Friendship Day 2025 Special: Is Travel The True Test Of Friendship?

It is often believed that trials and tribulations are the true test of friendship. We grow up learning that "A friend in need is a friend indeed." In recent times, I've often thought about how the other kind of turbulence tests friendship. I don't just mean air travel but travel in general. If you're making travel plans with a friend, it's no longer about being in need. So what happens to friendship when leisure rather than necessity is motivating your actions? We may feel like the stakes are lower on vacations, but perhaps it's the nature of the stakes that changes. Travelling with friends can test your bonds in ways that no other activity or situation can. That sounds ominous - but it doesn't have to be. It's all part of the complexity of travel, which is what makes the experience all the more enriching.

Also Read: What Happens When You Travel Without Posting Anything Online

Discovering New Destinations And Dimensions Together

Travelling with friends isn't just about exploring new destinations. It's also about discovering new dimensions of each other's personalities. Unlike a casual hangout, a trip means being together all the time. That's when small habits become cherished quirks - or major sources of irritation. You may observe classic clashes between early risers vs. night owls, planners vs. wanderers, spenders vs. budgeters, hotel lovers vs. Airbnb fans, poolside enthusiasts vs. early morning hikers, the Samuels vs. the Darshens of the world. If you know your friends well enough, you might have already taken these factors into consideration. But the best laid plans can fall apart at any moment...

Shared Adventures = Stronger Bonds

_{Friendship Day 2025. Photo Credit: Unsplash}

Most of us know how moments of crisis during a trip (just like in life) can put our friendships to the test. How your friend reacts to a sudden problem amidst all the excitement can affect you, too. But you don't need to have a missed flight or be stranded on a remote island together to strengthen your bonds. Travel also provides softer adventures and opportunities to be grateful for having the best friends. Think: Do they load up their plate with extra pastries for you at the breakfast buffet (before they get over)? Do they compromise on the AC temperature of your shared room? Do they patiently take another round of your favourite exhibit at the museum?

Sometimes core memories can include unexpected serious setbacks that you end up laughing at months or years later. But sometimes, it's simply about remembering the small gems: the taste of that one moist chocolate cake you shared at a cosy cafe in the hills, your unsuccessful haggling with a souvenir seller or your cab driver's bizarre taste in music. Fun doesn't have to be loud to be worth remembering. It's a cliche, but in the end, it's really about whether you enjoy your friends' company or not.

Also Read: Why I, Like Many Others, Love to Reach The Airport Early (Actually, Way Too Early)

No One Likes An Exam - So Don't Make Your Trip One

I'm not suggesting actually putting your friends to the test on your next trip. These ruminations are meant to underscore how travelling together is an innately human, intensely vulnerable experience. You are jetting off to take a break from the strain and stress of daily life. You have chosen to do so with someone you cherish deeply. For most of us, travel is a luxury. We try to align our limited time, money, energy and opportunities in order to take a trip. This naturally puts a certain amount of pressure on ourselves to actually make the most of it. While solo travel can be amazing, travelling with your friends can be deeply rewarding too - even on a personal level. You know someone has your back. You know you have someone to share that large pizza with. You know you have someone to stay awake at the airport while you sleep.

Some friendships break down on the road. And that's okay. Some friendships need routine and regularity to sustain, rather than the vicissitudes of a trip. But there's no denying the power of travel to create a beautiful foundation of friendship. So if you've got buddies who you love travelling with, don't take that for granted. "Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel." Hit them up soon and decide on your next trip. Let the plan finally get out of the group chat.

Happy Friendship Day 2025!