While I enjoy travelling solo, there are some massive advantages to travelling with another person. However, unless you live with them full time, there are some questions you may need to ask before you leave. This way you can stay friends long after the travel trip has finished.
Reasons to travel with another person:
It can strengthen and improve a friendship/romantic relationship
Saves money by splitting costs such as hotels, transport etc
Taking nicer rooms by sharing cost
Sharing resources
Having someone there to take your photo, no more handing a phone/camera to a stranger and asking them to get a shot of you
Having someone to share your experiences with
Safety in numbers
Having someone to watch your stuff while you go to the bathroom
Someone to talk to
Yet, traveling with someone can be a true test of a friendship. Travel can stress us out with new experiences, time zone changes, sleep deprivation etc. Just because someone is a good friend when you are in your home comfort zone, does not mean they will be an ideal travel companion.
Below is a list of questions that may ease some of the stress if you and your travel companion can talk about them before you set off. Being aware of any potential issues ahead of time may solve an awkward situation when you are far from home. This list is not exhaustive, and not every question may need to be addressed. This is a guide that may help alleviate any awkward issues when away from home.
What is your full name?
Date of birth?
Who should I contact in case of an emergency?
Your residential address?
Your telephone number?
Any medical issues that I need to be aware of?
Any medications?
Any allergies?
Do you have any mobility issues?
How far can you walk without becoming tired?
Do you have private health insurance?
Do you have travel insurance?
What it the company and policy number?
Who is your emergency contact person and how would I get in contact with them?
What is your passport document information?
Date of issue and expiry?
Are you a member of a frequent flyer program?
Do you have elite status with an airline?
Do you have a significant other?
What would happen if you met a romantic interest on the vacation?
Do you work?
What is/was your job?
Will you be working when on vacation?
Will we split the cost of meals, take turns paying, or do we each pay for our own?
Do you use an expense sharing app like splittr?
What sort of accommodation do you want to stay in? Luxury hotels, budget hotels, hostels, Airbnb, camping, glamping etc.
Is there anything you need to have in accommodation, i.e. bath or handicapped facilities?
Do you like to plan ahead or wing it?
How flexible are you to changing your plans if something else comes up that may be more interesting?
How fast do you travel? Slow and steady or busy and fast?
What things do you like to splurge on? massages, pedicures etc
If I want to take a train but you want to take a taxi, do you expect me to pay half the taxi?
Do you like to party late?
Do you like to wake up early?
What temperature do you like the room to be?
Do you prefer an open window or air conditioning?
Do you like the room to be in total darkness when you sleep?
Would it bother you if I read/ used my phone. watched TV to fall asleep?
Do you need music/tv/phone screen time to fall asleep to?
Do you read before falling asleep?
Do you snore?
Do you use a CPAP machine?
Do you grind your teeth at night or talk in your sleep?
Do you have nightmares or night terrors?
How many hours of sleep do you need a night?
Do you go to the bathroom in the night, and turn the light on?
Would it bother you if I did?
Do you like to take naps in the daytime?
Do you shower in the morning or evening?
How much time do you spend in the bathroom when getting ready?
Can I use the toilet if you are in the shower?
Do you set an alarm to wake up or does your body clock wake you up?
Are you an early or late riser?
How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
How long does it take you to get ready for sleep in the night?
Do you need coffee etc. as soon as you wake up?
Do you smoke?
Do you drink alcohol?
Do you like to party late?
When you are stressed, do you like to talk about it or would you like to be alone?
What experiences do you want to get from this vacation?
What shopping do you like doing?
What is your daily budget?
How will we keep a record of who pays for what, if splitting costs?
Do you prefer a single or a double/queen bed?
Do you want to share a room or have your own room?
Are you ok sharing a bed if there is only one in a shared room?
How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Do you need quiet time each day for reading, prayers, journalling etc?
Do you exercise each day?
Do you smoke cigarettes?
Do you take any drugs, either prescription or recreational?
Do you wear perfume?
Do you wear makeup every day?
Where do you like to cut corners?
Where do you like to splurge?
Do you enjoy getting a massage, pedicure, haircut etc. when travelling?
Do you like street food, eating from vendors, or would you rather eat in a restaurant?
Do you like to grab food from a supermarket and make a meal in your accommodation?
Do you have dietary requirements or food allergies/dislikes?
Are you vegan, or vegetarian?
Do you like fast food or fine dining?
Do you eat breakfast?
What time do you like to eat lunch?
Do you like a long leisurely lunch or something quick on the go?
What time do you like to eat your evening meal?
How many courses do you eat at dinner?
Do you use a toothpick or dental floss when sitting in a restaurant?
What style of food do you want to eat? Local foods or tried and true favourites?
