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What GAFFL Users Are Saying

"It’s really nice to have a platform like GAFFL with lots of travelers wanting to do the same as you, a real beautiful cultural exchange. You can meet people so easily and in a trustful way. We were four girls, from French, German and American backgrounds, without knowing each other from before. We spent an amazing week together, 2000km driving, camping on the way. We saw kangaroos, koalas, penguins and pelicans"

“I have found GAFFL to be an amazing tool for finding similar minded travel partners to embark on an adventure. Through GAFFL, I had organized a trip to Mexico City last month and Quazi joined the trip from Victoria, BC. We spent 14 days of straight exploring, hiking, eating and drinking. Quite an amazing experience - all thanks to GAFFL!”

"I accidentally scrolled across GAFFL and I'm so pleased I did. I met Amaia and immediately decided to road-trip together. We're spending 10 days together and it's great because we have so much in common. Couldn't have done it without GAFFL helping us find one another! It has honestly made NZ so much cheaper to explore as I get to split the costs with someone too​"

Were you looking forward to a trip with your friends, only to find out that they had backed out last minute? Wondering how to find a travel companion online? Even if your family and friends' schedules don't match yours, your vacation doesn't have to be ruined because of it. GAFFL can help you to find the perfect travel companion for your next adventure.

The best way to find a travel buddy on GAFFL is to search for your desired destination and browse through thousands of user-generated trips created by solo travelers around the world.

A good travel companion is someone who has a similar itinerary to you. It's also someone you think you'll get along with.

Every user on GAFFL has a profile where they list their interests. If you and your potential trip mate share some common interests, it’ll make your trip go a lot smoother.

It's also important to have a similar budget in mind. If your travel companion wants to do more activities and eat at expensive restaurants but you can’t afford it, it can lead to an unpleasant trip for the both of you.

When browsing trips on GAFFL, make sure to read through the trip details to learn more about the trip and determine if the activities are something you want to do and can afford.

If you like a trip on GAFFL, simply click 'Connect,' and you'll be able to chat with your travel buddy right away. If you have your own travel plans, you can start your own trip and others can request to connect with you!

Finding the right travel companion online can be difficult for solo travelers. GAFFL, on the other hand, makes it very simple. Use our world-class real-time messaging system to get to know your potential travel partner. Chat with them to see if they'd be a good travel companion for you, and then plan together, meet up with your travel buddy, and start exploring together.

GAFFL is the best website/app for solo travelers looking for travel companions online because we prioritize our travelers' trust and safety. Our multi-step verification process includes social media, phone number, and a valid government ID, so you can be confident in your potential travel companion. With adventurers from over 190 countries, you can connect, chat, and find the perfect travel buddy to meet up with on GAFFL.

I think GAFFL plays a role by allowing solo travelers to find travel buddies when needed. Though solo travel is a great way to travel, there are some experiences that are better enjoyed with more people (some don’t even allow for solo).

Friends and families are not always available to travel with, and sometimes the interests do not align for travel. Or sometimes you just want to socialize while still being solo most of the time. I think GAFFL helps solve these problems.

Solo travel is great. But there are some times that I do not recommend someone travel solo and where I personally try my hardest not to travel solo. Some examples of this relate to safety, like hiking a trail that doesn’t have many people walking it each day, or being in certain destinations where I’ve heard from others that it’s difficult as a solo female.

Other examples relate to expenses, like taking a road trip and renting a car. Situations like these are where I think something like GAFFL is a great idea. With GAFFL, you can find a group to go on that hike with or split that car rental with!

One of the things that hold people back is that they don’t have a partner or a best friend to travel with and they feel scared and uncertain to travel alone, especially long-term. GAFFL helps with that!

Another thing that holds people back is the perceived cost of travel. While travel doesn’t have to be expensive, it’s always more affordable when you can share the cost of accommodation and groceries with someone else. Again, GAFFL provides a solution for that!

I think this is a fabulous idea because the things that can get expensive while solo traveling can usually also be easily split between people. If you aren’t a hostel fan, it would be awesome to have people to split hotels and Airbnb with.

If car rental is the cheapest way to get around a destination, it would be ideal to have others to split the costs with. But most importantly it always makes the experience that much more memorable when you have new friends to share it with.

We truly believe that the best memories and experiences are the ones that are shared with others. It doesn’t matter if you’ve known someone for an hour or your whole life, when you do something badass together it’s sure to be a time you won’t forget.

Making connections and becoming friends with people all over the world is such a powerful tool to have when traveling. One day maybe you’ll visit your new friend in their homeland. Some of the best trips happen when you have a friend playing tour guide in their country.

GAFFL is a really cool opportunity to enrich your travels with like-minded people who will push you to get out of your comfort zone. No matter what type of personality you have, making new friends on the road is easier than ever.

Find Travel Buddies

Real & verified travelers, reviews from our tripmates.

• How do I find a travel buddy at JoinMyTrip? You can find a travel buddy by joining trips hosted by passionate travel buddies, whom we call TripLeaders. The trips are carefully handpicked and curated, offering you the best experience you can't find anywhere else. The TripLeaders will be in charge of these trips, from designing the itinerary to leading the way. Furthermore, TripLeaders will accept travelers, whom we call TripMates, on their trips and travel together. So, by joining our trips, you can connect with other amazing travelers from all over the world.
• How does JoinMyTrip verify Travel Buddies? Nothing is more important than your safety when traveling with us! Every TripLeader and every TripMate who wants to join one of our trips has to verify their identity with us. Provide us with your ID or passport and phone number to verify you.
• The more, the merrier. Gain lots of amazing moments as you share them with your travel buddy, a.k.a. TripMates.
• Save money by sharing costs with your travel friends.
• You do not need to spend a lot of time creating an itinerary as it is provided by our TripLeaders.
• As you know, there is safety in numbers. Traveling together with your travel buddies can ensure you this!
• You get to know every travel buddy who will be traveling with you before you go on a trip. You can see the profile of your TripLeader and TripMates beforehand. Besides that, your TripLeader will create a group so you can get closer to your travel buddies.
• How safe is it to find a travel buddy at JoinMyTrip? Your Safety is our top priority. We verify every travel buddy on the platform. A TripLeader has to verify their phone number and identity with us by uploading an ID or passport. We also keep in touch with our TripLeaders before, during, and after the trip. Most importantly, our community protects you. If there is a problem, we will definitely intervene remotely. If you still have any doubts, please get in touch with us !

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Home » Budget Travel » How to Find a Travel Buddy: Travelling with a Friend 101

How to Find a Travel Buddy: Travelling with a Friend 101

There’s a certain romanticism in the life of an intrepid solo traveller—solitary and stoic—braving venturing unto new frontiers. But do you want to know the truth?

Some of my warmest, happiest, and most sincere memories from the road are of experiences shared travelling with a friend.

Now, that’s not necessarily to say a friend  from home.  No, rather, a travel buddy that I met on the road. People that, astonishingly quickly, became treasured friends and companions.

Because that’s the underlying magic of finding a travel buddy: it’s a shared experience, and that makes it more real. Suddenly, there’s someone to tell that story with—someone to reminisce with. At the one-year reunion, the two-year reunion, or, hell, maybe (if you’re lucky enough), then when you’re old and grey and still complaining about the price of cigarettes together.

