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 put up, 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 right way to make journey inexpensive and accessible, too many individuals nonetheless imagine the notion that journey is dear, 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 dear couldn’t be farther from the reality (I wrote a whole e-book proving that very level.)

But individuals nonetheless have all types of misconceptions about price range journey and staying secure overseas.

So, immediately, I need to debunk 7 of the commonest journey myths I’ve encountered through the years:
 

Delusion #1: Journey is Costly

Every part prices some cash — and that features journey. However the concept journey is just about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated. Historically, delicate advertising language made everybody imagine 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 imagine 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 have to learn 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 best priorities.

And it may well even be finished on minimal wage. Certain, it might take longer to save lots of in your journey, and you could have to make sacrifices, however if you wish to journey — whether or not for 2 weeks or two years — yow will discover a technique to make it occur. Listed below are some beginning factors that may aid you decrease your prices and journey on a price range:

Delusion #2: Journey Credit score Playing cards Will Damage Your Credit score

Amassing factors and miles is the artwork of utilizing journey bank cards to realize free journey by utilizing 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 rely the variety of free flights and resort stays I’ve had through the years. By accumulating factors and miles, I’ve been in a position to journey for a fraction of the worth it could 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 short lived dip in your credit score rating, that dip will get corrected inside two months if you happen to 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 won’t have an effect on you. Over time, having extra out there credit score will really enhance your credit score rating. And I imply what’s the purpose of increase a credit score rating if you happen to 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 can assist you get began:

Delusion #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

Couchsurfing is a sharing financial system app that facilitates cultural change. Locals provide a free area of their dwelling (typically 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 may not be for everybody, it’s nonetheless a secure and enjoyable technique to journey (to not point out an inexpensive one). Very similar to Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have opinions and profiles you possibly can learn to be sure you’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, if you happen to’re not prepared to stick with a stranger you can too use to app to fulfill individuals for actions as an alternative, resembling 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 utilize frequent sense, learn opinions, and belief your intestine, you’ll have the ability to 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 prefer to report, not everybody out there’s a secret assassin on the lookout for their subsequent sufferer. Most individuals are good, type individuals simply trying to make buddies and be taught new issues. Don’t let worry restrict your alternatives.
 

Delusion #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

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

The concept that hitchhiking is harmful dates again to the Nineteen 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 people 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 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 a remark of license plates, have a cellphone in case of an emergency, and journey with a buddy if you happen to’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 have the ability to meet a lot of attention-grabbing individuals whereas nonetheless staying secure.
 

Delusion #5: Journey is Harmful for Ladies

Whereas each women and men face dangers on the highway, girls typically encounter extra hazards that require warning and consciousness. However that doesn’t imply girls want to remain dwelling 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 fashion 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’ve 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 put up on girls’s security:

If I look again on the instances when individuals have advised 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 finished any analysis on them. The press is vastly influential. I can’t let you know what number of instances I’ve learn worldwide press protection that’s flat-out mistaken. It is advisable 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 advised me, “You’re not going.” He was clearly apprehensive about Rwanda’s tumultuous previous. Had he finished 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 will be simply as dangerous because the vacation spot you’re headed to, if not worse.

As of late, there are tons of highly effective, impartial 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:

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

Too many individuals imagine 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 end up 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 shouldn’t be 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 price range:

Delusion #7: You Can’t Work Abroad.

We frequently consider working overseas as an difficult course of not well worth the effort. It’s one thing that requires interviews, visas, and a sophisticated 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, yow will discover 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 change for room and board.

Certain, you may not get a elaborate 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 on the lookout 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 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 idea that journey needs to 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 rather more inexpensive — than most individuals suppose.