7 Common Travel Myths That are Completely WRONG

Years in the past, the web site Earth Porm reposted my article “The Ultimate Guide to Traveling When You’re Broke.” As I went by the feedback on the submit, I used to be dismayed by the imply and dismissive feedback folks shared as properly their misconceptions about journey.

These feedback made me understand that, regardless of all of the detailed web sites and books on the right way to make journey inexpensive and accessible, too many individuals nonetheless consider the notion that journey is dear, unsafe, and inconceivable except you’re wealthy.

Too many say, “I can’t. It’s inconceivable” and become cynical about travel. The notion that journey is dear couldn’t be farther from the reality (I wrote an entire book proving that very point.)

But folks nonetheless have every kind of misconceptions about finances journey and staying secure overseas.

So, at this time, I need to debunk 7 of the most typical journey myths I’ve encountered over time:
 

Fable #1: Journey is Costly

All the things prices some cash — and that features journey. However the concept that journey is barely about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated. Historically, delicate advertising and marketing language made everybody consider that “a enjoyable trip is an costly trip.” After many years of being bombarded by these insidious advert campaigns, our collective consciousness nonetheless equates journey with luxurious. Heck, I used to consider this too.

However the very fact of the matter is you don’t want a belief fund or a high-paying job to have a tremendous journey.

You’ll need to learn how to plan a trip.

You’ll need to save money.

However you don’t should be wealthy to journey. You simply should be inventive and have the appropriate priorities.

And it can even be done on minimum wage. Certain, it could take longer to save lots of to your journey, and it’s possible you’ll have to make sacrifices, however if you wish to journey — whether or not for 2 weeks or two years — you could find a strategy to make it occur. Listed here are some beginning factors that may assist you decrease your prices and journey on a finances:

Fable #2: Journey Credit score Playing cards Will Break Your Credit score

Accumulating factors and miles is the artwork of utilizing journey bank cards to achieve free journey by utilizing your common spending. No further purchases. No leaping by loopholes. Simply incomes free journey by placing your date nights, groceries, fuel, and different common bills on a journey card.

I can’t depend the variety of free flights and resort stays I’ve had over time. By amassing factors and miles, I’ve been in a position to journey for a fraction of the value it will have price in any other case, opening up tons of potentialities for finances journey.

Whereas making use of for bank cards will trigger a short lived dip in your credit score rating, that dip will get corrected inside two months for those who preserve paying off your payments. Except you’re trying to make an enormous buy (like shopping for a home) within the close to future, that minor dip won’t have an effect on you. Over time, having extra out there credit score will truly enhance your credit score rating. And I imply what’s the purpose of build up a credit score rating for those who don’t use it? You’re employed to construct credit score rating for the aim of doing issues with it.

I’ve over a dozen bank cards (although I solely actively use three) and a credit score rating of 797 out of 850. So long as you pay your card off every month, you don’t want to fret.

Listed here are some sources that can assist you get began:

Fable #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

Couchsurfing is a sharing financial system app that facilitates cultural change. Locals supply a free area of their residence (typically only a sofa) which vacationers can use to then go to town and study concerning the vacation spot.

Whereas staying in a stranger’s home may not be for everybody, it’s however a secure and enjoyable strategy to journey (to not point out an inexpensive one). Very like Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have evaluations and profiles you’ll be able to learn to be sure you’re staying with somebody you’re feeling you’d get together with. It’s actually not a lot totally different than Airbnb (besides it’s free!).

In fact, for those who’re not prepared to stick with a stranger you may also use to app to satisfy folks for actions as a substitute, reminiscent of a meal, espresso, or a museum go to. It’s an effective way to learn from the app with out having to stick with somebody.

So long as you employ frequent sense, learn evaluations, and belief your intestine, you’ll be capable to use the app safely whereas saving cash and having enjoyable. There are households who host folks, solo feminine hosts who solely host girls, in addition to expats trying to join with fellow foreigners.

Couchsurfing and web sites prefer it have vibrant communities. As a result of, opposite to what the information and media wish to report, not everybody out there’s a secret assassin searching for their subsequent sufferer. Most individuals are good, type folks simply trying to make pals and be taught new issues. Don’t let concern restrict your alternatives.
 

Fable #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a comparatively frequent strategy to journey in lots of international locations world wide. It was additionally a typical (and secure) strategy to journey the US and Canada for an extended whereas too.

