*The Following guide is intended for real aspiring runaways and less oriented towards the budget backpacker.
My decision to run away from home wasn’t only motivated by my desire to travel. In fact, to be honest, much of it had to do with a growing depression surrounding school and life in general. Like many 16 year olds, I felt as though I didn’t fit in. And since school was the only life I knew, I felt depressed, hopeless and stuck.
Adding to this depression were my faltering grades. I had for most of my life prided myself on a strong academic career. When my calculator broke on the math section of the SAT’s I became totally distraught. It may sound ridiculous now, but at the time it was a huge personal failure. I felt as though I had really let myself down.
More, facilitating this downward spiral of depression were the drugs. I naively sought the comfort of drugs and alcohols in a desperate attempt to alleviate my suffering. Ironically, unbeknownst to me at the time, they only served to further my depression.
Frustrated, stagnant, depressed, hopeless, boredom, are all appropriate adjectives describing my state of mind.
I needed something different.
I needed the freedom and chance to change that I believed only travel could offer.
I decided I would runaway and travel the world.
Perhaps you feel like I did or maybe you are experiencing a painful environment at home. Whatever the case, if you are desperate and seriously contemplating running away from home, you have come to the right guide. If you need someone to talk to, you can connect with me on Facebook and I will try to get back to you as soon as I can. Otherwise, this guide should help.
The first part of this guide will attempt to help you decide whether or not you should run away from home. Should you decide to run away, the second part will provide information on how to prepare. The third section will teach you exactly how to leave your house and get started on the road as a runaway. Finally, the last portion of this guide will teach you essential runaway skills, from sleeping on the street and eating for free to hitchhiking and jumping trains.
Disclaimer: The Runaway Guide does not condone or encourage literally running away from home if you are not an adult.
Wow, this guide is really useful. I might return to the US to live with my family but they’re probably still the same so I’ll end up running away again. I’m currently living in Japan and my goal if I stay, is to be a writer. I also practice martial arts for when things go south. I want to thank you for the guide as now I have an idea what to do if my family ever took me back. I’m currently 18 btw and considering world travel.
wherever you go, there you are. Your problems will only follow you.
I’m a decent guitar player, should I bring it along? That may be a solid way to earn some cash, by playing on corners
Hey, definitely :) I recently saw a girl playing a single note on a recorder who was making money. As long as you’re smiling and spreading good vibes, it doesn’t matter how good or bad a player you are.
Not sure if you reply to comments anymore, but there’s a possibility, so here’s my situation. I am 18 years old, and I’m schooled at home. I can’t drive, and I don’t have a job. My mom is super over-protective; a few examples would be her not allowing me to step out of the house alone and her vow to sit in the car in the parking lot if I ever get a job… Though watched like a hawk, I am not completely weakened by my sheltered life. I dispayed strong independence last year when I spent a week at a camp in which every one was a stranger. Running away is always something I’ve considered, but I’m not sure its something I could always do… The finality scares me. Can I never return? I dream of freedom. I dream of seeing a world up close, no longer through a window. I’m strong; I know karate. I’m not a fighter, but I can defend myself. So…should I do it? Should I run?
Hey Rebecca,
If I were you, I would keep taking steps towards increasing your independence, discovering what it is you want to do, and growing your confidence. Running away is going to be a complete shock.
Without money or the resources you have at home like the internet, transport, or food, life is going to become tough and it will be that much harder to become the person you want to be and meant to be.
As a parent your website is terrific. Hopefully teenagers all over the world will have a chance to read it. very informative and enlighting. My son just turned 30 and is contemplating leaving his job and living on the streets with little money etc. Being his wife of 4 years cheated on him with a 41 year married man with kids. How can I help my son not leave his apartment job etc. and to help my son thru his hrd times.
Hi Bernie, wow. Thank you! I was expecting to get destroyed when I read that you were a parent. I hope he finds his way. Street life doesn’t help a thing. You can’t grow or find happiness living that lifestyle.
Hi, wanna tell you a part of my story and I hope that I can find a good advice. ..
am a 23 years old girl and I graduated from anastasia and icu department college. .. after my dad passed away 2 years ago and my relationship with my mom isn’t that good she always try to control me in every thing I can’t get out to meet my friends I can’t learn another language after I learned English language I cant even see my boyfriend. ..
I can’t go to book club I can’t wear wt I want I can’t even breath if she didn’t accept wt am asking for… she always said that she try to protect me but everything is getting worse and I wanna live my life …
if she just give me a space she will be proud. .but she won’t. .. everything is forbidden and our stupid society make more presser on me … all wt I think about when I think of run away is my little brother I just can’t explain how much I love him…
but nether I chose my life or live under my mother is mind and wt she wants me to be. …
can you help by your advice
when I run away … will I can study and work even after a hard time
I really want to know and do something
time is running. .. I should make a decision
Hey, you really have to trust your heart with this decision. The fact that you’re asking me tells me that perhaps you don’t think it’s the best option. Keep exploring the possibilities around you, you never know what might happen. Give it time. Good luck to you and your path.
