By: Heather Keys
Coffee and travel go together like passports and stamps. Both wake you up to new possibilities, both can become expensive habits, and both say something surprisingly accurate about who you are. Your morning coffee order might reveal more about your travel personality than you think!
I’ve matched some popular coffee orders with their travel style twins. Let’s see if your caffeine habits match your wanderlust ways…
Plain Black Coffee: The Authentic Experience Seeker
Photo by Andre Benz on Unsplash
If you take your coffee straight-up black, with no sugar, no cream, no nothing, you’re probably the same way with travel! You want the real deal, the unfiltered experience, the destination as the locals know it.
Black coffee drinkers skip the tourist traps and head straight for neighborhood joints where they’re the only foreigners in sight. You learn key phrases in the local language before you go. You’d rather get lost in a city’s back streets than follow a tour guide with a flag.
Your perfect trip: A solo journey through small towns in Japan, staying at family-run inns and eating at spots with no English menu.
Your travel motto: “If the locals don’t go there, neither do I.”
Latte: The Comfort-Zone Explorer
Photo by Bruno Martins on Unsplash
Latte lovers like their experiences to be smooth, approachable, and with just the right balance. You want to see new places, but you also like your comfort. You pack a favorite sweater even when traveling to hot countries, just in case.
You stay in boutique hotels that offer local flavor and reliable wifi. You join walking tours on the first day to get your bearings, then venture out on your own once you feel comfortable. You want to try local food but might ask to adjust the spice level.
Your perfect trip: A week in London with day trips to the countryside, staying at a stylish Airbnb in a central but not-too-touristy neighborhood.
Your travel motto: “New experiences are best enjoyed with familiar comforts.”
Espresso: The Fast-Paced City Hopper
Photo by Lucas Davies on Unsplash
Espresso drinkers don’t mess around. You want your experiences to be quick, strong, and straight to the point. Your vacations pack six cities into seven days. Your camera roll contains all the major sights, and you’ve seen them all before lunch.
You make spreadsheets before trips with hour-by-hour itineraries. You’ve mastered the art of the overnight train to maximize sightseeing time. Your friends get tired just listening to your travel stories.
Your perfect trip: A two-week whirlwind tour through five European capitals, hitting all the must-sees and still finding time for hidden spots you researched months in advance.
Your travel motto: “Sleep when you’re dead, see everything while you’re alive.”
Cold Brew: The Trendy Nomad
Photo by Austin Curtis on Unsplash
You discovered cold brew before it was mainstream, just like you visited Tulum before the influencers took over. You stay in neighborhoods that travel magazines will feature next year.
Cold brew fans seek out the coolest spots in any city—the rooftop bars locals try to keep secret, the street art in up-and-coming districts, and the pop-up restaurants with waiting lists. Your Instagram stories make friends jealous, but you swear you’re just posting a few highlights.
Your perfect trip: A month living like a local in a fabulous apartment in Mexico City’s Roma Norte district, working remotely from third-wave coffee shops.
Your travel motto: “Follow the creatives, not the crowds.”
Caramel Frappuccino: The Fun-First Traveler
Photo by Miltiadis Fragkidis on Unsplash
You don’t care if coffee purists judge your sweet, blended concoction—you know what brings you joy. The same goes for travel. You skip the “important” museums if they sound boring and head straight for the places that sound fun.
You’ve been to Disney parks on three continents. You buy cheesy souvenirs without irony. Your travel photos feature you having a blast rather than perfect compositions of famous landmarks. You’re not afraid to look like a tourist if it means you’re enjoying yourself.
Your perfect trip: A Caribbean cruise with stops for snorkeling, zip-lining, and beach parties, followed by a couple of days at Universal Studios.
Your travel motto: “If I’m not having fun, what’s the point?”
Americano: The Budget-Savvy Backpacker
You order an Americano because it’s cheaper than a latte but gives you more volume than an espresso. This practical thinking extends to your travel style, too. You know how to stretch a dollar without sacrificing experiences.
You stay in hostels well into your 30s (private room, though, because you’re not 22 anymore). You cook some meals in shared kitchens but splurge on a few exceptional local restaurants. You’ve mastered public transportation in a dozen cities and know which airport to fly to for the cheapest routes.
Your perfect trip: Three months backpacking through Southeast Asia, mixing homestays with occasional nice hotels, street food with cooking classes.
Your travel motto: “The less I spend, the longer I can travel.”
Flat White: The Sophisticated Minimalist
Photo by Michael Jerrard on Unsplash
The flat white is the coffee of choice for those who appreciate quality without fuss—just perfectly steamed milk and a strong shot or two. Your travel style matches this philosophy.
You pack light, maybe just a carry-on for a two-week trip, but everything you bring is well-chosen and multi-purpose. You do extensive research to find the right hotel, but not necessarily the most luxurious. You might spend an entire afternoon in one perfect café, watching the world go by.
Your perfect trip: A week in Copenhagen, renting a design-forward apartment, visiting modern art museums, and dining at restaurants chosen for their approach to local ingredients rather than their Michelin stars.
Your travel motto: “Quality experiences over quantity of sights.”
Mocha: The Best-of-Both-Worlds Traveler
Can’t decide between chocolate and coffee? Why not have both? This same approach guides your travel. You want the famous sights AND the hidden spots…the luxury experiences AND the authentic local joints.
You save up vacation days for one big, amazing trip each year, where you splash out on the perfect mix of activities. You’ll wait in line for a world-famous pastry in the morning, then spend the afternoon in a neighborhood no other tourists visit.
Your perfect trip: Two weeks in Italy, splitting time between famous cities and countryside towns, mixing high-end restaurants with hole-in-the-wall family spots.
Your travel motto: “Life’s too short not to experience it all.”
Tea Drinker: The Thoughtful Wanderer
Photo by Eric Welch on Unsplash
Not a coffee person at all? You’re the traveler who marches to the beat of your own drum. You don’t follow trends or typical tourist paths.
Tea drinkers take their time. You might spend a month in a tiny town while other travelers zip through in an afternoon. You form genuine friendships with locals and keep in touch for years. You seek experiences tied to your specific interests, whether those are textile traditions, bird watching, or local music scenes.
Your perfect trip: Renting a cottage in a small village in Scotland, taking long walks, visiting local craftspeople, and becoming a regular at the neighborhood pub.
Your travel motto: “Slow down to truly see.”
Decaf: The Wellness Voyager
Photo by Christopher Alvarenga on Unsplash
If you’re ordering decaf, you care about the ritual and taste of coffee without needing the buzz. In travel, you’re looking for rejuvenation rather than stimulation.
Wellness travelers build their trips around self-care and coming home better than they left. You research hotels with the best spas, yoga studios with drop-in classes, and restaurants with outstanding plant-based options. You might skip major sights if they feel too crowded or stressful.
Your perfect trip: A 10-day stay at a Balinese wellness retreat, with daily yoga, healthy cooking classes, and dips in natural hot springs.
Your travel motto: “Travel should feed your soul, not drain your energy.”
Pumpkin Spice Latte: The Seasonal Celebrator
PSL lovers get mocked for their predictable autumn enthusiasm, but here’s what: you know what you like, and you’re not afraid to enjoy it fully when the time is right!
You plan trips around specific times of year to see destinations at their most magical. You’ve timed visits to Japan for peak cherry blossom season, planned Christmas market tours through Germany, and arranged your schedule to catch tulip season in the Netherlands.
Your perfect trip: A perfect autumn weekend in Vermont, with foliage drives, cozy B&Bs with fireplaces, and fresh apple cider at every meal.
Your travel motto: “Right place, right time, maximum magic.”
What Your Coffee Add-ins Say About Your Packing Style
- Extra shot: You always pack more outfits than you need, just in case.
- Oat milk: You bring your own environmentally friendly water bottle and shopping bag.
- Dash of cinnamon: You pack unexpected items that prove surprisingly useful (like that packable sun hat that saved you in Greece).
- Sugar-free syrup: Your suitcase looks deceptively small but somehow fits everything, thanks to your expert packing cubes and rolling techniques.
- Half-caf: One bag checked, one carried on—you hedge your bets.
When Coffee Orders and Travel Styles Clash
Traveling with someone whose coffee order (and travel style) differs dramatically from yours? Here’s how to make it work:
- The espresso shot traveler needs to build some café breaks into that minute-by-minute itinerary.
- The PSL seasonal traveler should compromise on one trip to an “off-season” destination.
- The black coffee purist might really enjoy that touristy boat tour if they give it a chance.
At the end of the day, the best travel companions, like the best coffee shops, know how to accommodate different tastes while still creating a wonderful experience for everyone. And sometimes, trying your travel buddy’s preferred style—like sampling a sip of their unusual coffee order—might introduce you to a new favorite.
So, did your coffee preference match your travel style? Or are you a black coffee drinker with a secret love for all-inclusive resorts? Let us know in the Frayed Passport community!
About the Author
Originally from Indiana, Heather believes every destination has a story worth telling and a reason to visit. With a deep love of adventure, history, and psychology, she shares travel trivia, tips, and inspiration to encourage you to explore the world with curiosity and optimism. Read her other articles on Frayed Passport here.Featured image by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
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