Nothing enhances travel like sharing it with a pal, someone you can experience every “Wow!” and occasional “WTF?!” with. Whether it’s an annual spa weekend with a bestie from high school or tagging along to Tulum with your cousin and her posse, taking a trip with old or new friends can make the adventure that much better. In part, perhaps, because we women know how to get along.

“I’ve found women can often resolve differences with female friends more easily than they can with their own family members,” notes NextTribe Chief Operating Officer Jeannie Edmunds. “If it’s an established friendship, you know each other well enough to talk things out openly, and if it’s someone new, you’re both on your best behavior.”

But travel does have a way of bringing our signature personality traits—and, yes, quirks—to the surface. So if yours and your companion’s don’t jibe, it can sour the sojourn and even damage the relationship. Before booking a trip with a bestie or acquaintance, take this quiz to ID your own profile. You’ll see why you’re awesome to travel with, learn how you can be a better travel buddy—and even figure out the type of getaway gal you’re  sure to have a blast with. 

What Kind of Traveler Are You? Take Our Quiz

Your ideal vacation would include:

1. Exploring a big city
2. Meeting new people
3. Chilling on a beach
4. Trying some new and exciting activity

The night before a trip:

1. Your bags are packed, your ride to the airport is arranged, and your seat assignment is all set.
2. You’re not sure what to take so you pack an extra bag so you’ll have what you need.
3. You take a warm bath and get a good night’s sleep.
4. You fill a carryon and a backpack only—no need to weigh yourself down with stuff you won’t need.

At the airport, you:

1. Keep your shoes on as you pass through security swiftly—you signed up for Global Entry, of course! 
2. Grin and bear it while dealing with the inevitable crowds and lines.
3. Upgrade from coach to business class or premium economy—your comfort is worth it!
4. Pass the time perusing Rough Guides and Lonely Planet for add-on  adventures.

It’s morning at your new destination. You:

1. Hit the breakfast buffet—its great reviews are among the reasons you picked this hotel.
2. Load your plate with a little bit of everything at the breakfast buffet.
3. Indulge in a lavish room service breakfast to enjoy on the balcony.
4. Grab a bite at a spot that’s hopping with locals.

Your choice for getting around a new location would be:

1. Taking a tour bus with an excellent guide.
2. Walking around to see where the day takes you.
3. Hiring a car with a pleasant, knowledgeable driver.
4. Renting a bike to explore town streets and backroads.

Yikes, there’s no hot water at your vacation rental—and the host says the plumber can’t come for two days. You:

1. Immediately negotiate a partial refund.
2. Tell yourself “no biggie!” So you’ll be a bit smelly.
3. Immediately check in to a proper hotel—lesson learned!
4. Take an invigorating cold shower—you’ve heard they’re healthy!

You love your travel buddy, but you can’t believe she:

1. Lollygags at the ruins, almost making you late for your timed ticket to the museum
2. Has every activity planned out to the second 
3. Wants to take another hike—a massage was a must after yesterday’s grueling climb!
4. Is content to lounge by the pool on this incredible day!

Nothing on the menu of an off-the-beaten-track restaurant is even vaguely familiar. You:

1. Enter keywords from several dishes into Google Translate
2. Point to something with a smile and hope for the best
3. Request that the server describe several items before picking one that sounds okay
4. Eagerly order the house specialty and dig in with gusto

It starts to pour at the outdoor music festival. You:

1. Pull the tiny folded rain poncho out of your bag
2. Wish you’d worn sneakers—your nice sandals will be ruined
3. Beeline for the nearest tent, where hopefully a glass of wine can be found
4. Channel your inner Woodstock attendee and revel in the rain

While shopping on vacation, you typically:

1. Buy a few small souvenirs for friends and family
2. Pick up whatever essentials you forgot
3. Treat yourself to a piece of jewelry as a memento 
4. Ask the salespeople where she they like to shop 

Your personal motto—for travel and basically everything else—is:

1. “Plan ahead!”
2. “Go with the flow!”
3. “Relax!”
4. “Adventure awaits!”

What’s Your Travel Style?

Mostly “1” Answers: On-Time Traveler

You’re highly organized in all facets of life, and traveling is no exception. You do ample pre-trip research, book well in advance, and have an itinerary for everything so you won’t miss out. This makes it easy on your travel companion, as long as you let her have some input into what you do. “But if things go awry, you could be a bit of a buzzkill,” warns Edmunds. “You’ll likely travel best with an Adventurous Spirit, as long as you both enjoy outdoor [hiking, flea-marketing] and indoor [museums, the theater] activities.” Keep in mind, though, that many people consider vacation an opportunity for rest and relaxation. So rather than lose patience with a Pleasure Seeker (see below) who likes to loll, try to chill out a little. 

Mostly “2” Answers: Happy Wanderer

Deferential and easy-going, you don’t really care what’s on the itinerary as long as you’re with cool, fun people—which makes you a great vacation wing-woman. Lounging by the pool, followed by a visit to the hotel spa with a Pleasure Seeker? Sure! Parasailing with an Adventurous Spirit? Whee! “Sure, you may forget your bathing suit when visiting some hot springs, but you’d probably simply shrug and skinny dip!” Edmunds says of your laid-back vibe. Just don’t make your pal do all the planning; yes, even an On-Time Traveler ought to be open to your ideas. And try to be on time for important events, such as concerts, guided tours, and of course departures. After all, no one wants to literally miss the boat!  

Mostly “3” Answers: Pleasure Seeker

Travel is a treat for you, a time to be free of responsibilities, indulge your decadent side, and get pampered head-to-toe. This attitude reminds others that relaxation is key to the experience—since who wants to come back from vacation needing a vacation? An On-Time Traveler or Adventurous spirit could probably use a massage and a sumptuous meal at the end of a busy day sightseeing and mountain biking.

Of course, while you’re willing to pay for your pleasures, not everyone can afford fancy accommodations, restaurants, et cetera (or feels that these upgrades are worth it), so discuss such expenditures before you book and figure out a compromise. Edmunds also advises that you keep your options open: “Sometimes, the best hotels are funky former private homes, the best restaurants are in sketchy neighborhoods, and the most fun hangouts are dive bars.”

Mostly “4” Answers: Adventurous Spirit: You’re a raring-to-go risk-taker, eager to explore anything and everything off-the-beaten-path to make the most of your vacation. “You can be the catalyst that gets a friend to step outside her comfort zone,” says Edmunds. A Happy Wanderer will surely appreciate your energy, as will an On-Time Traveler, as long as you invest some of it in things she enjoys, like touring a historical site. You might also be in sync with a Pleasure Seeker if you’re willing to check out a few pampering practices, which may just rejuvenate you for your next high-wire act. It may go without saying for an independent person like you, but just because you’re traveling with a friend doesn’t mean you’re obliged to spend every moment together. Feel free to go off on your own, then meet up later to share stories of your adventures.

New Buddy Bonus!  Now that you know what kind of traveler you are, may we add that if you can’t get your plans in sync with a pal, that’s no excuse to stay home. Consider taking off with a bunch of perfect strangers. “It can be great to travel with people you don’t know,” Edmunds says. “You can break out of your old identity and introduce the ‘new you’ to potential new friends.” Now those are some amazing travel souvenirs!