Travel often goes hand in hand with celebration – sunset cocktails, wine tastings, late-night bars, and all-inclusive resorts. Yet sometimes, the way a travel companion uses alcohol can start to feel uncomfortable or worrying. This guide is designed for travellers who feel uneasy about someone else’s drinking on a trip and want to understand what they can do, respectfully and safely.
Recognising When Holiday Drinking Becomes a Concern
Many people drink more than usual while travelling – new places, relaxed routines, and social pressure can all play a role. However, there are signs that alcohol use may be moving from casual celebration into risky territory.
Common Warning Signs During a Trip
- Drinking early in the day just to “get going” or “steady their nerves”.
- Frequently being drunk rather than simply relaxed or sociable.
- Missing activities, tours, or travel plans because of hangovers.
- Becoming aggressive, argumentative, or very withdrawn after drinking.
- Taking unsafe risks, such as swimming intoxicated or wandering alone at night.
- Needing alcohol to enjoy any part of the trip or calm anxiety.
- Continuing to drink despite obvious negative consequences, like injuries or conflicts.
If a companion’s drinking is making you feel anxious, embarrassed, or physically unsafe, it’s valid to pay attention to that feeling – it often signals a situation worth addressing.
Understanding Why Drinking Patterns Change on Holiday
Travel can intensify both enjoyable and difficult emotions. A change of environment may reveal patterns that were easier to overlook at home.
Travel Factors That Can Increase Alcohol Use
- All-inclusive packages that encourage constant access to alcohol.
- Nightlife-focused destinations where heavy drinking is normalised.
- Peer pressure within a group to “keep up” or drink every night.
- Stress and anxiety about flying, language barriers, or unfamiliar places.
- Loneliness on longer journeys or work trips away from family.
Recognising these influences can help you separate what is situational from what might be part of a deeper pattern that deserves more support when the trip is over.
Staying Safe When Someone Else Is Drinking Too Much
Your first priority is your own safety. Looking out for someone is admirable, but never at the cost of your wellbeing.
Practical Safety Strategies for Travellers
- Have a clear meeting point if you get separated at night.
- Know local emergency numbers and basic phrases for seeking help if abroad.
- Arrange safe transport back to your hotel before heading out.
- Avoid relying on someone intoxicated for navigation, money, or decisions.
- Keep your documents and valuables safely stored and accessible to you, not in a shared bag your companion controls.
If you ever feel physically threatened or coerced because of someone’s drinking, step away when you can and seek help from hotel staff, local authorities, or other trusted travellers nearby.
Talking to a Companion About Their Drinking
Bringing up concerns while on a trip can feel awkward, but calm and respectful conversations can prevent situations from escalating.
When to Choose the Right Moment
- Wait until they are sober or mostly sober, never mid-argument or at peak intoxication.
- Pick a quiet, private setting such as a walk on the beach, a park bench, or a quiet corner of the hotel lounge.
- Allow enough time so you’re not rushed heading to a tour or transport connection.
How to Express Concern Without Blame
Using non-judgemental language can reduce defensiveness and keep the focus on safety and care.
- Use “I” statements: “I felt worried when…” instead of “You always…”
- Describe specific incidents: missed excursions, arguments, or unsafe behaviour.
- Emphasise how it affects the trip and your feelings, not just their actions.
- Ask open questions: “How are you feeling about how much we’ve been drinking on this trip?”
Remind them that you want the journey to be enjoyable for both of you and that you’re raising it because you care about their wellbeing.
Setting Boundaries While Travelling Together
You can care about someone and still decide what you are and are not willing to accept on a shared trip.
Examples of Healthy Travel Boundaries
- Choosing to skip certain nightlife venues and spend evenings elsewhere.
- Deciding not to share late-night taxis if you feel unsafe with their level of drinking.
- Booking separate activities or excursions some days.
- Making it clear you won’t cover costs resulting from damage or fines related to alcohol.
Boundaries are about your behaviour, not controlling theirs. For example: “If you want to stay out drinking, that’s your choice, but I’ll head back to the hotel by midnight.”
Looking After Your Own Wellbeing on the Trip
Supporting someone whose drinking worries you can be emotionally draining, especially far from home.
Emotional Self-Care Tips for Travellers
- Take solo time for restful activities like reading, swimming, or a quiet café visit.
- Keep in touch with friends or family at home to share how you’re feeling.
- Maintain some structure: regular meals, hydration, and sleep where possible.
- Remind yourself you are not responsible for another adult’s decisions.
It can help to mentally separate your role as a caring companion from the belief that you must "fix" the situation. Your presence and concern matter, but you did not cause someone else’s drinking, and you cannot control it.
Planning Future Trips When Alcohol Has Been an Issue
If a journey has been overshadowed by someone’s drinking, it’s reasonable to reconsider how – or whether – you travel together again.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before the Next Trip
- Did I feel safe and respected most of the time?
- Was I able to enjoy the destination, or did I spend most of the trip managing crises?
- Would travelling in a larger group feel safer or more balanced?
- Do I need to be honest and say I’m not comfortable planning another holiday together right now?
It can be helpful to discuss these reflections after returning home, when emotions have cooled and you can both look back on the experience more calmly.
Connecting Travel with Healthier Drinking Habits
Travel does not have to revolve around alcohol. Many destinations offer rich cultural, natural, and culinary experiences that stand completely apart from drinking.
Ideas for Lower-Alcohol or Alcohol-Free Travel
- Plan daytime exploration focused on museums, markets, or guided walks.
- Choose destinations known for nature, hiking, or wellness rather than nightlife.
- Look for mocktail bars, tea houses, or coffee culture instead of pub crawls.
- Incorporate active experiences like cycling tours, kayaking, or cooking classes.
Reframing trips in this way can gently support companions who are questioning their own drinking, without lectures or pressure – simply by offering a different style of holiday.
Bringing the Focus Back to the Journey
When someone else’s drinking becomes the dominant feature of a trip, it can overshadow the very reasons you set off: curiosity, relaxation, new experiences, and connection. By recognising warning signs, speaking up when you feel safe to do so, setting clear boundaries, and planning your days around more than alcohol, you give both yourself and your companion the best chance of reclaiming what travel is really about – exploring the world in a way that feels meaningful, memorable, and safe for everyone involved.