She Left Home at 14 and Traveled the World Alone and the Internet Cannot Believe She Survived
Choosing her own direction.
Jacky Karwáthová’s story is blowing up online right now, and it’s easy to see why. The 26-year-old solo female traveler and content creator has visited over 90 countries, but what’s really grabbing attention is the fact she started this journey at just 14 years old. The internet is equal parts amazed and skeptical, with many struggling to wrap their heads around how she’s survived – and thrived – on the road for over a decade.
Jacky’s current five-month overland journey across Africa using only public transport, is going viral right now. She’s documenting the raw, unfiltered reality of budget travel, and people can’t get enough of it. Unlike the polished, popular Instagram-perfect travel content, Jacky’s TikTok videos and blog posts show the messy, unpredictable side of adventure – missed buses, chaotic border crossings, hitchhiking, and more.
One of her most viral clips, where she talks about swallowing giant pills after swimming in Lake Malawi to avoid parasites, has racked up millions of views. Her content isn’t just entertaining, it’s a masterclass in how to travel smart, adapt quickly, and embrace the unexpected. Many viewers praise her bravery and authenticity, calling her inspiring. Others express disbelief and worry about her safety as a solo female traveler.
What makes Jacky’s story even more compelling is how she got here
Born in Karlovy Vary, a small spa town in the Czech Republic, she spent her childhood split between there and Cologne, Germany. Growing up between two cultures left her feeling like she never quite fit in, and by 13, she’d had enough. She decided to carve her own path, applying for academic and motivational scholarships abroad. Somehow, it worked.
At 14, she moved to the United States to finish high school, a decision that set the stage for everything that followed. In her own words, “That move became the first real step into the life I live now. Not just a life of travel, but a life of choosing my own direction. Of chasing experiences over expectations, redefining what success looks like, and constantly searching for a place that feels like home.”
But the journey hasn’t been easy. Jacky’s path has been anything but linear. After graduating high school in the U.S., she didn’t go home. Instead, she spent a year in Mexico learning Spanish, then traveled across Eastern Europe until she ran out of money. From there, she started hitchhiking and taking odd jobs wherever she could find them. She saved up just enough for a 150 euro one-way ticket to Australia, where she worked as an au pair, until the pandemic hit.
Her home country closed its borders, and she lost all her savings. Stranded, she spent a year in Ireland before moving to Iceland to work in a remote village and rebuild her finances. Then, she flew back to Mexico and hitchhiked all the way to Panama. Along the way, she got her scuba license in Honduras, one of the cheapest and most dangerous places in the world to do it. She made it to Peru, where she volunteered at an orphanage for two months, got sick, but kept going anyway.
And she says she’s ‘not even halfway through’
Jackie’s travels have taken her through North Africa and the Middle East on just 200 euros, and she’s hitchhiked solo through over 40 countries. She’s been to India three times and spent five months crossing Africa using only public transportation. She has slept in airports, cars, and on couches in over 50 countries. She’s dealt with bed bugs 12 times, malaria, and had her entire backpack stolen – everything she owned, gone in an instant.
Jackie says she’s been chased by a hippo, held at borders for eight hours in the middle of the night, and cried in public in more than 60 countries. She’s run out of money on three different continents. As a solo traveler, especially as a woman, she’s had to navigate unwanted attention and harassment in nearly every country she’s visited. And through it all, she’s had people tell her she’s being irresponsible, throwing her life away, or failing because she hasn’t gone to university.
But Jacky keeps going. After years on the road, she returned to the U.S., where she slept in the trunk of a Camry for over a month just to afford exploring. She eventually got her green card and has since visited 43 states. Now, at 26, she’s still figuring out how far this life can take her. Her blog, jackykarwathova.com, is packed with stories from her adventures, and her social media is a mix of awe-inspiring and cautionary tales that resonate with many.
So, what does it take to travel like Jacky?
According to her, more than anything, it’s about having an open mind. Sure, you need a passport, visas, some level of planning, and a way to support yourself, but the real key is mindset. “A willingness to step outside your comfort zone, to adapt when things don’t go as planned, and to stay open to experiences that might not look the way you imagined,” she says.
She’s quick to point out that you don’t need a huge budget or a “perfect” plan to start traveling. “You figure it out as you go. That doesn’t mean it’s always easy. It takes resourcefulness, flexibility, and sometimes making choices that aren’t the most comfortable. But it is possible in more ways than most people think.”
“Start where you are. It doesn’t have to be a one-way ticket across the world. Sometimes it’s just booking that first trip, even if it feels a little scary. You’ll never feel 100% ready, and there will never be a perfect time. But the experiences, the growth, and the people you meet along the way make it worth it every time.” And if there’s one thing she’s learned the hard way, it’s this: “Pack half of what you think you need.”
(Featured image: Oriol Segon Torra on Pexels)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
Follow The Mary Sue:
