• By: Riyanka
• Aug 12, 2024
• (2) Comments

Solo Trips vs Couple Travel – What’s Better?

“Some journeys can be only traveled alone.” – Ken Poirot.

About a decade ago, in 2014, fresh out of college and overflowing with enthusiasm and wanderlust, I embarked on my solo travel journey. I left behind Kolkata, the city where I was born and raised, and signed up for a Rural Development Fellowship in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Amidst my work engagements, I found time to wander around the gorgeous corners of Udaipur, immersing myself in the city’s rich royal heritage.

As I grew more accustomed to local transportation, I started exploring the nearby towns like Baneshwar, Kumbhalgarh, and Chittor. Gradually, with a bit more courage, I began taking overnight buses to places like Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and other parts of Rajasthan. Within a few months, I had explored most of Rajasthan’s popular destinations as well as its hidden gems, and I realized just how much I enjoyed solo travel.

Breaking away from societal norms, I finally started listening to my heart, and discovering who I truly was. I could hear all the ideas and desires swirling within me and began piecing them together. This journey instilled in me a newfound confidence and faith as I wandered alone.

I spent a year in Udaipur, making it a point to explore as much of Rajasthan as possible. That year and all the journeys I undertook helped me see myself in a new light.

Confronting my fears and overcoming them one by one gave me the courage to spread my wings like a free bird. I reveled in the sense of independence, self-reliance, and freedom like never before.

And from then on, there was no looking back!

After the program ended, I decided to embark on a six-month solo adventure. I won’t deny that I felt a bit scared initially, but the desire to explore new places kept me moving forward. I set out to explore South India, starting in Pondicherry, where I reconnected with my best friend from school and stayed with her for a couple of weeks. During that time, I tried scuba diving for the first time—a memory I will cherish forever.

The days seemed to pass in the blink of an eye! I took the right bus to the wrong destination, befriended auto drivers and tourist guides, managed to score free meals at fancy restaurants, and began to believe in myself more than ever.

From wandering the hippie lanes of Hampi to hiking through the coffee plantations of Coorg, admiring the grandeur of the Mysore Palace to pub hopping in Bangalore, basking in the sunshine at Varkala to savoring Malabari cuisine in Thekkady—those six months turned out to be the most enriching learning experience I could have ever asked for!

Solo Trips vs Couple Travel – What’s Better?

TRAVELING SOLO GAVE ME THE FREEDOM TO MOVE AT MY OWN PACE.

There was no rush, no strict itinerary, no pre-booked plans—I simply moved at my own rhythm. If I fell in love with a place, I stayed; if not, I packed up my rucksack and caught the next bus. I embraced new experiences, chatted with locals to learn about the area, and wandered aimlessly, just observing how the day unfolded in each new place.

When I was traveling solo in Sydney, I would spend hours sitting on the beach, watching the ocean and the waves crashing against the shore. Sometimes, I’d grab a coffee, stroll through downtown, or hop on a bus just to watch the city pass by.

TRAVELING SOLO NURTURED MY SELF-CONFIDENCE.

Growing up in an urban middle-class family, I was raised in a protected environment where all my needs and wants were always met. When I first stepped out alone, my mother was understandably skeptical and insisted I keep her updated constantly. She would call to check if I was okay, whether I’d eaten, and so on. But as I traveled more on my own, she began to see that I was capable of taking care of myself and understood how to stay safe on the road.

With each journey, my confidence grew. I realized that no matter what challenges arose, I would find a way through them. I learned to manage my finances, tried things I’d never attempted before, and even discovered my passion for writing. As I mentioned earlier, my travels helped me rediscover my strengths and believe in myself.

TRAVELING SOLO TAUGHT ME TO TURN STRANGERS INTO FRIENDS.

I once read that you’re never really alone while traveling, and I only truly understood this when I began my solo adventures. I met incredible people along the way, many of whom became close friends. For instance, someone I met during my trip to Spiti is now one of my dearest friends. It’s the people we meet on our journeys that make them even more memorable and beautiful.

Over the years, I’ve learned to enjoy my own company and found immense joy in wandering alone. While there were moments when I longed to share a meal with someone or have a conversation during a long bus ride, the pleasure of the journey always kept me content and fulfilled.

“In life, it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with” – Charles Schulz.