And that’s exactly why I want to teach you how to find a travel buddy! Because remembering and sharing those stories together… that’s more special than the travels themself.

We’ll be covering the basics today, i.e. how to make a friend (in case you missed that 101). But also the peripherals: how to find a travel buddy online AND offline, the (more practical) benefits of travelling with friends, and even the stampeding elephant in the room that is the variable of gender.

Why Travel with a Stranger?

How to find a travel buddy online, how to find a travel buddy offline, the ins-and-outs of travelling with a buddy.

Ok, so ‘stranger’ is a bit rough. Sure, when you first meet a travel buddy they’ll be a stranger, but that’s the beauty of travel relationships: they get real deep real fast.

Imagine a friend that you see every day of your life, be it for 3 days or 3 months. Every decision is shared, resources are shared, stories—new and old—are shared. Rapidly, this person becomes a staple and constant in your life.

It sounds almost like a… real relationship , right?

But it is, essentially, albeit platonically (most of the time).

If the idea that you won’t find a travel partner is holding you back from travelling, that’s daft. There are incredible places to travel alone in the world.

Short of disappearing into the frozen expanses of the Alaskan tundra, you will never be alone. Often, alone time can almost be like black gold for a traveller.

The world is a big place, and no matter how hard you try, you’re never really alone.

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The Benefits of Travelling with a Friend

Outside of all the esoteric mumbo-jumbo about meeting people to travel with and forming lifelong kinships of an almost spiritual substance, there are heaps of logistical reasons to travel with someone!

• Saving money – Duh— budget backpacking 101 ! Someone to split costs with means spending less money overall.
• Taking nicer rooms – Kind of an offshoot of the last point but think about all the private room options that will open up if you’re sharing. You can take swanky Airbnbs at a steal or share grimy single rooms (with one person on the floor) for a pittance!
• Sharing resources – “Hey, dude, got any mozzie spray?”
• Someone to watch your back – Safety in numbers, naturally, but not just that. You’ve got someone to watch your stuff when you wander off for a piss or to talk to on the long train rides. It’s the little things.
• They might not finish their meal – Cha-ching!
• Photo-ops – You’re gonna be featured in way more Insta-basic-beach-poser shots with someone around to take them.

Travelling with a Friend from Home

Personally, I’m not a fan of the ‘bring a friend’ method. You know how sometimes friends choose to live together and then they discover they’re shit housemates and it gets petty and causes schisms within the whole friendship group? (No, you’re a projection!)

I know the dream is to have your mates from home tag along for the adventure, but a dream can quickly turn to a lucid nightmare. Once you’re travelling—solo or with a travel buddy—you’ll discover the glory of freedom. Both the freedom of the road and freedom from home.

Travel is a chance to be free of the perceptions of who you are held by the people closest to you. It’s a chance to grow, develop, and learn about yourself, with yourself, in brand new and unprecedented scenarios. Bringing a friend from home along to that experience is like sneaking a flask into an AA meeting.

I wouldn’t say doggedly avoid travelling with a friend from home. I would, however, suggest to experience travel in its fullest before you bring that home-friend.

A home-friend, or, yes, a partner, is—to be blunt—a ball-and-chain. A travelling friend is someone you meet on the road. You have no unspoken contract to uphold; if it goes south, then so do you (while they go north).

A friend you travel with , however, has all sorts of potential to get messy, and it’s not a good first-time introduction into the backpack-o-sphere. It’s a commitment and one that works counter-intuitively to the freedom of travel.

It can be a real restriction.

Will here again!

While planning an entire backpacking trip with a friend (or friends) can lead to surefire disaster, a short stint through the crazies of Asia or clubs of Europe is a blast!

When it comes to getting my friends to come out and travel with me for a bit, I am absolutely a convincing bastard! What I like to do on longer trips is to make a Facebook group, add my favourite homies, and then post my—extremely rough—itinerary and any general directional updates. That way, people can work out where I’m heading and decide if they’d like to swing by for an interlude.

I tend to much prefer to go my own way during the adventures, but seeing the peeps from back home is always such a heartwarming experience, especially in the reaches of some far-flung land. It may just take some persistence to convince them. 😉

Travel Alone or with Someone: Shoulda Put a Ring on It

While travelling with a friend may be the dream, solo travel is the real journey. If you find a travel buddy, you’re not solo travelling, and that, simply by nature, is restricting.

As a solo traveller, you’re living on a whim. Anywhere you go is entirely in your hands. And experiences come a lot more frequently as a result of your solitude.

• Hitchhiking alone is easier.
• Meeting locals is easier.
• Having someone host you is easier.

That’s not to say that this stuff doesn’t happen when travelling with someone. Only, it’s more restrictive.

A pair of exotic foreigners is a lot more daunting to approach than a single dazed soul. And you haven’t got to hash out decisions with someone either before you do something crazy in the spur of the moment. You do you.

However, you do lose a lot too. Travel isn’t about being alone: it’s about all the people you meet. It’s about all the things that they teach you, and all the things that you learn together. Meeting a travel buddy and earning a travel companion is a natural extension of that.

What I’m trying to say is that sometimes you just wanna smoke a joint by yourself. I get that—we all do. But, at the end of the day…

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It’s the 21st-century. Of course, we’re doing this digitally! Isn’t the main reason to travel to be looking at your phone more?

Ok, so finding a travel buddy online may not be my favourite flavour, but it does work. There are no shortage of travel companion sites and ‘find a travel buddy’ apps fit for the purpose of hooking you up with some loose cannon through cyberspace.

The most obvious is social media and this does work:

• Facebook – Is the no brainer. Check general backpacking groups, backpacking groups for the country you’re in, groups for specific hobbies (hiking, climbing, etc.), or even ride offering/asking groups in the famous road trip countries (Australia/New Zealand/etc.).
• Instagram – Yeah, Insta does have its purposes ; try posting a photo or story showcasing where you’re at now. Chances are someone you met on the road before will hit you up.
• Twitter – I’m not even going to pretend to be an expert on Twitter, but if you’re already an avid tweeter of twits, then I’m sure you know how to utilise it. I have heard success stories!

Your socials are already covering a lot of ground given that so many people—and travellers—are active users. But your also looking at a huge gene pool of many splendid examples of the lowest common denominator. There are no referrals, no rating system, and no barrier of entry.

They definitely have their uses, but there are plenty of much more nuanced travel friend apps and sites to find people to travel with.

Best Travel Buddy Apps and Sites

• GAFFL – On the reverse end of social media’s low threshold to sign up is GAFFL with its 4-step verification process—yikes! There’s a site with a yummy UX and an accompanying travel buddy app, plus you get some extra bonus features for planning the trip itinerary and securely splitting the costs even prior to the trip.
• Travel Buddies – Well the name certainly fits! It’s kinda like a social media platform with the explicit purpose of advertising your upcoming trips and seeing other peoples’. It’s pretty straightforward to contact people and overall a pretty clearcut travel buddy site.
• Meetup – It’s not actually a site for finding a travel companion but rather a site for group meetups and events—hiking, pub drinks, Taco Tuesdays, LGBTQ Taco Tuesdays. You may never meet a travel buddy through meetup, but you’ll definitely meet some friends!
• Tinder – I know, I know. But, using Tinder while travelling does have its uses.
• Backpackr – Just a straight app without a website. You can browse people’s profiles (so, yeah, it’s a bit dating-ish) and a ‘Common Room’ for asking questions, getting tips, and screaming into the void.
• 5W: Women Welcome Women Worldwide – I wanted to throw a ladies-only choice in, and this one is more like a worldwide network than just an app for meeting travellers. 5W is a non-profit that’s been around since 1984. You’ll have to complete an application process first to ensure you meet the prerequisites (i.e. having a vagina), but once you do, you’ll be given the keys to the kingdom: the members list with plenty of opportunities for attending gatherings or organising one-on-one meetings.

