The idea of being around 24 hours a day – with friends, family, or strangers gathered in a tour group – can be overwhelming for esteemed people. 57% of people lean toward introversion.
Solo travel can be suitable for introverts, who tend to recharge through time alone. But even as its popularity increases, most trips are taken with other people.
But the most uncomfortable moments can be avoided by following some of these basic rules, suggested by other introverts.
Rule 1: The “golden rule” of group travel
By far the most popular recommendation: book your own room.
“It allows for a relaxing morning and evening to defuse, regroup and refresh,” said Jenny Olsen, a Los Angeles-based public relations consultant who describes herself as a “totally introverted traveler.”
If you have to share a room, she says, try to sleep. “Then order room service to have breakfast alone in bed.”
In fact, Olsen advises ordering room service once a day, whether it's “breakfast, dinner, or a late-night dessert.”
Dori Nix, director of marketing and communications for a Colorado-based women-led travel agency Adventures in good companyalso recommends staying alone, even if it means paying a single supplement.
“Having a space to decompress at the end of each day is often the only way for me to function in social environments throughout the day,” she said. “It’s a safe place to escape.”
Rule #2: Don’t let yourself be fooled by chatterboxes
In Psychology todayauthor Sophia Dembling warns introverts against group travel.
“A tour bus full of newcomers to Europe might include a lot of very friendly people who like to make friends,” she wrote. “And I don’t mean that in a good way.”
Dori Nix said she focuses on nature and cultural trips with slow-paced itineraries. “Personal space is very valuable to me, and crowded places would exhaust me much more quickly when traveling.”
Source: Adventures in Good Company
Headphones are a good way to avoid unwanted conversations, especially during flights, said John Hackston, head of thought leadership at the agency. The Myers-Briggs Company.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment is a popular test for determining tendencies toward introversion and extroversion, terms popularized by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung more than a century ago. A
Conversing with strangers can be uncomfortable for some introverts, Hackston said. He suggests having an exit strategy.
“Be prepared to ‘go to the bathroom’ or ‘go out to make a phone call’ if you need to escape,” he said.
What Types of Travel Should Introverts Avoid?
- Large travel groups (more than 30 travelers)
- Busy schedules
- Crowded places and party destinations
- Constant social interaction
- Where double occupancy is the only option
- Lots of driving time
Source: Kelly Kimple and Dori Nix, Adventures in Good Company
Travel writer Patty Civalleri also said that introverts shouldn't be passive in these situations. His advice: Don't let yourself be trapped by a long-winded chatterbox.
“When you feel the need to interrupt a conversation, simply look over the shoulder of the person speaking and say something like 'Wow, look over there. That looks interesting. Excuse me while I'll check,'” she emailed. CNBC Travel on a group trip to Mazatlán, Mexico, “Or 'I see a great photo, or a selfie, opp. I'm going to take it before it's gone.'
Rule #3: Own the Need for “Alone Time”
Talk to your traveling companions before the trip, said Jonathan Feniak, general counsel at the law firm LLC Attorney.
“When I was younger, I didn’t realize I needed some alone time to keep my social batteries charged,” he said. “After 7+ days of traveling with people 24/7, it becomes more difficult to maintain that energy without an hour here or there, so I now inform my companions of these needs at the advance.”
It lets people know they're not “the problem,” he said. A
“If they don't know your introverted personality before mid-holiday, they may misinterpret your energy or take it personally,” he said.
Patty Civalleri (middle) recommends that introverts keep an open mind about group activities. Of her mineral mud bath at the Dead Sea, she said: “I really didn't want to do it but… it was a super fun experience.”
Source: Patty Civalleri
Although Western societies have long rewarded extroverted “more is better” types, there's nothing wrong with wanting group space, Civalleri said.
“Never hesitate to ask for alone time. We all need time away from other people, from activities and from the world,” she told CNBC Travel. “Time to just relax alone by the pool with a book can be very therapeutic.”
Hackston, of the Myers-Briggs Company, said introverts should set boundaries on vacation, which can sometimes involve doing whatever they want.
“You don’t have to attend every minute of every activity your group plans,” he 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 it at your own pace.”
Rule 4: Keep groups small, but not too small
Kelly Kimple, CEO of Adventures in Good Company, has one rule: no big tour buses.
“As an introvert, I definitely need small groups,” she said. “I also have to minimize the time spent in vehicles. Long journeys in a small space where hours of conversations can be had can be exhausting for introverts!”
Kimple, a field biologist from rural New Hampshire, said she prefers trips with plenty of quiet time. Her company organizes outdoor outings for small groups of women that include activities like hiking and even drawing in the Rocky Mountains.
“As an introvert, I definitely need small groups. Nothing more than about 15 (people) and no big tour buses,” said Kelly Kimple, CEO of Adventures in Good Company.
Source: Adventures in Good Company
Some introverts prefer to travel solo, but Brooke Webber, a marketing professional based in Los Angeles, said she advises traveling in a small group. Â Â
“More people can seem like a nightmare for a true introvert, but for me, it's made it easier to have some much-needed 'me time,'” she said. “If you're traveling in a group of 3 or more people, you don't leave a companion alone if you want to take a few hours or a day to explore solo or rest.”
Having the option to break up at any time keeps Webber energized, she said, and “less likely to need to take it because I feel like my social time is an option, not an obligation.”
David Ciccarelli, CEO of vacation rental site Lake, said he also enjoys traveling with a small group of friends, sometimes choosing to go out to “come back into the fold later.”
He advises taking a few things with you to disconnect from the world.
“My earplugs and eye mask are a necessity,” he said. “They help me relax at night and have some privacy during long train rides, plane rides, or an afternoon nap in the hotel room.”
