Fall is the perfect time for a girlfriend’s getaway—whether it’s a road trip to see the leaves change or just a weekend escape from the Texas heat. However, as much fun as traveling with friends can be, it also presents a few etiquette challenges.
Swapping sandals for hiking boots and stepping into sweater weather when it’s still 100° in September and October locally can be quite the challenge. From packing smart for unpredictable weather to keeping harmony in a house with a group of friends, here is my guide to making a BFF getaway as cozy as a mug of hot cider.
How to keep your girls’ fall trip running smoothly, from beginning to end:
Get on the Same Page With Expenses
Decide before the trip who will book the flight, secure the rental car, select and pay for the hotel, and how the daily travel expenses will be split. Research apps that help you split and track expenses. Venmo group, Split Wise, and Tricount are the three that come up in conversation often. I haven’t used them personally, but it’s worth a look.
Pack Your Bags Strategically
Be realistic with what you put in your suitcase. Pack a scarf that can double as a light weight blanket or a pillow on the flight, think in terms of layers that you can add or peel off as the weather changes throughout the day, bring a good pair of walking shoes, and a few items that you can wear over again. Mix and match is the key to a full wardrobe with limited space.
Keep a Tidy Room
Packing cubes and zip bags will keep your items together and your side of the room neat and tidy. Travel + Leisure recently shared a list of hotel travel essentials that may assist in your organizing efforts. Your travel roommate will appreciate your effort to contain your “stuff.”
Discuss Sleep Schedules
It should not come as a surprise to anyone that you are a night owl or an early riser. It’s good manners to consider a compromise when traveling with friends. One person may want to sleep in, while the other person may want to hit the road. Knowing what to expect and getting on board with the other person’s schedule, will make planning easier.
Don’t Borrow Clothes or Major Supplies
Often, upon arrival, a roommate remembers they forgot their charger or didn’t pack a lightweight sweater for the trip. Although she may not mind, borrowing from your friend reduces her finely tuned packing efforts. If you need something, a quick trip to the store to buy what you are missing will be appreciated.
Leaf-Peeping or Souvenir Shopping
Everyone has a different idea of the perfect fall day—some want to hike through trails, others want to shop quaint downtown boutiques, and someone else may just want to sip cider by the fire. The best etiquette move is to remain flexible. Purposely factor in alone time so you don’t have someone over your shoulder while you are trying to buy the perfect gift or collect a bag of pine cones or acorns to bring back home.
Share Locations When Separated
Anywhere you travel, an important safety measure is to know the location of your friend. Enjoy your privacy, but keep your roommate in the loop. You can always turn sharing “off” when you return home.
Anticipate Bumps in the Road
A travel delay or cancelled flight may, unfortunately, be part of your travel experience. The best accessory you can bring is your patience, a good attitude, and a few items to keep you and your friend entertained. Your plans may take a detour, but the greatest part of the trip is sitting next to your friend and making a few travel memories.
Utilize the Airline Lounge
If you are not a member of a particular airline club, consider a day pass to make your inconvenience go a bit smoother. Not only will you get nourishment and comfortable chairs in a place to charge your devices, but an opportunity to make a few quiet calls and freshen up without dealing with a crowded gate area.
Keep Social Media Pics in Perspective
Of course, no girls’ getaway is complete without photos. Coordinate one fun group outfit for leaf-peeping pictures, or create a shared playlist to set the mood for your road trip. But … don’t allow the goal of a perfect photo to take over your entire trip. Put your phone down and enjoy the moments spent with your friend, actively participating in the travel adventures.
At the end of the trip, the cozy sweaters, the fall leaves, and the cider donuts are secondary to the friendship and memories created through the fall girlfriends’ getaway.
You may also like How to Have a Fall Glow-Up.
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The post Girls Guide to Traveling Together This Fall: Etiquette Tips appeared first on Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority.