Then there are Traveller forums. They’re a dime a dozen for both seeking tips and finding travel buddies. If you’re not a massive fan of apps, these are the major players you should look at:

• Tripadvisor forums – People ask a lot of questions over there too.
• Reddit –  There are endless subreddits divided by different destinations, communities, and hobbies. Check out the Travel Partners and Solo Travel boards particularly.

Couchsurfing – A Broke Backpacker’s Secret Weapon

Heya, Sexylegs.

While the above apps certainly serve the cause, there’s only one platform that I believe takes the true crowning jewel of being the best app to find a travel buddy—Couchsurfing! I have Couchsurfed in all manner of weird and wonderful locales—Iran, Venezuela, and Jordan just to name a few—and I have always found the Couchsurfing community to be absolute gems.

As well as being a fantastic platform for finding free accommodation and meeting locals, Couchsurfing is also a great site and app for making travel friends. I have found numerous people through Couchsurfing’s groups who I have travelled with, and I’ve won some truly treasured friendships as a result.

The best group to look in is either the ‘Backpacker’ group or the ‘Travel Buddies’ group as well as checking out the specific group for whichever country or region you are travelling and Couchsurfing in. Often, people will post in country or city groups asking if other CSers are around for drinks, an adventure, or to see if anybody else is trying to find a travel mate. It’s also definitely worth heading to any local Couchsurfing meetups in your area too!

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Look, I’m old fashioned. I don’t like Tinder. I prefer paying in cash, and I do enjoy popping the odd Werther’s Original. Finding someone to travel with offline is my jam.

You’re going to meet travel companions organically as you travel alone (assuming you’re lovable with a winning smile). It’ll be in any number of differing formats too. They could be a:

• Solo human with an equally unquenchable thirst for the world’s most adventurous places .
• Pair of humans who are either previous friends or also travel buddies.
• Group of any size and connecting factor (though a group of all solo travellers is always madness of the finest calibre).
• Romantic pair of humans. This actually happens more often then you might think and is more-often-than-not excellent fun! Bonus points to the travelling couples who argue in their native tongue for the sake of politeness.

There are probably other formats than this, but that’s the basics. And again, it will happen organically , even if you’re not lovable with a winning smile. (Unless, of course, you’re a total prick, but then you have bigger issues).

Meet Other Travellers (But Never Settle for Second-Best)

Do let it be organic. You’re a solo traveller! Be the badass motherfucking homeless-hero thou most certainly art.

Go and solo travel. Brave new ventures, be lonely sometimes, and make many, many new friends. When the right companion to travel with comes along, you’ll know it. Forcing this issue is just like forcing relationships – it doesn’t work out very well!

Usually, finding a travel buddy (or buddies) is a matter of something shared; it is a core value of The Broke Backpacker Manifesto . A shared desire for the same off-beat adventure. Or it could be a shared matter of convenience— we were both going to the same place, but then we stayed together.

Often, for me, it’s just a shared love for the same simplicities in life: living cheap, travelling without money , eating local, smoking the finest dankeries, and, sometimes, sleeping under the stars. The dirtbag life.

My point is, don’t settle for mediocrity! You’re way too good for that. Wait until you meet travel buddies that truly deserve you.

Just do you, soak up the journey, and let the opportunity come to you. Ultimately, it’s gotta flow.

Places to Find a Travel Buddy Offline

If you’re steering clear of the apps and socials in your travels (or are just terrible at using them), then there are still some classic meeting points to find a travel mate:

• Hostels – Staying in backpacker hostels is the tried-and-true classical method to meet travellers and find someone to travel with. But remember to pick hostels that match your vibe.
• Work Exchange Programs – Absolutely! Things like Workaway, WWOOF, Worldpackers, HelpX, etc… these types of travel jobs are tops places for meeting travellers. Particularly solo and long-term travellers.
• Public Transport – If you’re carving a typical backpacking route for any given place—say the Banana Pancake Trail in Southeast Asia —then you’ll always encounter travellers en route between the major destinations.
• On the Plane – You can find a travel buddy before you even leave the airport! Scout the plane and passengers (at the baggage claim is also a smart spot) for any smelly backpacker vagrant types, and ask them if they’d like to share a taxi to the nearest backpacker hub of whatever city you’ve landed in. A general rule: the cheaper the flight , the more likely you’ll walk into some fellow broke backpackers!
• Declaring a Grand Adventure – It’s happened to me no short number of times. You declare with great intention (no bluffing allowed) about some grand adventure you’re planning—say, hitchhiking across India or finding some legendary hidden mountain village. If the chances of death are still low enough, people are always gonna want to tag along.

Often, if the flow is right, someone that you met as a short-term travel buddy (say, on the bus) can end up being someone you travel with for a while. Sometimes, it can be a long while.

Seriously, work exchange programs are a brilliant method to meet other travellers. Given that the people you meet—not even counting the local friends that you’ll make—are more than likely going to be dedicated to the slow travel life (and to exploring a country away from the tourist bubbles), forming substantial friendships is just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

It also helps to know your way around the voluntourism sector, and how to choose worthwhile programs (ideally, with a steady influx of travellers). Worldpackers and Workaway —two esteemed platforms for volunteering abroad—are good places to look too.

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

Nobody said it was easy. No one ever said it would be this hard.

Yes, indeed, the man known as ‘Coldplay’ was correct. While sometimes it flows effortlessly, sometimes it is hard.

They’re not a true friend until you’ve seen them at their worst. They’re not a true friend until you’ve considered throwing them out of a 6-storey window.

If you’re going to choose to travel with a stranger, you’ve got to be prepared for some strangeness. Sometimes it gets tense. Sometimes it gets uneasy.

Finding a travel partner is only half the journey.

Oh Boy, We’re Discussing Genders

Yay for minefields! I really wanted to avoid this topic because finding a travel buddy should never be about the potential to get inside another traveller’s Thailand Elephant Pants. However, we can’t honestly pretend that gender isn’t an influencing factor and so… it’s into the abyss we go!

Yes, finding travel companions for singles, as a single, is definitely a thing. Finding love and sex while backpacking is a potential natural conclusion of this. Fairly often, it ends poorly once the honeymoon bubble of travelling together wears off; but it does work out too… sometimes.

BUT, it’s more important to shift your thinking away from that and to more consider the variable of gender , i.e. how gender affects travel.

I remember travelling with a friend—female and very much treasured—in Sri Lanka. She cracked the shits at me one night after dinner because I failed to see the host was ignoring her and taking executive decisions on the meal order from me: the man. Truthfully, I was completely oblivious; I was just pumped for dinner.

