How to Travel as a Couple for the First Time

Taking a trip together is something that’s on almost every couple’s to-do list, as things get more serious. It can be a wonderful way to get to know someone better and deepen your bond. But let’s be honest: Travel can also be stressful and unpredictable—not exactly a recipe for romance. Before you go away on your first-time couples travel, make sure you’ve prepared properly by following these tips.

Start Small

While it might be tempting to make your first vacation together a six-week European extravaganza, it’s best to start small so that you can learn about your individual traveling styles. Pick a location that’s within driving distance (not an expensive flight), and spend a weekend away. You’ll get the excitement of seeing somewhere new without the potential financial fallout if things go awry.

Accept the Stress

When you’re together 24/7 in an unfamiliar place, it’s not a matter of if but when things will get tense. When you two find yourselves at odds, take a moment to cool down and run through this checklist of questions: Have you eaten recently? Have you gotten enough sleep? Have you had enough water? (It’s very easy to get dehydrated while traveling!) Have you taken any rest breaks?. Chances are, your fight is due to external stressors. Be aware of this and try to recognize it’s time to take a break. Be open to giving one another some space, even if just for a few minutes. The argument will probably be a thing of the past.

Don't Speak...

...at least, not all the time. When you’ve been with someone every waking moment, sometimes you run out of things to talk about. This can make meals feel awkward. Bringing a deck of cards or a travel-size game can take some of the conversational pressure off. Just make sure it’s one that can easily fit on a cafe table!

Money Talks

Money can be a touchy subject at the best of times, but it can get particularly thorny during couples travel, when almost everything you want to do has a price tag. It’s easy to make a casual agreement to split everything, but it’s much harder to actually follow through on it. One solution is to create a communal “pot” from which you pay all of your expenses. You each contribute a predetermined amount (whether it’s split evenly or based on other factors like income level) and then use the pot to cover your bills. When the pot runs out, repeat the process. There are also plenty of apps like Venmo, Square Cash and Zelle if you can do some fast math and transfer your portion on the spot.

Divide and Conqure

This applies to both the planning and execution of your trip. Before you leave, determine what each person’s priorities are: Unique culinary experiences? In-depth historical tours? People-watching? Then make sure to include a good balance of activities chosen by each partner. This will help you each feel valued—and also get both of you out of your comfort zones! Each person is responsible for researching and planning the parts of the trip that are important to them. But don’t be afraid to branch out on your own either. Maybe one morning you’d rather hike and your partner would rather hang out in the park—that’s fine! Doing separate activities means that you’ll have plenty to talk about when you meet up later in the day—and provides another solution to the potential conversational drought that can arise.

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