10 travel habits rich people have that regular people find bizarre

Traveling is one of life’s great joys, but how you travel often depends on your budget.

For wealthy travelers, trips are less about escaping the everyday grind and more about maintaining a certain lifestyle—no matter where they are in the world.

These habits can look completely normal within their social circles.

But to regular people, they often seem excessive, impractical, or downright strange.

From the way they pack to the kinds of experiences they seek out, rich people tend to approach travel very differently.

Their choices often highlight just how far removed their reality is from most people’s day-to-day lives.

Here are ten travel habits wealthy people have that can seem bizarre to everyone else.

1. Booking entire sections of a plane

Most people are thrilled just to get a window seat and a carry-on that fits overhead.

Wealthy travelers, on the other hand, sometimes buy up entire rows—or even an entire section—of the plane.

Some do it for privacy, while others simply don’t want to sit near strangers.

It’s a level of control that feels unimaginable to regular passengers, who are busy hoping they don’t get stuck in a middle seat.

This habit also explains why you’ll sometimes see a whole first-class cabin with just one family in it.

It’s not about luxury alone—it’s about creating a bubble of exclusivity mid-air.

To most people, paying thousands of dollars for empty seats seems unthinkable.

For the wealthy, it’s just part of the travel budget.

2. Traveling with their own chefs or nannies

While most travelers make do with whatever the destination offers, rich families often bring their own support teams.

This might include private chefs, personal trainers, or full-time nannies.

The idea is to recreate their exact home environment no matter where they are in the world.

Meals are customized to dietary preferences, workouts are uninterrupted, and kids maintain their exact routines.

It’s convenient, but it also highlights just how different their reality is.

For most people, travel is about adapting to new surroundings.

For the wealthy, it’s about ensuring nothing feels inconvenient or unfamiliar.

It turns a trip into a fully curated experience rather than an adventure.

3. Flying private just to avoid crowds

Flying private isn’t just about luxury—it’s about control.

Wealthy travelers can avoid long security lines, boarding groups, and delays entirely by chartering their own flights.

Some even use private planes for short trips where driving would be more practical, simply because they don’t like dealing with other passengers.

This habit seems extravagant to regular travelers who spend hours waiting at gates and scrambling for overhead bin space.

To the rich, though, it’s about time and comfort being more valuable than money.

Flying private also eliminates many of the frustrations that make commercial travel stressful.

It’s not just travel—it’s an entirely different world of movement.

4. Staying in villas instead of hotels

While most people compare hotel prices online and hope for free breakfast, wealthy travelers often skip hotels entirely.

They rent entire villas, private estates, or sprawling vacation homes.

This allows them to control every detail of their stay, from staff to security to décor.

There are no noisy hallways, crowded pools, or housekeeping interruptions.

It’s like creating a temporary home wherever they go, complete with chefs, cleaners, and sometimes even private concierges.

For regular travelers, this level of privacy is unimaginable.

For the wealthy, it’s simply standard.

The goal isn’t just comfort—it’s complete control over the environment.

5. Packing like they’re moving houses

Most travelers aim to pack light to avoid baggage fees or lost luggage.

Rich travelers do the opposite.

They often bring an overwhelming amount of luggage, including multiple wardrobes, specialty gear, and designer accessories.

Some even ship their belongings ahead of time to ensure everything is waiting for them upon arrival.

This creates a seamless transition from home to vacation spot, with no compromises.

It’s not unusual for a wealthy family to travel with ten or more suitcases.

To regular people, this level of preparation feels excessive.

To the rich, it’s about making sure nothing is left behind—even luxury comforts.

6. Planning trips around exclusivity, not location

For most travelers, the destination is the highlight of the trip.

They choose places based on attractions, culture, or natural beauty.

Wealthy travelers often prioritize exclusivity over everything else.

They might pick a location simply because it’s difficult to access or has limited availability.

The rarer the experience, the more appealing it becomes.

It’s less about the actual sights and more about who isn’t there.

This creates a travel style that’s more about privacy and status than exploration.

To regular travelers, it can seem baffling to choose a destination for its exclusivity alone.

7. Hiring private guides for every activity

Many people join group tours or explore destinations on their own to save money.

The wealthy rarely do this.

Instead, they hire private guides for every activity, from museum visits to hiking excursions.

These guides offer personalized experiences and ensure no one has to wait in lines or deal with crowds.

While it’s undeniably efficient, it also creates a barrier between the traveler and the authentic experience.

Everything is curated and streamlined to avoid inconvenience.

For regular travelers, part of the adventure is navigating on your own.

For the rich, even discovery is outsourced.

8. Traveling with their own linens and toiletries

Hotels pride themselves on high-end bedding and luxury toiletries.

But some wealthy travelers prefer to bring their own.

They pack designer sheets, specific pillow types, and expensive skincare products so that nothing feels unfamiliar.

This habit may seem bizarre to regular people who are thrilled just to have clean towels and mini shampoos.

For the rich, it’s about maintaining routine and comfort no matter where they are.

This approach blurs the line between home and vacation, making every trip feel identical.

It’s the ultimate form of control, but it also limits spontaneity.

9. Skipping popular attractions entirely

Most tourists have a list of must-see landmarks when they travel.

Wealthy travelers often skip these entirely.

They avoid crowds and long lines by arranging private access—or by simply choosing experiences that no one else knows about.

While others are waiting two hours to see a famous monument, they’re sailing on a private boat or dining in a hidden restaurant.

This habit can make them seem out of touch, as if they’re above the experiences everyone else came for.

To them, avoiding the masses is the point.

The vacation is about exclusivity, not shared memories.

10. Taking multiple vacations at once

For regular people, vacations are carefully planned and often happen once or twice a year.

For the wealthy, it’s not unusual to overlap trips or plan them back-to-back.

They might spend a week at a ski chalet and then immediately fly to a tropical beach for another getaway.

This constant movement keeps them from ever feeling bored or stagnant.

To others, it can seem excessive and even exhausting.

But for wealthy families, it’s a way to maximize their time and resources.

Travel isn’t a break from everyday life—it is their everyday life.

It’s a rhythm completely foreign to most people.

Final thoughts: two very different travel worlds

The way rich people travel isn’t just about luxury—it’s about control, privacy, and maintaining a lifestyle without compromise.

To regular travelers, these habits can seem strange, even alien.

But for the wealthy, they’ve simply become the norm.

These differences highlight how travel reflects deeper values, priorities, and access.

At the end of the day, everyone wants meaningful experiences.

The paths to get there just look very different depending on your budget—and your worldview.