However, having a female travel companion does help create insight. Many parts of the world are substantially more difficult for a girl to travel in solo or otherwise (though certainly not impossible)…

The Arab World is tricky. South Asia is not the best either? South America is… mmm .

Being a female looking for a male travel partner in these parts of the world—while not a necessity—is smart. It does mitigate the intensity. With a couple of fake wedding rings thrown in, you’ll be coastin’.

If you do end up travelling with someone of the preferred gender and orientation you most enjoy diddling, again, you guys do you. Just remember the variable.

Dudes, stay aware of your female travel companions. Just stand a bit tighter in the surge of a crowded bazaar, or keep an eye on her drinks during a psy-banger in Goa. Remember that her experience will always be different.

As for the Mademoiselles travelling with a guy friend, just keep communicating: be chill, girl-bros. If you’re gonna crack the shits, do so gently. Sometimes, we’re just not paying attention.

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How to Travel with a Friend: On Fights

Yeah, arguments do happen on the road. Travel with a friend long enough, and, eventually, it’ll happen.

The first time I had an argument with a travel buddy, it got ferocious. Imagine two colourfully dressed hippies shoeless on the side of a New Zealand road screaming and cussing each other out—one in broad Australian, one in angry Japanese. That wasn’t our last argument either.

The next time I hitched long distance with someone, I warned him:

“Alright, dude. At some point, we’re gonna fight. We need to decide now, what we’ll do then.”

He thought I was joking.

“Oh, yeah, well how about we roll a joint on it.”

Several days later while being held semi-captive in a buttfuck-nowhere Indian village, we had our first fight, and that’s exactly what we did.

Assume it’ll happen, make the necessary plans in your head, and communicate well. When you find a travel companion, you’re gonna see that person every day. Often, for every meal.

Travelling relationships can be every bit as intense as romantic ones. The only difference is you don’t get the catharsis of a make-up bang afterwards.

How to Travel with Someone – Tips and Pointers

• Talk – And communicate; if you’re having an off-day—a case of the traveller blues—mention it. Talking is important, especially if it’s about something that affects the team.
• Share – If you’re both giving and taking fairly, you’ll end up a stronger team for it. Pool your resources!
• Don’t be an accountant –  For big sums of money, sure, but keeping track of the little things is going to wear very thin. Often, it’s easier just to go 1:1 on buying each other chai, meals, bus fares, and whatever else.
• Take Space – When you feel you need it, and sometimes when you don’t too. Timeout is rarely the wrong choice.
• Compromise – You ain’t solo travelling anymore which means sometimes you’ll need to make concessions! Somedays, you’re just not going want to do the same thing.

And remember that word— team.  Because that’s what you are. You’re a team working together towards a shared goal.

You gotta function as a unit.

Travel Alone or with Someone, but Get Insurance!

I once had a friend spot his travel buddy several grand when she got herself into a medical mess in Nepal (which is yet to be returned, to the best of my knowledge). Now, granted, he’s self-sacrificing to a fault, however, it’s a picture-perfect example of exactly why you should have travel insurance.

Because it ain’t you who’ll be cleaning up your mess.

All kinds of things can happen when you travel, and they do happen. Be sure to consider some quality travel insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

And Now You Know How to Find a Travel Buddy!

And how to travel with them. It’s kinda cool, right?

Ding-dong—I’m a solo traveler!

For me, one of the greatest thrills of backpacking is to rock up somewhere completely new and meet a whole new crowd of people, travellers and locals alike. I have done a huge amount of solo, partnered, and group travel, and I highly recommend you have a crack at all of them.

Moreso, I can’t stress enough that if the fear of being alone is holding you back from travelling, it shouldn’t. One of the main reasons some would-be vagabonds never leave home is because they’re worried they won’t meet anyone and will be lonely. One of the lessons you’ll learn travelling is that that’s simply never going to happen.

The backpacker community is awesome; everybody is extremely friendly and, in general, people just want to meet-and-greet (the same as you). It’s really quite easy to find people to travel with. And the times that you are, you’ll still be having a damn good time!

It’s something someone said to me a long time ago: some things you can only learn in a relationship, and some things you can only learn on your own. I think the same is true of travel.

Travelling solo is only one part of travel as is travelling with a friend , buddy, stranger, partner, or even in a group. Don’t find a travel buddy because you’re scared. Be scared and be awesome, because the two aren’t mutually exclusive.

Travel in all ways, experience it in all forms, and when you do find travel buddies, experience that too. Because many of those shared stories—and those shared photos—will be the ones that inspire your kids to travel.

1+1=3… which is to say that a unit is greater than the sum of its parts. A team, a friendship, and travel buddies—when it’s right—are stronger together than they are apart. And the end results?

They’re worth all the stupid fights.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Ziggy Samuels

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17 Comments

Too cool of a website. Thumbed the NA Continent, tried in SE Asia {didnt know what thumbing was} and met fine people. There are great people wherever one goes and ones that will go out of their way to help another. Canada is super, picturesque as is the Alcan, North of 60 {Phillip smith mts}. Stayed mostly northern areas. The south has a different atmosphere but good folks. Want to try Hitching Trains. Valuable info to share with others re the site

This helps. I need a travel companion if nothing else someone to talk to but, I would like to find someone that can do some of the driving. Money is not my problem it’s time. I once said we have 3 things. MONEY, SEX, TIME. SOMEONE INTERESTED IN TRAVELING THE USA STARTING IN MARCH OR APRIL CONTACT ME. [email protected] .

I’ve been trying to FIND Someone Anyone!! to go with me from: TX. To and Through: OK./MO./KS. with NO LUCK!!! LOCAL TRAVEL(S) NOT FOREIGN TRAVELS!! Because I LIVE LOCALLY In The USA DUH,……For TWO YEARS Now,…..SO NOT GETTING ANYWHERE OR ANYPLACE, With DIALING The: CHARTER BUSES, The RIDE SHARES, And Even Other HIKING AND BIKING BUDDIES, Especially LONG Distance, Because I Don’t Drive A Car As A Grown Up ok??? VERY FRUSTRATING!!!! What HAPPENED To Just Getting A SIMPLE RIDE Safely Of Course (That Word SAFE AGAIN Grrrr!!!) (SAFE THIS AND SAFE THAT, Or: Safe That And Safe This, For TWO FREAKING YEARS NOW!!!) (SHUT UP ABOUT SAFE!!!) (And Oh Yeah Also: WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER BULLCRAP For TWO FREAKING YEARS!!! ENOUGH ALREADY!!!) Basically AND Generally??? I N E E D A R I D E From A D R I V E R Or D R I V E R S And/Or A Bike AND Hike Group A LONG A DISTANCE Soon For The REST Of This fall And winter DUH!!! And SOMEONE AND SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS THE AREA And/Or AREAS WE ARE GOING THROUGH Soon!!!!! I JUST WISH!!!!!! I’LL EVEN LEAD THE GROUP OR A GROUP, IF NEED BE, THOUGH I’VE NEVER ACTUALLY HAVE LED A GROUP OF OTHER PEDESTRIANS EVER!!! UHG!!! GETTING MORE AND MORE FRUSTRATED DAILY HERE IN GREENVILLE, TX./Texas AND SOON I’M JUST GOING To Go FIND SOME ABANDONED CAR, AND HOTWIRE IT EVEN IF IT’S A NEW WORLD ORDER AI SCARY BOT CAR!!! TIRED OF WAITING FOR A FEW YEARS TO RETURN There WHEREVER!! And A FRUSTRATED TRAVELER(S), BECOMES A HOSTILE CRANKY TRAVELER(S)!!!

