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Traveling as a couple is one of the most rewarding things you can do – sharing adventures and making memories with your best friend. Whether you decide to travel one country on a budget, like us, go backpacking across several continents or just a few weekend breaks, here are five important things you learn traveling as a couple.
You both have your role
Once you’ve done a few trips, you’ll come to realize you both have your own strengths. For example, one person is usually better at organizing practical things such as travel insurance and flights, whereas the other is better at finding the best things to see and do. You’ll start to develop your own roles – one will be the driver, the other the DJ and snack holder; one will be a map reading pro and the other will just ask a passerby. Once you get confident in your roles it will make things much easier.
Communication is critical
There’s nothing more important than being able to communicate, especially being able to share your expectations before you head off to somewhere new. Managing your expectations, and being honest with each other will help make the experience a lot more enjoyable for both of you. Be open with your partner and see how much better your travel adventures are.
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Who you really are
They say you don’t really know someone until you live with them, but really, you don’t know someone until it’s 5am, you’re 36 hours into traveling and it’s been a while since you’ve both showered, your plane is delayed, and you just want to sleep.
Or, what about if the worst happens and you go through the gut-wrenching experience of getting your stuff stolen while abroad. This is when your patience is at its lowest and you’re likely to be a little snappier than usual towards each other. If you can still love each other after this, you’re in it for the long run!
Spend some time alone
Just because you’re a couple, that doesn’t mean you have to spend 24 hours a day together – in fact, it’s healthier not to! You can love everything about someone and still need a little time on your own. Just an hour or two where you are both off doing your own thing can really refresh your relationship and make you both feel excited to see each other again when you reconvene. There’s nothing wrong with taking a break from each other every now and then – absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Compromise is key
When you’re traveling with another person it’s important you both have a good time, which can require a compromise. When you’re planning your trip, make sure you’re both happy with the itinerary and you’re doing plenty of things that you will both enjoy. This might mean you have to do an activity that’s more geared up to the other person, but in return, they should do the same for you.
The best thing about all of these things is that you get to learn them yourself if you choose to travel as a couple. Keep dreaming of all the places you want to tick off your list, and start planning them now – there’s no time like the present!
What have you learned from traveling? Let us know in the comments!
I’m not “coupled” up but I do know enough about traveling with loved ones. My besties travels a lot together and wow. Our va-Cas do strengthen our relationship for sure. I think when you spend days and hours with someone we see why you were meant to be in the persons life! Great post!
Thank you, Diana. That is a very sweet comment and so true 🙂
Great Tips, I love traveling with my husband. Not saying it’s always been a walk in the park but we have learned each other’s strengths over the years.
I could imagine traveling as a couple would be a challenge and a joy.
Really great post! With a hubby who travels 250+ days a year his role is always getting us from point A to B and through airports in the most efficient way. Mine is the planning. I was laughing at the 36 hours into travel, flight delay, smelly spouse comment – Been there Done that. We always bring a few decks of cards with us so when we are not at our best it stops us from bickering – instead we just try to beat each other at cards!!
Good insight! Loved this post
Traveling as a couple is the best test of any relationship! Great post!
Great post! We do love traveling together for sure and it’s always a great way to break from routine and experience life together!
My husband and I are so lucky that we are so in tune when we are getting ready for a trip! Knowing each other’s strengths is key!
Amen! Travel brings some highs and lows that build your relationship! Learning to navigate through the stressful moments have been a good thing for my husband and I!
When hubby and I left for our honeymoon, everybody warned us that a 3 week honeymoon was too long and we were going to have problems. We had a blast and we’re still happy very close to 27 years later so I’m thinking we did something right! We love to travel together, although we don’t get to do it as often as we would like.
This is a great post. I am usually the DJ and snack person in the car ha. He usually finds all the fun stuff to do!
My husband and I have had some good times traveling together, and some difficulties as well. Now I’m looking forward to traveling with our kids!
Nice post! Sooo been there on the 36hr travel day! Hubs and I enjoy traveling together but we’ve also learned to give each other a little more grace when traveling, haha!
My hubbys idea of a trip is to let me go do whatever I want while he stays in the hotel and sleeps and watches tv. We have found that works great for us, but some people think we are weird.lol
Great post and great tips! My husband and I love to travel together. He really loves road trips, I’m not such a big fan. But if the compromise as you mentioned. I like the idea of doing some things on your own and make it refreshing when you reconnect afterwards and talk about your experiences. I agree communication is key. I realized after reading this I need to do a better job with that part Thanks for sharing!
I laughed when I saw this post. I think all of us have experienced a bit of the “snapping” while traveling. My husband and I travel really well together. Thank God!
Yes, travelling together is its own sort of challenge. But well worth the effort! Thank you for the tips to make it easier.
Great post! Everything you pointed out is important! Thanks for sharing!
Great tips! My hubby and I don’t get to travel very much just us two, but when we do it’s wonderful. I’ll keep these in mind for our Anniversary trip next year!
Great info, especially the part about expectations! Thanks for sharing!
Great list! We are leaving in 2 years to travel together (off the grid). Glad I found your profile- excited to follow your journey 💕
Great ideas!
This post is really helpful. It does make traveling much easier when everyone has their own role.
Great tips! We know just how to work together to make our travels fun.
Compromise is so very important when traveling together!
Great post! It’s important to know everyone’s strengths, and like you said you learn that from doing it.
Great tips! Having some time to yourself when you’re traveling with someone is really important to me, and I know it’s important to other people too!
Hubby and I love to travel together and we love traveling with the boys, as well. However, we do look forward to getting back to traveling as a couple in the future.