Our first trip together was to Kashmir, which was actually a work trip for me where I was meeting a colleague. But during those five days, I discovered how much I enjoyed traveling with him. The trip was filled with laughter over cups of chai, endless conversations as we strolled around Dal Lake, and listening to him create tunes while watching the colors of dusk paint the sky. These moments made the trip unforgettable in ways I might not have experienced if I had been traveling solo.

I also realized that our different dietary preferences added a unique twist to our journeys! While I’m a meat-lover, Sourav is a hardcore vegetarian, and we often end up walking an extra mile to find meals that satisfy both of us. I’m drawn to nature and crave time in the wilderness, while Sourav is more of an art enthusiast—leave him in a museum or a café with live music, and he’s content for hours!

As we traveled more, we started to embrace each other’s tastes and preferences, finding joy in the little things that came our way. From watching dolphins in the Gulf of Oman and swaying together at a Coldplay concert in Singapore to exploring Dhaka University’s campus in Bangladesh and getting a caffeine fix in Hoi An, Vietnam – we’ve shared some of the best days while exploring the world together!

(It might sound odd, but I actually enjoy visiting university campuses now, while we are exploring a new country!)

TRAVELING TOGETHER HELPED US SHARE NEW EXPERIENCES.

What could be more beautiful than sharing experiences and creating timeless memories with the person you love?

Both of us enjoy slow travel, taking the time to truly experience a place. Over the last few years, we’ve focused on gathering meaningful experiences rather than just ticking items off a bucket list.

As a travel content creator, I often have a list of things I want to do, and I’m grateful that Sourav usually goes along with them whenever he can. Witnessing countless sunsets in different parts of the world has brought us closer, and knowing that we’ve lived those moments together makes them even more special.

TRAVELING TOGETHER HELPED US LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH OTHER’S CHOICES AND PREFERENCES.

Before we started dating, I wasn’t particularly mindful of the sounds around me. But as we began traveling together, I realized how much sound, silence, and noise can influence our journeys. I remember one night in Galle, Sri Lanka, we sat by the beach for hours, just listening to the waves. During our recent trip to Vietnam, we would seek out places with live music and even had the chance to meet a pop singer in Hanoi. Similarly, Sourav accompanies me when I want to explore local markets or eateries, or simply sit at a café with a book, watching the world go by.

When you embark on a journey with your partner, you get countless opportunities to learn about their likes and dislikes.

Also, while traveling with your partner, it’s crucial to ensure you’re on the same page, especially when making decisions about where to go, where to stay, and how much to spend. If you love the mountains and your partner prefers the beach, you’ll need to plan carefully to accommodate both preferences.

There may be times when one of you has to agree to the other’s choice of destination. And who knows? You might discover a newfound love for the sea. Trust me when I say this, I’ve started exploring vegetarian food while traveling, and sometimes, it pleasantly surprises my taste buds—and it’s all because of him.

To quote Mark Twain —  “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.”

These words are absolutely true, especially when it comes to traveling with your partner, the one with whom you wish to spend the rest of your life. Having someone to share every moment with is incredible, and I know there are certain experiences I wouldn’t have appreciated as much if Sourav wasn’t by my side.

Together, we explored the serene villages of Kashmir and navigated the bustling streets of Jaisalmer Fort. We wandered from the beaches of Sri Lanka to the souks of Oman, and we even shot music videos along the way!

We stepped out of our comfort zones, and navigated the highs and lows hand in hand, which allowed us to uncover the deepest aspects of each other. It goes without saying that traveling together reveals both the best and the most challenging sides of the person you love (and we do have our fair share of disagreements too!).

Solo Trips vs Couple Traveling!

So, which is better—traveling solo or traveling as a couple?

It’s a tough call, to be honest.

I believe each has its own unique value at different stages of life. When I was younger and still figuring things out, solo travel was the only way I could find the space, clarity, and perspective I needed.

But once I became confident in what I wanted from life and started living it out, it was wonderful to find someone who would say “Yes” to all the adventures!

Now, I find myself wanting to travel more with him – to create more memories together and to experience the wonders that lie ahead on our journeys. I’d still love to carve out some time for solo adventures now and then, but I’d rather plan my longer trips with him. After traveling together for the past two years, I know it’s always more fun to share a midnight snack or chase sunsets when we’re together.

But if you have always traveled with your partner, make sure to travel solo at least for once – you’ll surely end up seeing yourself in better lights. And in case you’ve always been a solo tripper, drag your partner the next time you sign up for an adventure – it’ll be more fun for sure!

No matter what you choose to do, let the journey continue…