7 Common Travel Myths That are Completely WRONG

Years in the past, the web site Earth Porm reposted my article “The Final Information to Touring When You’re Broke.” As I went by means of the feedback on the submit, I used to be dismayed by the imply and dismissive feedback individuals shared as effectively their misconceptions about journey.

These feedback made me understand that, regardless of all of the detailed web sites and books on the best way to make journey reasonably priced and accessible, too many individuals nonetheless consider the notion that journey is pricey, unsafe, and unattainable until you might be wealthy.

Too many say, “I can’t. It’s unattainable” and change into cynical about journey. The notion that journey is pricey couldn’t be farther from the reality (I wrote a whole guide proving that very level.)

But individuals nonetheless have every kind of misconceptions about price range journey and staying secure overseas.

So, as we speak, I wish to debunk 7 of the most typical journey myths I’ve encountered through the years:
 

Fantasy #1: Journey is Costly

Every little thing prices some cash — and that features journey. However the concept journey is barely about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated. Historically, refined advertising language made everybody consider that “a enjoyable trip is an costly trip.” After a long time 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 actual fact of the matter is you don’t want a belief fund or a high-paying job to have an incredible journey.

You’ll must discover ways to plan a visit.

You’ll want to economize.

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

And it may even be performed on minimal wage. Positive, it might take longer to avoid wasting on your journey, and chances are you’ll must make sacrifices, however if you wish to journey — whether or not for 2 weeks or two years — you’ll find a solution to make it occur. Listed below are some beginning factors that may aid you decrease your prices and journey on a price range:

 

Fantasy #2: Journey Credit score Playing cards Will Wreck Your Credit score

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

I can’t rely the variety of free flights and lodge stays I’ve had through the years. By amassing factors and miles, I’ve been capable of journey for a fraction of the value it might have price in any other case, opening up tons of prospects for price range journey.

Whereas making use of for bank cards will trigger a brief dip in your credit score rating, that dip will get corrected inside two months should you preserve paying off your payments. Until 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 increase a credit score rating should you don’t use it? You’re employed to construct a great 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 below are some sources that will help you get began:

 

Fantasy #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

Couchsurfing is a sharing economic system app that facilitates cultural alternate. Locals supply a free area of their residence (generally only a sofa) which vacationers can use to then go to the town and find out about in regards to the vacation spot.

Whereas staying in a stranger’s home won’t be for everybody, it’s however a secure and enjoyable solution to journey (to not point out an reasonably priced one). Very like Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have opinions and profiles you may learn to be sure to’re staying with somebody you are feeling you’d get together with. It’s actually not a lot completely different than Airbnb (besides it’s free!).

After all, should you’re not prepared to stick with a stranger it’s also possible to use to app to fulfill individuals for actions as an alternative, 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 opinions, and belief your intestine, you’ll be capable to use the app safely whereas saving cash and having enjoyable. There are households who host individuals, solo feminine hosts who solely host ladies, 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, variety individuals simply trying to make pals and study new issues. Don’t let concern restrict your alternatives.
 

Fantasy #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

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

The concept that hitchhiking is harmful dates again to the Fifties when the FBI led a scare marketing campaign to get individuals to cease the observe, partially as a result of civil rights activists had been hitchhiking to rallies. The FBI’s marketing campaign completely embedded within the thoughts of people who hitchhiking is harmful by claiming that almost all hitchhikers had 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 buddy hitchhiked solo across the US.

Kristin from Be My Journey Muse hitchhiked round China

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

Hitchhiking, like Couchsurfing, is about utilizing frequent sense. Make an observation of license plates, have a telephone in case of an emergency, and journey with a buddy should you’re not snug going solo. And bear in mind, you don’t should get into any automobile that stops. Use your judgment and comply with your instincts and also you’ll be capable to meet a lot of attention-grabbing individuals whereas nonetheless staying secure.
 

Fantasy #5: Journey is Harmful for Ladies

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

The “if it bleeds, it leads” strategy to reporting through the years has highlighted solely the unfavourable tales of feminine vacationers. This type of reporting bolsters the perceptions that the world is so scary that solo feminine journey may be very, very unsafe and ought to be prevented.

Happily, that’s not true in any respect. You might have a better probability 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 submit on ladies’s security:

If I look again on the instances when individuals have instructed me “Don’t go there!” or “You may die!” it’s largely recommendation from individuals who have by no means been to these locations and have by no means performed 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 incorrect. That you must 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 nervous about Rwanda’s tumultuous previous. Had he performed his analysis, he would have identified 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 dangerous 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 below are some to comply with for inspiration:

 

Fantasy 6: Price range Journey is Solely Potential if You’re 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 if you find yourself older, you might have considered trying extra luxurious than a price range 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 households and seniors backpacking world wide, staying in hostels, or driving RVs.

You don’t have to be restricted by age or your relationship standing. Listed below are some articles that show each households and seniors can journey on a price range:

 

Fantasy #7: You Can’t Work Abroad.

We regularly consider working overseas as an difficult course of not definitely worth the effort. It’s one thing that requires interviews, visas, and a elegant résumé. However, for the sort 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’ll find employment nearly anyplace. You will get a working vacation in international locations like Australia or New Zealand, change into an au pair, educate English, and even volunteer in alternate for room and board.

Positive, you won’t 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 nearly at all times searching for employees — particularly in areas with a seasonal inflow of vacationers. You gained’t get wealthy, however you’ll get to see the world. If you wish to study extra about your choices, listed below are some weblog posts to get you began:

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These journey myths come from years of being indoctrinated with the assumption that journey needs to be costly and the world is horrifying.

That couldn’t be farther from the reality.

With a little analysis, you’ll uncover that touring the world is far safer — and rather more reasonably priced — than most individuals assume.