Life feels richer with friends by your side. The classic film It’s a Wonderful Life sums it up perfectly with this line:
“Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.”
So traveling with friends seems like a grand idea. But you may have some doubts.
You might have concerns about travel safety for teens. You also don’t want a vacation ruined by any unexpected tension.
Sometimes even the closest of friendships can hit a snag when you’re on unfamiliar ground. On the road, disagreements can arise over money, accommodations, and travel activities. You may even disagree on whether you should sleep in or get up early.
The easiest way to avoid these concerns is to pick a student travel program. This takes away the stress of planning your itinerary. And it adds peace of mind since young students have adult supervision around the clock.
Rustic Pathways program leaders perform traditional songs to welcome high school students to Fiji.
When you go this route, you’ll soon see why traveling with friends is a fantastic idea. But first you have to find the right travel program. So here is our best advice and tips for traveling with friends!
How Friends Can Select Summer Travel Programs
It starts with communication. Maybe it begins with texts, though it’s good to be realistic. We’ve all had cases where a plan was abruptly made or canceled via text.
A summer travel program involves much more coordination. So longer conversations are in order. Here are the steps to consider:
1) Decide when you want to travel
Good planning and honest communication lay the foundation for a successful trip with friends. Here’s what to focus on:
2) Align schedules and expectations
Discuss everyone’s availability and commitments early. Ask questions like:
When do school or work obligations end?
High schools and colleges will have their current year and upcoming year calendars out by late winter. You can check both calendars for dates.
Are there family vacations or events to consider?
You have to make sure you work around any family plans. You certainly can’t miss your cousin’s wedding or a chance to see your grandparents.
Many activities have mandatory – or at least highly recommended – summer sessions.
Most summer jobs are happy to give you some vacation time. Still, you may have to work around their schedules, so it’s good to check on that.
How long does everyone want to travel?
Summer travel programs often are about a week long, plus a little extra time for travel. There are longer programs though. And, you can combine two programs to extend a travel experience. So how long you want to be on the road is a key question.
Look ahead and do your best to check various calendars.
2) Talk about travel styles
Every traveler has their preferences. Some people like structured itineraries, while others prefer a laid-back approach. Discussing this ahead of time avoids surprises. Independent travelers may need alone time, while others want to stick together the entire trip.
- Flight time – Do you want something close to home or a farther destination?
- Accommodations – Are you all okay with camping, or do you want all your accommodations to have Western amenities like bathrooms?
- Service opportunities – What kind of service would you like to do, and how many hours?
- Adventure activities – Are you thrilled at the idea of white water rafting or surfing?
- Cultural immersion – Do you want to spend time with local community members? Is it important to you to have a homestay or cultural activities with villagers?
- Previous destinations – Maybe your friend has already been to a certain country. Is it time to try something new?
Once you pick your ideal travel program, it’s time to take care of logistics.
3) Budget realistically and decide how to split costs
Money often creates tension during trips. Before booking, agree on a budget for transportation, accommodations, meals, and activities. Decide whether to split costs equally or pay individually. For example, you might split a rental car but handle dinners separately.
4) Coordinate your student travel program registration and trip planning
Next, you’ll need to solidify your plans and coordinate your program registration. Try to enroll at the same time as your friends. That way you can ensure there’s enough room in a group for more than one person.
Make it known you’re traveling with a friend or friends. That way the program managers can put you in the same room in the accommodations.
Then you can countdown to your trip together. Among the things you’ll need to do:
- Make sure you have a valid passport and see if you need a visa
- Check to see if you need any immunizations
- Sign up for the group flight or book self-managed flights. If you opt for the group flight, plan on how you’ll get to the hub airport
- Look at the packing list and buy anything you need
- Research your destination, so you’re mentally ready for your adventure
5) Respect differences during the trip
Even the best friends can clash on the road. Here’s how to handle differences:
- Compromise when necessary. If one friend wants a fancy dinner and another prefers street food, take turns choosing meals.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. If someone takes longer to get ready or forgets to log an expense, let it go.
- Communicate clearly. Talk openly about frustrations before they escalate into bigger issues.
Mark Twain once wrote, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” Group trips work best when everyone approaches them with openness and flexibility.
6) Build memories to last a lifetime
Traveling with friends can create stories you’ll share for years. A shared adventure might involve laughing over a missed train or sitting under the stars in a foreign country. Spending time together builds bonds that last far beyond the trip.
Friends like Ryan Barish experienced this firsthand. On a group trip to Fiji with Rustic Pathways, Ryan and his best friend met someone who became a lifelong friend. “We went into the trip thinking we’d meet new people, but we found someone who made us laugh like never before,” Ryan said.
7) The power of friendships in travel
The WYSE Travel Confederation found that Gen Z motivates friends to explore destinations for work, study, or volunteering.
When you travel with your closest friends, you also strengthen relationships. Whether you’re sharing a hotel room, splitting a rental car, or trying new foods together, every moment adds depth to your friendship.
So plan ahead, communicate openly, and savor every hour with your travel buddies. With the right approach, you’ll create memories that last a lifetime.
Once the preparation is done, you’ll be set to go!
What to expect during your teen travel program & after
On your program, you’ll have plenty of time with your friends. You’ll travel together, do service and adventure activities, discuss deeper topics, and hang out at night. No doubt it’ll strengthen your friendship as you try new things and explore your destination.
You’ll also have many chances to make new friends. Don’t pass up on that opportunity. Travel programs allow you to meet people from all over the world. And sometimes you’ll find you click with someone from another place.
Ryan hangs out with his new friends on his Rustic Pathways travel program.
These connections often stay strong after returning home. Gabrielle Antolovic says she’s built a network of peers around the world because of her trips. That has prompted her to travel more.
Gabrielle flew to Japan to reunite with some of her newfound friends. She met Joanna and Karen during her Rustic journey to Laos. Joining her on her Japan trip was one of her newer Rustic friends – Conor, who she met while in Peru.
Gabrielle made many friends during her travels with Rustic Pathways
“I’m very fortunate to have met the kindest, coolest, and most interesting people on these trips,” Gabrielle said. “It has changed my life in so many different ways, and I’m so thankful.”
These types of friendships are not uncommon in Generation Z. Studies show Gen Z is a leading force in connecting people through travel. When you travel with a friend, you may be motivating other people to do the same.
That’s the bottom line on why traveling with friends is a fantastic idea. So if you’re ready to travel with a friend, reach out to a travel advisor and get set for the summer.