Sad to not see more comments since Covid… It’s like a message in a bottle thrown into the sea. I’m French, 35 yo, fit, gentleman, I don’t smoke, marketing manager teleworking, looking for a travel buddy, a woman, I’m not vaccinated, I already moved to different places with my car in France but I also plan to travel in EU, I usually stay a month or more in the same place. I like to explore around, to try the local food, organic mostly, monuments, history, nature… The week I stay around the place to work and do multimedia art, music, etc. on my laptop… I don’t need someone but when I see that most places I rent are for 2 minimum, well… It’s a shame not to share this experience, right?

TravBuddy & Thorntree shut down their service.

GAFFL is a similar site which matches up travelers with similar travel plans and ensures the safety of travelers through their well-built verification process. Currently, it has users from over 170 countries.

This can be a great addition to this list.

Hi my name is LUIS I live in Houston to and I’m ready for new adventures

Teacher: Looking for travel buddy know knows how to budget. Currently in Mexico and looking to head to Asia. Any takers? My goal is to travel with Will one day!

Yes i too would like to travel to Asia! You still down for it?

Hi Guy !!! I am an asian guy,living in the Netherlands now.I will be travelling to Viet Nam ( from 12th/Jan/2019 till 28/febr/2018. I wanna look for a travelbuddy to join me .You dont need to travel as long as i do if you cant.You dont need to travel with me all the time either,if you dont want it.You can catch me up during imy holiday in Viet Nam.Travelling with me together wont be only a great fun, but it will also be a great advantage for you,because i have known the beaufitul cities and countrysides in Viet nam,i do know where we can get cheap accomodation ,, cheap and delicious local food..and wonderful highlights in Viet nam too.Ofcourse you can afford in travelling with me with your low budget . I can speak Vietnamese ,English and Dutch.Any guys are interested in being on vacation with me together in Viet Nam.Be welcome to contact me : [email protected] Greeting. Khale

Hi I’m isaac 28 yr old currently homeless having lost both my parents rest of family have turn there back on me looking for a buddy to travel with I’ve haven’t got much but a good Hart and great company.

I am nearing 60 , but my heart is still of 25 . Passionate about Travel ( Nature) , Sports Music . I have traveled 59 countries so far , partially due to my official requirement and remaining pleasure- trip . I have now enough free time to explore the World with some like minded travelers at economical way . South America , Australia-New Zealand, Japan , Scandinavian Countries are in my bucket list. I am of very flexible and adjusting nature . I am now looking for a like minded travel buddy. Anyone interested ? [email protected]

I would like to add https://travelmate.world to your list as well 🙂 It’s more than just a platform to meet travel buddies. You can also write a free travel blog and ask others for help.

Nice one! It is really nice to watch people going back to good old fashioned hobby – travelling. I love those new travel platforms and apps, allowing people to find ideal companion from a different country so quickly and easily. I do not have many experiences with a “travel buddy” system, but many times I heared about https://tripgiraffe.com/

Another good article for finding travel partners.. Also, Babak I really liked your network you’ve created too! I started my own travel network a while back for finding like-minded travel partners also – http://www.travelchum.net

Great roundup. I’d add another free resource: https://www.tripolette.com/ I started Tripolette to help you find other travelers with similar plans and share trips together. The benefit of this over other forums is the powerful search and discovery, and social aspect. Give me a shout if you like it!

I’ve taken a lot from this post. Firstly – awesome idea about making the facebook group for your itinerary, I always struggle so much remembering who to tell.

BUT, mostly I’ve decided that if you’re ever short of cash, you should contact Colegate and offer to promote them while you travel. They sponsor you to smile next to a famous landmark and boom, you’re rolling in dollar. While giving 60% to your manager in commission for coming up with such a great idea of course.

Oh, I’ll be your Colegate manager by the way.

This looks crazy fun. This is one of the best things in travelling with family and friends. You get to do all things that can give you the fun that you need.

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What makes a perfect travel mate?

Traveling alone is not as enjoyable as traveling with a travel mate . However, traveling with the wrong person can sometimes be much worse than traveling all by yourself. If you want to enjoy your trip to the fullest, your travel companion should have similar interests as you and preferably also similar personality.

If you enjoy hiking and your travel friend prefers beach holidays, then you may not have a perfect time together. Trips on our travel buddy app  are very detailed and only by previewing them, you get an idea of whether they are the right fit for you or not. You can also filter trips based on many criteria like budget, type of journey or work & travel.

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Travel companions and their plans.

Vietnam Strolls

the more the merrier

Looking for: Mixed group

Type of journey: City break

Split costs: No

Budget: $1000 - $1500

Mexico Carribean coast

Looking for a companion to Mexico Caribbean coast

Looking for: Any

Type of journey: Backpacking, Beach, Other

Malaysia + sri lanka

Not planned yet - Start in Sri lanka, then fly to malaysia.

Type of journey: Backpacking, Beach

Budget: $500 - $1000

A week trip to Cappadocia. Including hot air balloons,…

Looking for: Female

Type of journey: Other

Split costs: Yes

Adventure through the Beauty of Egypt

Visiting Two or Three Egyptian Cities on the Way of the Red…

Type of journey: Backpacking, City break, Beach

Budget: $150 - $500

Start chatting with people from all around the world!

Going on a tour with a complete stranger can be intimidating. When you connect with anyone online, whether for the purposes of traveling together or on a dating site, you always need to be careful. If you get to know your new travel mate through skype or other media prior to setting on a journey, then you mitigate any risks to the minimum and you don’t have to worry. Don’t be skeptical about meeting nice people online, join the platform and get convinced. Find travel friends today!  

At TripGiraffe, you will not run into any fake users and we also have a very strict policy against spammers. TripGiraffe is a friendly community of real people who are passionate about traveling just like you. You can meet travelers from more than 100 countries so your trip can also be a cultural exchange. 

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Looking for a travel companion ? Create a profile, describe your trip, start connecting with travelers and trip together .Browse thousands of profiles and trips right away after registration. You can connect with travelers with similar plans either by directly messaging them, inviting them to your own tour or by asking to join theirs.

To make it even easier to find a travel mate, TripGiraffe suggests you people who will be most likely interested in your trip. The only thing you have to do is send away trip invitations. Finding the right travel buddy has never been easier!

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I enjoyed this holiday, and I would book another ClubMates Holiday. The booking was easy, the ClubMates support crew were friendly and approachable. Would like to commend ClubMates on their services everything was excellently handled from the beginning to end. Thanks Peter and your team.

Thank you so much for a fun filled Holiday for Gerald, Terrence, Peter and James. They all went home with good memories and smile in their face. Well done team, this is great feedback!

