The Reality of Traveling with a Significant Other | Shane Co. (2024)

Jetting off with your partner on a romantic trip can either be a blissful paradise or a stress-filled experience. From jet lag-induced fights to unexpected hurdles like lost luggage, we wanted to know how well couples handle the stress of traveling together.

When it comes to traveling for the first time, numerous questions may arise, such as “Who takes charge of the planning?” or “How long should you date before going on a trip together?” To uncover these answers and more, we surveyed over 1,000 Americans currently in a relationship, in various stages. Get the inside scoop on what it really takes to hit the road with your travel partner in crime.

The Highs and Lows of Traveling Together

As traveling together is uncharted territory in new relationships, our survey revealed that the average respondent believes couples should date for approximately seven months before making any travel plans.

Interestingly, there are generational differences in opinions, with Gen Z suggesting a shorter time frame of 6.5 months, while Baby Boomers recommend waiting at least 11 months before traveling as a couple.

Traveling together can be a stressful experience, from unexpected car breakdowns to unpleasant surprises like finding bed bugs in your hotel room. Our survey revealed that 40.9% of respondents admitted to experiencing some level of stress when traveling with their partner, and women are 15% more likely than men to agree that traveling with their partner can be stressful. Perhaps add a couples massage to the itinerary?

Vacations are often seen as a time to unwind and relax, but our survey revealed that 17.9% of respondents actually end up fighting with their partner more than usual during their getaway.

Interestingly, married couples are 19% more likely to engage in arguments while on vacation compared to those who are dating or engaged. It seems that factors like lack of sleep due to traveling or differences in routine can contribute to these champagne problems on vacation.

The primary cause of disagreements among couples on vacation is navigating unfamiliar places, as reported by 57.5% of respondents. However, there is a silver lining: trying new things together as a couple tends to increase happiness, which can help offset some of those fights.

When it comes to planning a trip, there is a noticeable difference in the division of responsibilities. Our survey found that 80% of women take on the majority of the planning when traveling, while 56.3% of men reported that they handle more of the planning, suggesting that women tend to take the lead when it comes to organizing the itinerary.

33.9% of respondents revealed that they would still go on a non-refundable trip with their partner if they broke up, with Gen Z being the most likely to share this sentiment (46.3%). Sound like the start of a rom-com, anyone?

For some, the idea of traveling as a couple may be too much to bear, as 13% of respondents expressed a preference for solo travel over traveling with their significant other. Interestingly, men were 44% more likely than women to hold this preference.

While many couples are attached at the hip, there comes a time when space and solitude become essential for personal well-being. Most couples say the ideal trip length is 7.5 days, with 61.8% of people saying the maximum length of time they could tolerate a trip with their significant other is two weeks or less.

For some, couples trips are overrated, as a staggering 88.6% of respondents express a preference for traveling solely with their significant other rather than alongside another couple.

When it comes to packing for a trip, 37.1% say they would wear coordinated outfits with their significant other while traveling — break out the matching Hawaiian shirts!

Closing Thoughts

Traveling as a couple can help you see new sides of your partner and remember what brought you together in the first place. Want to make your next vacation a little more memorable?

Pop the question with a stunning engagement ring and become travel partners for life!

Methodology

To gain insights into the dynamics of couples traveling together, we conducted a survey involving over 1,000 American individuals at various relationship stages, including dating, engaged, or married. We specifically asked them questions pertaining to their experiences and perspectives on traveling together. The survey was carried out in May of 2023, ensuring the data reflects recent trends and attitudes.