Think your family is the perfect travel partner? Research says you might be wrong!

Choosing the right travel partner can make your holiday unforgettable—or stressful. Research reveals what traits matter most.

Ever planned the perfect holiday, only to realise that your “travel companion” might just be your biggest stress trigger? According to new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU), your ideal travel buddy might not be your spouse, sibling, or even your best friend.

As Professor Sam Huang, head of ECU School of Business and Law’s Centre for Tourism Research, explains, the study draws inspiration from the popular Chinese “Dazi” phenomenon, where young travellers seek companions for specific activities—like exploring a new city or hiking a mountain. Compared with solo travel, travelling with a companion is more likely to create high-quality, memorable experiences through interpersonal interaction, while also providing a measure of safety, Professor Huang noted.

“With the advent of social media, access to travel companions has transcended traditional kinship and social circles. More and more young travellers tend to establish temporary travel partner relationships with strangers who share common travel goals through online travel communities,” he said.

The New Rules of Travel Companionship

It turns out, finding the right person to travel with isn’t just about shared interests—it’s about personality, experience, and alignment in travel habits. Partners with extensive travel experience and strong conscientiousness tend to handle roadblocks better, making the journey smoother for everyone.

“Interestingly, the research revealed that the best travel partner may depend on what each traveller values most,” Professor Huang notes. If emotional support and companionship top your priority list, same-sex partners with high emotional intelligence and conscientiousness tend to make the journey more harmonious. For those seeking practical benefits—like shared skills or problem-solving abilities—opposite-sex partners can bring diverse perspectives, provided they have a mix of experience and conscientiousness.

Family Travel Isn’t Out—Just Be Prepared

Before you cancel that family trip, take note: “The research in no way suggests that you shouldn’t be travelling with your wife, or even your in-laws. But the advice is that if you are travelling with family, be sure to set some goals and expectations before packing your bags,” Huang says. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping your holiday stress-free.

Why It Matters

Travel partner seeking is becoming an increasingly popular trend, especially among younger travellers, who often find companions online through social media and travel forums. By identifying key traits—emotional intelligence, travel experience, congruence, and conscientiousness—travellers can significantly enhance the quality of their experience.

The study, which analysed over a thousand online posts on Douban, revealed that these traits directly influence how memorable and enjoyable a trip becomes, with gender composition sometimes playing a role in how effectively partners cooperate.

The Takeaway

Next time you plan a holiday, don’t just think about destinations—think about your travel partner. The right companion can turn a simple trip into a lifetime of memories, while the wrong one might turn even paradise into a headache. Align personalities, travel habits, and expectations, and you’ll be set for a smoother, more unforgettable journey.