Just a note to let you know that after Jeremy raved over his holiday with ClubMates, I have suggested to Jeremy's Support Coordinator Gabriele, that she should keep ClubMates on her 'Holiday Go-To' list to pass on your company information to her clients! Gabriele was happy to hear of the ease of the booking process, and Jeremy's recommendation. Regards

I was just wanting to pass on my thanks for the wonderful time Mark had with Clubmates on his recent trip to Phillip Island. This was Mark's first trip with Clubmates and we are very glad all went well and he had a great time. He said the staff were great and he totally enjoyed the activities. Kind regards

Hello. I am a disabled person. I am very happy with this service because they are friendly with people and myself too. The carer was nice and wonderful too. I like this service because they go overseas. I will stay with ClubMates in the future.

My son Jordan arrived home yesterday after a 10 day holiday to the Sunshine Coast. He had a great time and was all smiles. He has enjoyed several holidays with ClubMates over the ast 3 years and I highy recommend them.

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From our writers.

The Healing Power of Farm Life for People with Disabilities

Explore the benefits of farm life and the outdoors for people with disabilities through Alicia's conversation with AS4P Care's Joseph at the Brisbane Disability Connection Expo. Discover how nature's accessibility can transform lives. Watch our insightful video interview for a deeper dive.

Loneliness: The Emerging Pandemic in the Disability Community 

To spark meaningful change and restore the essence of human connection for those living with disabilities, we must seek a deeper understanding of this quiet crisis. This is our call to action: to mend the social fabric one person at a time, gently addressing the threads of isolation before they impact mental health even more.

Decoding the NDIS Provider Puzzle: Unregistered vs. Registered 

We want to shed some light on a topic that is red hot in the news ahead of this week's national cabinet meeting: NDIS provider registration.

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Australia Vacations, Tours, Trips & Travel Packages

Before setting off on an Australia vacation, learn something about the country's background and history. Is it an island or a continent? Australia is the sixth-largest landmass in the world, supporting endless diversity across its six states and two territories. One can explore tropical rainforests, red deserts, coral reefs, snow-clad mountains, wetlands, wine regions, national parks, bushland, and so much more. That's not to discount Australia's equally diverse and culture-rich cities. 

Why should I travel to Australia?

The list of reasons for visiting Australia is endless, whether you're looking to stretch out on its beaches, see its unique  nature and wildlife (think of indigenous animals such as kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian devils, kookaburras and emus), abundant sports including surfing, scuba diving, and snorkelling, delicious  food and wine (including the world's best Shiraz), and cultural attractions. 

What are the best places to visit in Australia?

It's difficult to do Australia justice in just one trip, and almost impossible to rank its attractions and cities, but here are some top picks for your shortlist.

Sydney: Your Welcome to Australia

The country’s largest city is known as “The Harbour City” due to it being mainly built around Sydney Harbour. It has been recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful metropolises, dominated by the striking Sydney Harbour Bridge (also known as the “Coat Hanger”) and the Sydney Opera House with its sail-shaped design. Sydney also boasts a number of sandy surf beaches within easy reach of its centre, including Bondi and Manly. A harbour cruise takes in not only the skyline of Sydney but also the attractive nearby suburbs spread out around the harbour. The city boasts several very beautiful and scenic parks including the Royal Botanical Gardens in the shadow of Government House. Nearby, you'll find the Art gallery of New South Wales , the Museum of Sydney, and the Australian Museum. Take a stroll around the historic Rocks neighbourhood with its Art Deco buildings, or Paddington with its grand Victorian homes and lively café and restaurant scene,

What are the best day trips from Sydney?

Two hours west of the city, the Blue Mountains  offer remarkable scenery and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The dramatic scenery encompasses steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls, and small villages. The mountains include the Three Sisters, a trio of awe-inspiring rocky pinnacles. There are 140 kilometres/75 miles of walking trails as well as a cable railway purported to be the steepest anywhere. Katoomba, a small town offering arty boutique shops makes a base for staying overnight. Another region not far from Sydney is the Hunter Valley , a wine-producing region with over 120 wineries. The Hunter Valley Gardens are also popular, with 25 acres of colourful flowers. 

Melbourne: Australia's Cultural Capital 

Forever Sydney's friendly rival,  Melbourne  adds a touch of sophistication to your Australia vacation. It is the most European of Australia’s cities and is the country's cultural capital. Its unique character is defined by its trams (streetcars) and its Victorian-era architecture, plus excellent shopping and cultural sites such as art galleries and museums. It offers colourful neighbourhoods such as Fitzroy and St Kilda, the latter a beach resort as well as a trendy suburb. Melbourne is also a great base for day trips, either to Phillip Island to watch the Little Penguin Parade at sunset, or the scenic Great Ocean Road  to take in views of the Twelve Apostles.

Adelaide: Australia's Tastiest City 

Adelaide is an easy-going, relaxed city in love with gardens and good wine. It's also something of a theatre and cabaret hub, hosting a biannual Arts Festival, and the world's largest cabaret festival. It's also a wonderful centre from which to visit the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine districts. Nearby  Kangaroo Island  offers an abundance of wildlife to see along with some unique landscapes, but can be a rushed day trip, so stay overnight if possible. If you're pressed for time, Cleland Conservation Park offers another way to get up close to many of the country’s native animals. 

Canberra: A Custom Built Capital 

Canberra , the serene unhurried and purpose-built and planned capital, is located around the attractive artificial Lake Burley Griffin. Some of the major landmarks are its unmistakable Parliament House, the Old Parliament Building, and the Australian War Memorial. Canberra also has several of Australia's top art galleries and museums.

Brisbane: Welcome to the Sunshine State

Brisbane is Australia’s third-largest city and is known as the “City of Sunny Days” due to its sub-tropical climate. The Brisbane River defines the city's charm and character. A major attraction is the nearby Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s largest, and one of the few places in the world you can legally hold one of these animals. 

Not far from Brisbane are two excellent beach destinations. The Gold Coast  offers 30 beaches including world-renowned Surfers Paradise. The Sunshine Coast has 70 kilometres/ 44 miles of uncrowded white-sand beaches to enjoy. Both are close to lush hinterland, with scenic national parks, mountains, waterfalls, and rainforests. 

Perth: Get Out There to Western Australia

Perth  might be out of your way, but it's worth the trip! Australia’s fourth-largest city. It is not only laid-back but also culturally diverse with attractive, uncrowded beaches and gardens. King’s Park is a landmark larger than New York's Central Park and encompasses an excellent botanical garden. From Perth, one can visit the wine country of Western Australia in the Swan Valley, and in the Margaret River region.

Darwin and the Top End

Darwin , in the north of the country, is small yet cosmopolitan, thanks to many different cultures that have come to call it home over the years. Besides its own fascinating history, particularly for World War Two buffs, it's a handy base for visiting both Charles Darwin National Park, one of Australia’s largest wetlands, and  Kakadu National Park , the country’s largest national park with crocodiles, unique birdlife and the world's largest collection of Aboriginal rock art. Try a short boat cruise there to see everything. 

Cairns: Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree

Cairns in Northern Queensland is the northern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef  and is an essential addition for any Australian first-timer. It is also surrounded by rainforest and the scenic rail trip to the town of Kuranda is another must-do.  A little further north, you'll find the world's oldest living rainforest, the beautiful Daintree.

