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The Collette Compass travel app provides you with a wealth of travel knowledge. Enhance your travel tour with this easy to use digital companion that never leaves your side. Better yet, enjoy its capabilities without using data or being connected to wi-fi*.

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A helping hand, what is a travel companion.

Mayo Clinic referred me to GOMO Travel after my heart surgery.  Pricing is very competitive and communication, flexibility, and concern for my… Read more “John T”

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When I needed to get to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, GOMO was almost like a message from the heavens.… Read more “Charlie P.”

Kerri has a compassionate and attentive demeanor that is comforting to those with travel… Read more “Carolyn M.”

I was apprehensive about traveling after chemo, but Kerri made my bucket list vacation easy. I couldn’t have done it… Read more “Mary B.”

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Are you looking for a professional travel companion to provide travel assistance during your trip?

Flying Companions is your answer. Our travel companions accompany you on your trip and provide travel assistance every step of the way to make your trip comfortable and stress-free from start to finish.

We were even featured in the New York Times, see the article here.

Whether you’re a senior traveler, a person with a disability, someone with travel anxiety, or just someone who prefers not to travel alone, our travel companions can help make your trip possible and enjoyable.

Our travel companions can pick you up at your home or meet you at your departure airport and then provide travel assistance with all aspects of your trip – from baggage handling, check-in, and security, through the flight, and all the way to baggage claim – everything you need to get safely and comfortably to your final destination. Our travel companions can also accompany you throughout an entire trip, providing travel assistance from beginning to end.

Many people want or need to travel by air but are reluctant to go alone or simply need some help along the way. Seniors, children, persons with disabilities, persons with flying anxiety – each person needs a different level of travel assistance. Whether you need wheelchair and bathroom assistance or simply the reassurance of having a travel companion during the trip, Flying Companions can help.

Our travel companions also coordinate and communicate with your loved ones throughout the trip to make sure they know you’re safe and sound. Our travel companions can also accompany children who are meeting a parent or family member at the arrival airport.

Paid Air Travel Escort We are responsible chaperones, and offer you safe air traveling with a paid companion for child travel, elderly travel, impaired travel and disabled travel. If you are looking for a flying companion, contact us today. Personal Assistant Traveling Safe Travel Chaperone Child Travel Companion Disabled Travel Companion Elderly Travel Companion Impaired Travel Companion Medical Travel Companion

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The Collette Compass travel app provides you with a wealth of travel knowledge. Enhance your travel tour with this easy to use digital companion that never leaves your side. Better yet, enjoy its capabilities without using data or being connected to wi-fi*.

Visit the App Store TM or Google Play TM for Android to download the app!

You can log in up to 45 days prior to departure. All you need is your name and booking number.

Stay Informed

Review your itinerary Check your flight schedule Find hotel and transfer information Learn more about your on-tour inclusions!

Make the most of your free time

Check out local restaurants Find popular attractions Discover local entertainment

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Navigate local streets with turn-by-turn directions

Record the Fun

Create your own trip journal Upload photos Update friends and loved ones

Follow along as we guide you through the app features on this short video:

*Wi-Fi only required for flight updates and use of social media. All other functionalities are offline with no utilization of mobile data or roaming.

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• Princess Cruises

Medallion App to locate/communicate with family?

By swdke , July 13, 2022 in Princess Cruises

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When on board, is it possible to locate and or communicate with family members using the Medallion App, and if so, how?  Thanks.

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4 minutes ago, swdke said: When on board, is it possible to locate and or communicate with family members using the Medallion App, and if so, how?  Thanks.

Open the App and scroll down to the "Travel Companions" and add whomever you would like based on booking numbers.  When you are on the ship, you can click on the Ocean Compass portion of the app and there you will find "Locate friends, venues and more."  This opens a deck plan that will show the location of your Travel Companions. 

We traveled with my 2 brothers and spouses on the Enchanted Princess in March.  We were able to find each other using the App. It was very useful. Unfortunately I can't remember the details on how to set it up on board (someone who has cruised more recently will hopefully add that) but we did it easily while sitting together having drinks during sail-away.   I think it has a text feature but it doesn't send an alert to the recipient so we just used our I-phone messaging to text one another.

Here is a video (possibly outdated) from Princess that explains it.  Someone can chime in and advise if this is outdated.  My last Medallion App Cruise was in December of 2019.

I have not seen a text feature on the app

You can locate people but not message them

Mr_Steve_&_Me

On the Sky Princess last week, it never showed where our companions were, even though they were added by booking number, and it constantly showed my husband was in our cabin, even if he was standing next to me by an elevator several floors away! Useless.

