9 Etiquette Rules To Know Before Traveling With Your Girlfriends

No matter how many years pass or how much things change, there will always be something extra special about a getaway with your girlfriends. With busy schedules and sometimes spread-out locales, it can be hard to find time and place to reminisce on core memories, catch up on current life updates, and take a fun break from normal daily routines. Luckily, we have plenty of Southern girlfriend getaway ideas to keep everyone entertained and ready to plan the next one. However, there are some nuances to scheduling the perfect trip for every friend group, from choosing the right place to making sure everyone feels included. The goal is to have a great time and leave with happy stories, instead of planning hiccups or, at the worst, any drama. For that, make sure to keep your manners in mind. 

Here are 9 important etiquette rules to know before traveling with your friends. 

Pre-Trip Etiquette

Have an Open Mind

Even amongst a tight-knit friend group, you surely cannot expect everyone’s idea of the “most fun day” to be the same. After all, having diversity of ideas and hobbies is what makes any friend group special and unique. When planning a girlfriend getaway, make sure to discuss location and activities with whoever will be attending so that everyone feels as if they are included in the planning. Ideally, each person could assert their own ideas, and the trip will end up being packed with tailored plans. Remember: One person taking over all the planning won’t always end up with a trip that is enjoyable for everyone. 

Be Upfront About Budget

When it comes to group trips, it’s most important to discuss and agree upon a general budget before booking any hotels, transportation, or activities. Luckily, there is no shortage of getaway ideas that range from lowkey and affordable to bustling and packed full of bookings. It’s a good rule of thumb to simply run anything important past each person attending before booking, especially when it comes to big-ticket items like accommodations and fancy dinners. Make a quick call or send out a group text to feel out opinions on the budget and any other constraints. 

Divide and Conquer Reservations

While each friend group might have one or two people who are the “planners,” it is never polite to leave all of the heavy lifting of planning, booking, and researching activities to the planners of the group. If you’re more laid-back, still make sure to offer small ways to help throughout the planning process. Simply staying involved with inputs like, “I’ll book that lunch reservation” or “I’ll double-check on the boat rental” goes a long way. Even if you know that your “planner friend” will happily take care of it all, you don’t want anyone to feel taken advantage of or overwhelmed.

Etiquette During the Trip

Include Activities For Everyone

While there are generally some things that everyone can agree on, such as going to delicious dinners, there might be differences in opinions on how everyone would prefer to spend their days on vacation. Try to consider everyone’s interests and create a diversified itinerary that includes time for different activities such as touring local landmarks, shopping around boutiques, or just relaxing. During the planning process, this can be achieved by asking everyone what they’d be excited to do on the trip and making sure that everyone gets time for what they enjoy.

Be Flexible on the Schedule

Sure, the goal is always to have reservations and bookings handled before the girlfriend getaway begins, primarily to alleviate any stress in an unfamiliar place. However, once you arrive, things might change here and there in terms of what everyone feels like doing or what is discovered once you arrive. Some people might want to change up their day plans a little bit, or some might prefer a little more relaxing time after a few busy days. The best group trips are the ones where the fun happens organically without necessarily sticking to the schedule at all times. For “type A” friends, this might be difficult but try not to worry too much. It’s not that serious!

Accept Everyone’s Preferences and Particulars  

Additionally, each person in the friend group might have slightly different daily routines that they want to incorporate into their girls’ trip. Whether it’s going on a walk in the morning or simply sipping coffee and reading the news, allow for there to be time for everyone to indulge in their daily routines. Some might need an afternoon power nap, while others might prefer to keep chugging along until dinner. It’s perfectly normal for a group to vary in their preferences, and the best way to keep everyone in good spirits is by not forcing everyone to do the same thing at all times. 

Don’t Be Afraid To Take a Breather

Even if you’re not an introvert—but especially if you are an introvert—it’s natural to get overwhelmed in a group setting, particularly after days spent in constant company. It does not matter if you’re with people who you are closest to, there is no need to feel bad about heading out on a morning walk alone or taking a short mid-afternoon rest. Just make sure to always let people know when you are disappearing, so as to not stir up any worries. To be extra polite, you can state that while you are loving the trip and spending time together, you just want a few minutes to yourself to recharge your social battery. 

Post-Trip Etiquette

Square Up on Any Spending

After any group trip has ended, it can be considered extremely impolite to avoid or put off balancing any finances. If someone offers to pay for a meal or activity to make things easy, make sure to cover your portion as soon as possible. Luckily, there are quick ways to do so in our modern technological world. If there are still any outstanding expenses after the trip, don’t make the person who paid have to reach out multiple times to remind you or the group about splitting the bill. And even more importantly: Always remember that everyone is responsible for splitting any tips on top of meals or activities as well. 

Send Out Thank You Texts

It should come to no surprise to anyone familiar with Southern etiquette that sending out a general thank you after a group trip is the polite thing to do. If anyone took on more of the planning and booking, make sure that they feel appreciated. If anyone traveled far to attend (especially those who traveled the furthest distance), make sure they are recognized for the extra effort and travel time taken off from work or family. Typically following a trip with your closest friends, a text or call is sufficient. However, if someone hosted at their actual home, a proper thank you note is always preferred. You’ll never go wrong with a handwritten card!