How Do I Take A Great Barrier Reef Tour?

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is located on the east coast. It is 2300 kilometres/1400 miles in length with a colourful underwater kingdom containing 1500 species of tropical fish alone. It is the largest coral reef formation in the world offering a spectacular array of marine life. You can reach many parts of the reef from Cairns or nearby Port Douglas. However, further to the south lie the Whitsundays , a group of islands that includes Hayman, Hamilton and Whitehaven Islands. An excellent, less crowded way to see lesser-known parts of the Great Barrier Reef is to take a short cruise from the Whitsundays.

The Australian Outback

The Australian  Outback  is a vast area made up of either semi-arid or desert land. A great place to start exploring is in  Alice Springs , and it`s the perfect place to explore the “Red Centre." It is also the home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Activities here can include camel rides from one of the many camel farms, stargazing under the clear desert skies, and hot air ballooning. One can visit the nearby King’s Canyon and the MacDonnell Ranges. 450 kilometres/270 miles away is Uluru or  Ayers Rock , the huge sandstone monolith which rises 348 metres/1142 feet above the surrounding desert. To the local Anangu people, it is a sacred site, and climbing is now forbidden. One of the interesting features of the rock is the change in colour as the day progresses. Nearby, you'll find Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas. Said in the Aboriginal legend to be the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent that first created the world, these domes are in fact the eroded remains of another monolith that was once larger than Uluru.

Add a Cheeky Tour of Tasmania

Tasmania is an incredibly scenic destination with many rugged mountains and wilderness areas, It is in fact, the most mountainous state in Australia. Jagged peaks rise above dense forests and misty lakes in areas like Cradle Mountain. Tasmania's capital, Hobart is a pretty, arts-loving city with a vibrant waterfront and harbour built on reclaimed land. It is also associated historically with the convict era, as depicted at the Port Arthur Historic Site, an ex-penal colony. A short ferry ride up the Derwent River lies the cutting-edge Museum of Old and New Art.

There is so much more to enjoy and experience in this magical land. The biggest decision is choosing where to visit in the time available. Our Best Time to Visit Australia page will also help you decide when to travel. 

Travel to Australia from the USA 

Continental North America's closest major international airport to Australia is Los Angeles (LAX). Whether you are flying into Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne the flight time for nonstop flights ranges between 13hrs to 16hrs.

San Francisco (SFO) is another popular gateway with a similar flight duration. There are also nonstop flights to Sydney from Houston (IAH) and Dallas (DFW).

Travel to Australia from Canada

The only nonstop flights to Australia fly out of Vancouver International (YVR). Other popular routes connect through the USA.

"Globetrotting with Goway" blog articles

For some additional reading, the following articles are from our blog “ Globetrotting with Goway ,”.a great source of information for any kind of globetrotter.

Visiting the Icons of OZ on An Australia Vacation (Part 1)

Visiting the Icons of OZ on An Australia Vacation (Part 2)

Discover the WOW Factor of South Australia

Australia's Iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Opera House - Australia's Architectural Wonder

Plan Your Perfect Australia Escape

Enjoy Cruising in Australia and the South Pacific

Top 10 Things to Do in Melbourne, Australia

Top 5 Places to Visit in Australia This Summer

Top 10 Things to Do in Sydney, Australia

Swimming With the Fishes in Australia

7 Great Reasons to Take Your Kids to Australia This Summer

Odd Facts about Australia

2 Myths About Travel to Australia

World's Best Family Destinations

Travel Through the Australian Outback By Train

Australia Vacation Information

At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Australia vacations. 

Learn about the  history  and culture of Australia, the must-try food and drink , and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Australia's nature and wildlife , weather  and  geography, along with  'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips , as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Australia for yourself. Start exploring. Book one of our Australia tours today!  

Extend Your Stay

Consider an additional stopover to your Australia vacation at one of Goway's South Pacific destinations. You can choose from our selection of   New Zealand vacation packages ,  Tahiti vacation packages  stay at one of our featured  Fiji resorts or perhaps take a Cook Island vacation . This can be done en route to or from Australia.

Classic Sydney, Rock & Reef

MODERATE | TAILOR-MADE: Venture to three of Australia’s most famous spots, cosmopolitan Sydney, the outback and tropical Queensland. Get to know Sydney before catching the sunset over Uluru (Ayers Rock). Then explore Cairns, the rainforest and the incredible Great Barrier Reef.

146 Trips Available

• Most Popular
• Price Range
• Duration Range
• Ideas for 18 to 30 Somethings
• Specialty Groups & Events
• Beach & Island Escapes
• Go as you Please
• Safaris Worldwide
• Snowbird Long Stays
• Vacation Packages with Airfare
• Luxury and Beyond
• Romance & Honeymoon
• Single Friendly

Classic Australia: Melbourne, Red Centre, Cairns and Sydney

Essence of Australia with Airfare: Sydney, Rock and Reef

Essence of Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef with Airfare

Australia and New Zealand Combo

Authentic Australia: Sydney to Melbourne

Queensland Reefs, Beaches & Dolphins with Airfare

Melbourne, Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef with Airfare

Best of Brisbane & the Great Barrier Reef

The Best of Melbourne & Victoria with Airfare

Essence of sydney, wildlife and the reef.

The Ghan Expedition - Unique Australian Rail Journey

Great Aussie Outdoors for Families

Pacific Coast Explorer Self Drive: Sydney to Cairns

Adelaide to Darwin Explorers Way

Coastal Drive Self Drive: Sydney to Melbourne

Melbourne to Adelaide Self Drive

Perth to Broome Self Drive

Tasmanian Self Drive: Hobart to Launceston

Sydney: East Coast, Islands and Rainforest: Guided Vacation

Best of the Outback: Adelaide to Darwin

Ultimate Australia: Sydney, Uluru, Great Barrier Reef & more

Southern Australia Explorer: Sydney, Tasmania, Melbourne

Launceston: Grand Tasman: Value Plus Escorted Vacation

• Highlights of Downunder

Rock & Reef

• Trip Finder

What our travelers say

Goway toolkit.

Need help planning your holiday? Our toolkit is a great place to get started.

Airfare Only

Looking for an airfare only? Ask the airfare experts at GowayAir.

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Let us customize a dream holiday for you. Your trip your way!