Watchya Leif, I have to tell you I love the site. Really uplifting, and not dire at all. I’m probably not your usual candidate for a runaway, I’m 38 with not much monetary or material wealth, but due to being a slow burner and missing the starting gun I’m looking to jack it all in and run. Not exactly sure what I’m running from, though the depression I’m feeling from my stagnation and isolation is becoming scaringly overwhelming. Anyway, have you encountered many relative old farts on the road; and if so, what’s the general consensus?
P.S How common are pianos at train stations?
Hey Dave, thanks! Sounds good to me! You should totally go for it. Never too late to travel. I’ve met loads of 50+ backpackers who blend right into the hostel scene. Travelers are a community and age doesn’t really matter.
Hey Leif, I Plan on Leaving my Home sometime in early September, I’m 18 and ultimately desire to live a backpacker lifestyle like you I’ve read through most of your guides hell I’ve even read through almost all of the travel experts. Although I’m rather nervous about hitting the road for the first time it still is much better than the dull soul crushing monotony of middle class life, Anyway Any advice you could give me outside of the guides already written namely were to locate work and sustain myself (I’ve got more than $1000 stashed away so I should be able to stay afloat for a while) would be very appreciated. Thanks A.K.
Hey, I think it’s a great idea! I totally hear you. Sure, it depends where you want to find work though.
Do you know Lebanon? If yes have u ever stayed here for a while
Hey, never been to Lebanon. I’ve spent some time in Syria and Jordan though :)
Hi,
Wow! What an absolutely amazing website! I never would have known had I not randomly and desperately asked Google if I should run away! Lol! I’m from a country where it’s bat crazy if a girl leaves home let alone run away! But, your pros and cons made me think. And I’m glad you put it down that way. I’m 28, a doctor and a single mom, my son will turn 4 in a few months. I’m a widow. And all I can think about is, how I can take my baby, and run away to some place where being a single mom is ok! But, so many visa formalities. But reading this website has given me hope, that maybe just maybe there’s hope and I’ll be able to extract my son and myself from this hell!
Did I mention my inlaws have filed a custody case to take my son? So I guess that’s why I’m so desperate too!
You think the US or UK is a good place for single mom immigrants?
The United States is a tough place to run to, but here, you’re legally an adult. I cannot see the harm in that. Although, the US has so many issues in it’s own, from their border crisis, to their over corrupted government who spies on 97% of the world.
Hi there, great website. I wish I’d found this website when I was 16 (I’m 25).
Do you have any tips for someone who’s considering running away to Scotland? My chosen city is Edinburgh, because of the culture, but can’t seem to find zilch advice on accommodation and where to stay. I guess the authorities are just fed up of people who have run away. Any tips on where to stay long term would be great.
Hey Sarah, I’ve been to Edinburgh but only briefly. My advice would be to look up hostels and when you get there just ask around. Someone’s bound to be looking for a room mate. Good luck!
Hey Leif,
First off, great website! I have currently hit my quarterlife crisis at 29. I have been very lucky in my career and worked hard throughout my 20’s But this is the year I will becoming a runaway too. I’m not sure if I fit into the oldie camp just yet but I have managed to blag some freelance work with a freight company who in return are giving me free passage from the UK to Turkey and then I plan to head on to India for a while. Might be something you might want to keep your eye out for. It’s slow as travel can be but it might be a good trick up your sleeve. So suppose my question is have you now changed on your travels from a runaway to wanderer?
Stay cool & watch out for my feed me package.
Neari.
Hey Neari,
Thanks, I totally hear ya and think it sounds like a great idea. Working for a freight company sounds awesome. Let me know how it goes. Yup, I’ve gone from actually runaway to an endless wanderer these days.
Good luck!
When you frist left how long were you gone
1 year.
i have a question i am 18 years old and want to run away school has gone to pot for me and i wont graduate this year my senior year my parents are people who only can think there way and dont try to find out the real resons why i have failed they imply there own i do not see a reason to stay here. i am a farmer who’s knows how to fish hunt fight and am great with improvising should i run
Hey Kurt, really wish you’d use some punctuation. You gotta trust your gut on this one. That’s my best advice. Go with your instinct.
Hey man, this has been to helpful. c:
I’m 17 almost 18 sometimes the best thing to do is just leave.
But the most important part of this all is page 6. That is so true. Man.
I hope I see you traveling one daaay later.
Hey Damian, I’m really glad. Let me know when the day comes and I’ll help you plan your adventure.
When you left at first how long were you gone?
I was gone for 1 year