7 Widespread Journey Myths Which can be Fully 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 way of the feedback on the publish, I used to be dismayed by the imply and dismissive feedback folks shared as nicely their misconceptions about journey.

These feedback made me understand that, regardless of all of the detailed web sites and books on easy methods to make journey inexpensive and accessible, too many individuals nonetheless imagine the notion that journey is pricey, unsafe, and unattainable until you’re 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 complete e book proving that very level.)

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

So, right this moment, I wish to debunk 7 of the commonest journey myths I’ve encountered through the years:
 

Fable #1: Journey is Costly

Every part 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 However the concept that journey is barely about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated.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 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 an incredible journey.

You’ll must 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 best priorities.

And it may well even be carried out on minimal wage. Positive, it could take longer to save lots of in 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 technique to make it occur. Listed below are some beginning factors that may allow you to decrease your prices and journey on a funds:

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

Amassing factors and miles is the artwork of utilizing journey bank cards to achieve free journey by utilizing your common spending. No additional purchases. No leaping by way of 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 lodge 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 value it might have price in any other case, opening up tons of prospects 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 in the event you maintain 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 is not going to 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 in the event you don’t use it? You’re employed to construct a very good 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:

Fable #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

Couchsurfing is a sharing financial system app that facilitates cultural change. Locals provide a free house of their dwelling (typically only a sofa) which vacationers can use to then go to the town and study 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 technique to journey (to not point out an inexpensive one). Very similar to Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have critiques and profiles you’ll be able to learn to be sure to’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, in the event you’re not prepared to stick with a stranger you can too use to app to fulfill folks for actions as a substitute, resembling 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 critiques, and belief your intestine, you’ll be capable of use the app safely whereas saving cash and having enjoyable. There are households who host folks, 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 on the lookout for their subsequent sufferer. Most individuals are good, type folks simply trying to make associates and study new issues. Don’t let worry restrict your alternatives.
 

Fable #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a comparatively frequent technique to journey in lots of nations world wide. It was additionally a standard (and protected) technique 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 folks 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 pal 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 folks within the course of.

Hitchhiking, like Couchsurfing, is about utilizing frequent sense. Make a remark of license plates, have a telephone in case of an emergency, and journey with a pal in the event you’re not comfy going solo. And keep 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 of meet a number of fascinating folks whereas nonetheless staying protected.
 

Fable #5: Journey is Harmful for Girls

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

The “if it bleeds, it leads” method to reporting through the years has highlighted solely the adverse tales of feminine vacationers. This fashion of reporting bolsters the perceptions that the world is so scary that solo feminine journey could be very, very unsafe and must be averted.

Fortuitously, that’s not true in any respect. You might have 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 publish on ladies’s security:

If I look again on the instances when folks have instructed me “Don’t go there!” or “You would possibly die!” it’s largely recommendation from individuals who have by no means been to these locations and have by no means carried out 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 improper. 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 anxious about Rwanda’s tumultuous previous. Had he carried out 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 will be simply as dangerous 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 nations. Heck, lots of them are extra adventurous than I’m! Listed below are some to comply with for inspiration:

Fable 6: Price range Journey is Solely Attainable 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 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 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 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 funds:

Fable #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, you’ll find employment nearly anyplace. You may get a working vacation in nations like Australia or New Zealand, change into an au pair, educate English, and even volunteer in change for room and board.

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

Farms, faculties, bars, eating places, cafes, and the tourism trade 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’ll 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 far more inexpensive — than most individuals assume.

Journey the World on $75 a Day

My New York Occasions best-selling e book to journey will educate you easy methods to grasp the artwork of journey so that you simply’ll get off get monetary savings, 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 right this moment!