Travelling can be one of the best of times or the worst of times. It all depends on how you do it. If you are considering the idea of getting a travel buddy, then here are some tips for you to pay attention to.

Ask yourself why you need a travel buddy in the first place
There could be several reasons to take on a travel buddy. It could be to split budgets, share your experiences, or anything you feel. Choosing someone to accompany you will largely depend on what you intend to do during your travels. For instance, if you are going camping, having a person who can barbeque would be great company. And if you don’t really care for barbeques, then a musician friend might be a good choice too. 

See your itinerary 
If your idea of travel is to cover 15 sights in one day, then your travel companion should too. Every traveler is different, and everyone has their tolerance for vigor & interest. Likewise, what if your travel companion wants to explore sights outside your interest? Such situations can get tricky. It is best to choose someone who shares your vision of traveling to avoid major conflicts. 

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The norms of the place you are traveling
Exploring new cultures may be a fascinating experience. However, it may have restrictions. Some conservative regions don’t permit cohabitation between two people of different genders. There are also certain orthodox locations that demand male guardians for female travelers. It is important to research and see if the place you are visiting has any such rules. Taking this into account will make your travel to such places seamless and comfortable.

Their personality
Flight passengers often complain of talkative co-passengers. This makes their journey difficult and spoils their peace of mind. At the same time, some travelers have cut their trip short as they felt lonely midway. If you are taking a travel companion along, make sure their personality matches your expectations. Some people are hungry all the time or they may be picky about the hotel rooms and other aspects of the trip. It is important for you to assess your tolerance level to their ideas before committing to becoming travel buddies. That way the trip would be pleasant for you both!

Their dietary preferences & allergies
One of the easiest ways to ruin a vacation is to contract an illness. There is no denying that eating improper food can lead to all kinds of allergies and sickness. Exotic places do offer exotic cuisines. But would your lactose-intolerant travel buddy be able to split the cheque and share those dishes with you? Several awkward situations can be avoided by taking your travel buddy’s dietary restrictions and medical history into account. 

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Your history of traveling with the person
If you have been vacationing in the Bahamas every year with your cousins, then surely you must be having a great camaraderie with them. This would imply, you can take your close cousin on a skiing trip as well. Knowing your travel companion well beforehand helps you skip the awkward ice-breaker moments, and jump directly to the fun. 

Pro-tip: Prefer travel buddies who wear clothes the same size clothing 
Having a travel buddy with whom you can share your clothes changes everything. It helps you pack lightly on camping trips. If done right, you can have twice the number of clothes & shoes to wear on your sightseeing trip. While this aspect is not always possible, it is possible to share utilities, socks, sunglasses, and medicines depending on the level of intimacy you share with your travel buddy.