What If Your Partner Doesn't Want to Travel? But You Do!

Although Kyle and I both dream of a travel lifestyle, I know that everyone isn’t so lucky.

Wives tell me often that they wish their husbands would travel the world with them. Or they “could never convince” their partner to leave everything to travel the world.

When I first had the idea to travel full-time, Kyle wasn’t immediately on-board. But, here we are.

I created this guide to help those women navigate. If you find this post helpful, let me know in the comments what you did when your significant other doesn’t want to travel.

Table of Contents:

Go on a Solo Trip

Leave Them. Seriously – Go without them.

I bet you didn’t expect that to be tip number 1. But if your partner doesn’t want to travel then still go by yourself.

I understand that your preference is to go on a couples trip and see the world with the one you love the most.

However, you can’t make someone do something if they don’t want to do it.

Have you ever been somewhere with people who don’t want to be there? It sucks and it ruins the mood. If your partner really doesn’t want to travel, LEAVE THEM!

There are so many resources for solo travel especially if you are a woman. Historically, it was more uncommon to find women traveling alone in these foreign countries.

Now, more and more single women are traveling to all parts of the world. My favorite solo travel bloggers are Shidas on The Loose, Leah’s Layovers, and Steph from Vaycarious.

Maybe after you return home, they will be jealous of your amazing pictures and memories. Next time, he/she/they might want to come with you.

Travel with Friends and Family

Again, LEAVE THEM. Lol

Similarly, to the above point. If you want to travel, consider making travel with friends and family who do enjoy traveling.

Even though Kyle does like to travel, I’ve been on countless girls’ trips and family trips.

I created a separate section for this tip for those who are uncomfortable with the idea of traveling alone.

If you don’t want a solo trip, invite friends and family on a trip.

Even if your partner love traveling, be sure to plan trips with your family and friends.

Determine Why Your Partner Doesn’t Want to Travel

OK. Knowing that you can still travel without them, my next tip is to uncover why your partner doesn’t want to travel.

If you can get to the root cause why he/she/they don’t want to travel without, you can address the actual problem.

Are they worried about how expensive traveling is? Are they afraid of a certain destination? Did they have a bad experience in the past while traveling? Are they afraid of airplanes? Do they not have a passport?

Whatever the reason, having a conversation about why will really open up the conversation to fix it.

I think this is the hardest idea because your partner has to be willing to really understand themselves and work through their ideas.

Start with Short Trips Close to Home

I think we’re all a little afraid of ‘the unknown’. Some embrace the fear and enjoy the adventure. While others are more comfortable with what’s familiar.

If your partner is like the latter, consider short trips that are close to home.

Start with a weekend trip around your state or a new part of your city? Or a short road trip.

During our time in quarantine, we’ve explored more of Atlanta. We’ve stayed in hotels 30 minutes away from home for a different experience.

Rather than jump completely out of their comfort zone, you can begin with a nudge.

Begin with Easier International Travel

Some destinations are easier to explore and to navigate than others.

If your partner is hesitant about traveling internationally, start with a destination whose culture is similar to yours.

For example, you can consider destinations that speak English. It is a million times easier to travel in a country that speaks English than one that doesn’t.

These destinations can be to most parts of Europe where English is common and their culture is similar to ours.

Alternatively, you can choose a destination that is close by. Does the idea of a 10-hour plane ride make you uneasy?

Consider closer destinations under 5-hour plane rides. The flight between Colombia and Florida is only 3 hours.

Don’t forget about traveling to Canada where English is common, it is nearby, and their culture is similar to America.

Negotiation Tips to Convince Your Partner

The reality of relationship includes compromise.

Simply ask your partner to travel with you because you want to go. You do things for each other all the time that you may not enjoy but they do.

I hate cooking but I cook for Kyle because I know that he enjoys it. It’s healthy. We save more money eating at home. But I still do not like cooking.

Putting it into perspective in that we all do things that we don’t necessarily want to do for the people we love. Add traveling to the list if your partner really doesn’t want to travel.

Sometimes eating at a foreign restaurant may be enough to convince your partner to travel to that destination.

For example, Kyle and I love Indian food in Atlanta. We eat Indian food at least once a week. We can’t wait to go to India and try the food as it compares to our local favorite Indian restaurant.

As with every relationship, there are two people involved with different ideas and feelings. Sometimes your partner may not like to travel. That doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice your own travel dreams.

There are many strategies to handle when your partner doesn’t want to travel. If you have more to add, leave a comment below.

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What If Your Partner Doesn’t Want to Travel? But You Do!