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There are 16 travel personalities. What’s yours?
We humans love to categorize. It can be fun to fit yourself (or those around you) into a neat little box and decide who and what you are.
In truth, we all know that humans are far more dimensional and varied. No one fits precisely into an expected mold. Even so, there may be great deal of truth to the idea that there exists a set of distinct personality types.
Perhaps you’ve heard of the 16 common personality types? A simple Internet search will yield you all you really need to know, and if you’re especially interested, you can take a fun and simple personality test to find out your four letter type.
Each of these sixteen personality types is said to behave in predictable ways true to their temperament. As travel bloggers, we decided to look at this from our unique perspective.
Here’s what we think each type is likely to do when traveling, and a traveler friend for each type. You might want to follow some of their blogs if you identify with their type!
Which one are you?
ENFP
Free-spirited, emotional, and yearning for connections, the ENFP is driven by inspiration and feelings. Travel, for this type, is about making beautiful memories, interacting with locals, and recording each experience in a heartfelt journal entry. PS: This is my type. 🙂
The ENFP is never bored, and looks at the world as a place of unending possibilities. I’ve found many of my traveler friends are ENFPs just like me!
INFP
INFP’s are quiet and reflective, but a lot is going on inside. These creative and reserved folks are deeply guided by their values and express themselves most often through writing. It’s said that Tolkien was an INFP, and guess who else is one? Nathan.
When the INFP travels, they are likely to enjoy wandering around new cities (perhaps solo), observing their surroundings and diving into local history. They need time spent on their own to refresh and feel at their best, and they will have a great few hours of pondering and wondering as they explore an unfamiliar area.
ENFJ
The ENFJ type is a person who is outgoing and has a big heart for the world. These individuals love dealing with people, and as natural leaders and teachers, they are super-motivating and encouraging of others.
Exuberant ENFJs are well-suited to lead group tours, or when traveling with others, will plan a well-organized and busy itinerary.
Our ENFJ traveling friend: Jess of Thrifty Traveler Tips
INFJ
With deep hearts, INFJs are warm and nurturing souls who love to help others. They make connections easily, which can make them appear to be extraverted in nature, but they require time alone to decompress and recharge. Their combination of traits allows them to understand emotions and needs and then find ways to efficiently meet them.
The travel personality of the INFJ is to seek meaning and purpose in their explorations. They are likely to be found volunteering abroad, immersing themselves in local culture, or otherwise making a positive impact on the world.
Our INFJ travel friend Eva of Eva Explores
INTP
An active mind & buzzing intellectual curiosity: these are the hallmarks of the INTP. INTPs have a tendency to internalize everything, so that you may not be able to guess what they are thinking or feeling.
Yet this privacy does not mean nothing is happening inside–on the contrary they are constant philosophizer, observers, and even scientists of the world around them.
Our INTP travel friend Derek of Wandering Earl
ENTP
Comprising only a small percentage of the population, ENTPs are quick-witted and independent people who love a good debate. Bandying ideas back and forth is one of the ENTP’s favorite past times.
When traveling, this enthusiastic type is likely to be found matching strangers and locals wit for wit. This ties into the ENTP’s extraverted nature and makes it easy for them to meet and interact with others.
Their intelligence and confidence work in their favor when it comes to adventures, as this makes them bold and curious. With the ENTP travel personality, it is all about broadening the horizons.
Our ENTP travel friend Scott of At the Drop
ENTJ
ENTJs are super driven people, and they tend to let nothing stand in their way. These natural leaders will overcome any obstacles that block their path. If the ENTJ wants to travel, you better believe he or she will make it happen.
With a decisive nature, ENTJs make choices quickly and share them with others. They have no problem taking charge, and if traveling in a group, may end up calling the shots.
They love a good time and a conversation and meet people quite easily; an ENTJ might be the popular center of attention in the hostel, simultaneously debating politics and planning a night out on the town.
Our ENTJ travel friend Elena
INTJ
The INTJ loves to create ideas and possibilities and then capitalize them. Not content with daydreaming, INTJs know how to turn their goals into reality, and they proceed with ambition and strategy.
The INTJ is highly intelligent and insightful. This type works hard to understand everything they encounter, with keen observation and an interest in understanding inner workings and patterns.
The INTJ travel personality is likely to be found exploring foreign cultures with depth and passion, moving past “touristy” distractions and seeking authentic immersion.
Our INTJ travel friend Teri of Blue Sky Traveler
ESFJ
Both great listeners and chatty conversationalists, it is no surprise that the ESFJ is the personality type of “popular” individuals. ESFJs have no problem making friends, and they are loyal to those they are close to, helping them with problems and offering support.
Responsible and traditional, the ESFJ can be depended upon. They love to socialize and enjoy the finer things in life, as sensory, external stimuli appeals to them.
