Is it tough to keep a relationship going while constantly traveling? People often ask me this because of my endless solo journeys. My parents especially can’t stop questioning it!
Here’s the straightforward truth: yes, maintaining a long-term relationship is a big challenge when you’re always traveling. One of the main drawbacks of being a perpetual traveler is the ongoing single status that comes with it. Just as a relationship starts to develop, I find myself packing up for the next destination.
However, it’s not impossible to find love while on the move.
Fleeting Connections
Years ago in Cambodia, I met a Swedish girl while mingling with other backpackers. We hit it off immediately, but four months later, we said our goodbyes as she flew back to Stockholm. Another time in Australia, I connected with a German girl during a tour of Uluru. She became my travel buddy for two months, and we later reunited in Amsterdam.
Then there was the Austrian woman I met while living in Taiwan. We tried to keep it going even after she moved back to Vienna, but eventually, it was clear she wasn’t leaving Vienna, and I wasn’t ready to settle there.
The Paradox of Travel Romances
Finding romance while traveling is actually not that hard. Travel creates an intense environment where quick, passionate connections are common. The openness and excitement needed to dive into new experiences also make you open to meeting new people. Travel is inherently romantic—passionate, unpredictable, and a bit risky—all elements that naturally foster romance. On the road, we often present the best, most exciting versions of ourselves, like characters straight out of an adventure novel, filled with curiosity and thrilling plans.
Yet, travel also speeds up relationships. You can meet someone, fall in love, and go your separate ways in just a few days, maintaining that almost paradoxical perpetual singleness.
Long-term Challenges
But securing a long-term relationship is a different story altogether. When you’re always on the move, you’re never in one place long enough to build something lasting. And if you’re dating another traveler, eventually, you’ll each have to move on in different directions.
I’ve seen many couples meet during their travels, and I’ve even attended a wedding for a couple who met in Thailand. What made their relationship work was one of them deciding to change their life for the other. For long-lasting romance, someone has to compromise.
Many of us fantasize about meeting that special someone in an exotic location like Bali or Paris. However, the reality—schedules, routes, or flights—often complicates those connections, making them difficult to sustain.
What usually happens are what I call “destination relationships.” These are intense, short-lived romances that last only as long as you’re in the same place. They start quickly and end just as fast when it’s time to part ways. There’s no baggage, no messy breakups, just a clean break, often leaving you with a good friend.
Changing your entire travel plan for someone is a big step, one that adds a lot of pressure to a relationship. Most people prefer not to abandon their journey, always wondering “What if I had continued traveling?”
Hope for the Future
I believe if it’s meant to be, it’ll eventually work out. Travel romances, like all long-distance relationships, are tough and often don’t succeed. But when they do, they’re absolutely wonderful.
Every day, countless travelers connect and then quickly part ways as they head to their next destination. Finding something that lasts more than a few days is tough but not impossible.
For me? I’d love to find a long-term travel companion to explore the world with.
Maybe one day, I’ll walk into a hostel, meet my perfect match, and together, we’ll set off to see the world. Until then, I continue to roam freely. After all, travel is my first love.
