Traveling is an incredible experience for a couple because let’s face it, you get kisses in exotic places or laugh when one of you does something silly or extremely stupid. Going on a trip together will push your limits (or make or break the relationship) and at times it can be stressful, tiring and end in arguments. Not everything on the trip will be romantic. Couples can easily fight over packing, hygiene and spending money on cuddling perpetually drunk koalas. Planning a trip together can be very vexing, but here are some couple travel tips so you don’t kill each other while wanderlusting.
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1. Compromise
I believe this is the most important part of going on a trip. When planning a trip you need to take into account what your partner wants to do. If you want to hike a mountain, but your partner wants to go to the beach, make sure to schedule each activity so both parties are happy. I am an OCD planner and make sure I know what is going on to the letter.
2. Communicate
This may be a no brainer, but you have to open your mouth and say what’s on your mind in a tactful way and place. There’s always a time and place to discuss things. Don’t let the anger build up until it explodes. By not saying anything because you don’t want to ruin the holiday, you’re actually ruining it with all the negative emotions inside. Relax, take a step back and discuss these things with your partner.
3. Listen, Not Hear
This is the number one cause of all arguments in all aspects of relationships. If your partner is telling you about some place they want to go, make sure you take it into consideration. If your partner really wants to go to an Italian restaurant, then work it out.
4. Plan Everything Thoroughly
While being spontaneous can really spice up the relationship, I don’t think this is a good idea for traveling. When going to a new place and not knowing the area or maybe language, spontaneity could really ruin the trip and leave both people resentful. Make sure you’ve planned everything out together, know where your hotels are, and what experiences you want.
Klook.com5. Track Your Spending and Money
My favorite app to track the money being spent is Pocket Expense. Money is the main reason why some couples fight, so it’s important to set a budget and know who is paying for what. I also highly recommend splitting everything equally so that no arguments ensue.
6. Respect your partner at all times
New spaces don’t mean new rules. The same protocol you follow at home is the same one you follow abroad. No name calling, no freaking out when something goes awry. It takes two of you to make it work so make sure your levels of respect are the same.
7. Don’t Blame Each Other
No one is perfect. Everyone is going to have a major mess up some time and it may cause some eye rolling. If you get mad at each other, nothing will get solved, and cause tensions and bad feelings. The best thing to do is to take a deep breath until you get enough oxygen in your brain to assess the situation calmly.
8. Alone Time
Alone time is a necessity. I need space to work on my blog and social media. My partner also need breaks away from me when I’m working. In every relationship, it’s super healthy to spend some time apart because doing things on your own is healthy.
9. Know Your Alcohol Limits
I love to drink socially if the mood is good and I’m a firm believer of having a partner on the same page when it comes to drinking. If you’re driving that night, make sure one stays sober. Also, if you know you’re a violent or angry drunk, perhaps also lay off the alcohol for the trip.
10. Use Your Talents
Using what God gave you is definitely a plus on vacation. I can speak five different languages and it usually helps me when I travel anywhere because I can usually always meet someone in the middle. Find out what you can and cannot do, and use it to your advantage. The power of a couple goes a long way. Two is a team and it’s you and your partner against the world.
11. Be Strong if the Other Gets Sick
The moral of the story is, you need to take care of each other. Let your partner take care of you. It fosters intimacy, tenderness, and a whole new level of respect for the other.
12. Take Photos Together
I love being behind the camera and in front of it. I love capturing moments to share on my Instagram page and I also like capturing more private moments. When I was younger, I used to proudly display my couple photos online. Now that I’m a bit older, I value privacy and I will most likely never show my partner on social media ever again. It’s important to capture photos to enjoy as a couple together and not just for social media. Remember that.
13. Let it go
Nothing can ruin a trip together like bringing up things that happened and making the other person feel bad. If you let it go, you’re not only doing yourself a favor, but your partner as well.
The goal of a holiday is to be romantic and enjoy your partner. You get to push each other to new limits by putting yourself in interesting settings and places. Set boundaries, parameters and back up plans for your back up plans. What tips would you add to the list? What keeps your relationship alive and well while traveling? I would love to hear back from you all.
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40 Comments on Couple Travel Tips: How Not to Kill Your Boo While Wanderlusting
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Hahah we start our second longer trip tomorrow! These are some good tips, wish us luck!
I hope you guys have a great trip! Let me know how it works!
What a cute post! Lot’s of good advice. The Hubs and I have been travelling for 25+ years and haven’t killed each other yet so we much be doing something right! It usually works best when he just does what I ant him to 🙂
That’s always a plus! Haha. Aaron usually lets me do what I want to do as well. He goes along with it, but sometimes we fight over money.
These all seem really great tips! Sadly, I’m a solo traveler, with no-one to accompany me (yet!). But i’ll save this info for when I have someone to drag along with me! haha
Traveling solo is awesome too because then you can do whatever you want! I liked traveling solo in Thailand because I could stop whenever and wherever I wanted!
These are great tips! I’m travelling long-term with my boyfriend and these are all so applicable. Not fighting about money is probably the biggest one, and I think it’s really important to be able to do your own thing and make sure you’re both getting what you want out of an experience!
I think between all couples, fighting about money seems to be the biggest one. I also am trying to sell Aaron on doing his own thing too. He always likes to be with me, but I also encourage him to do his own thing.