1 hour ago, riffatsea said: I have not seen a text feature on the app You can locate people but not message them

There is a messaging feature, but like previous Princess apps, there is no notification feature.  So unless someone is opening the app and checking, they will never know if they have a message.  To me, it is not worth the bother.  If you all have internet access and your phones let you text over Wi-Fi, you can just use your regular messaging (texting) app. As long as the Medallion Class app is working, the locate feature works great.

Edit - We had problem with the locate feature (and other features) last week on day one.  We then deleted and reinstalled the app.  After that, the locate feature worked great. 

The locate feature on my Medallion application put my wife in the Piazza when she was really in the buffet.  A crew member found her for me on his phone which accurately located her.

As Mr. Steve said, "worthless."

We used the "shipmates" onboard the Majestic to locate each other, and it pretty much told me the exact stool to find Tom on in Vines and led him right to my machine in the casino. VERY effective  🥂

The Countess

2 hours ago, jwattle said: We used the "shipmates" onboard the Majestic to locate each other, and it pretty much told me the exact stool to find Tom on in Vines and led him right to my machine in the casino. VERY effective  🥂 The Countess

yeeeeea, one those gotchya moments  😉

10 hours ago, riffatsea said: I have not seen a text feature on the app You can locate people but not message them

we sent messages via email.  worked out well.  

I'd recommend something like WHATSAPP for messaging (not an Apple user).  No interest in the old Princess messaging as there is no notification.  PITA to keep checking if you have a message.  We can also use WHATSAPP to make voice calls for free and actually talk live if we want.  How novel is that?

9 hours ago, Steelers36 said: I'd recommend something like WHATSAPP for messaging (not an Apple user).  No interest in the old Princess messaging as there is no notification.  PITA to keep checking if you have a message.  We can also use WHATSAPP to make voice calls for free and actually talk live if we want.  How novel is that?

While the medallion app does work on the ships the WhatsApp app is by far a better choice as you say. As long as the other people you're contacting have unlimited internet it's the only way to go.  😁   ✔️

I did us the location feature many times & it worked flawlessly on the Enchanted for all areas. They've added many more sensors compared to a few years ago on other ships so that the crew can find people for deliveries.

The two medallion cruises I went on, one in 2020 and the second in 2022, I found the locate feature unreliable.  When I would locate someone in our travel party and went to see them, they weren't there.  Then I would check and find they were now on a different deck.  By the time I got there, as you may have guessed, they were gone.

On the February Caribbean 2020 cruise, I sent a message to a friend via the app.  They never saw the message until 2022 and they were on a Med cruise off the coast of Greece.

They're fun to play with, just don't rely on these toys.

6 hours ago, Daniel A said: The two medallion cruises I went on, one in 2020 and the second in 2022, I found the locate feature unreliable.  When I would locate someone in our travel party and went to see them, they weren't there.  Then I would check and find they were now on a different deck.  By the time I got there, as you may have guessed, they were gone.

I get it the the on-board locate may not always be accurate, but it is also possible the person was on-the-move and by the time the system updated, they had moved on.  I had this happen once and all you can do is laugh about it.

7 hours ago, Daniel A said: The two medallion cruises I went on, one in 2020 and the second in 2022, I found the locate feature unreliable.  When I would locate someone in our travel party and went to see them, they weren't there.  Then I would check and find they were now on a different deck.  By the time I got there, as you may have guessed, they were gone.   On the February Caribbean 2020 cruise, I sent a message to a friend via the app.  They never saw the message until 2022 and they were on a Med cruise off the coast of Greece.   They're fun to play with, just don't rely on these toys.

They've added many more sensors lately as I can tell, making it much more accurate for the crew to find people that order food and drinks. 

One afternoon I ordered dessert when sitting at the aft bar location & left my medallion with my husband while I went to the bathroom. 

The crew member still found my seat although he did have to ask my husband if it was the correct spot.

I suppose he could tell by the last name being the same. 

Steelers0854

On 7/13/2022 at 11:49 AM, Mr_Steve_&_Me said: On the Sky Princess last week, it never showed where our companions were, even though they were added by booking number, and it constantly showed my husband was in our cabin, even if he was standing next to me by an elevator several floors away! Useless.  

Even if your booking numbers are linked you have to request and the other party has to approve for you to see their location onboard this ship.  Recently had this happen a couple weeks ago when we were on our Alaska cruise.

• 5 months later...

WHY DO SOME OF MY TRAVEL COMPANIONS HAVE A CHECKMARK BY THEIR PHOTOS AND OTHERS DO NOT HAVE A CHECKMARK?

