From romantic getaways to family feuds - a new survey has revealed why Londoners are twice as likely to argue about money abroad, and what British men really want in a desert island companion. Olivia Palamountain reports

An Opodo survey of 9,000 travellers has found that most Brits would rather holiday with their romantic partner than anyone else.

The poll, which included 2,000 UK respondents, found that 63% of Brits choose their partner as their ideal travel companion, placing romantic relationships ahead of family (47%) and friends (29%) when selecting their top two preferences.

However, the research exposes significant regional and gender divides in British travel habits. Women show a stronger preference for family trips, with 51% choosing relatives compared to just 34% of men. Meanwhile, UK men are nearly twice as likely to prefer solo travel, with 16% opting to go it alone versus 9% of women.

London emerges as a hotspot for travel tensions, with 27% of respondents citing budget disagreements as the most likely cause of holiday arguments - nearly double the 15% reported in Northern Ireland. The capital's residents also show the greatest aversion to travelling with ex-partners, with 35% ranking former flames as their least preferred companion.

The survey reveals that 41% of British men admit to falling out with travel companions during trips, compared to 34% of women. Globally, disagreements over budgets and itineraries each account for 25% of travel disputes, with stress and fatigue responsible for another 19%.

Despite these tensions, the research suggests most relationships survive holiday drama. Among the 44% of global travellers who admit to falling out with companions, 84% report that the disagreement did not permanently damage their relationship, and 26% managed to reconcile during the trip itself.

Age plays a significant role in companion choice, with 18-24 year olds in the UK showing equal preference for family and friends at 48%, suggesting young Britons rely heavily on their social networks for travel funding and support.

The study also explores hypothetical survival scenarios, asking respondents who they would prefer to be stranded with on a desert island. British pragmatism shines through, with survival skills ranking as the top priority for 48% of UK respondents, though men show notably different priorities than women.

While 53% of British women would choose someone with survival expertise for a desert island scenario, only 40% of men share this practical approach. Instead, 17% of British men admit they would prefer to be stranded with someone they find attractive, compared to just 7% of women.

The research, conducted between February and March 2025, surveyed travellers across France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the USA and the UK, revealing distinct cultural patterns in travel preferences and behaviours.

Among international comparisons, Spanish travellers emerge as the most adventure-seeking, with 21% preferring companions who challenge them to try new experiences. They also report the highest rate of holiday fallouts at 58%, followed by Germans at 49%.

The findings suggest that while travel can strain relationships, most companions weather the storm - though budget-conscious Londoners might want to agree on spending limits before boarding their flight. Find more from Opodo on the perfect travel companion here.