9 Types of Travelers: Which One Are You?

Get some insights into what motivates you to travel and the type of travel best suited to your personality number.

The way we travel can be impacted by who we are: In other words, your personality type. Whether a Perfectionist, Expressionist, Analyst, Adventurist, Naturalist, or one of the other points, your type is an indicator of what you most enjoy seeing and doing while traveling. It’s prompted by inner basic motivations and drives that essentially make each one of us who we are.

The Enneagram, while said to have ancient origins, received exposure early in this century in the esoteric teachings of Georges Gurdjieff and has gained credence in recent decades through the writings of Chilean psychologist Claudio Naranjo, M.D. Represented by nine points on a circle, the Enneagram categories represent preferences in life within nine different types.

Although you’ll probably recognize several types within your psyche, Enneagram practitioners believe that you will consistently revert to a primary type. Knowing that basic character is like knowing your family birth order and to some, your astrological sign. Your type may offer you a psychological window to your inner drive and help you grow from that understanding.

I’ve applied the model to types of travelers and include a summary of all nine types with identifying characteristics and behaviors. Whether you travel for art, nature, sports, culture, or the dining scene, insights provided by the Enneagram can help expand your repertoire and lead to opportunities for self-growth.

All types have positives and negatives. Whatever your type, we should all strive to evolve our travel type to one motivated by curiosity, knowledge, appreciation, and acceptance of diversity.

What follows is a basic outline of the nine types. Read all the descriptions and choose the one you identify with most, knowing you’ll find aspects of yourself in many of them. Then let us know your type in the comments!

After you select your type, read the travel interests and motivations predicted for that type. Once you recognize your type, don’t be afraid to venture outside motivations that define your number. In the process, it may elevate your travel to new levels, as well as set you on the road to discovering inner talents and strengths you’re unaware of.

Keep in mind that the Enneagram types are generalizations at best and descriptive more than prescriptive. Think of the Enneagram as a way to focus travel but expand it at the same time. Sometimes when we travel outside our comfort zone (i.e., our travel personality) we find that those are the times of greatest meaning and revelations.

1 Perfectionist

With nine types of travelers based on the Enneagram of personality typology, which one are you?

You are idealistic and moralistic, holding yourself to high standards of personal honesty and integrity. The most rational and self-disciplined of the nine Enneagram types, you hold others to high standards as well, which can lead you to being critical or feeling superior when those standards are not met.

You are organized, logical, and detailed. You know the “best way” to do things. Your vocabulary tends to be peppered with shoulds and musts. Procrastination can be a trademark; however, you would rather not do something than do it less than perfectly.

Inner fire: To do things right

Key words: Conscientious, diligent, efficient, ethical, fair, honest, idealistic, objective, orderly, organized, pragmatic, principled, self-disciplined, critical, intolerant, judgmental, moralistic

Your travel type: You are drawn to activities and events that require focus on detail, discipline, and perfection. You require a rigid agenda and want to stick to it at all costs. Deviations leave you feeling anxious. Religious travel is particularly appealing.

Your travel challenge: Try incorporating activities that are less structured and allow you to let go. Embrace the moment, but allow for time to flow extemporaneously. Challenge yourself to go with the flow and not plan a day. Experience more pleasure and less self-punishment for not measuring up to your concept of perfection.

2 Giver

You are naturally gregarious and outgoing. You enjoy travel involving people and socializing. You make decisions from the heart rather than the head. You are caring, empathic, charitable, friendly, and attentive to others’ needs. You want to be liked and put great emphasis on relationships, your identity often being defined by them. When you don’t receive the gratitude you feel you deserve, your type can become manipulative, controlling, or smothering.

Inner fire: To help and serve others; to be loved.

Key words: Altruistic, attentive, caring, cheerful, compassionate, considerate, concerned, dependable, encouraging, emotional, friendly, generous, gentle, giving, gregarious, helpful, kind, loving, maternal, nurturing, supportive, illogical, manipulative

Your travel type: You enjoy activities structured around people, casual walks with friends, and romantic outings. Your focus is on family and friends. Volunteerism is particularly suited for you.

Your travel challenge: Take time to care for yourself, even when you’re with others. Include activities that focus on discipline and endurance. Build your confidence by traveling solo once in a while.

3 Competitor

You are competitive in just about anything you do and tend to be really good at what you do. One-upmanship is your signature: You aren’t happy unless you can track progress, record achievements, and measure yourself against others. You epitomize the type A personality, the workaholic, and the incessant doer. You will do whatever it takes to make a good impression. You excel through perseverance, hard work, long hours, practice, and sheer investment of sweat.

Inner fire: To achieve and to be viewed as successful by others

Key words: Ambitious, capable, charming, successful, charismatic, competent, confident, efficient, effective, energetic, goal-oriented, image-conscious, motivated, political, productive, self-starter, deceptive, status-seeking, boastful, egotistical

Your travel type: You are drawn to anything where there is competition. Even if it is merely counting how many states you have been to, how many countries, how many UNESCO sites, etc. You get the idea. You travel to trendy places and to make a fashion statement.

Your travel challenge: Integrate noncompetitive activities that relax and focus you inward. Try going to a monastery, mosque, museum, or even the theater. Free yourself from tasks, and build in unstructured time to be fully in the present.

4 Expressionist

You are in touch with all of your emotions, often too much and sometimes to the point of eccentricity. You are the most self-aware type and consciously seek opportunities for spiritual and emotional growth.