Are you still at home?   I am thinking you are and trying to complete your pre tip requirements?  If this is the case:   

Sometimes the background on your photo is too busy or light/dark.  Try taking a pic next to a blank wall or use a sheet(no prints) for a  background.  Also take off glasses or/and hats.

Yes, if you're all linked. I could watch as my teenager walked from the buffet to the International Cafe and back to our cabin. It was handy!

Shipmates Chat did not notify me when I had a message (12/8/22-12/18/22). Did anyone else have an issue with that option??

My husband and I use the Locate Shipmates feature all the time and it works very well in our experience.  Absolutely love this feature.

Rick&Jeannie

3 hours ago, mcbridm said: WHY DO SOME OF MY TRAVEL COMPANIONS HAVE A CHECKMARK BY THEIR PHOTOS AND OTHERS DO NOT HAVE A CHECKMARK?

I *believe* the checkmark indicates that the person has accepted/approved the "connection" and can now be sent a message.  Of course...they STILL will not get any kind of notification as you do a regular text.  This function has been crippled since the very beginning!

5 hours ago, Ombud said: Shipmates Chat did not notify me when I had a message (12/8/22-12/18/22). Did anyone else have an issue with that option??

Either the most recent App update or the one prior mentioned providing a signal or icon change - or something - to a guest when they have a msg from a shipmate.  I have no proof nor verification this is working, however.

It didn't work for Shipmates Chat but worked for Crew Chat. However the light did work for letting the server know which one I was. 

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How to choose a travel companion: find the perfect adventure buddy

The choice of a travel companion can make or break your trip. Learn how to select the best travel partner with insights from personal experience.

Rachael Let's Grow There

Apr 03, 2024

Want to explore a new destination with a friend instead of traveling by yourself? I love traveling solo , but  exploring a new place with a friend can make your travel experience more fulfilling and fun.  However, not everyone will be the right match for the kind of trip you'd like to take, so it's important to choose your travel companion wisely . 

Choosing a travel companion

It's worth taking  some time to think about who would be the perfect fit for you, your destination, and your itinerary before giving them the green light.  It's important to be on the same page with your travel partner in order to have a good experience and make snap decisions.

If you are lucky enough to be traveling with your significant other or close friends, this might be a breeze for you! There will be times when your friends may not be able to go with you based on their schedules or budget, so finding a travel companion may be more difficult. 

Thankfully there are many great websites out there to meet fellow travelers , coordinate plans, and set out to see the world together! I'll talk about them at the end of this article.

These websites match you up with another globetrotter based on your similarities and interests so that your trip with them will go smoothly. This is the perfect option if you don't want to be alone on your trip or you need help splitting costs for cheaper travel .

If your trip is happening soon and you don't have enough time to find a travel buddy , you can always opt to go alone in the hopes of making friends while with other travelers or locals along the way. 

After all, the people are what make a destination so enchanting in the first place , and making friends while traveling alone has a magic of its own. 

Sometimes the best travel experiences are hidden gems, known only by the locals. Befriending them is the best way to experience something unique and get the perfect trip recommendations.

You might also like to read: Why traveling solo is a social experience

One of my favorite ways to find good travel companions during the trip is by doing a work exchange . That's a type of volunteer program where you exchange a few hours of work for free accommodation and other perks, like meals and tours. 

It's super easy to find and apply for an opportunity in most places around the world through Worldpackers , a platform that was created to match travelers that want to live a cheap and fulfilling experience and hosts who need some kind of help. 

During your work exchange you'll probably meet people you can travel with to other places , and it will be easier to know if they are a good travel companion since you'll have spent some time with them away from home.

Interested? Check out the articles where we explain how Worldpackers works.

Think carefully about who to travel with

Not only is travel a blast, it's a completely eye-opening experience that forces you out of your comfort zone and immerses you in cultures you had previously only dreamed of. World travel captivates and amazes, especially in the online world, but it can also be stressful and full of unforeseen challenges. 

The beauty of traveling with a friend is that you can tackle these challenges with them and put your heads together to come up with a solution. 

Choosing the wrong travel companion, however, can greatly amplify the stress and uncertainty you will feel in your destination of choice.  These tense situations tend to bring out the worst in people.  The last thing you want is to be at odds with your travel companion throughout your trip , followed by a cloud of negativity and general unpleasantness wherever you go. 

Finding someone whose travel philosophy aligns well with yours is essential if you're going to be stuck in a foreign land with someone for an extended period of time!

