How To Survive Travelling With a Friend: Top Tips for Holidays With Mates

Must. Resist. Urge. To. Scream.

This post is presented in partnership with YHA. Student Edge members, get 20% off 40+ hostels around the country with YHA!

It seemed like such a good idea at the time. You and your bestie, armed with nothing but your backpacks and your spirits joined as one, hitting the open road. But now, it's a few days into what feels like an endless holiday, your former friend is on your last nerve, and you're wondering if you should just make a run for it and finish the trip on your own.

Resist that temptation.

Travelling with a close friend, a family member or your romantic partner can feel like a Saw-level test of endurance if you start to rub one another the wrong way. That's why some prefer to travel solo, and try their luck making new pals at their hostel accommodation.

But there are serious benefits to travelling with a buddy. Firstly, they'll have your back in any situation. Secondly, it's pretty helpful to have someone who can help you problem-solve, work through any language barriers or keep you calm when you're feeling stressed (and vice versa). And thirdly, they may offer complementary skills that you're missing, like an ability to convert money on the fly, flag down taxis or find the best food.

Ultimately though, you're both gonna have to put in the work to make sure you don't strangle one another. So, here are our top tips for travelling with a friend.

1. Test yourselves before the trip.

You may think you've picked the perfect holiday companion because they're so similar to you and you share all the same faves. But have you actually spent a night (or five) together? Before booking a seven-week jaunt across Australia, why not test out an old-school sleepover, or go camping for a weekend? By the second day, you'll probably start to pick up on one another's more frustrating habits. And though some of those habits might be deal-breakers (not for the friendship, just for the holiday-planning!) most can be worked through. It's just best to know about them before you've committed to 100 days in their company.

2. Figure out your own bad habits.

It's time to receive some constructive criticism. We all have personal blind spots, so maybe ask your friends to share what they believe to be your most annoying habits (with love, of course). It may be hard to hear, but if you can at least find out that you make a weird clicking sound when you eat, or that you actually say "actually" too often when correcting people, or, worst of all, that you hog all the blankets in bed, you can self-heal and become a better travel companion too. Bonus: You won't annoy your partner too much, and will save yourself an awkward convo in your accommodation.

3. Plan for some private time.

As we said earlier, there are massive benefits to having a travel buddy by your side. However, don't pack your schedule so tightly that you're always cracking the whip, leaving no time for a bit of private R&R. There may come a day where your friend is a bit tired, or feeling sick, or just needs some sleep. Instead of rolling them out of bed against their will, be cool with going it alone. On the flip side, if you want some privacy, let them know, and arrange a time and place to meet back up again later. That way, you may both have some new stories to share (because you'll probably have run out of them way earlier if you've been in each other's pocket the whole trip). Oh, and by the way, if you're part of a travel group that includes multiple couples, make sure each couple gets time alone too. Everyone will be grateful. Trust us.

4. Stay in dorm rooms.

One trick to staying sane is to surround yourselves with other people, so you don’t wind up exclusively talking to each other every damn day. You'll be able to find like-minded holiday-makers in hostel accommodation. In fact, you may even meet some new friends who'll be able to join you for the rest of your journey. Staying in a hostel can help turn your trip into a true social event. Besides, if you had wanted to roll solo, you wouldn't have brought a friend along in the first place!

5. Have each other's back.

Whether you're travelling across Australia or around the world, you may be heading into unchartered (for you) territory. Provided you've done your research beforehand, you should know the safest places to stay, and the smartest routes to take. Nonetheless, you'll need to keep your wits about you, for your sake and for the sake of your friend. If they sometimes seem clingy, just remember that you're relying on one another, and you also made a promise to be there for your friend on this journey. Even if you've grown a little frustrated with them, don't drop your duties! 

6. Download a meditation app.

The weeks spent on this trip could be among the best of your life, and the adventures you share with your travel companion will help forge your relationship for decades to come, and may pave the way for more holidays together in the future! But, yeah, it's probably a good idea to download a meditation app to channel some of your simmering annoyance when you're lying in bed each night. Just breathe through it. We promise, it's worth it.

YHA is the largest provider of budget travel accommodation in Australia, with a network of more than 70 hostels in every state and territory around the country. Check 'em out here. Student Edge members get 20% off 40+ hostels around the country with YHA!

Header Image: iStock.com/AntonioGuillem