A few years ago, I became known as a solo female traveler and blogger. It wasn't because I set out to put my name into that particular field of travel bloggers – it was simply out of necessity that I jumped from place to place without a travel partner.

But after those experiences, I realized the many benefits of going solo, such as the freedom to do what you want and when you want it, and it became my preferred method of travel—until I met my current boyfriend.
After being with him, it became hard to be away for extended periods. I noticed the little things about travel that would have been better if he had been there, the things that I would like to share with him.
The lonely times felt lonelier, and being away was just not quite the same. It was like I couldn't dig my hands deep into a place because something in the back of my mind was drawing me elsewhere.
However, I am one lucky girl because my boyfriend has finally set off on an extended 3.5-month trip with me, and I can tell that many parts of traveling with him ultimately trumps going solo.
Table of Contents
- Benefits of Couples Travel
- 1. I no longer have to lie about having a boyfriend – he's there!
- 2. Sharing bag space is a small triumph over packing hurdles.
- 3. We are 2x more likely to be on schedule.
- 4. I have less chance of sitting next to strange strangers.
- 5. We get to split meals to save money or order like normal to try more!
- 6. We get each other's backs.
- 7. Some things are just better experienced with someone you love.
Benefits of Couples Travel
1. I no longer have to lie about having a boyfriend – he's there!
Boy, oh boy. As a solo traveler, even when I told people I had a boyfriend, there was no man on my arm or ring on my finger to make anyone believe me.
For example, there was a time I was stranded at the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (because of silly visa "difficulties"), and the Kazakh border guards surrounded me, took my phone, and called their phones with it so they could have my number... yeah, that was not fun at all.
However, on arrival at the Bishkek airport in Kyrgyzstan this time around, my boyfriend and I went to two separate lines for passport control. The one I went to happened to have three Kyrgyz men behind the desk (chatting and otherwise).
One of the guards told me that I was pretty, which then started the spiel that, in other circumstances, would have continued no matter how many times I said I wasn't available. This time, I responded that my boyfriend was right over there, which they were all able to confirm, and that was that. Wow, it was too easy!
2. Sharing bag space is a small triumph over packing hurdles.
Sure enough, we each have a lot of stuff that we need to pack, but the sharing part rocks when it comes to medicines and toiletries. In that case, one person can carry the toiletries and the other the medical supplies (I've learned over the years that skimping on cold medicines is just more hassle when you need it!).
Sharing bag space also helps when one is sick or sore. In that case, the partner who is well can perhaps carry more. And let's not forget about souvenirs and other items picked up along the way. How else would I have managed to carry all my media materials from my latest blog trip and an entire box of Baci chocolates around?! Splitting it up has saved our backs—seriously!
3. We are 2x more likely to be on schedule.
Two people set alarms to wake up for flights and early morning bus rides. We now have two eyes to review the schedule and keep current with where we must be.
It relieves a lot of stress on my poor brain, knowing that someone else is with me to help me on my way, whether it be double-checking the schedule or just reminding me that the flight is boarding when I am lost in my email inbox in the Turkish Airlines lounge.
4. I have less chance of sitting next to strange strangers.
I know that sometimes those strange strangers can make the best stories, but they can also, at other times, make you cringe and be very uncomfortable on those long journeys. With my boyfriend sitting next to me, we barely have to worry. On a bus and many planes, we take up the two seats on one side.
Even on the 3-seater planes, we don't feel as uncomfortable as it's only on one side (instead of possibly both) that some unknown person starts taking up your armrest space and sneezing on your food.
5. We get to split meals to save money or order like normal to try more!
There have been several times when my boyfriend and I have sat down for a rest but have not been very hungry. In that case, we got something small to share and a few drinks, saving us money.
Other times, we like to take advantage of our two-ness by ordering normal-sized meals but different ones and then splitting them to taste as much foreign food goodness as possible.
6. We get each other's backs.
This goes for more than a security sense. The ability to leave your bags with your partner while you run to the toilet is a perk that deserves a shout, but the real benefit comes socially.
There are times when you are plain tired and can't handle going out for drinks or socializing with others you meet in hostels, and it can make you feel like a recluse of sorts when you're back in your room.
Having that downtime with someone who understands you makes it a nice and relaxing experience instead of one in which you're considered socially awkward.
7. Some things are just better experienced with someone you love.
I can think of a few places and experiences common on travels that are better with significant others: sunrises, sunsets, and Italy spring to mind. Enjoying gelato in front of the Trevi Fountain is never going to be bad, but sharing a gelato in romantic Rome is probably 20 times better. Am I right?
working nomad says
Single is the way to go, why have one girlfriend when you can have in every port ;)
Joking aside the only times I have travelled with girlfriends have resulted in us splitting - so solo it is for me!
Dave says
I'm too well versed in traveling solo. Being able to date wherever you go gets old too. Most of the time they are very shallow "relationships" so I'd like to give the couples travel a try at this point. Unfortunately I don't think the dating pool is very big!