It's important to remember that just because you've spent a lot of quality time with someone at home, that doesn't mean they will be the same easy-going person on the road when faced with the challenges travelers go through. 

Be sure to spend some time with your travel buddy , perhaps on a weekend getaway or a day trip, before embarking on a big adventure. 

You might be scratching your head right now thinking, " So, what should I look for in a travel partner? " Here are some questions to ask yourself in your quest for the right travel companion.

How to choose the right travel companion

1. what do you have in common.

Consider what activities you and your travel buddy enjoy most. Do you prefer climbing mountains, but your partner is afraid of heights? Would you rather go museum-hopping than explore abandoned landmarks? Are you the type of traveler to enjoy the night in or go partying all night long? 

You don't have to enjoy every little thing together, of course! But setting up expectations helps avoid frustration.

Make sure you know if your travel companion is as outdoorsy, adventurous, artsy, or more into the more touristy sightseeing experiences . This will help you coordinate your itinerary, plan your travel days, and help you be more prepared for each day's new adventure! 

2. What are your differences?

On the other hand, traveling with someone who is too similar to you could cause you to butt heads while making important decisions. Search for a travel companion who is a bit different from you . 

If you're an introvert, find someone who is more of an extrovert. If you're indecisive, choose a partner who knows what they want. If you suck at directions, pick someone who has those skills. Share interests with them, but look for diversity when it comes to personality traits. 

3. Discuss how you want to experience the trip 

The key to having an amazing time immersing yourself in a new culture is balance. Travel burnout is a thing! The last thing you want is to create a schedule that has you running around all day, low on energy from waking up early, only to collapse on your hotel bed at the end of the day wishing you'd taken your sweet time to enjoy the area. 

A good rule of thumb is to alternate your schedule and rythm each day. Sleep in on your first day to adjust to any jet lag you may be experiencing. Make the day one of leisure, traveling slowly and getting a general feel for your new destination. 

Wake up early on your second day to see the sunrise and grab breakfast at the best spot in the city. Then hit all the best museums, sights, and attractions before the afternoon rush! Having a thoughtful itinerary like this will prevent travel burnout and help you explore at a good pace. 

Everyone has their own style of traveling . Some prefer self-guided tours to group tours. Some enjoy lounging by the hotel pool, cocktail in hand, instead of hoofing it everyday to see the sights. Some prefer expanding their minds in museums to paragliding over the ocean.

Discuss what you'd like to get out of the trip with your travel buddy , whether it be to find adventure, discover the best-tasting local dish, or to learn about the culture and have a truly authentic experience. Coordinate your interests and priorities so that no one gets disappointed.

4. Talk about expenditures, budgets, and money-spending habits

Before making reservations, booking accommodation, and planning your itinerary, sit down and have an in-depth discussion about your budget . 

Everyone spends their money differently and values different experiences more than others. Establish a spending plan, both a daily and total budget, what items to splurge on, where you're comfortable staying the night, what kind of transportation you'll use to get around, etc.

5. Are they willing to try anything once?

Whether it be trying savory street food or going cliff diving in paradise, traveling with someone who shares the same love of adventure that you do is a must .  Trying local delicacies  is a big part of every culture, and new experiences that get you out of your comfort zone are what great memories are made of. 

Find a travel companion that isn't afraid to try something new , even if it's just once!

6. Make sure their energy level vibes with yours 

Do you consider yourself to have a more laid back personality, or are you always on the go, ready for the next activity? 

Choosing a travel partner who shares the same energy level with you plays a significant role in how smoothly the trip flows and will tell you how much your partner values slow travel over a crammed itinerary.

7. Do they have a sense of humor?

This is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing your travel buddy! If something goes wrong and you miss your bus, your whole day gets rained out, you forgot to pack something, or you meet someone who is less than friendly, the right thing to do is to shake it off. These things happen, and every trip can't be perfect. Travel is messy.

Choose a travel partner who can laugh about the silly mistakes you make along the way .  Traveling with someone who can't look at the bright side of life will crush your ability to have an enjoyable time and become an unnecessary burden that could ruin your trip altogether. 

This is why it's important to spend some time on the road with your new companion before a big trip comes around.

8. What are their dietary preferences and restrictions?

Some travelers like to plan for everything and will meal plan to account for food costs. Talk to your travel buddy to figure out if they have any food allergies, how agreeable they are with trying street food, if they're vegetarian, if they drink or not, how much of a snacker they are, and so forth. 

