You’re already counting down the days and planning what you want to see and where you want to eat. Traveling with friends has the potential to be one of the best experiences of your life — but it can also fall apart at the seams if you haven’t planned it all out carefully. So how can you travel with friends and still stay friends when all is said and done? It just takes a little effort!
Be Clear About Your Budget
Money matters when it comes to traveling. One friend may be willing to shell out big bucks for a luxury suite, while another may have a very strict travel budget. It’s best to avoid booking a trip with a person who is on a completely different financial page as you. This has nothing to do with your friendship and everything to do with being practical and honest about the trip. If you can’t share quality time and enjoy activities with each other, then it may not be worth it. But if your budgets align to some degree, have a meeting of the minds and determine where you want to put your money during the trip. Will the bulk of funds go into a spacious hotel room, dinner at fantastic restaurants, or trips to the theater? You may want to appoint a trip treasurer to help everyone stay on track for the duration of the trip. Staying organized and keeping track of who paid how much for what is an easy way to avoid disagreements later.
Respect Sleeping Habits
Snoring. Sleepwalking. Getting up multiple times to use the bathroom because you drink a full bottle of water before bed. Whatever your “thing” might be, it’s a good idea to inform your travel mates before you leave. This makes it easier for everyone to plan ahead. If one friend is a light sleeper, for example, she may not want to share a room with the person who gets up repeatedly at night. Be respectful of these habits and assign rooms that allow everyone to get the best quality rest possible. If there’s any discussion about who gets to sleep in the biggest room in your suite or the master bedroom in your rental, keep it short and straightforward — this is never worth an argument. The person who does the bulk of the planning, makes the calls, books the tickets, and generally takes the lead is always a good candidate for the “best” room. Or you could simply rotate nights if necessary.
Share Your Expectations
If you’re more of a budget traveler who prefers to stay in hostels and hitch rides or walk as much as possible and your friend loves luxury hotels and high-end spas, odds are you won’t exactly make great traveling companions. A close friend may be willing to adjust her personal expectations to indulge in an unexpectedly great adventure with her BFF but be clear that not everyone is willing to step so far out of their comfort zone. Different travel styles don’t equate to broken friendships, of course, and there’s always a chance you can meet in the middle. Make a list of things that you both may want to do — visit the biggest tourist attractions in the area or check out the most celebrated local restaurants, for example — and then go from there.
Plan Ahead for Meals
Make meal-planning a priority. While it may seem simple enough—“Hey, everyone, let’s go down to the bar for a bite!” — it usually doesn’t end up working out that way. One person may not want to dish out money on multiple meals a day, while another might want to cook up a storm in the kitchen. If you’re staying in a house and want to prepare a meal, find the nearest grocery store and pick up a few items for the duration of the trip. Make sure you have enough for everyone. When budget planning, you may want to factor in the occasional “emergency meal” or the one that you grab from a convenience store or fast-food drive-through when there’s no time to cook or all the restaurants are closed.
Carve out Some You Time
Yes, it’s a group vacation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a little quality time on your own. If you’re the early riser of the group, make it a point to savor those peaceful moments in the morning before everyone gets up. Go for a swim or to the gym if you’re at a hotel, or walk around town or the neighborhood if you rented a house. Research nearby attractions that you specifically would love to see and schedule a day when you can break away and explore on your own.
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