An Introvert’s Guide to Surviving Group Travel

The idea of ​​”being together” around the clock—with friends, family or strangers bound together in a tour group—can be overwhelming to estimate. 57% of people who lean towards introversion..

Solo travel can suit introverts, who are re-energised by time spent alone. But even as its popularity grows, most tours are done with other people.

But the most painful moments can be avoided by following some of these basic rules offered by fellow introverts.

The most popular suggestion of all time: Book your room.

“It allows time in the morning and evening to decompress, regroup and refresh,” said Jenny Olsen, a Los Angeles-based public relations consultant who describes herself as a “totally parallel traveler.” Explains.

If you have to share a room, she said, try sleeping inside. “Then order room service to have breakfast alone in bed.”

In fact, Olson suggests ordering room service once a day, whether “breakfast, dinner or late-night dessert.”

Dori is the marketing and communications director for a women-led tour company in Nix, Colorado. Adventure in good companyalso recommends living alone, even if it means paying a supplement.

“Having a place to decompress at the end of each day is often the only way I can function socially throughout the day,” she said. “It’s a safe place to escape to.”

I Psychology Todayauthor Sophia Dambling warns introverts well against research group visits.

“A tour bus full of first-timers to Europe can include a lot of super friendly people who love to make friends,” he wrote. “And I don’t mean that in a good way.”

Headphones are a good way to block out unwanted conversations, especially on flights, John Haxton said Myers Briggs Company.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator of assessment A popular test for determining introversion and extroversion tendencies, popularized more than a century ago by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung.

Haxton said that interacting with strangers can be uncomfortable for some introverts. He suggests an exit strategy.

“Be prepared to ‘go to the tasting room’ or ‘leave to make a phone call’ if you need to leave,” he said.

Travel writer Patti Soleri also said that introverts shouldn’t be passive in these situations. Her advice: Don’t allow yourself to fall into the trap of an endless talker.

“When you feel the need to end a conversation, just look over the other person’s shoulder and say something like, ‘Wow, look over there. That looks interesting. Excuse me while I check it out.’ Go do it,'” she emailed. On a group trip to CNBC Travel Mazatlán, Mexico, “or ‘I see a great photo, or selfie, opposite. I’m going to grab it before it’s gone.’

Talk to your travel companions before you travel, says Jonathan Feniak, general counsel of the law firm LLC Attorneys.

“When I was younger, I didn’t realize that I needed alone time to keep my social batteries charged.” “After 7+ days of traveling with people 24/7, it’s hard to keep up that energy without an hour here or there, so I now tell a colleague about those needs ahead of time.”

This lets people know that they are not the “problem”.

“If they don’t know about your introverted personality until you’re in the middle of the holidays, they may misinterpret your energy or take it personally,” she said.

Although Western societies have long prized extrovert “more pleasant” types, Savory said there’s nothing wrong with wanting space from the group.

“Never be shy about asking for alone time. We all need some time away from others, from activities and from the world,” she told CNBC Travel. “Lounging time by the pool alone with a book can be very therapeutic.”

Hackston of the Myers-Briggs Company said introverts should set boundaries on vacation, which may mean doing their own thing sometimes.

“You don’t have to attend every minute of every activity your group has planned,” she said. “Spending hours in a library or museum can be boring for some, but if that’s your cup of tea, take the time to explore at your own pace.”

Adventures in Good Company CEO Kelly Kimple has one rule: no big tour buses.

“As an introvert, I definitely need small groups,” she said. “I also need to minimize time in cars. Long drives to a small place where hours of conversation can be exhausting for introverts!”

Kimpel, a field biologist from rural New Hampshire, said she prefers trips with plenty of quiet time. Her company organizes outdoor trips for small groups of women that include hiking and even activities. Sketching in the Rocky Mountains

Some introverts prefer to travel solo, but Los Angeles-based marketing professional Brooke Weber says she recommends traveling with a small group.

“Most people can feel like a nightmare for a true introvert, but for me it made it easier to have ‘me time’ as needed,” she said. “If you travel in a group of 3+ people, you’re not leaving a companion alone if you want to take a few hours or a day to be alone or to relax.”

Having the option to leave at a moment’s notice keeps Weber motivated, she said, and “there’s less need to take it because I feel like my social time is an option, not an obligation.”

David Ciccarelli, CEO of vacation rental website Lake, said he’s also a fan of traveling with a small group of friends, who occasionally choose to venture out to “come back into the fold” later. are

He suggests packing a few items to help you see the world.

“My earplugs and eye mask are a necessity,” she said. “They help me at night and have some privacy on long train rides, flights, or afternoon naps in a hotel room.”