9. Are they willing to part ways with you every so often?

Your travel partner should be able to respect your personal space if needed and be able to have the confidence to do some activities on their own. Sometimes you just need time to relax and reflect by yourself, or you'll have different interests and opinions on what to do on a certain day. 

10. Do they have an opinion or are they simply "down for whatever"?

It's always good to travel with someone who speaks their mind about what activities they do and do not like. It helps you narrow down what things you can do by yourself and determine what you need to include to make the trip an equally enjoyable experience for everyone.

However, if they are extremely easy to plan for, you can conveniently add more adventures to your to-do list. It's best to know this about your travel partner beforehand to aid you in the initial trip planning process. 

11.  What is their packing style like?

This isn't a huge deal, but if you're a "carry-on only" type of traveler, you don't want to be stuck checking your friend's luggage under the plane and taking up more precious time at the airport. 

Additionally, if their luggage is way too heavy because they've mistakenly overpacked, it will slow down your trip when you have to help them lug it around everywhere. 

Ensure that you and your travel companion are on the same page about packing  and can help each other pack lighter and smarter before the trip. 

12. Is this person trustworthy?

Would your companion be able to be responsible enough to take care of your belongings while you're away from the hotel, stick with you if they happen to meet an attractive stranger, and avoid wandering away from you in busy crowds? 

Your travel partner should never leave you hanging in a tough situation, leave you stranded, or jeopardize the group's safety . Go with someone you can trust to have your back. 

13. To party or not to party?

The more experienced traveler may enjoy grabbing a bottle of wine and resting their tired feet after a long day of sightseeing. Others might enjoy taking a quick nap to recharge before heading out on the town to party the night away. 

Both are totally fine, but make sure your companion knows which type of traveler you are . If you're more of a relaxed traveler, ensure the other person is aware of this and is able to find friends to party with, and vice versa. 

Check out our article about the   15 best party places in the world .

14. If you are traveling with more than one person, how does each person contribute to the group dynamic?

Traveling with a group can be tricky to coordinate. More people means you need to get along with each person in the party, or else the group could become socially divided. 

If you're in a trio, two of your group members might get along particularly well, and you could wind up feeling left out. Make an effort to hang out with your group before your trip in order to get to know everyone better.

Resources to help you find a travel companion

If you can't find a good travel companion among your friends, you can try finding someone recommended by another friend or family member. That's great because the person who makes the connection knows the both of you and will probably be able to tell if there's a good chance of compatibility. 

In case that doesn't work, there are plenty of websites and apps created for matching solo travelers who are looking for a good travel companion. Check it out:

• TripGiraffe
• Travel Companion Exchange
• TravelBuddies
• Lonely Planet Forums
• Travel Partners (Reddit)
• Challenge Chum
• Flip the Trip
• Trip in Touch

Is it possible to find an ideal travel companion?

The ideal travel companion exists, but you have to be willing to compromise. Everyone explores differently, which makes meshing your personalities, temperaments, and attitudes about travel vital to having a first-rate travel experience. One person may possess certain qualities that greatly benefit your trip, or better yet, they excel in certain areas that you may be lacking in.

Also, make sure you reflect on how you can be a good travel companion yourself. Remember that sharing a trip with someone is different than traveling alone. It's good to try and be flexible, have an open mind and communicate honestly.  

Communication and an open mind are always paramount to connecting with people on a deep and meaningful level. The better the connection, the stronger the bond, which means you'll be in the right headspace to soak up more travel goodness on your awesome adventure.

The right travel companion is so important in order to have rich experiences that aren't flat. So choose wisely, but don't overthink it . Take a chance on someone you think would be a good fit, and see what happens!

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Rachael Grow

Let's Grow There

Over the past five years I have worn many hats as a creative freelancer and have been able to pursue adventures across the globe. To me, travel is more than checking a box or sitting on the perfect beach all day. Travel is about self-discovery, keeping an open mind, and learning through culture immersion. In 2017 I was chosen by one of my favorite travel bloggers, The Blonde Abroad, to attend her first ever blogging retreat in Bali with a handful of other inspiring bloggers. It was truly a dream that taught me so much more than I could imagine. Fast-forward to 2019 when I was given the role of one of the lead English writer for Worldpackers. My in-depth articles touched on subjects like volunteer work, overcoming post-travel blues, outdoorsy tips, and boldly adventuring. Inner growth is my jam.

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Aug 08, 2022

This is helpful and accurate explanation. This article covers almost all the main pros and cons. Must read for every aspiring traveller who are feeling nervous / scared / hesitant to take the first step.

