7 Frequent Journey Myths Which are 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 via 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 the best way to make journey reasonably priced and accessible, too many individuals nonetheless consider the notion that journey is dear, 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 dear couldn’t be farther from the reality (I wrote a complete guide proving that very level.)

But individuals nonetheless have every kind of misconceptions about finances journey and staying secure overseas.

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

Fable #1: Journey is Costly

The whole lot prices some cash — and that features journey. However the concept that journey is simply about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated.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 many years 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 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 have to be wealthy to journey. You simply have to be inventive and have the proper priorities.

And it will possibly even be finished on minimal wage. Positive, it could take longer to save lots of 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 could find a solution to make it occur. Listed here are some beginning factors that may aid you decrease your prices and journey on a finances:

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

Accumulating factors and miles is the artwork of utilizing journey bank cards to realize free journey by utilizing your common spending. No further 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 rely the variety of free flights and lodge stays I’ve had through the years. By gathering factors and miles, I’ve been in a position to journey for a fraction of the worth it might have value in any other case, opening up tons of prospects for finances 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 should 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 out there credit score will truly enhance your credit score rating. And I imply what’s the purpose of increase a credit score rating should you don’t use it? You’re employed to construct an excellent 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 can assist you get began:

Fable #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

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

Whereas staying in a stranger’s home won’t be for everybody, it’s nonetheless a secure and enjoyable solution to journey (to not point out an reasonably priced one). Very similar to Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have evaluations and profiles you possibly can 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, should you’re not prepared to stick with a stranger it’s also possible to use to app to satisfy individuals for actions as a substitute, equivalent 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 utilize widespread sense, learn evaluations, 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 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, variety individuals simply seeking to make pals and be taught new issues. Don’t let concern restrict your alternatives.
 

Fable #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a comparatively widespread solution to journey in lots of international locations around the globe. It was additionally a standard (and secure) solution 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 individuals to cease the follow, partly 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 almost all 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, attention-grabbing individuals within the course of.

Hitchhiking, like Couchsurfing, is about utilizing widespread sense. Make an observation of license plates, have a telephone in case of an emergency, and journey with a good friend should you’re not snug going solo. And bear 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 plenty of attention-grabbing individuals whereas nonetheless staying secure.
 

Fable #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 could be very, very unsafe and ought to be prevented.

Fortuitously, that’s not true in any respect. You have got 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 occasions when individuals have informed 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 massively influential. I can’t inform you what number of occasions I’ve learn worldwide press protection that’s flat-out fallacious. It’s worthwhile 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 informed 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 might be simply as unhealthy because the vacation spot you’re headed to, if not worse.

Today, 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 comply with for inspiration:

Fable 6: Price range Journey is Solely Potential if You might be 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 if you end up 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 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 here are some articles that show each households and seniors can journey on a finances:

Fable #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 elegant 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 could find employment virtually wherever. You may 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.

Positive, you won’t 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 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 be taught 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 needs to 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 reasonably priced — than most individuals assume.

Methods to Journey the World on $75 a Day

My New York Occasions best-selling guide to journey will educate you the best way to grasp the artwork of journey so that you just’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 be taught extra and begin studying it as we speak!