7 Widespread Journey Myths Which are Utterly 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 via the feedback on the submit, I used to be dismayed by the imply and dismissive feedback folks shared as nicely their misconceptions about journey.

These feedback made me notice that, regardless of all of the detailed web sites and books on the right way to make journey reasonably priced and accessible, too many individuals nonetheless imagine the notion that journey is dear, unsafe, and inconceivable except you might be wealthy.

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

But folks nonetheless have every kind of misconceptions about funds 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:
 

Fantasy #1: Journey is Costly

Every little thing prices some cash — and that features journey. However the concept journey is simply about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated. Historically, refined advertising language made everybody imagine 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 imagine this too.

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

You’ll must discover ways to plan a visit.

You’ll want to economize.

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

And it might even be executed on minimal wage. Certain, it might take longer to avoid wasting in your journey, and you could must make sacrifices, however if you wish to journey — whether or not for 2 weeks or two years — you will discover a strategy to make it occur. Listed below are some beginning factors that may assist you to decrease your prices and journey on a funds:

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

Gathering 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 via 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 amassing 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 prospects for funds 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 in case 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 really enhance your credit score rating. And I imply what’s the purpose of build up a credit score rating in case you 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 assets that can assist you get began:

Fantasy #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

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

Whereas staying in a stranger’s home won’t be for everybody, it’s nonetheless a secure and enjoyable strategy to journey (to not point out an reasonably priced one). Very similar to Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have opinions and profiles you may learn to ensure 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!).

In fact, in case you’re not prepared to stick with a stranger you may also use to app to satisfy folks for actions as a substitute, resembling a meal, espresso, or a museum go to. It’s a good way to learn from the app with out having to stick with somebody.

So long as you utilize widespread 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 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 prefer to report, not everybody out there’s a secret assassin on the lookout for their subsequent sufferer. Most individuals are good, sort folks simply trying to make associates and study new issues. Don’t let concern restrict your alternatives.
 

Fantasy #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a comparatively widespread strategy to journey in lots of nations around the globe. It was additionally a typical (and secure) strategy 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 apply, partially as a result of civil rights activists had 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 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 good friend 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, fascinating folks 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 good friend in case you’re not snug going solo. And keep in mind, you don’t should get into any automotive that stops. Use your judgment and comply with your instincts and also you’ll have the ability to meet numerous fascinating folks whereas nonetheless staying secure.
 

Fantasy #5: Journey is Harmful for Ladies

Whereas each women and men face dangers on the street, ladies typically 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” strategy to reporting over time 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 needs to be averted.

Thankfully, that’s not true in any respect. You will 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 folks have informed 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 executed 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. It’s good to discover reliable sources and recommendation from individuals who know what they’re speaking about. I as soon as talked about to my dad and mom that I had plans to go to Rwanda. My involved father informed me, “You’re not going.” He was clearly nervous about Rwanda’s tumultuous previous. Had he executed 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 nations. 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 Doable if You’re 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 is just not 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 must be restricted by age or your relationship standing. Listed below are some articles that show each households and seniors can journey on a funds:

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 sophisticated résumé. However, for the form of jobs that you just’ll get as a traveler, that’s not true.

If you wish to work and are versatile about what you’re prepared to do, you will discover employment nearly anyplace. You may get a working vacation in nations like Australia or New Zealand, grow to be an au pair, educate English, and even volunteer in alternate for room and board.

Certain, you won’t 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 at all times 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 needs to be costly and the world is frightening.

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 suppose.

How you can Journey the World on $75 a Day

My New York Instances best-selling ebook to journey will educate you the right way to grasp the artwork of journey so that you just’ll get off get monetary savings, at all times discover offers, and have a deeper journey expertise. It’s your A to Z planning information that the BBC referred to as the “bible for funds vacationers.”

Click on right here to study extra and begin studying it at this time!