Jun 08, 2023

This is a very important issue when traveling, which otherwise has become a key point in people's lives. Thanks for the information

Choosing a travel companion can greatly enhance the overall experience of your adventure. From sharing memorable moments to navigating challenges together, finding the perfect adventure buddy is key. Whether it's someone with similar interests, a compatible travel style, or a shared sense of spontaneity, the right companion can make all the difference in creating unforgettable memories.

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We understand the thrill and excitement that comes with exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and creating unforgettable memories. But we also know that traveling can become more challenging with certain medical conditions. With a vacation companion to keep you company and support you along the way, you have the freedom to explore the world with comfort and ease, no matter what.

Safety & Security

Our trained staff can make it easier when traveling with a medical condition such as anxiety, dementia, blindness, or use a medical device like a cane, walker, or O2 tank.

Comfort & Companionship

Solo travel can be a little too quiet. Having a companion to chat with you on your flight and sunblock your back can be just what you need to make your time off even better.

Planning & Preparation

Golden Years offers concierge services that can help you plan around your needs, from the ride to the airport to the activities you want to do at your destination.

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We aim to be more than a ‘traveling nurse’. Our goal is to keep you, or someone you love, in good company while still making sure a properly trained assistant is there to help when needed. We want you to feel independent throughout your trip while knowing support is still nearby.

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Golden Years is proud to offer its clientele a convenient way to plan their next adventure. Our travel concierge services can help elderly and disabled individuals find appropriate accommodations so they can get the most out of their trip.

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Despite there being ADA regulations to make living in an able-bodied world more accessible, some tasks are just easier when you’ve got some backup. Our travel companions can help lessen the hassle of traveling with a disability.

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YourTravelMates is a social platform where every traveler can share their experiences, find awesome travel buddies and gain invaluable knowledge from locals. The service welcomes everyone who is interested in traveling to join and help build the greatest travel community out there. It is a trip planning platform - a home for more than 50 000 travelers. The service aims to make travel experiences and getaways unforgettable by helping members find their most desired travel partner or companion from a varied list of users, bridging the gap between cultures, countries and travel experiences.

YourTravelMates motivates and inspires travelers to talk about trips, share advice from locals, recommendations and more. YourTravelMates service makes it quite easy to meet someone with local knowledge of a destination user want to visit. The service has unique content (ex. travel photos) and functions.  Our audience is comprised of adults traveling for both leisure and business - all looking to experience the world.

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Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

How to Find a Travel Companion: Safe Options and Some to Avoid

February 20, 2023 by Janice Waugh

Finding a travel companion can make travel better but it can also make it worse.

There was a lively debate about finding a travel partner on the Solo Travel Society on Facebook.

• The majority of people considered this service counter to solo travel. Karen wrote: “I don't want to connect with anyone, love being solo. “
• Some thought that there was definitely a place for it. Danielle wrote: “when it comes to hiking or camping remotely while solo, that's a little nerve wracking and I'd love to meet up with people who are in the same mindset. “
• Some liked the idea as a means of getting around the single supplement. Mary wrote: “I like the idea of being connected to someone sometimes to avoid that “single-occupancy tax. “

Let's be clear: despite being a solo traveler, I have traveled with companions many times and had good success. It can enhance the travel experience as you discover a new destination through your own cultural lens and that of your new travel companion as well.

Yet, whatever your reason for seeking a travel companion, I suggest you proceed with caution and use the methods below. They are safe and will help increase your chances of making a successful match.

Table of Contents

How to Find a Travel Companion: Methods I Can Recommend

There are safe ways to find a travel partner for a day, a week, or more. These methods give you the freedom of being solo and connecting to interesting people when you want.

1. Get a warm introduction from a friend.

One of the best ways to find a travel companion is through a friend or family member. Being concerned for your safety, they will only suggest that you travel with people they trust. Hopefully, you will be geographically close enough to meet each other a few times before setting out so that you can determine for yourself whether they are a person with whom you'd like to spend a lot of time.

2. How to meet the right travel companion along the way.

This has happened to me most often in hostels, but it doesn't really matter where you meet them. The point is that you meet a travel buddy as you travel, not before. You get to meet them in person and spend a few days together sharing meals or day tours before committing to anything longer. Spend the days in the public sphere and return to your own safe accommodation every night. Eventually, you can decide whether this is the right person for you to travel with.

3. Let your tour/cruise company connect you with a travel partner.

If your goal is to avoid the single supplement on a tour or cruise, ask the travel company to partner you with another solo traveler. Most companies will and, if they can't, they'll give you your own room for no additional charge. See our Deals  page for tours and cruises with no or low single supplements.

