Deciding on a travel companion is no less important than any other aspect of a trip. When people go on the road together they spend almost every second of every day keeping each other’s company. Most would be voyagers assume that they can go adventuring with any old friend. But the truth is traveling in a pair is a lot more complicated than it seems.
Even in the most relaxed and enjoyable of circumstances, an annoying acquaintance can ruin a good time. It is highly advisable to do weekend test runs with prospective travel partners. Knowing and getting along with someone at home is not at all the same as co-existing in close quarters abroad.
Choose Wisely
Although in most relationships opposites do in fact attract, this notion does not apply to considerations for a travel buddy. It is crucial to share a great deal of common interests or someone is going to miss out. There is no reason to travel with a person unless you want to do and accomplish the same things. From food to tours, from history to cultural appreciation, and from sleeping in to late night parties, opinions on how time is best occupied need to fall in lane.
Budget
Discussions of budget will also come into play. Even if friends are into doing the same activities, they might desire different levels of class. There are pricey hotels with immaculate views, and there are budget hostels with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. The acceptable range of expenditures needs to be agreed upon beforehand or problems will arise.
Getting Along
Lastly, travel companions need to have personalities that mesh. They need to enjoy moving around at a similar pace, and have comparable thoughts on risk appropriation. It can be very frustrating to argue at every hint of danger. Also, some people like to criticize everything under the sun, while others can take anything with grace and grain of salt. The last thing anyone wants is someone interrupting their moment of Zen with a list of complaints, so temperaments definitely need to be in tune.
Although most forward thinking individuals agree that age is but a number, and gender and sexuality are of no consequence, every minute detail matters when people travel together. But with honesty and openness, and maybe a little bit of trial and error, everyone can find their perfect companion.