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 by way of the feedback on the publish, I used to be dismayed by the imply and dismissive feedback individuals 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 dear, unsafe, and unimaginable except you might be wealthy.

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

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

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

Delusion #1: Journey is Costly

Every little thing 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 However the concept that journey is simply about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated.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, refined 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 a tremendous journey.

You’ll have to learn to plan a visit.

You’ll want to save cash.

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

And it could actually even be carried out on minimal wage. Positive, it might take longer to avoid wasting to your journey, and chances are you’ll 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 here are some beginning factors that may assist you to decrease your prices and journey on a finances:

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

Accumulating 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, gasoline, and different common bills on a journey card.

I can’t rely the variety of free flights and lodge stays I’ve had over time. By gathering factors and miles, I’ve been in a position to journey for a fraction of the value it could have price in any other case, opening up tons of potentialities 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. 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 obtainable credit score will truly 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 sources that will help you get began:

Delusion #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

Couchsurfing is a sharing economic system app that facilitates cultural change. Locals supply a free area of their residence (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 however a protected and enjoyable technique to journey (to not point out an inexpensive one). Very similar to Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have evaluations and profiles you’ll be able to 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!).

In fact, in the event you’re not prepared to stick with a stranger you may also use to app to satisfy individuals for actions as a substitute, corresponding 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 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, type individuals simply trying to make associates and be taught new issues. Don’t let concern restrict your alternatives.
 

Delusion #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a comparatively widespread technique to journey in lots of international locations world wide. It was additionally a typical (and protected) technique 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 individuals to cease the follow, 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 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 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, fascinating 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 pal in the event 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 observe your instincts and also you’ll have the ability to meet plenty of fascinating individuals whereas nonetheless staying protected.
 

Delusion #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 residence or solely go to super-safe locations.

The “if it bleeds, it leads” strategy to reporting over time has highlighted solely the detrimental 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 averted.

Fortuitously, that’s not true in any respect. You’ve gotten 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 occasions when individuals 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 carried out any analysis on them. The press is massively influential. I can’t let you know what number of occasions I’ve learn worldwide press protection that’s flat-out flawed. You must 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 apprehensive 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.

Lately, 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 here are some to observe for inspiration:

Delusion 6: Finances 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 end up older, it’s your decision 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 world wide, staying in hostels, or driving RVs.

You don’t should be restricted by age or your relationship standing. Listed here are some articles that show each households and seniors can journey on a finances:

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 type 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, yow will discover employment nearly wherever. You will get a working vacation in international locations like Australia or New Zealand, turn out to be an au pair, train 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 business are nearly all the time on the lookout for workers — 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 idea 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 way safer — and far more inexpensive — than most individuals assume.

Methods to Journey the World on $75 a Day

My New York Occasions best-selling ebook to journey will train you easy methods to grasp the artwork of journey so that you just’ll get off lower your expenses, all the time 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 finances vacationers.”

Click on right here to be taught extra and begin studying it as we speak!