4. Use Meetup.com to find locals who want similar experiences

Meetup.com is a fabulous resource for solo travelers to meet people of similar interests. These are most often locals, not people to travel with. But, locals! How great is that? I used Meetup.com and found people to hike with in Hong Kong.

5. Book a greeter and have a local share their city with you. 

International Greeters  connects you with locals who volunteer to show off their city. I've used this service in Paris, New York, Kyoto, and Chicago. It's a great way to meet and have fun with someone new. I've gone cycling, shared lunch, and shopped with greeters.

6. Women Welcome Women World Wide

This is an international community of 2,400 people in over 80 countries. They are mostly women over 60 who want to travel more often and meet locals, so they host one another for a tea or a stay as they travel. Read  Women Welcoming Women: A Gateway to International Friendships .

7. Take a day tour or a class to find a travel companion.

If social is what you're looking for, schedule in time for social activities. Day tours and group lessons give you a social experience. Perhaps you'll meet someone with whom you'd like to spend more time. Read How to Travel Alone Without Being Lonely: 10 Tips & 6 Short Stories .

3 Safety Rules for Traveling with Someone New

Traveling with someone you do not know really well requires a few safety tips, especially if you're traveling independently:

• Stay in public. When you are with someone new, stay in the public sphere for at least a few days. You need a bit of time to get to know them before renting a car together or sharing a hotel room. Eventually, determine whether this is a person with whom you truly feel safe.
• Be proactive . Choose who you want to spend time with. Make your own decisions rather than responding to invitations from others who might have agendas of their own.
• Don't be rushed into a decision. If you are considering traveling with someone, don't be rushed into the decision. If the idea comes up but they say that you must decide by a time that is less than comfortable for you, decline the opportunity.

Also, read our primary post on solo travel safety .

Apps/Sites for Travel Companions: My Concerns

There are a number of apps and websites that will help you find a travel partner. I have concerns about them for the following reasons.

• Compatibility . Just because you're going to the same destination does not mean that you're compatible with someone. You may not discover until you're into the trip that you don't share the same interests or ways of exploring, never mind the rhythm of your travels. This can make for a miserable trip.
• Catfishing . A catfish is someone online who pretends to be someone they're not. Without a real life connection, there is no way to know who is real and who isn't on social media. This could put you in a vulnerable situation where the person you thought was going to be your travel buddy is actually expecting to hook up, is not who they pretended to be, or worse.
• Misunderstandings . The potential for a serious misunderstanding is another reason I don't promote the idea of finding a travel partner on an app. Your new travel partner may not have had any intention of deceiving you and may not mean to cause you any harm, yet they may have different hopes for the trip than you do.
• Telling the world you're solo . By participating on an independent matching site and sharing your itinerary you are telling the world that you are traveling solo and where. While I don't hide the fact that I'm solo while I travel, for safety reasons, I don't broadcast it either.
• Sites/apps can get too much personal information . In an effort to increase member safety, some sites go through a variety of verification steps, including gathering government ID information. This raises identity safety concerns.

Because I can't promote the sites that help you find a travel partner (I don't have experience with them), I'm not giving you a list. However, if you are still interested, you will find a list on Google. If you do so, I hope you'll be cautious with a new travel partner and read the Solo Travel Safety section of the site before leaving.

Sharing is caring!

Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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Whether you’re an avid hiker, a sailor, or just someone who likes to know the direction while wandering, a compass app can be a handy tool to have on your iPhone. Though the iPhone has a built-in compass app, many third-party digital compass apps on the App Store offer more advanced options. So let’s take a look at some of the best compass apps for iPhone!

• Compass∞
• Altimeter GPS
• Compass & Altimeter
• Commander Compass Go
• Compass 55. Map & GPS kit
• The Best Compass

1. Compass∞ – Editor’s choice

This compass app is helpful for road trips , outdoor hiking, camping, etc. It’s pretty straightforward and shows accurate coordinates and altitudes. Besides, you can get the cardinal directions and your location’s temperature. 

While camping, use the flashlight feature. The premium version offers an additional speedometer, a latitude/longitude display, and a voice option. Moreover, you may share your locations with others directly from the app.

• Super easy to use
• Speedometer with Latitude/Longitude display
• Built-in weather and flashlight features
• No cons found

Price: Free (In-app purchase at $9.99)

2. Altimeter GPS – Best compass app for hikers and trekkers

The Altimeter GPS app comes with an altimeter, compass, barometer, pedometer, speedometer, and flashlight. So, you can get the current elevation, altitude, atmospheric pressure, real-time speed measurements, direction, and position information. Also, it offers weather updates for two weeks and information on current temperature, humidity, sunrise/sunset time, and wind speed.  

