How to Find the Perfect Travel Companion: 10 Tips for a Drama-Free Trip

7/22/2025

How to Find the Perfect Travel Companion

If you are fortunate like me, you have already found your forever travel buddy. But if you haven't, how do you find someone awesome to travel with? I learned (the hard way) long ago that it's better to travel solo than to travel with someone who doesn't share your enthusiasm for travel or your interests. When you’re miles from home, navigating unfamiliar streets, and trying to make the most of your limited time, the person you travel with can make or break the experience.

Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a multi-country adventure, read more to see some essential tips for finding a travel companion who will actually enhance your trip instead of dragging it down.

1. Look for Shared Interests

You don’t have to be identical twins, but it helps tremendously if you and your travel partner enjoy similar activities. If you want to explore ancient ruins and sample local street food, but they’d rather shop at upscale malls and stay in the hotel spa, you’re going to run into tension. If one of you is a total night owl and the other is major early bird, your energy levels may not be a good match, unless you're both comfortable with exploring alone in the early mornings and late nights. Make sure your visions of travel overlap—whether that’s backpacking, luxury cruising, nature hikes, or city tours.

2. Choose someone who is positive, not a complainer

Every trip has its hiccups—flight delays, rainy weather, confusing transit systems. A good travel companion rolls with the punches and laughs through the chaos. A bad one grumbles the whole time and drains the joy out of every experience. Pay attention to how your potential buddy handles everyday stress and circumstances outside their comfort zone before you ever book a ticket. Will they complain about the food, the culture, and the language of the people whose country you're visiting? If so, keep looking.

3. Time Matters: Travel with Someone Who Respects the Schedule

If you’ve ever had to choose between missing your bucket-list sunrise hike or dragging your sleepy friend out of bed, you know how important punctuality is. The best travel partners are respectful of time—not only yours, but the guides’, the tour groups’, and the transportation schedules. Reliability matters when you're far from home.

4. Flexibility is everything

No matter how perfectly you plan, travel has a way of throwing curveballs. A great travel companion can pivot plans without falling apart. Maybe the museum is closed, or you miss a bus. Can they adapt and suggest an alternative? Someone who can adjust the plan and still find the fun is a gem. Being able to "go with the flow" truly is the key to travel success.

5. Dependability over drama

Can you count on them to carry their weight—literally and figuratively? A dependable companion will double-check their passport, handle their own packing, and be where they need to be when they say they will. If they constantly lose things, forget directions, or wait for you to make every decision, it’s going to get old fast.

6. Discuss budgets in advance

Money talk isn’t fun, but it’s necessary. You don’t want to be arguing over whether to splurge on a fancy dinner or stay in a budget hostel after you’ve already landed. Be upfront about your travel budget and make sure you’re on the same page about where to save and where to spend. Compatible financial expectations make for smoother travel.

7. Take a test run

If you’re considering a big trip with someone new, try a smaller one first. A weekend getaway can reveal a lot about how someone navigates shared space, makes decisions, and handles stress. You’ll learn quickly if your travel styles mesh—or clash.

8. Communicate openly, both before and during the trip

A good travel partner will talk things through. Want to spend a day apart? Need some downtime? Prefer walking and public transportation over taxis? Prefer to plan your own activities instead of doing group tours? Say so. Travel brings out strong opinions and personal quirks. The more you can communicate honestly (and respectfully), the better your experience will be together.

9. Trust your gut

If something feels off before you go—like they’re already bailing on planning, showing passive-aggressive tendencies, or ignoring your input—don’t ignore those red flags. It’s better to cancel the trip than be stuck in a foreign country with someone who’s making you miserable.

10. Solo is always better than settling

Finally, don’t be afraid to travel alone if you can’t find the right person. The freedom of solo travel is often more fulfilling than trying to compromise with someone incompatible. Great companions are worth the wait.

Click the photo to sign up for our monthly newsletter!

Traveling with the right person can make every moment more memorable. But finding them takes thought, communication, and a bit of trial and error. The good news? When you do find someone who shares your sense of adventure, laughter, and curiosity—you’ve found more than a travel partner. You’ve found a friend for life.