can’t live without

A taste of Ireland

A taste of Ireland

Take a look inside the real-life Downton Abbey

Take a look inside the real-life Downton Abbey

A taste of Japan

A taste of Japan

A taste of Canada

A taste of Canada

You can now stay at Prince Charles' B&B

You can now stay at Prince Charles' B&B

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription