Ever wondered if you can still have an epic adventure with your drinking buddies while staying sober? Absolutely! Traveling with friends who enjoy a tipple doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun or compromise your journey. This article is your ultimate guide to navigating those trips with a clear head and a happy heart, proving that good times don’t always need a spirited kick! We’ll explore how to set boundaries like a pro, plan activities everyone will love, and keep your well-being sparkling throughout your travels.
✋💬 Set boundaries and communicate
The ultimate step to travelling with people who drink is to set your boundaries and make sure you communicate these as soon as possible. If you are already friends, do not do it once you are squeezed into your EasyJet seats, but when you are planning where you want to go and what you want to do. If you are just now meeting these people in your hostel, you should find a good time to discuss it when you are creating plans as a group.
A common script you could use is: “I just want to clarify now that on this trip I am choosing not to drink any alcohol, this doesn’t mean that you can’t but I would rather steer away from doing drinking-based activities. I hope this is ok”. (Of course, adjust this based on your preferences and maybe make it less formal if you are with friends.)
Please note: if they aren’t accepting and supportive of the fact you do not drink, you may be better off not going on holiday with them or spending time with them. There is nothing inherently wrong with choosing to stay sober, and the right people will make you feel included and appreciated regardless. 💖
To learn more about setting boundaries, you can read the article on How to Say No here.
👥 Find sober friends
If your friends aren’t quite so supportive of sober travelling, or would rather not compromise on what they would enjoy whilst away, do not fret!
There are many sober communities out there, particularly on Facebook (and of course, here at The Sober Explorer) which you can join and reach out to people. Just search ‘Sober Travel’ and reach out on there to see if others on a sober travelling journey would like to join you.
🗓️ Plan activities that work for you and them
Once you’ve had this conversation, it’s important to make sure that you can both compromise on activities so you both enjoy your time away – or, you can take some time to do activities solo if you have different interests. For example, some of my friends would much rather lie by a pool reading a book whilst I might be keen to go for a kayak to the next island over! 🛶 Or they might want to have a drink and a boogie whilst I’m desperate for an early night. 😴
If this isn’t possible or you’d prefer to do everything with your friends, then discuss any concerns they might have about that huge inflatable you want to ride on, for example, and potentially assess how comfortable you are in an environment with alcohol present, if they want to try out a party boat.
🍹Try out some mocktails
Coming from the previous point, this is where self awareness of your relationship with alcohol comes in handy – you can read about this here. If you are comfortable being around groups of people drinking and alcohol in general, don’t be afraid to get involved and try out some mocktails or stick to your usual soft drinks.🧋
(In case you aren’t sure, a mocktail is like a cocktail, made with juices and syrups but missing the alcoholic component.)
However, do not put yourself in a pressured situation where you aren’t comfortable, and if you do try this, remember you can leave at any time. You are not stuck in that environment until the end of the night. Just remember safety aspects to take care of yourself, like getting a taxi instead of walking late at night if your accommodation is far away.
🔁 Keep on top of your routine
This is particularly important if your reason for being sober is recovery from addiction. A key part of recovery is sticking to your routine and finding comfort in this. As part of your previous communication with your friends, make sure they are aware of your routine, and support you in keeping it going in an unfamiliar environment. Ideally, one of the people going away with you will be a part of your support system – or at least able to contact someone in your support system. 🫂
📈 Don’t dive into the deep end
If you are usually a big party-goer on your travels, do not dive into the deep end with a huge month-long solo trip! It will likely take you time to adjust to this style of travel, even if you weren’t a big drinker previously.
You could start with a day trip somewhere (hello, extreme day trips community 👋), followed by a long weekend and then expand onto a week or two to figure out a balance that works for you with sober travelling.
Remember, sober travelling doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. You can still have a drink or two whilst you are away, but do it for the right reasons. Remember your why and use sober travelling to challenge yourself.
🤸♀️ Keep your plans flexible
Make sure when you are planning your trip to keep things flexible and changeable where possible. This can help reduce anxiety and stress which will relieve any pressure that may increase your likelihood to drink (particularly if you are in recovery).
This doesn’t necessarily mean leaving booking things until the day before, but just taking planning one step at a time. Stay in the moment, and avoid getting overwhelmed with thinking ahead or rigidity of cancellation policies.
Travelling with friends who drink doesn’t have to be awkward, isolating, or less fun — it’s all about knowing your boundaries, communicating clearly, and embracing what makes your trip meaningful. By planning ahead, staying true to yourself, and keeping things flexible, you can enjoy every moment without feeling pressured to join in. Whether you’re sipping a mocktail, heading out for an early morning hike, or simply being present in the laughter and chaos of travel, remember: your sobriety isn’t a limitation — it’s your superpower. 🌍✨
Leave a Reply