Dreams about traveling – what do they mean? (Dream interpretation travel)

To be traveling in a dream is something a lot of people dream about. And no wonder, because “travel dreams” are often about our own journey of life – our movement forwards (or backwards) in life, that is. The following describes various aspects of what it means to travel in dreams.

To be traveling in a dream as a symbol of movement in life/journey of life. When seeing yourself traveling in a dream, either by car, by train, by ferry, etc., well, then it is usually about your own journey in life – the inner (and outer) development you are going through. Which mode of transport you use can also be of significance – see for example the blog posts about driving a car and riding a bus. The interesting thing, then, is what you experience on these night-time travels; is there something which prevents you from getting there? Are you struggling to make it in time (see the blog post about being late)? And where are you actually going?

A classic theme in travel dreams is that you are carrying a lot or too much (heavy) luggage, making it difficult or maybe even impossible for you to catch the bus, train, ferry, plane or whatever it may be in your dream. The main question for the dreamer could then be; is something we are carrying with us in our life story somehow pinning us down in our current situation, and making it difficult for us to move on before we let it go? (See the post about luggage in dreams)

Dreams about being scared of losing your passport (your identity papers) are also common when you are at a point in your life when you are about to move into the unknown, for example in your career. In real life, the fear of losing your identity (status etc.) can of course prevent you from taking the plunge into the unsafe and unknown. You can also encounter various barriers on your (dream) journey. These often symbolize your own mental barriers, but they can of course also be barriers that someone else puts in front of you (for example your partner or your parents trying to talk you out of doing something). However, always look inwards before you look for outside reasons.
–
When trying to understand your dreams it is important to know that your dreams are… your dreams. As such, you are the best person to figure out the true meaning of your dreams.

However, it is important to learn how to generally approach your dreams. Dream dictionaries like this one are only a supplement, and if you want to fully utilize the potential of your dreams, you should start at a different place.

My online course “Unlock your DREAMlife” gives you a great foundation for understanding (and recalling) your dreams.
–
As mentioned, the mode of transportation in your dream is often important. If you’re driving a car, it seems that you are well on your way in life – in a car, you decide where you go – but if you are a passenger in a car someone else is driving, it may mean the exact opposite. In this case it might be this other person (in the outside world) or what this person represents within you that have taken control.

The car is often also a symbol of your body (the body that brings you around). If you drive a bus (public transportation), it may mean that you live your life in keeping with what others are doing and what they might expect from you – you are not following your own path. Traveling by ship represents a somewhat larger perspective on your life’s journey than traveling by car and bus – you can dream about shipwrecks, giant storms, etc. And you can also experience taking the ship to sea – this may symbolize a break from the family or the life you have lived until now.

The road you travel – if by land – can curve and bend and suddenly split in two, and you may be unsure about which way to choose. This will then usually equal a similar dilemma you face in your life right now – which way should I go? There are very many aspects of dreaming about being on the road, and only you – the dreamer – would know which of these is right for you in your life right now.

As a last point, I want to highlight the importance of your destination in the dream. Are you heading to unfamiliar countries? In this case, this will often be a picture of you in your waking or conscious life (including home life) where you might be exploring uncharted territories. Or it may be new aspects of yourself, a new leisure activity you wish to start, etc. You might be experimenting with new sides of yourself. If, in your dream, you are sure that you are heading towards your “final destination”, then it may be a warning about your own death – your final destination in life.

Dream dictionaries are a very helpful tool when interpreting dreams. However, generally learning how to approach your dreams, will give you a better foundation for understanding them. My online course “Unlock your DREAMlife” teaches you how to much better utilize – recall and understand – your dreams.

Return to the index of dream themes and symbols:

Dream interpretation A-Z  ↵

Also read: Why I no longer interpret dreams for free

NOTE: Dreams are 100% individual, and when you dream about traveling, it’s almost certainly about something else for you than it is for your friend, who has also dreamed about traveling. Dream interpretation / dream analysis is sometimes a difficult art, and a particular interpretation of a dream is only correct if you feel “affected” by it. Therefore, it is not certain that the above mentioned interpretations are relevant to you.