Source drifterplanet.com
Hello, Sobat Hitunggaji!
Joining a travel buddy for an adventure can add a new level of excitement to your experience. With a travel buddy, you can share the cost of transportation, accommodation, meals, and get a different perspective on the place you visit. However, there are also some disadvantages to having a travel buddy. Keep reading our complete guide to discover whether a travel buddy is right for you.
Pros of Having a Travel Buddy
1. Splitting Costs
One of the most apparent advantages of having a travel buddy is that you can share the costs and reduce the expenses of the trip. With a travel buddy, you can get a better deal on hotels, Airbnb, taxis, and group tours. This way, you can upgrade your vacation plan with the money you save, treat yourself with better food or buy souvenir.
2. Safety in Numbers
Traveling with a partner can give you peace of mind and make you feel more secure. Two people are less likely to be targeted by theft or attack, particularly at night. You can also rely on your travel buddy in case you face a problem, fall sick, or need to visit a hospital.
3. Companionship and Support
Having a travel buddy can make your trip more enjoyable and fun. You can share experiences, laugh, and create memories together. Traveling can also be tiring and challenging, but the loneliness can amplify if you are alone. Having someone to talk to and share your feelings can ease the possible homesickness and culture shock that you might experience abroad.
4. Cultural Exchange
Traveling with a partner from a different cultural background and lifestyle can expose you to new ideas, perspectives, and customs. This cross-cultural exchange can enrich your and your travel buddy’s experience. You can learn new phrases, try different foods, and meet new people together.
5. Taking Amazing Photos
Setting a photo with an amazing background can be a daunting task, but having a travel buddy can change your picture game. You can take pictures of each other, and if both of you have a different posing style, you can have a wider range of photos with different styles. You can also take advantage of this photography moment as an opportunity to have one or two Instagram-worthy photos.
6. Creating a Lifelong Bond
Traveling can be challenging and adventurous and can bring people closer together. It is not rare to see buddies who met on a trip and become best friends or even life partners. Sharing travel moments can create a bond that lasts a lifetime.
7. Division of Labor and Planning
Traveling involves a lot of planning, decision-making, and problem-solving. Whether it’s the itinerary, transportation, or activities, dividing the work with your travel buddy can help lessen the burden. You can focus on your assigned tasks, and your buddy can do the same for theirs. Moreover, bouncing ideas off each other can create an even better travel plan.
Cons of Having a Travel Buddy
1. Compatibility Issue
Traveling can expose personality traits and habits that might not be visible in daily life. Sharing a small space or being in a different time zone for an extended period can cause friction and conflict. Compatibility matters when it comes to the type of travel you want, whether it’s luxury, budget, slow, or adventurous traveling.
2. Schedule Conflicts
A trip can be spoiled when two different agendas collide. A travel buddy can have a different idea of what to do next, what to eat, or what time to wake up. This issue can lead to an argument that can ruin the entire trip.
3. Dependency
Having a travel buddy could make you become too dependent on them, making it hard to be self-sufficient and be responsible for yourself during the trip. Moreover, when relying too much on someone else’s decision, you could lose some independence and risk missing out on an experience you were looking forward to.
4. Lost opportunity for Socialization
If you are a solo traveler, you’re more likely to accept invitations from locals or other travelers to socialize. It’s a great way to create a deeper understanding of another culture and meet different people. If you’re traveling with a partner, taking the opportunity to socialize and explore can be intimidating, and could limit your chances of meeting new acquaintances on your trip.
5. Keeping Each Other Safe
Although traveling with a partner can reduce theft occurrence, it does not mean that it makes you invincible. For some people, having someone with them during traveling can make them feel too secure to the extent of becoming careless and neglectful of their surroundings.
6. Personal Space
The fact that you are together does not mean the need for personal space disappears. Constant interaction and shared space while traveling can sometimes lead to too much togetherness leading to a lack of alone time and emotional stress. Spending time apart and doing personal exploration is essential to the success of the journey.
7. Leaving Your Comfort Zone
Traveling alone is not always about the location but also about discovering oneself, one’s limits, wants, and preferences. With a travel buddy, you can be tempted to stick to your comfort zone and preferences, and you might miss out on new things that could happen outside of your comfort zone.
Travel Buddy: The Ultimate Guide
If you’re thinking of having a travel buddy, there are several factors you need to consider. Below is a table that contains all the information you need to be aware of before getting yourself a travel buddy.
| Key Factors | Things to Consider |
|---|---|
| Personality Type | A compatible travel buddy can make the trip more comfortable, while an incompatible one makes it unbearable. |
| Budget | Financial differences can create conflicts, so be open about your budget. |
| Dietary Preferences | If you have different food choices, either set aside money to have separate meals or agree on meals that you both can enjoy. |
| Travel Style | Agree on the type of travel plan you both want and compromise when necessary. |
| Communication Skills | Good communication skills are essential in building trust and ensuring everyone’s travel needs are met. |
| Medical Conditions and Allergies | Knowing each other’s medical conditions and allergies prepares you for any emergencies and prevents possible medical mishaps. |
| Time Constraints | Agree on the length of the trip that suits both of you. |