The Art of the Travel Roommate: How to Coexist in Shared Spaces

Traveling is exciting—new places, new people, new experiences. But let’s be real—sharing a space with strangers? That’s an art form. Whether it’s for a few nights or a few weeks, the way you navigate a shared space can make or break your experience (and possibly your new friendships).

At PermaGO, we’ve seen it all—the instant best friends, the awkward silent types, and the ones who “accidentally” take over the whole space. Take Rachel, for example, a solo traveler from Sydney who checked in for three nights and ended up staying for three weeks. She started as the quiet one in the corner, but by the end of her stay, she was leading movie nights and swapping travel tips with everyone. That’s the magic of shared spaces—when done right, they create connections that last long after checkout.

Of course, not every stay is seamless. Personal space is everything, even in a shared environment. Most people don’t mean to overstep, but it happens. Jake, a backpacker from Berlin, had a habit of sprawling his gear across half the common area. No one wanted to say anything at first, until someone jokingly asked if he was trying to open a pop-up gear shop. He laughed, packed up his things, and from then on, the space just felt better for everyone. Sometimes, all it takes is a little awareness.

Sleep is another big one. Travel is fun, nights are late, and conversations flow, but at some point, people need rest. One night, a group came back from a bar, still buzzing with energy. They weren’t being intentionally loud, just excited—until a half-asleep guest named Maria walked out of her room, pointed to her phone alarm, and said, “I have to be up in four hours for a flight. You can either let me sleep, or I’ll make sure you’re all awake with me.” The room went silent. They got the message. If you’re coming in late, moving quietly and keeping the lights dim goes a long way in keeping the space comfortable for everyone.

Then there’s the bathroom situation, which might be the single biggest source of tension in a shared space. Long showers, messy sinks, and towels left in unfortunate places? Not ideal. A guest named Trevor once took the world’s longest shower, blissfully unaware that three people were waiting. By day two, they started timing his showers on their phones. By day three, they just started clapping when he finally turned the water off. He got the hint. Being quick, cleaning up after yourself, and making sure the next person doesn’t have to deal with a steam-filled sauna just to brush their teeth makes you the kind of roommate people appreciate.

Kitchens are another battleground. The golden rule is simple: don’t touch what isn’t yours. No one wants to come back and find their carefully saved leftovers mysteriously missing. A guest named Sam learned this the hard way when she made a big batch of pasta, stored it in the fridge, and returned to find nothing but an empty container and a guilty-looking Italian guest who muttered something about cultural appreciation. Labeling food, keeping things tidy, and washing dishes right after using them keeps the space running smoothly—and your snacks safe.

The reality of sharing a space is that sometimes, things won’t go your way. A roommate might have different sleep habits, play music you don’t like, or take up more space than they realize. The best way to handle it? Just talk. Most problems can be solved with a simple, “Hey, do you mind if we figure out a way to make this work?” rather than bottling up frustration. Passive-aggressive sighs and dramatic door-closing won’t do much, but a friendly conversation usually will.

At the end of the day, a little kindness goes a long way. Small gestures—offering someone a seat, holding the door, or just saying good morning—can turn strangers into friends. Travel is all about connection, and the people you meet along the way can make the experience even better. Shared spaces aren’t just about getting through the stay, they’re about creating an environment where everyone feels at home. And who knows? The person in the bunk next to you might just become your next travel buddy.

‍