Do you enjoy food tours?
Do you enjoy wine tastings?
Do you like to do cooking classes?
Do you snack, how often and what is your favourite snack?
Do you drink alcohol with meals?
Would you share a meal, like a seafood platter for two?
Would you split a dessert?
How do you feel about tasting food from each other’s plate?
Do you unpack everything when at accommodation or do you live out of a suitcase?
How many pieces of luggage do you travel with?
Do you want to share a suitcase to save on luggage costs?
What are you looking forward to?
Who decides to do the planning and bookings?
Do you wing it or plan well in advance?
What activities are important to you?
Do you like museums?
How much time do you prefer to spend in a museum?
Do you like churches?
Are you religious?
Do you prefer guided tours?
Do you like walking tours?
Do you like hop on/hop off buses?
Do you gamble, go to casinos?
Do you use travel discounts such as groupon or coupons?
Do you like to use the entertainment book for discounts?
Who decides where and when to eat?
Can you read a map or do you prefer to use an app? Is it online or does it work offline?
Do you try to use the local language?
Do you use google translator?
Do you barter?
What would you do if you thought someone had overcharged you?
What would you do if a taxi driver or shopkeeper became aggressive towards you?
How do you handle confronting situations? Do you face them or avoid them?
Do you swear when you get upset or angry?
Do you want to do everything together or are you happy to do some things separately?
Do you prefer buses, trains, planes, taxis, ridesharing aps, bikes, scooters, walking, hire car etc?
Would you be comfortable driving a car in a foreign country?
How long/far can you walk for each day?
What things do you feel uncomfortable doing?
Are you ok with going out late at night in a new city?
What things to do you to relieve stress?
Do you like talking to strangers or would you rather not?
How much time do you want to spend together?
If on a tour, do you mingle with the other passengers or would you prefer to be on your own?
Is it ok if I spoke to others and you didn’t want to ?
How much time do you spend each day online?
Do you post on social media each day?
What social media platforms do you post to?
Do you want to be tagged into photos that I post online, or mentioned on social media posts?
Do you need to talk to anyone at home on a regular basis?
Are you ok with being tagged on social media, having photos posted online, or do you want your vacation to be private?
Do you take selfies at tourist sites?
Do you use a selfie stick?
Do you need certain clothes for different photo shoots?
How do you want to handle any concerns you would have with me? Would you want to talk it out privately, or write a letter, text etc?
What has been your best vacation and why?
What has been your worst vacation experience and why?
What do you like about your own country/town/state?
Have you been overseas?
What continents and countries have you been to?
What continents and countries would you like to go to and why?
What did you like most about travel within your own country?
What did you like most about overseas travel destinations?
Do you prefer tried and tested tourist destinations or off the beaten track experiences?
Do you prefer to book travel with an agent or book independently?
Do you prefer beaches, cities, country, or mountains?
What electronic devices do you take when you travel?
What photographic equipment do you take when you travel?
What item would you never leave at home when travelling?
What would you do if you missed your flight?
What would you do if you lost your luggage?
Do you journal your experiences?
How are you keeping reminders of your trip? Online or diary or photographically?
What travel bloggers/travel youtube channels do you follow?
Who knows your travel plans apart from me?
Do you wear jewelry when traveling?
Do you get jet-lag?
Do you suffer from travel sickness?
Can you sleep on a plane?
Do you need to take medication to sleep on a plane?
What is the best personal travel experience story you have?
What is the worst personal travel experience story you have?
What is the most embarrassing travel experience story you have?
What is the best travel advice you have ever received?
Can you use a squat toilet, or do you need a western style toilet?
What souvenirs do you like to buy?
What souvenirs do you want to buy on this trip?
What is the best thing you have ever bought?
Do you like to be behind the camera or in front of it?
Do you have any celebrations happening while on your trip?
Do you have a pet that you are leaving at home?
Do you pet other people’s animals when travelling?
Do you buy food for stray animals?
Do you like to do volunteer work or donate time/money to charities when travelling?
Do you give money etc. to people begging on the street?
Do you give money to buskers?
Do you buy thing not to hurt other people’s feelings?
Do you barter when it is standard in another country?
Do you tip when it is expected in another country?
Do you tip even when it is not expected in another country?
What subjects are off limits to you? Religion/politics/sex?
What expectations do you have of me as a travel companion?
Have you had any issues in the past when travelling with other people?
Are you a nervous person when travelling?
What scares you the most about travelling?
What bring you the most joy about travelling?
What activities do you like to do most when travelling?
Why do you want to travel with someone else instead of solo?
While this list is extensive, it is not exhaustive. If you can think of any questions to ask that aren't covered, please list them in the comment section.
Happy Travels!
