Tips for travelling with friends

Travelling with friends is often a wonderful experience, but it comes with its own challenges. Sian Meades explores how not to fall out with your friends on holiday.

You want your holiday with friends to be memorable for the right reasons. Here are our tips on ensuring it all goes smoothly.

1. Decide what type of holiday you want

Beach holiday with a pile of trashy books? An adventure in the jungle? A three-week long road trip across America? Agreeing on the type of holiday you want is a huge part of harmonious travel with pals.

If you’re the only one who can drive, that’s going to make a road trip really hard work. Hate lounging around on the beach and get bored after a day? That’s not the holiday for you. If you’re still adamant you want to go on holiday together despite your differences of opinion, consider splitting your trip so you both get to do what you want, or meet up after you’ve done your own thing for a couple of days.

Friends cheers De Repente/Shutterstock

2. Do something completely different

If compromise really isn’t your thing, then think about doing something completely different. Head to a country you’ve never considered before or try an activity you’d never thought you’d dare to do.

If you pick something you’ve always wanted to try that your romantic partner has never been keen on, a holiday with friends is a perfect time to grab an opportunity. You don’t have to get on a boat to Antarctica (but don’t let us stop you), you don’t even need to leave the country, you both just have to be up for something new and exciting.

3. Sort the money out before you go

It’s really easy to spend money without thinking on holiday. An aperitivo here, a gelato there, a new cake you’ve never tried before (you should probably double your holiday budget just for this).

When you’re not travelling with someone you would usually split bills with, things can get complicated. Make sure you’ve figured out exactly how much you’re going to spend before you go so you don’t end up picking up the tab on lunch every day. You might also find out that your friend wants to go to as many Michelin-starred restaurants as possible and if that’s out of your budget they’re going to feel like they’re missing out.

Download Splitwise and use it to track your expenses as you go. It might not sound fun but you won’t be able to relax if you don’t know where you’re at financially.

Car men road trip Supamotion/Shutterstock

4. Think about getting from A to B

We often just skip straight the fun part of holiday planning, but a trip begins much earlier than the hotel check-in. If you get stressed at airports, make life easier for everyone and meet your friends at the gate. If you’re travelling with someone unorganised and you have to double check everything before you travel, take control a little bit and print two of everything.

Some people will jump in the nearest cab at the airport, no matter the cost, others will wait forty minutes for the local bus. Make these plans before you start, otherwise you’re going to get in a very public fluster with your travel buddy.

5. Tread carefully around the holiday romance

It’s entirely possible that even if you’re not looking for it, a holiday fling might present itself. This is always a tricky situation, no matter which side of the coin you’re on. If you’re the third wheel, you’ll inevitably feel like your friend is abandoning you in favour of their holiday romance. We hate to say it, but you’re going to have more time on your own than you anticipated.

If you’re the one doing the kissing, you’re going to be torn between your pal and your new love interest. Communication is key here, but there’s no easy way around this one. Don’t abandon your friend for Carlos the waiter. Even if you’re absolutely certain that you’ve met the love of your life, you came on holiday with your pal and that comes first.

Third wheel Elena Dijour/Shutterstock

6. Do your own thing

Being on holiday with someone doesn’t mean you have to spend every minute with them. Perhaps they really want to go to the top of that castle in the distance but you’ve just got to a really good bit in your book. Maybe you’re in the mood to try scuba diving and they are very much not.

Go off and have your own adventures, and then meet up for drinks and dinner and share stories and selfies with your pal. Spending time away from one another can be a good thing, so don’t be afraid to suggest it.

7. Don't get snappy

It’s easy to get annoyed with someone if you’ve spent three solid days together. If you’re feeling snappy, put a stop to it immediately. The last thing you want is a slew of passive aggressive comments when there’s still six days of your holiday left.

If you were at home you’d vent to a partner or let of steam to a work colleague and you don’t have that option when you’re in the Australian outback. Talk through what’s bugging you and move on before it really becomes a problem.

Friends on beach Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

8. Go solo

Things still not working out? If something has shifted to the point that it’s difficult to imagine spending the rest of your trip together, it might be worth discussing parting ways for a few days. You don’t have to head home (no-one wants to feel like they’re being abandoned), but you can suggest that you spend a few days on a different island, or meet each other in an Italian town at the end of the week. A little bit of distance might be just what you need.

You shouldn’t ever risk a friendship just so you can split the cost of a hotel room. You want to return home still friends and that means managing expectations and compromise. If you can do that, you’ll have a fabulous time.