Mark Walters, an experienced traveler and blogger for Wolters World, has identified five types of travel companions who can turn a vacation into a total ordeal. The “blacklist” includes drama queens, people who always seem to be in conflict, troublemakers, and people with radically different financial priorities. Wolters also says it’s not a good idea to go on long trips with partners in relationships where there’s uncertainty, or with people whose vacation style (for example, night owl vs. early bird) doesn’t match yours. The expert says it’s key to talk about money and plans before buying tickets to avoid messing up your relationship.
A recent study found that more and more tourists are traveling alone because they’ve had enough of the constant back-and-forth in group chats with relatives or friends about vacation plans. But remember, the success of a group trip also depends on who you’re traveling with. Mark Walters, the host of the travel blog Wolters World on YouTube, says there are a few types of travel companions you should steer clear of when you’re planning a vacation.
1. Drama queens
Walters says that before you go on vacation with these people, you should honestly ask yourself if you’re ready for constant drama over the course of a week or two.
He suggests traveling with this type of person—if they’re truly close to you—on short trips lasting just a day or two, so as not to ruin the entire trip and your relationship with them.
2. Troublemakers
The experienced traveler also says to avoid trips with people who love to get into conflicts or fights for any reason or no reason at all.
Walters says that these troublemakers are likely to get into trouble—maybe even end up in jail—because of how they act on vacation, and they might drag you down with them.
3. People’s financial priorities can make or break a vacation
According to the seasoned traveler, money issues can significantly ruin your vacation if you and your travel companions have different spending habits.
For example, friends who are too frugal might hold you back by refusing to go to a museum or a restaurant serving local cuisine. Instead, they’ll suggest a snack on the street or at home with food from the supermarket. But, as Walters says, traveling with people who spend more money than you can afford is also a bad idea.
He says another problematic type of travel companion is someone who insists on always splitting the bill evenly, regardless of who ordered what.
“That’s exactly why it’s so important to talk about money before you go on a trip with your friends,” he notes.
The expert suggests that you think about not spending all your time with your friends on vacation. For example, if someone in the group wants to eat at an expensive restaurant or go on a tour, and someone else doesn’t, you can just split up for that time and then get back together for activities that suit everyone.
4. You’re not sure about the relationship with a partner
Walters says that traveling together means being around each other 24/7. So, if things aren’t going well in your relationship or you don’t really know each other that well, any conflicts will just get worse in these situations.
5. People whose travel style is different from yours
The expert said he likes to get up early and go sightseeing, but some of his friends or relatives prefer nightlife or shopping. This mismatch of interests can cause conflicts within a group of travelers, especially if they don’t want to split up.
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t travel with them. But it’d be helpful to talk about what you plan to do during the trip before the trip. If you’re an “early bird” and your friend wants to wake up at 2 p.m., you might start complaining, “Did I spend all this money on the trip just to sit in the hotel?” And that can become a serious problem,” he explained.