Traveling for a convention with friends is a lot of fun, a lot of planning, and a lot of stress. Let’s talk about some tips that could help you and your friend group have a great time during your travels!
I’m currently in the process of being in charge of a friend group traveling out of state for a convention. We’re heading to Kumoricon in Portland, OR and there is still a lot to get done before we need to head down. We are carpooling, but with four people and their cosplays, props, and work equipment…we’re not all going to fit in one car. We’ve already split into two cars for carpooling, which requires a lot more planning as well. I’ve done this a few times, but never with a new friend group. So I’ve learned quite a few helpful things that could help anyone else as well!
Helpful tips and tricks to help everyone have a great time while traveling to and from the convention, as well as sharing a hotel room with friends.
- 1. Everyone splits gas in half for whoever is carpooling together.
- 2. Same goes for hotel parking.
- 3. Both cars will have their own list of food/snacks needed for con for everyone to share. Everyone splits the cost.
- 4. Poo Pourri is going to be needed no matter what, so just buy a bottle
- 5. Mini trash bags, you’d be surprised how much trash there can be over three days
- 6. Case of water
- 7. Again meal prep for inexpensive breakfast, lunch, snacks, and sometimes a second dinner after a rave or party. If you’re going to eat it, everyone splits the costs again.
- 8. Make your own list of food/drink preferences that you want just for yourself.
- 9. Back up chargers, cords, and power banks.
- 10. Reusable bags for goodies you might get at con.
- 11. A thought out playlist, podcast or something to listen to with who you’re carpooling with. Because non-stop three hour talking is not going to be good for anyone.
- 12. Planned out stops for bathroom breaks, food, drinks, and stretching legs are also really smart (especially when you need to get some boba).
- 13. Organized packing and not bringing an excessive amount that will take up too much room in the car and hotel room. This can and will become a problem.
- 14. Planning for the drive with your carpool buddies. Pick a set time to leave, and a time for when people should show up to start packing the car. Also an ideal time for when you want to reach your destination.
- 15. Have a set of ground rules for the hotel. Boundaries everyone has, and not working on last minute cosplay (this will stress everyone out and does not make for a fun time).
- 16. Morning bathroom schedule, who needs to get ready first and how much time is needed. This saves so much stress and irritation among the group.
- 17. Have a group chat that includes everyone in the hotel room, so people can know what’s going on or if any issues arises.
- 18. Plan for shit to go sideways. Plans don’t always work out and that’s okay, plan for when shit happens. Either when traveling or at the hotel/ plans for the daily at con- have backup plans because no matter how smoothly things go, stuff will always go sides even if it’s just a little. This will save you some freak out and stress time.
- 19. Bring back ups of things, wig caps, bobby pins, scissors, eyeliner, make up wipes, and cold medicine. Just in case is better then none at all.
- 20. Lastly, plan a relaxing dinner spot and time for the friend group to do after unpacking and then going to bed early (being tired will mess up your day and everyone else’s at cons).
I really hope these tips and tricks help anyone else out with planning convention trips with friends, whether you’re the one planning it or the one following along. With pretty much just a few days left ’til my own convention trip comes up, I will be hard at work double checking this list as I make my way through it.
