5 top tips for large group travel – before you travel
There’s an under-appreciated art to travelling as a group, something that we at Hirasté are all too familiar with! From splitting the costs fairly to packing efficiently, there are a bunch of things you can do before you even get in the car (or train, boat or plane) that will ensure your trip runs super smoothly. Here are our top things to do before you travel on your next group trip.
1. Download a bill splitting app
Not everyone likes to talk money and it can get really awkward to discuss bill splitting after the fact. Downloading a bill splitting app such as Splitwise (not an ad!) can really help keep track of who has spent what as well as how much each person in the group owes. This helps everyone to track expenses as they go along and can help take the tension out of the conversation for people with less than healthy relationships with money.
2. Pack as a group
How many times have you gone away on a group holiday only to realise that every girl has brought all their hair products and appliances, or that not a single person has showed up with a pack of cards? What about when you arrive at a self-catering apartment with a dishwasher but no one wants to buy an entire box of tablets? Or when some people bring dressy outfits for dinners out while others only bring shorts and flip flops? Clear communication before you travel can make sure that you all bring the right amount of everything and will smooth the experience as a whole.
3. Check before posting on social media
Maybe you’re on social media constantly with a super engaged following of 20k. Or maybe you’ve taken yourself off all the social media platforms in order to lead a more mindful lifestyle. Maybe you have a job that could be jeopardised with too much oversharing. Making sure that everyone in the group is on the same page when it comes to sharing pictures, posts and comments on social media is a great way to guarantee that each individual approach is respected and followed.
4. Set boundaries
Knowing what you are and are not prepared to do with the group is critical for keeping all your relationships healthy. If you don’t want to spend every waking hour together, be sure that you’ve communicated this with the group. Similarly, if it’s super important to you that that your dietary requirements are honoured, or that your every move isn’t captured on camera, let people know so that they – and you – know where they stand.
5. Be willing to compromise
Notwithstanding setting clear boundaries for your non-negotiables, travelling as part of a group always requires an element of compromise from everyone who is there. Be prepared to honour other people’s boundaries and to figure out a way to work around them if they conflict with each other. Go with an open mind – someone else’s idea of fun might not be yours but hey, you might find a new passion from their favourite hobby.
So, there you have it: our top 5 things to consider before going on a group trip. It’s definitely advisable to communicate openly and clearly before you travel to make sure the tip has the best chance of success.
If you’re in the market for a group holiday somewhere in the UK, check out all our awesome properties listed on this site. They’ve all been hand-picked and vetted by the Hirasté team to make sure they will fit your exact criteria. You can search by destination or by trip type. We’ve got collections covering everything from spa trips to farms stays and everything in between. Have you got specific sleeping arrangements? Maybe you want one big house or maybe you’re a group of families all wanting their own space? Or maybe you’re super flexible! Whatever you need, our unique search function lets you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Be sure to check out the rest of our top tips for a successful group trip:
Top 5 things to consider before booking a group trip
Top 5 things to consider when booking a group trip
Top 5 things to consider when on a group trip
Top 5 things to consider when you get home from a group trip