10 Signs You're Ready To Travel With A Partner & 10 Signs You're Not
Just like friends don’t always make good roommates, a romantic partner isn’t always the best travel companion. Any type of vacation can expose issues in a relationship, so you don’t want to board a plane together until you’re sure you’re ready. Here are 10 signs you’re ready to travel with a partner and 10 signs you’re not.
1. You’ve Handled Stress Together
Travel can be stressful. There are missed flights, lost luggage, language barriers, and getting lost in a foreign place. You want to make sure you and your partner have already successfully handled stress together and can work as a team when something unpredictable occurs.
2. Your Communication is Strong
A relationship with strong communication will make any vacation go more smoothly. Travel requires quick thinking and lots of decision-making, both of which can be undermined by poor communication.
3. You Have Similar Travel Styles
If one member of a relationship is more of an adventure traveller, whereas the other likes to relax on a beach, you might run into problems on vacation. You need to confirm you are compatible travellers. If not, work out a plan where you both get the experience you want.
4. You’ve Spent Extended and Uninterrupted Time Together
Spending full days together is a preview of your travel dynamics. If you can navigate long stretches of being together with friction, there’s a good chance your trip will be a success.
5. You Value Compromising
Travel requires flexibility. You might like to sleep in while your partner wants to watch the sunrise from a beach. Compromising without resentment will help your relationship thrive on vacation.
6. You Agree on the Budget
Money is a common source of tension while travelling. You need to discuss travel finances and come to an agreement to prevent uncomfortable arguments.
7. You Trust Each Other
Travel often means stepping outside your comfort zone in unfamiliar places. Trusting each other completely is a good sign that you’ll both feel secure while travelling. Trust will allow you to fully experience your trip.
8. You Want to Visit the Same Destinations
A couple whose dream vacations overlap shows you share the same travel vision, and this is a great sign that you’re ready to travel together. This shared excitement will build anticipation and make the trip more fun and exciting.
9. You Can Laugh Off Mishaps Together
Every trip has something that goes wrong, but couples who can laugh off these instances will keep the positive vibe going. Laughing together prevents travel frustrations from boiling over.
10. You Discuss Expectations Before Travelling
Couples who take the time to openly plan their vacations will make the trip more collaborative and enjoyable. It will also mitigate surprises that can lead to fights. Before booking your tickets or researching hotels, sit down and discuss what you want from the vacation, how much you’re willing to spend, and a few things that really don’t interest you.
1. Constant Arguing Over Small Things
If your relationship is marked by bickering and daily disagreements, your vacation will likely exacerbate these issues. Frequent arguments signal that you aren’t ready to spend 24/7 together on a vacation.
2. Your Travel Styles Clash
If one prefers lounging on a beach, and the other loves sightseeing, then the theme of your vacation might be frustration. Without aligning your travel styles, you risk turning your trip into a long, drawn-out fight. Furthermore, both of you could end up having a miserable time.
3. You Haven’t Discussed Travel Finances
Avoiding travel budgeting can result in stress while on vacation. If one expects a luxury hotel or resort, and the other dreams of hostels, conflict will arise. An unwillingness to discuss the budget signals that you’re not ready to travel together.
4. You Get Easily Irritated by Each Other
If you and your partner get irritated with each other in everyday life, it will only get worse while travelling. Annoyances will multiply on vacation and undermine all the fun and adventure.
5. You Struggle With Compromise
Travel is about considering what your travel companion also wants to see and experience. Tension will form if either is unwilling to adjust their plans or insists on only doing what they want. If your relationship hasn’t experienced its fair share of successful compromises, it probably won’t happen on your first vacation together.
6. Lack of Communication
Poor communication can lead to travel misunderstandings about timing, activities, or needs. If you can’t discuss your problems and feelings with your partner, then you shouldn’t plan a trip with them. Ultimately, unresolved issues and frustrations can surface while travelling, and the experience can make them even worse.
7. You’re Distrustful
While on vacation, it’s normal to interact with strangers. If your partner has a jealous streak or is often suspicious of you, these feelings will intensify while travelling. Distrust can destroy your travel plans and make it hard to explore a new place together.
8. You Haven’t Spent Long Periods Together
If most of your time together is relegated to dates or weekends, you might not be ready for the intense time together you will have to endure while on vacation. You won’t have any personal space while on vacation, and your lack of time together will be exposed and lead to conflict.
9. You Don’t Set Expectations
In the early stages of planning a trip, each person needs to outline what they want from the experience. You should review pace, activities, alone time, and sightseeing goals. This will help you avoid any disappointment and not be forced to compromise in a way that will foster resentment.
10. Travelling to “Fix” Problems
You can’t view a trip as a cure for your relationship problems. The cracks in your relationship will only widen and worsen, and you’ll be susceptible to even greater frustrations. Partners should only vacation with one another when their relationship is secure and there’s mutual trust and understanding.
