woman walking down a tree lined road

8 Important travel companions to experience the world with

How we travel and whom we travel with can make or break our experience. Aside from the different travel personality types, how we relate to our travel mates also plays a role. I believe there are eight different types of travel companions to experience the world with at least once. Let’s take a look.

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Types of travel companions

The solo wanderer

Quite often, we can be our very best companions. There is no need to compromise, argue or discuss. We do what we want, when we want and how we want. As solo travellers, we become sufficient, resourceful and independent.

After all, travelling alone is like a quest for self-discovery. I would argue that every person should experience travelling alone at least once in their life.

intagramable sunflower fields
Travel companions: solo is often best for many

As much as solo travel can teach you, it can become quite lonely. Yes, you can meet people along the way. They are often temporary fixtures that leave as often as they appear. During my travels, there were a few times when I wished there was someone with me to share a particular experience or a place. It didn’t take away from my own experience. It just made it a different one.

Strangers along the way

The strangers we meet along the way are different types of travel companions that can be good. When you are on a bus tour full of strangers, you don’t know what to expect. They can be the best bunch of travellers or the worst. The unknown will keep you on your toes, and the unexpected can lead to discoveries.

Let’s be honest, as proficient as we can be with taking selfies or tripods. There is something to be said about having someone else take a photo of us. This is especially handy when you’re on tour with many travel bloggers who appreciate the value of a good shot.

bus tour
Travel companions can be those we meet along the way

Sometimes you meet people by chance. While in Panama, we met a couple who offered to share a cab tour with us. It was a much better deal for four than it was for two. Was it a good idea? Absolutely. We became friends and have travelled with them quite a few times since then. Sometimes random necessities make good friends.

A travel family affair

You are likely to travel with your family at some point in your life. It can be a simple road trip from your childhood or a more adult experience. These are probably the most interesting travel companions, good and bad.

Family members are the ones we know the best and can usually predict what to expect from them. There is also a certain level of intimacy and comfort that family offers, even on a trip. They also know us better than anyone else. Like family, they are more likely to put up with travel difficulties and are not likely to rob you or leave you stranded. At least you hope they wouldn’t do that.

Family skating outdoors
Sometimes your best travel companions are your family.

Travelling with family can be fun, or it can be hell. Both offer different types of experiences and make us who we are. When we travel as children, we learn from our parents and other family members. Family dynamics also come into play, especially if you are away from home. These particular travel companions will affect your experience primarily based on how you get along. Some people love travelling with family members, while others do not. Either way, you are very likely to take a family trip at some point in your life.

Travelling with kids

Travelling with kids, be that your own or other people’s, is a very different experience. It can be pretty fascinating to see the world through the eyes of a child. They see things from different perspectives and are experiencing them for the first time. That will offer you a different perspective on your own experience.

Not all kids travel well, which can be a stressful experience for everyone. If you’ve ever been on a plane with a screaming child, you can attest to that. However, planes are not the only place where this can be a challenge. Kids can be picky eaters, have unfounded fears due to lack of experience, get bored quickly and might not share your appreciation for history, cultures and monuments. It just means you have to be extra creative in planning the trip and activities. It changes the trip dynamics.

Groups – the more, the merrier

There is something freeing about travelling with a bunch of people. The whole world of group discounts is now at your fingertips, the more, the merrier. It’s like travelling with your entourage, ready for anything. You probably won’t lack pictures, experiences and memories.

Travelling in groups can also have its downfalls. Coordinating anything and everything is a logistical nightmare. The more people, the harder it gets. A group can stand out quite clearly, which can be a good thing or a bad one. There can be personality clashes, arguments and differences of opinion. These travel companions, much like family members, can turn travel experiences into something extraordinary or become a nightmare.

man with red flag leading a group of tourists
Groups are a great place to find travel companions

Group tours with strangers can bring new friends into your life. After all, you are with people who share your interest in the destination or the tour’s theme.  

Business traveller life

Business travel is very different from travelling for pleasure. It can be a great way to see the world, even if it’s in small and short intervals. When you travel for business, you see a different side to the places you visit, good and bad. If your job requires you to travel, this opens up an entirely new world of experiences. Sometimes you see things most tourists don’t, and it can create an impression on you that will affect any future travel decisions.

business travel woman in an airport pulling luggage
Business travel life

Your business colleagues are very different from your friends. Depending on how you get along with them will also shape your travel experience. Your colleagues, bosses or subordinates as travel companions will test your travel skills and endurance.

I learned a lot when I used to travel for work. It made me a more well-rounded traveller and offered me a chance to see the world. If you have an opportunity to travel for work, do it. It will change you.

Travel with friends

Travelling with friends is usually fun and a safe bet. You can discover new things and be just as comfortable doing them alone. It’s also a great way to bond by experiencing places together. When I went to London with my friend Maryann, we had a great time. We’ve been friends for a long time, and we knew that we had different interests and were happy to explore them independently.

While she went shopping, I spent a few delightful hours at the Tower of London.  We then compared our outings over dinner and drinks, and it was a fun way to relive the day with someone else.

travel companions bffs
Travel with your best friend can be a great bonding experience

Recently I had an opportunity to travel to a few places in Canada with my friend Florencia who visited from Argentina. Not only was I able to show her Toronto, but we also toured Montreal and Quebec City. It was fun to see things I’ve become so familiar with through her eyes. We had a blast, and I had a chance to experience old places in a new light.

That special someone

A couple that travels together stays together. This has been the case for Alex and me, and it helps that we share a passion for travel as it plays a big part in our lives.

Alex is my favourite of all travel companions. We have visited new places together, but we’ve also been to places that only one of us was familiar with. Each trip provided a new set of experiences, and we often talk about the places we’ve been to, are in or will be visiting next. There never is a lack of things to talk about, and it’s fun to share things together.

travel couples
Those that can travel together, stay together

We have travelled together to many places, but we have also travelled separately on many occasions. When we are not travelling together, we get to tell each other about the places we’ve been to. Travel makes our relationship stronger and more enjoyable, whether we travel together or not.

Bonus: Pets

Pets make unique travel companions. Travelling with pets is definitely different from travelling with other people. They are a little bit like children in that you have to be responsible for them all the time. They demand attention, entertainment and possible sacrifices you wouldn’t have to make without having them with you.

travel companions
The joys of travelling with pets

While I loved travelling with our dogs, it was stressful and involved more planning. Not everyone who has a pet will travel with them, but it will be interesting if you have the opportunity. I advise you to research ahead and research well. Thank me later.

Final thoughts about travel companions

Travelling is always fun, but who you are with will affect how you feel about it. The way we experience the world has a lot to do with our travel companions.

Before you go

Check out my travel resource guide for more resources to help you plan your trip.

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