Christine says
You've pretty much convinced me I need a boyfriend to travel with now :) How nice it would be to have someone watch my bags and sit next to me on the bus!!! Seriously...now to find that guy...
Kevin Post says
I completely agree with this article. When I met my wife she had never traveled further than 100km from her home town and I knew significantly more than she did about her own country. I took her to places I have already been but they were much more special having her with me and watching her look around with excitement.
I've traveled solo for years and sure from time to time at hostels, parties and couchsurfing hosts' homes I had sexual encounters but it is nothing like having someone to be intimate and in love with 24/7. I am much more relaxed on my travels nowadays and don't have to worry about potentially brings a sexually transmitted infection as a souvenir (TMI!) :)
Another upside is that I actually save a lot of money when I travel with her (in Colombia; so far she hasn't traveled anywhere else). Prices seem to magically drop when a Colombian with a humble upbringing does most of the negotiating.
Ruth (Tanama Tales) says
Brooke,
I agree 100% with this post. I used to travel alone and had no problem with it. Once I got married, I discovered how different everything was. It would be realy difficult to do it alone again. We have such a good time together.
Lissie says
I'd rather travel solo than with an incompatible travel partner (romantic or otherwise). I found a life partner in my late 30s who had travelled much. It was probably easier than with someone who already had defined preferences - he didn't expect such things as ensuite bathrooms and hotel reservations, so he didn't miss them!
I must admit it was great having him there when I got food poisoning in Vietnam - it was so much easier to have someone else out buying water and bananas, though I did have to calm him down a bit, he thought I was dying :-)
You missed one of the key things -with 2 of you can often get a private room for the same price as 2 dorm beds. Must admit once I started travelling with him - my dorms days were done!
Micamyx|Senyorita says
I never had a boyfriend, but I prefer traveling with my male friends than with the female ones. I encountered some instances wherein other travelers would ask if my companion is my boyfriend. I am still hoping for the day when I will finally answer with a big YES :P
Andrea says
I love this! Sometimes I am jealous of how brave and adventurous the solo travelers are, but there are so many benefits of traveling with my husband that I don't know if I could do it on my own!
Stephen says
All good reasons. It saves money in many countries on accommodation too, because many times it's the same price for a room whether there are one or two people
l??pl?sis says
Traveling as a couple is not as good as you think. It is almost impossible to hitchhike for a couple. You will hate all sunrises and sunsets after splitting apart. It is distraction from reality. Solo is the way to go. Or with same gender friend.
EJ Juen Jr says
I never experienced traveling alone in my whole life; I wonder what it’s like. When I was still single, we had company sponsored team buildings which are out of town. 1 year after getting a job I met a friend from high-school and became my first and only girlfriend. Since then, we've been to different places but always together. Now we have a 4 year old baby and we still travel together. What I like about her is her energy; she doesn't care if it's hard to get here or there or if it's exhausting. She doesn't complain and she's always the one insisting that we should maximize every corner of the places we go to. I'm lucky to have a great travel partner. :)
Matthew says
If you watched the movie 127/hours, you will be probably afraid of traveling alone. That's i preferred to travel with my friends.
younas khilji says
if any girl wants to travel with me to turkey from 3rd of sep 2012 till 17 th sep 2012 then contact with me on my email
hola says
Nice post!
Just One Boomer (Suzanne) says
I've been doing this traveling with a significant other (in my case, my husband of 30 years) for a while now. Traveling together is nice/fun/comforting for all the reasons mentioned above, but one of the perks of being a trailing spouse is that I also get to travel "alone together". Most of our long distance travel is tacked onto or around work for my husband. He's a physician-scientist and it turns out that academic medicine types are keen on traveling around the world to talk to and with each other. When he's communing with his colleagues, I set off on my own for all or part of a day. That's when I do things that I'm not sure he would enjoy as much as I do---like reading every display sign in a museum, visiting cemeteries, reading in a beautiful garden, etc. Often, even if we visit a museum together, we split up so we can each explore at our own pace. But, then it's really nice to reconnect to share a meal and fill each other in on our respective day's happenings --- and to sleep close enough to a snoring person to be able to re-position them. No need for earplugs--yeah. (P.S.: I'm a recovering lawyer and still write briefs part-time, but nowadays (as opposed to back in the day), legal brief writing can be a location-independent endeavor.)
Naina says
When traveling to countries like Europe or Latin America, especially like Italy or Venezuela, think carefully when traveling with your boyfriend and make sure he doesn’t get jealous and/or start fights when local guys or other male tourists are being friendly with you and/or looking at you. Believe it or not, it happens a lot and the guy gets arrested for aggravated assault.
Tobias Nowamani says
A good man will always make a woman feel like heaven on earth when they travel together. Awoman will understand that making her beautiful does not just mean saying the word to her. It will mean truely making her great when you travel with her.