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• Alice Springs
• Atherton Tablelands
• Barossa Valley
• Blue Mountains
• Bungle Bungles
• Central Coast
• Great Barrier Reef
• Great Ocean Road
• Hunter Valley
• Kakadu National Park
• Kangaroo Island
• Outback Australia
• Pinnacles Desert
• Snowy Mountains
• Sunshine Coast
• Whitsundays
• Wine Regions of Australia
• World Heritage Areas
• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia

Travel Information

• Introduction
• Things to Do in Sydney
• Things to Do In Melbourne
• Country Quickfacts
• Culture & Aborigines
• Downunder Dictionary
• Food and Drinks
• Geography and Maps
• Golfing in Australia
• ANZAC Day is a Big Deal
• Nature and Wildlife
• OZ Trivia & Fun Facts
• Self Drive Information
• Travel Tips, Visas & Health
• Wine & Grape Industry
• Working Holiday Packages
• Live Like a Local
• Central Coast, NSW
• Best time to visit Australia
• Australia FAQs
• How to Make the Most of Your Time in Tasmania
• How to Plan a Great Tropical North Queensland Vacation
• The Best Destinations For LGBTQ+ Travelers in 2023
• Four Perfect Ways to Spend a Day in Sydney
• Re-Imagine Your Australia Vacation in Victoria
• 5 Awesome Stops for Your Australia Vacation
• Three Perfect Days in Brisbane
• Let Your Colours Fly at Sydney WorldPride 2023
• Ready to Reconnect With Australia
• Why You Shouldn't Wait to Book Your Post-Pandemic Vacation
• How to Plan a Post-Pandemic Vacation
• 5 Travel Experiences That Offer a New Perspective on the World
• Start Your Countdown to Travel
• 7 Great Under the Radar Beach & Island Escapes
• Australia Destination & Travel Guide
• 6 Destinations for an Adventure Vacation Off the Beaten Path
• 7 Best Destinations for Affordable Luxury
• 10 Best Multi-Country Vacations
• Get in Touch with Australia’s Ancient and Modern Culture
• 8 Best Destinations for Cultural Encounters
• How to See Australia's Fascinating Wildlife
• 7 Best Destinations for Music Lovers
• 6 Bucket List Destinations for Sports Fans
• 8 Best Destinations for Wellness & Personal Growth Vacations
• Dreaming of a Holiday of a Lifetime
• Have a “Devilish” Good Time with the Outsiders of the Tasman Peninsula, on Your Australia Vacation
• Fall in Love with Australia's Northern Territory
• 10 Amazing Natural Sites & National Parks
• 10 Reasons to 'Come on Over' to Australia
• 10 Destinations Offering Great Rail Vacations
• 10 Cities That You Should Visit in Your Lifetime
• 10 Long Stays to Escape the North American Winter
• The World's Best Beach Vacation Destinations
• 8 Best Wine & Vineyard Vacations
• 12 Best Destinations for Food & Wine Vacations
• Group Travel for Women is On the Rise
• 10 Best Destinations for a Self-Drive Vacation

Featured Tours

• African Safaris
• China Odyssey
• A World in One Country
• Classic Australia
• Classic Thailand
• Essential New Zealand
• Rio, Iguassu Falls, & Buenos Aires
• Essential Peru

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Freedom to Explore

Travelmarvel | Premium Tours and Cruises

Make the most of every moment.

Travelmarvel makes holidaying easy, giving our guests the freedom to simply marvel at the world. As a part of Australia’s largest home grown travel company, we deliver a premium experience while offering exceptional value, so our guests can enjoy every journey to the fullest.

Maximising Travel

Making Travel Easier

The Premium Difference

Board one of our state-of-the-art river ships or explore the continent by rail and experience the charm and glamour of the old world.

Canada, Alaska & USA

Marvel at the natural beauty and experience the boundless freedom of Canada and Alaska.

The Kimberley

Australia’s great hidden jewel, the Kimberley is a unique region bursting with natural wonders, fascinating historic sites and a rich Indigenous culture.

Travel Events

A World of Travel Awaits. Discover the perfect destination at our in-person events. Join our experts, who will guide you through our vast range of touring and cruising holidays.

Let's Go Explore

Grand Tasman

Launceston Return

Red Centre Escape

Alice Springs Return

Wonders of the South West

Perth Return

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Auckland to Christchurch

Southern Escape

Christchurch Return

Northern Explorer

Auckland to Wellington

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• Italian Delights
• Enchanting Sicily and Sardinia
• Coastal Escapades
• Highlights of Italy
• Gems of the Mediterranean
• Italian Splendors
• Sicilian Adventure
• Iberian Discovery
• Spanish Sojourn
• Coastal Charm and Cultural Heritage

Discover the Adventurous Tours

Embark on a journey of a lifetime with Travel Mate Tours, your trusted travel companion for immersive and captivating experiences. We specialize in crafting personalized 14-day, 21-day and 30-day tours throughout Italy, Sicily, Portugal, Spain, and Sardinia. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or exploring overseas for the first time, our expert local tour guides will accompany you every step of the way, providing local knowledge, introducing you to authentic cuisines, and immersing you in the vibrant local cultures.

Each tour is thoughtfully designed to showcase the very best that these regions have to offer.

Discover the Essence of Europe

Indulge your wanderlust and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Europe’s most enchanting destinations

Safety first always

Low price & friendly, trusted travel guide, local experiences, local delights, unforgettable adventures await:, italian delights tour, enchanting sicily and sardinia tour, coastal escapades tour, gems of the mediterranean tour, italian splendors tour, iberian discovery tour, explore more.., unleash your inner adventurer as you traverse the picturesque landscapes, ancient ruins, and vibrant cities of europe.

Ready to Travel and enjoy with us

Tours from Australia

As you explore our website, step into the heart of milan, lose yourself in the romantic allure of venice, experience the warm hospitality of sardinia, lagos, portugal: laid-back charm awaits..

Contact us today to book your next adventure with Travel Mate Tours. Let's embark on a remarkable voyage together!

Explore Milan

Explore Florence

Explore Venice

Explore Rome

Explore Sardinia

Explore Portugal

Explore Barcelona

• TRAVEL SUPPLIERS

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A safer way to travel.

INTRODUCING TRIP MATE

Your partner in travel

Travel should be fun and relaxing. But what if something happens? What if you or a family member becomes sick? Your bags are lost or stolen? Or you need to cancel a trip due to an emergency?

On your next trip, protect yourself from the unforeseen with travel protection from Trip Mate.

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Travel Protection

TRAVEL MARKET

As a pioneer in travel protection, Trip Mate has introduced many new products, coverage enhancements, and expanded services for travelers. Our travel protection plans are among the most comprehensive available through travel suppliers, travel agents and other travel professionals.

Partnerships

At the core of all of our services is our partnership with the well respected insurance companies we represent, travel suppliers, travel agents, airlines, cruise lines and, most importantly, to each and every traveler covered by our plans. We are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Australian businesses.

Yes, your employee will be trained by an Australian college or university, and we source only the best candidates who have prior experience and/or completed student placement hours in your industry.

All prospective students complete a Cert III in Aged Care Support online while in the Philippines. This involves a 120-hour work placement where each student is evaluated by a qualified Australian assessor.

The Philippines is one of the leading destinations for hiring skilled workers across a diverse range of industries. Filipinos are well-known for being loyal, resourceful and passionate people that work hard, remain calm under pressure and are eager to learn. What a wonderful addition to your team!

The Philippines is the fourth largest English-speaking country in the world. In fact, English is one of the official languages, which makes communication extra easy.

We support you every step of the way, including establishing your needs, conducting candidate searches and interviews, managing college enrolment and even handling visas, travel and accommodation. Please refer to our full process here .

Filipino Jobseekers

We currently support three visa types:

• Student visas (Subclass 500)
• Sponsorship visas (Subclass 482)
• Training visas (Subclass 407)

We can connect you with reputable Australian businesses that are eager to grow their team with skilled Filipino workers. You can read our step-by-step process here .

Ready to make the first move?

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