The best part is the app supports sending SOS signals and real-time coordinates when an emergency arises. With the help of hybrid and satellite maps, you can easily track your location. Also, return to your saved location using RADAR, Augmented Reality, and Map Directions. 

• Compass uses the current satellite location
• Emergency SOS feature
• Integrated pedometer and unique marked location timer
• The free version has limited features

Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $1.99)

3. Compass & Altimeter – Save your locations

Compass & Altimeter is an all-in-one tool for determining geographic direction. You can check your current location’s altitude, longitude, latitude, weather, temperature, and water boiling point. Also, there’s other geo information like air data, magnetic field data, wind direction, etc.

You may use it to get precise directions and save your whereabouts. Besides the strong compass, the GPS real-time speedometer is excellent. It gives you reliable GPS speed estimation. Moreover, I liked its compass theme function for customization.

• GPS real-time velocity measurement
• Check pressure and wind information
• Accurate air data
• Sometimes buggy

4. Commander Compass Go – Best offline digital compass app

If you love outdoor adventures and offroading, this iPhone compass app is for you. Commander Compass Go offers offline GPS navigation . Besides, it includes built-in topological maps, a gyrocompass, a speedometer, an altimeter, a coordinate converter, etc. Using the GPS receiver, you can track your waypoints and save custom locations on the map. 

Moreover, the compass provides different modes and calibration methods. The best part is the app uses 3D positioning of objects and gives real-time directions and GPS data. Besides, you may use the Sun, Moon, and star finder to calibrate the compass for maximum accuracy. I liked its color customization options, large dashboard, and celestial Satellite map.

• Great UI with lots of customization options
• Search for places offline
• Advanced compass features

Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $3.99)

5. Spyglass – Best paid iPhone compass app

Spyglass is a multipurpose app that works as binoculars, a heads-up display, an advanced compass with offline maps for planning waypoints, a speedometer, and much more. Also, you will get a coordinate converter, a sextant, an inclinometer, and an angle calculator. The rangefinder tool helps measure distance in real time. 

I liked the camera feature to click pictures overlaid with available GPS, positional and directional data. Moreover, you can save waypoints and locations, navigate to them later, track many places at once, and display them on maps. The app displays comprehensive GPS data using augmented reality and 3D objects.

• Uses Augmented Reality
• Share locations, coordinates, and map links
• Optical rangefinder
• Annoying full-screen ads

Price: $5.99 (In-app purchases start from $2.99)

6. Compass 55. Map & GPS kit – Informative

If are a sucker for details and like to explore things in-depth, then this is the perfect compass app for you. The Compass 55 is a very detailed app with maps, a compass, a speedometer, and GPS coordinates (that can be viewed in 6 different formats), all integrated into a straightforward interface.

Besides, the app allows you to record your GPS track and convert the coordinates according to your preferences. You can use a native Google map with stunning 3D, night mode, or set a waypoint location for getting ETA and add a photo or audio note for further reference. Also, you could share your location on Social Media with your friends.

• Support for Siri shortcuts and background mode
• Advanced navigating tools
• Multiple map overlays
• Not so user friendly

Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $5.99)

7. The Best Compass – Get weather forecast

The Best Compass app is a free compass app for iPhone that offers a 7-day weather forecast and air quality information. It detects all geographic directions and locates your precise location using magnetic declination, angle measurement, and GPS coordinates.

Besides, the app offers tips for navigating the open territory using cardinal directions and star observation. Also, when it becomes dark, the flashlight shortcut will help. Also, you can customize your home screen thanks to the card manager feature.

• Aesthetic design
• Guide section for outdoor trips
• Check the air quality and weather
• Too many ads

Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $3.49)

So, that’s all for today, folks!

Make these top compass apps your travel companion for your next adventure, and have a wholesome experience. It can be a valuable tool for navigating your way through the outdoors or even just finding your way around town. So whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a reliable way to get directions, it will surely come in handy.

Explore more…

• Best GPS navigation apps for iPhone
• Best traffic apps for iPhone and iPad
• How to change your iPhone GPS location?

Ava is a die-hard Apple aficionado and seasoned writer with a knack for breaking down complex tech concepts into easily digestible content. Having honed her writing and editing skills over 3 years at renowned media houses like TechBurner, Ava crafts informative and engaging articles including troubleshooting guides, product reviews, editorials at iGeeksBlog. When not typing, you can find her exploring the latest Apple releases or pondering the future of tech innovation.

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