These are fantastic tips, and all so true. Even after 7 years with my Hubby, we still sometimes argue over itinerary. But of course over time we have learned more and more what each other enjoys. Tracking spending money is my weakness, and something I need to get better on. My Hubby is heaps better with money, and sometimes will have to remind me if we’ve overspent the budget – oops! I’ll let him know though about the app you’ve suggested. I love traveling with my Hubby, but you are right – you need to compromise, communicate, and sometimes let it go!
I’m really bad at tracking my money too! Luckily, I got the app which helps and Aaron helps me record and remember what I’ve spent! 🙂 I think men are a bit better than women with money sometimes. For me, the hardest part is letting go so when I’m angry, I make Aaron go away so I don’t lose my temper!
Wow… nice one
Thanks!
Traveling as a couple is really an experience of understanding and transformation. As you journey over exotic lands and discover new places, you also discover hidden facets about each other, some good, some bad and some downright ugly. The journey also teaches you to accept each others weaknesses and complement each others strengths.
You totally transform when you travel as a couple! I couldn’t have said your comment better myself! Playing on each other’s strengths can definitely make traveling together more enjoyable!
Great tips Gina! Traveling with your partner is a fantastic bonding experience, there really is nothing like experiencing a new city with the one you love.
Have you traveled with your partner? If so, where have you gone? 🙂
Travelling with a partner is so nice, but at the same time a hard work haha! You’re totally right in what you mentioned before… it’s all about being respectful and communicative. Thanks for sharing this interesting article!
Thanks for reading it! Sometimes, we have to remember to be respectful and communicative even when we are angry with our partner. I definitely need to keep reminding myself to let it go! 😀
I can definitely relate to this – I’ve been travelling with my boyfriend for the past year & it’s put a lot of stress on our relationship but somehow we’re still together! I wish you & Aaron the best, you make a very cute couple 🙂
Thanks so much, Sheena! I think traveling can definitely take a lot out of the relationship and put a bunch more in. Learning the strengths and weaknesses helps make your relationship into a power team!
I can relate to so many of these and they are all great tips. I am also the planner and compromise is key I make sure to include activities that my hubby and my girls will enjoy. And you are not the only one who does not include your partner in photos on social media. My hubby is not a fan of being displayed online it does not mean we dont take pictures together, we actually have many pictures of the 2 of us and of the 4 of us as a family but most of them are private. Keep doing what you are doing you two are great together.
I totally agree with not displaying all aspects of your life on social media. There are some things meant to be more private and more enjoyable when shared with the people you care about the most. 🙂
We have been married since 1999 and been on the road since 1999. We travel and photography together and each of us has our own set of skills like you speak of . I am better with money and planning and Laurel is the photographer. One thing we do a little differently and that we have found out works for us is less planning. We go to Vietnam and take it one day and city at a time. We will arrive in a place with at set iteneray and being talking to people in a hostel and find new places we have to see that are not on our list. We kind of just wing it after all of our years on the road. The other thing we have found it that things we want to do can always be gotten cheaper after we reach a destination.
That is wonderful! You are couple travel goals! I would love to just travel full time and enjoy my life instead of working a full time job and doing my hobbies on the side. If I had more time, I would definitely like to just wing it and take it day by day. Locals always know best and their recommendations always turn out to be the most fun!
Traveling well together is important. Not everyone can do it. My husband and I have our moments when we travel — but we always work through them pretty well. I personally love traveling with him and i also live my solo trips as well — it’s a good balance.
Me too! I also like solo trips and I also like traveling with my boyfriend. We make it work to our advantage and we definitely have our rows as well.
I love travelling with my husband but it’s funny the things that are annoying. For me it’s mostly his unruly packing so I just do it now. He takes care of bags and thankfully is quite happy to usually go along with things. If there are a few options I consult him and we decide together
I hate my boyfriend’s unruly packing too, but he always carries my bags so I guess I can’t be too concerned. He always lets me plan and just goes along with what I want.
Fantastic tips Gina – something every couple should know. I’ve always said that travel will either make or break a relationship!! 😀
It totally does! There were a few moments where I thought me and the boo bear weren’t going to make it but we pulled through and fought for each other.
awwww this is so sweet. you guys look so great and happy together. i am single but I like to travel with friends and i can see a few tipps using for my next travel as well. thank you
Thank you so much! It took me awhile to find a good one so I’m keeping him. I think this list would definitely be beneficial for friends too because it’s so easy to get on each other’s nerves.
Thanks for the tips! I haven’t travelled that much as a couple but these are all great tips for when I do with my boyfriend.
I hope you do travel with your boyfriend soon, Sally! I’m sure it will be a great experience for you two to get to know each other better! Let me know what happens when you do!
Looks like you’re figuring it out. Comprise, conversation… good tips. Break time and make up time are always good too. ^^
When we fight and I’m angry, I always walk away which drives him nuts! Hahaha. I don’t wanna say anything nasty so I just wait until I cool off and we can talk the situation out together.
I’m a solo traveler myself but agree that these are some great tips for couples! It’s a challenge to make travel plans so compromising is key! Great post!
I totally agree! Even traveling alone it’s always tough and then you add another party into the mix! Thanks for reading!
The only time I travelled with a partner we had a huge row – perhaps I should follow these tips next time!! Although I’m single at the mo so will have to find a guy first lol 😉
Definitely! I think these are also great tips for friends too! Being single is great because you can travel whenever and wherever you want! 😉