On their travels, ESFJs can be happy in a wide variety of activities but may be most content enjoying drinks with friends after a full day of shopping and sightseeing.
Our ESFJ travel friend Els of My Feet are Meant to Roam
ISFJ
ISFJs are honest and protective people that care most deeply about their friends and family. They work hard to meet others’ needs and support them, but their generous yet private nature sometimes keeps them out of the spotlight. Still, the ISFJ loves to be of service and makes up a large population of “helping” professions.
In their travels, ISFJs may be the first to sign up to volunteer for a worthy cause. When not directly working with others, the ISFJ’s travels may take them to places of natural beauty or rich culture. With a vibrant inner life and a strong memory, the ISFJ enjoys taking in the sensory experiences surrounding them.
Our ISFJ travel friend Jessica of A Wanderlust for Life
ESFP
Spontaneous and fun-loving, the ESFP has a flair for the dramatic. To them, life is brimming with possibility and enjoyment, and they intend to live it to the fullest.
This desire, coupled with their innate social butterfly-ness, means the ESFP is practically born to travel. ESFPs appreciate luxury and like to make the most of their adventures.
Wanting to head out on a spur-of-the-moment food tour? The ESFP will be on board. Yet their zest for living in the moment and their passion for living large can make the ESFP a bit too impulsive. ESFP travelers may want to pack an extra stash of cash to account for the extra fun they will undoubtedly have!
Our ESFP travel friend is my best friend Haley’s mom Helen! 😀
ISFP
The ISFP loves to explore and experiment. While they travel the world they are keen observers, quietly absorbing their surroundings with their senses.
They experience the world as a vibrant and colorful place, and appreciate aesthetics and artistry. The ISFP journeys with spontaneity and flexibility, allowing others to be in charge and simply going with the flow.
Our ISFP travel friend Augusta
ESTJ
ESTJs thrive on being in charge and they do it extraordinarily well. Traveling alongside an ESTJ? These go-getters are super organized, and are likely to be the ones gathering people and getting everyone to join in on a massive pub crawl.
ESTJs are very social and love connecting with others, but they prefer to proceed in a structured manner. Want a well-planned itinerary that encompasses fun, challenges, and unique experiences? Go explore with an ESTJ.
Our ESTJ travel friend: Ben of Huge Party Travel
ISTJ
Logical, dutiful, and decisive, ISTJs enjoy knowing their place in the world and having a strong sense of order. They prefer familiar surroundings, but this doesn’t mean they don’t love to travel as much as the rest of us.
The ISTJ is most comfortable with a solid plan of action and with the ability to remain self-reliant. ISTJs are less impulsive than other types, and instead set out to journey methodically and strategically, likely saving money ahead of their travels and having a specific itinerary.
Because of this ISTJs ensure they enjoy their travels most.
Our ISTJ travel friend Tarah of Fit Two Travel
ESTP
Energetic dyanamos, ESTPs adapt quickly and readily to their surroundings. They are active and curious, and may be the ideal personality type for adventure travel.
The ESTP loves to take action and never sits still for long. They live in the moment and make the most of their experience.
You might be an ESTP is your idea of a vacation involves bungee jumping, scuba diving, and wild scavenger hunts–anything that keeps your blood pumping and your excitement levels high.
Our ESTP travel friend Jeremy of TravelFreak
ISTP
The ISTP loves to create, learn, and discover. Hands-on exploration is their forte, and they tend to be curious and spontaneous. These often unpredictable folks sometimes dive headfirst into things without intense consideration.
This can be a blessing and a curse to the ISTP traveler, but it certainly ensures their adventures will never be boring. On their journey, the ISTP is perhaps most likely to be found participating in a cultural activity, studiously observing the people and building a new skill.
Our ISTP travel friend is Aragorn….yes, the one from Lord of the Rings (couldn’t find any travel bloggers that fit this type! Surprising!)
The Travel Personality
Are most travelers of a certain type? I polled a number of travel friends and found the results to be quite interesting. It was tougher to locate S or Sensing individuals than Ns– those who use their intuition more strongly when reacting to their environment. Also more common in the travel personality were Extraverts. This may not be a surprise as adventurous types, and bloggers in particular, may be more outgoing and externally focused.
Yet, it seems that travelers have no one type. We come from a massive range of backgrounds, personalities, and characteristics. Our one commonality? A love for the world.
See you out there!
This travel personality article is purely for entertainment purposes and has no affiliation whatsoever with the official Myers Briggs Type Indicator ®.
Amy Hartle is the author of Do You Love Me? How To Stop Seeking Reassurance in Relationships, a book on reassurance seeking and relationship anxiety. Both her book and this blog are born of personal experience; Amy shares expert relationship advice from the lessons learned during her own 10+ years with her husband, as well as couples travel tips and romantic getaway recommendations, all gleaned while traveling the world together.