7 Frequent 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 by means of the feedback on the publish, I used to be dismayed by the imply and dismissive feedback folks shared as effectively their misconceptions about journey.

These feedback made me understand that, regardless of all of the detailed web sites and books on learn how to make journey inexpensive and accessible, too many individuals nonetheless imagine the notion that journey is dear, unsafe, and unimaginable except you might be wealthy.

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

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

So, at this time, I need to debunk 7 of the commonest journey myths I’ve encountered over time:
 

Fantasy #1: Journey is Costly

Every thing 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 However the concept journey is just about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated.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 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 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 have to 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 correct priorities.

And it might even be completed on minimal wage. Certain, it could take longer to save lots of to 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 method to make it occur. Listed here are some beginning factors that may enable you to decrease your prices and journey on a finances:

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

Accumulating factors and miles is the artwork of utilizing journey bank cards to achieve free journey through the use of your common spending. No additional purchases. No leaping by means 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 resort stays I’ve had over time. By gathering factors and miles, I’ve been capable of journey for a fraction of the worth it could have price in any other case, opening up tons of prospects for finances 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 hold paying off your payments. Except you’re seeking 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 really enhance your credit score rating. And I imply what’s the purpose of increase a credit score rating in the event 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 here are some assets that will help you get began:

Fantasy #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

Couchsurfing is a sharing economic system app that facilitates cultural trade. Locals provide a free area of their dwelling (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 may not be for everybody, it’s however a protected and enjoyable method to journey (to not point out an inexpensive one). Very similar to Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have evaluations and profiles you may learn to be sure to’re staying with somebody you’re feeling you’d get together with. It’s actually not a lot totally different than Airbnb (besides it’s free!).

After all, in the event you’re not prepared to stick with a stranger it’s also possible to use to app to satisfy folks for actions as an alternative, corresponding to 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 frequent sense, learn evaluations, and belief your intestine, you’ll be capable to use the app safely whereas saving cash and having enjoyable. There are households who host folks, solo feminine hosts who solely host girls, in addition to expats seeking 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 in search of their subsequent sufferer. Most individuals are good, type folks simply seeking 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 frequent method to journey in lots of international locations around the globe. It was additionally a typical (and protected) method 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 folks to cease the apply, partially as a result of civil rights activists have been hitchhiking to rallies. The FBI’s marketing campaign completely embedded within the thoughts of those 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 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 great, attention-grabbing folks 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 pal in the event you’re not snug going solo. And bear in mind, you don’t must get into any automotive that stops. Use your judgment and observe your instincts and also you’ll be capable to meet a number of attention-grabbing folks whereas nonetheless staying protected.
 

Fantasy #5: Journey is Harmful for Girls

Whereas each women and men face dangers on the street, girls typically encounter further 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 over time has highlighted solely the unfavorable tales of feminine vacationers. This model 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.

Luckily, that’s not true in any respect. You will 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 girls’s security:

If I look again on the instances when folks have advised 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 completed 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 flawed. You 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 advised me, “You’re not going.” He was clearly frightened about Rwanda’s tumultuous previous. Had he completed 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 unhealthy 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, lots of them are extra adventurous than I’m! Listed here are some to observe for inspiration:

Fantasy 6: Funds Journey is Solely Attainable 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, you might have considered trying extra luxurious than a finances 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 here are some articles that show each households and seniors can journey on a finances:

Fantasy #7: You Can’t Work Abroad.

We regularly consider working overseas as an difficult course of not well worth the effort. It’s one thing that requires interviews, visas, and a refined 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 prepared to do, yow will discover employment virtually wherever. You will get a working vacation in international locations like Australia or New Zealand, develop into an au pair, train English, and even volunteer in trade 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 virtually at all times in search of 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:

These journey myths come from years of being indoctrinated with the assumption that journey must 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 inexpensive — than most individuals suppose.

How you can Journey the World on $75 a Day

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

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