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 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 make journey inexpensive and accessible, too many individuals nonetheless consider the notion that journey is dear, unsafe, and unattainable except you’re wealthy.

Too many say, “I can’t. It’s unattainable” and turn out to be cynical about journey. The notion that journey is dear couldn’t be farther from the reality (I wrote a complete e book proving that very level.)

But individuals nonetheless have all types of misconceptions about funds journey and staying protected overseas.

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

Delusion #1: Journey is Costly

Every part prices some cash — and that features journey. However the concept that journey is just about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated.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 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 very fact of the matter is you don’t want a belief fund or a high-paying job to have an incredible journey.

You’ll have to learn to plan a visit.

You’ll want to save cash.

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

And it could even be accomplished on minimal wage. Certain, it could take longer to avoid wasting on 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’ll find a strategy to make it occur. Listed below are some beginning factors that may assist you decrease your prices and journey on a funds:

Delusion #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 additional purchases. No leaping by loopholes. Simply incomes free journey by placing your date nights, groceries, gasoline, and different common bills on a journey card.

I can’t depend the variety of free flights and lodge stays I’ve had over time. By accumulating factors and miles, I’ve been in a position to journey for a fraction of the worth it will have price in any other case, opening up tons of potentialities for funds 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 for those who hold 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 is not going to have an effect on you. Over time, having extra accessible credit score will truly enhance your credit score rating. And I imply what’s the purpose of increase 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 below are some sources that can assist you get began:

Delusion #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

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

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

After all, for those who’re not prepared to stick with a stranger it’s also possible to use to app to fulfill individuals for actions as a substitute, comparable to a meal, espresso, or a museum go to. It’s an effective way to profit from the app with out having to stick with somebody.

So long as you employ widespread sense, learn evaluations, and belief your intestine, you’ll be capable of use the app safely whereas saving cash and having enjoyable. There are households who host individuals, 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 on the lookout for their subsequent sufferer. Most individuals are good, variety individuals simply trying to make mates and study new issues. Don’t let worry restrict your alternatives.
 

Delusion #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a comparatively widespread strategy to journey in lots of international locations around the globe. It was additionally a typical (and protected) strategy to journey the US and Canada for an extended 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 follow, partly as a result of civil rights activists have been hitchhiking to rallies. The FBI’s marketing campaign completely embedded within the thoughts of folks that hitchhiking is harmful by claiming that almost all 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 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 fantastic, fascinating individuals within the course of.

Hitchhiking, like Couchsurfing, is about utilizing widespread sense. Make an observation of license plates, have a cellphone in case of an emergency, and journey with a buddy for those who’re not comfy going solo. And keep in mind, you don’t need to get into any automotive that stops. Use your judgment and comply with your instincts and also you’ll be capable of meet plenty of fascinating individuals whereas nonetheless staying protected.
 

Delusion #5: Journey is Harmful for Ladies

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

The “if it bleeds, it leads” strategy to reporting over time has highlighted solely the unfavourable tales of feminine vacationers. This model of reporting bolsters the perceptions that the world is so scary that solo feminine journey could be very, very unsafe and needs to be prevented.

Fortuitously, that’s not true in any respect. You’ve gotten a better 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 submit on girls’s security:

If I look again on the instances when individuals 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 massively influential. I can’t let you know what number of instances I’ve learn worldwide press protection that’s flat-out incorrect. You’ll want to 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 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 could be simply as unhealthy because the vacation spot you’re headed to, if not worse.

Nowadays, 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, lots of them are extra adventurous than I’m! Listed below are some to comply with for inspiration:

Delusion 6: Price range Journey is Solely Attainable 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 when you find yourself older, it’s your decision extra luxurious than a funds backpacker. And I do know that household journey requires extra planning than solo journey. B

ut journey 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 around the globe, 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 funds:

Delusion #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 cultured 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’ll find employment nearly wherever. You may get a working vacation in international locations like Australia or New Zealand, turn out to be an au pair, train English, and even volunteer in alternate 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, faculties, bars, eating places, cafes, and the tourism business are nearly all the time on the lookout for employees — particularly in areas with a seasonal inflow of vacationers. You received’t get wealthy, however you’re going to get to see the world. If you wish to study 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 horrifying.

That couldn’t be farther from the reality.

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

How you can Journey the World on $75 a Day

My New York Occasions best-selling e book to journey will train you grasp the artwork of journey so that you simply’ll get off lower your expenses, all the time discover offers, and have a deeper journey expertise. It’s your A to Z planning information that the BBC known as the “bible for funds vacationers.”

Click on right here to study extra and begin studying it immediately!