In this week’s Recipe to the Road podcast I am delighted to be joined by my partner Tom. We talk about what it’s like to travel with someone else. We discuss route planning, compromise, budgeting together, boundaries and the importance of communication. 

Tom and I have been together for six years. We moved in together when we moved to Canada just before the COVID 19 pandemic and have been travelling on this trip together since May 2022.

Route planning and compromise 

We planned the trip together. Our destination was somewhat decided for us as COVID 19 restrictions were still in place when we started planning. We knew some people who had travelled in Mexico and Central America and the current COVID restrictions would allow this route. 

From there, we planned our route in a flexible way, picking out spots using Google maps, blogs and by talking to people we met along the way. Our route was also somewhat dictated by wifi so that we could work online. 

We were lucky that we usually agreed on a route and havent had to compromise on our route. But we discuss some ways to compromise if you do end up in the situation like taking it in turns or flipping a coin. 

Booking accommodation 

We use a mix of Airbnb, Booking.com, blogs, and Hostelworld to find accommodation. We often find when travelling together that it is cheaper to get a private room or apartment than it is to pay for two dorm beds. This isn't always the case but we only look at places with good wifi and a kitchen so that might be why.

Budgeting

Tom and I usually take note of all of our spending and put it in a shared Google sheet. We do this based on our online banking apps. 

Tom notes that we are somewhat lenient when it comes to cash withdrawals and just usually split them 50/50 even though it can be hard to track exactly who spent more cash. 

For people travelling with friends who might want to track this a bit more accurately Tom recommends keeping notes on your phone of your cash spending. 

Navigating alone time and boundaries while travelling together

When travelling together, it's easy to feel like you're attached at the hip. We talk a bit about how to ensure you are getting your alone time and respecting each other's boundaries. 

The most important things we discuss for doing this are: 

• Understanding your own boundaries and needs 

• Communicating honestly with your travel partner 

• Paying attention to their demeanour 

Being comfortable in each other's silence

We have been working from home for almost three years now, so are used to spending a lot of time together. Even if they go somewhere and do nothing, we are comfortable being in silence with each other, and it's not an awkward silence. We are comfortable doing our own things while still being in the same room.

Travel can really drain your social batteries so being comfortable in silence with your travel partner is important. 

We will continue the conversation in next week’s episode of the Recipe to the Road podcast.

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