Kyle and Briana are the type of couple you'd want to have over for drinks and a game night. After all, they organize the nicest of potlucks, climb mountains, cycle long distances, and brew their own beer. They also own a couch trailer, a tandem bike, and one of the coolest travel blogs on the web. This Valentine's Day, we asked them to share what they know about keeping love real in the midst of travel chaos.

3 tips for traveling as a couple

by Kyle and Briana

I know what you’re thinking. My partner is the most amazing person I have ever met, but can I spend 24 hours a day with them and still feel that way? Before we set out on our year-long honeymoon, we heard a lot of opinions about how difficult it would be. Common knowledge seemed to suggest that after just a month of traveling we would know if our relationship was going to last.

We ride a tandem bicycle and the running joke is that on a tandem your relationship will get where it’s going — twice as fast. From our experience spending nearly 24 hours a day 7 days a week together for over a year, we present you with our three best tips for coping with the pressures your relationship will endure while traveling.

1.     Managing expectations

Assuming your relationship has made it to the international travel phase, you probably have some good communication skills already. Unfortunately, sometimes the delusions of grandeur that come with visiting a new place can bring about lofty expectations. Being levelheaded about the realities and stresses involved with changing time zones, lack of sleep and language barriers is essential to returning home a happy couple.

So what is the best way to make sure both people get what they want? We think that being flexible and willing to compromise can be a great way for each person to get what they want out of the trip. I know, I know, that’s pretty basic relationship advice, but hear me out.

Say you’ve found a cheap flight to Cancun and one person wants to sit on the beach for a week and the other wants to rent a motorbike and buzz around the Mayan ruins. Someone wants a 5-star dinner; the other wants nothing but fish tacos. Talk about your expectations and be willing to take it easy or be a little more adventurous if need be.

The fun thing about travel is that much of your experience will end up out of your control. When all of a sudden you realize the bus you want doesn’t run for another three days, or the room you booked is too sketchy to sleep in, you are going to need to troubleshoot. Do your best to solve the problem together and respect each other’s comfort zone.

The best times we’ve had visiting a new country is when we have had no expectations. Having little or no information will usually leave you gushing about how great it was when some locals helped you manage the bus system and subsequently invited you to dinner. Allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised.



2.     Budgeting

How much you have to spend will likely be a big issue for couples traveling. With all the transportation, hotel, and eating options available you can blow your budget overnight. Do you take the more expensive train or fly instead of sitting on the bus for 8 hours just to save a few bucks? Having differences of opinion on these logistics will certainly cause some drama.

Again, it comes down to communication and expectations. Being able to say no is a difficult thing in many relationships. You obviously want to make each other happy and don’t want to disappoint them by saying “I can’t afford it.” Make sure you are ready to take that dorm bed instead of the double if you just can’t find anything in your price range.

3.     Meeting each other’s needs
 
We both find ourselves becoming unpleasant when we haven’t eaten in a few hours. Simply acknowledging that you’re tired and hungry in the face of all the excitement going on around you is the first step to avoid being hangry (hungry + angry = hangry). We always carry some snacks to launch in the direction of the hangry partner so we can keep a safe distance while they recuperate enough to find a proper meal.

Each relationship has individual nuances that keep it going, whether it be getting enough sleep, getting the food you need, or more personal details that can’t be ignored just because the location has changed.


In 2010 we visited 23 countries and hardly left each other’s side for more than 24 hours total. We survived bus rides across Turkey and Cambodia, cycling around Bali, rock climbing in Thailand and South Africa and a 1,000 mile bike ride through Eastern Europe on our tandem.

Traveling together is definitely a challenge, but being able to share the raw emotions of visiting a new place with the person you love is an unmatched experience. Happy Valentine’s Day and happy travels!

* For more on traveling as a couple and tips on budgeting for long-term travel, rock climbing, bike touring and lifestyle design, check out RollGlobal.org.