The concept that hitchhiking is harmful dates again to the Nineteen Fifties when the FBI led a scare marketing campaign to get folks to cease the follow, partially as a result of civil rights activists have been hitchhiking to rallies. The FBI’s marketing campaign completely embedded within the thoughts of those who hitchhiking is harmful by claiming that the majority hitchhikers have been murderers.

Mixed with a story pushed by the media that the world is unsafe, hitchhiking continues to be perceived as a harmful exercise — even when it’s not.

My friend hitchhiked solo around the US.

Kristin from Be My Journey Muse hitchhiked around China

I’ve hitchhiked in Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America and met great, attention-grabbing folks within the course of.

Hitchhiking, like Couchsurfing, is about utilizing frequent sense. Make a remark of license plates, have a cellphone in case of an emergency, and journey with a buddy for those who’re not snug going solo. And keep in mind, you don’t must get into any automotive that stops. Use your judgment and observe your instincts and also you’ll be capable to meet numerous attention-grabbing folks whereas nonetheless staying secure.
 

Fable #5: Journey is Harmful for Girls

Whereas each women and men face dangers on the highway, girls typically encounter further hazards that require warning and consciousness. However that doesn’t imply girls want to remain residence or solely go to super-safe locations.

The “if it bleeds, it leads” method to reporting over time has highlighted solely the unfavorable tales of feminine vacationers. This fashion of reporting bolsters the perceptions that the world is so scary that solo female travel may be very, very unsafe and must be prevented.

Luckily, that’s not true in any respect. You’ve gotten the next likelihood of getting hit by a bus than you do of ending up like within the film Taken.

However don’t simply take my phrase for it. Right here’s an excerpt from a post on women’s safety:

If I look again on the instances when folks have instructed me “Don’t go there!” or “You would possibly die!” it’s principally recommendation from individuals who have by no means been to these locations and have by no means accomplished any analysis on them. The press is vastly influential. I can’t inform you what number of instances I’ve learn worldwide press protection that’s flat-out unsuitable. You should discover reliable sources and recommendation from individuals who know what they’re speaking about. I as soon as talked about to my mother and father that I had plans to go to Rwanda. My involved father instructed me, “You’re not going.” He was clearly frightened about Rwanda’s tumultuous previous. Had he accomplished his analysis, he would have recognized that Rwanda is the most secure nation in East Africa. As soon as he researched it, I by no means heard one other phrase about it. The crime charges in your yard might be simply as unhealthy because the vacation spot you’re headed to, if not worse.

Lately, there are tons of highly effective, unbiased feminine creators touring to all corners of the world — together with off-the-beaten-path international locations. Heck, a lot of them are extra adventurous than I’m! Listed here are some to observe for inspiration:

Fable 6: Finances Journey is Solely Doable if You might be Younger and Single

Too many individuals consider journey is one thing you are able to do provided that you’re younger or single. That couldn’t be farther from the reality. I perceive that when you find yourself older, you might have considered trying extra luxurious than a finances backpacker. And I do know that household journey requires extra planning than solo journey. B

ut journey just isn’t solely the purview of the younger.

On the finish of the day, age doesn’t matter. I’ve seen families and seniors backpacking world wide, staying in hostels, or driving RVs.

You don’t should be restricted by age or your relationship standing. Listed here are some articles that show each households and seniors can journey on a finances:

Fable #7: You Can’t Work Abroad.

We frequently consider working overseas as an difficult course of not definitely worth the effort. It’s one thing that requires interviews, visas, and a sophisticated résumé. However, for the type of jobs that you simply’ll get as a traveler, that’s not true.

If you wish to work and are versatile about what you’re keen to do, you could find employment virtually anyplace. You will get a working vacation in international locations like Australia or New Zealand, grow to be an au pair, educate English, and even volunteer in change for room and board.

Certain, you may not get a flowery or well-paying job. But when your precedence is journey then what does that matter?

Farms, colleges, bars, eating places, cafes, and the tourism trade are virtually at all times searching for employees — particularly in areas with a seasonal inflow of vacationers. You received’t get wealthy, however you’ll get to see the world. If you wish to be taught extra about your choices, listed here are some weblog posts to get you began:

These journey myths come from years of being indoctrinated with the assumption that journey must be costly and the world is frightening.

That couldn’t be farther from the reality.

With some research, you’ll uncover that touring the world is far safer — and way more inexpensive — than most individuals suppose.

The right way to Journey the World on $75 a Day

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