Inner fire: To discover your identity and share your unique qualities

Key words: Artistic, authentic, creative, dramatic, eccentric, expressive, idealistic, individualist, inspired, introspective, intuitive, original, passionate, romantic, sensitive, special, unique, self-absorbed, melancholy

Your travel type: You are wonderfully artistic and seek creative outlets that express the five senses. You travel for high culture, fine dining, and artistic uniqueness. Art, music, dance, theater, and drama define your travel universe.

Your travel challenge: Choose a more typical or traditional type of travel such as an organized group tour, cooking class, or themed outing. Learn to appreciate the ordinary.

5 Analyst

You are a storehouse of knowledge, enjoying books, computers, and constant learning. While you tend to be introverted and independent, you can also be critical, withdrawn, and out of touch with the world of sensation.

Inner fire: To expand your knowledge and interests

Key words: Analytical, conceptual, expert, focused, independent, individualist, intellectual, intense, logical, minimalist, objective, observant, private, provocative, reserved, safe, self-sufficient, solitary, cynical, detached

Your travel type: You’re more interested in becoming an expert in your field, so travel tends to be focused on special interests such as academics, photography, comic books, science fiction, science, and history. If you love comic books, you go to comic book conventions. You get the picture. This type is calm in a crisis and prefers to travel solo.

Your travel challenge: Try travel with a social orientation such as group travel with a cultural focus. Become a culture vulture and emphasize diversity.

6 Team Player

You are loyal, reliable, and hardworking, often with a well-developed sense of humor. You like predictability, organization, and plenty of rules and regulations. You need to belong to a club or community. On the flip side, you can be suspicious, anxious, sarcastic, and much too serious when you’re feeling insecure.

Inner fire: To feel safe and secure

Key words: Committed, dependable, faithful, loyal, practical, prudent, reliable, questioning, responsible, cautious, skeptical, suspicious, indecisive

Your travel type: Since you don’t like change in your routine, you are a traditionalist who likes to take traditional tours. Group travel is appealing, including cruising and multi-generational excursions. You are drawn to predictable time-shares for that reason, as well as all-inclusive resorts.

Your travel challenge: Try travel and activities that focus on adventure and individual effort. Enter a marathon, or go on an ocean cruise solo. Balance any negative spin with positives.

7 Adventurist

You are drawn to novelty, adventure, and breadth of experience. Depth is not your strong suit. You’ll try just about anything at least once and then move on to the next exciting adventure. You’re not known for commitment, intensity, or depth; you’re easily bored by routine and the ordinary. You’re also flexible, optimistic, vivacious, energetic, independent, opinionated, and resistant to authority.

Inner fire: To experience life to the fullest

Key words: Acquisitive, accomplished, carefree, energetic, epicurean, flexible, fun-loving, independent, optimistic, spontaneous, visionary, self-centered, greedy, childish

Your travel type: You seek out fun, exciting, and unusual activities and groups, collecting experiences for their own sake. This might include parachuting, expeditionary cruising, or sleeping in ice hotels. Anything that is off the beaten path. A tendency toward over-scheduling and too much future planning are hallmarks of your type. You enjoy luxury and epicurean delights such as wine-tasting and fine dining, but you eschew structure and set itineraries.

Your travel challenge: Even though you are good at many different things, try making some commitments and exploring destinations on a deeper level. Work on being in the present. Go for depth, detail, and self-discipline. Perhaps a writer’s retreat in an isolated location?

8 Judge

You are assertive and judgmental, even combative and vindictive as you try to dominate and control situations. You are direct, confrontational, and no-nonsense in your approach to life, with a quick, cutting anger. At your best you are generous and brave, and you make things happen when others cannot. Fiercely protective of your flock, you will go to bat for the underdog when you perceive that justice is being abused. You are sometimes described as a Mack truck filled with marshmallows.

Inner fire: To be self-sufficient and control your environment

Key words: Aggressive, authoritative, strong, commanding, courageous, decisive, determined, direct, independent, impulsive, powerful, practical, protective, self-reliant, strong, blunt, confrontational, intimidating, shrewd, abrasive

Your travel type: You’re attracted to activities where you are in charge. Extreme activities excite you because of the adrenaline rush and sense of mastery. Survivalist-type travel may also appeal to you.

Your travel challenge: Try engaging in activities that invoke the senses and engage the heart. Go on a safari and sip a sundowner to celebrate end-of-the-day. Or consider a couple’s retreat. Moderate your instinctual energy by indulging your emotional side. Try relaxing and letting someone else call the shots. Farm-to-table dining or agritourism may be just what you need.

9 Naturalist

You are drawn to harmonious activities that accentuate group cohesiveness and belonging. You are usually open-minded and generous, avoiding conflict and confrontation. Undemanding and nonjudgmental, you preserve peace at any price. You often take on the personality traits of those around you to blend in. You are so understanding of different perspectives that sometimes you lose yourself in the process. Despite your serene attributes, you can be volatile in times of stress, epitomizing the passive-aggressive personality.

Inner fire: To be in harmony with other people and your environment

Key words: Agreeable, calm, communicative, diplomatic, easygoing, fair, friendly, gentle, harmonious, holistic, laid-back, non-confrontive, patient, receptive, selfless, serene, trusting, disengaged, indecisive

Your travel type: You enjoy nature and thus activities like hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and kayaking. You look for travel that lets you connect with the environment. Slow travel, environmental projects, and community involvement are especially appealing to your type.

Your travel challenge: Try exploring some of the great cities of the world, and in the process, learn about the culture, cuisine, and uniqueness of neighborhoods. Celebrate differences rather than try to harmonize things around you.