I travel with my friends a few times a year. Here's how I make it work without sacrificing our relationships.

"I love traveling with friends and try to take a group trip at least two or three times each year. Although I've had some great experiences, I've also learned - sometimes the hard way - that group travel isn't always smooth sailing. Over time, I've picked up a few lessons that help make these trips fun and (mostly) drama-free. Here's how I travel with friends without sacrificing our relationships."

"Looking back, however, I realized we never really talked about how much we were comfortable spending or how we wanted to spend our time. That's where things went wrong. Now, I always try to have those conversations early. For example, I always make it a point to ask if we're planning on eating out every night or if we'd like to save some money and cook at the Airbnb."

Group travel can be enjoyable but also stressful when expectations differ. Discussing budgets, dining preferences, and activity pacing before booking reduces misunderstandings. Planning trips collaboratively helps align priorities such as guided tours versus independent wandering and eating out versus cooking. Not every friend suits every trip; matching travel styles prevents friction between low-effort loungers and itinerary-driven travelers. Early, explicit conversations about comfort with spending and daily plans save stress later. Selecting compatible companions and setting clear expectations maintains relationships and increases the likelihood of fun, mostly drama-free group trips.

Read at Business Insider