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 by means of the feedback on the put up, 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 consider the notion that journey is pricey, unsafe, and unattainable except you’re wealthy.

Too many say, “I can’t. It’s unattainable” and develop 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 secure overseas.

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

Fable #1: Journey is Costly

Every thing prices some cash — and that features journey. However the concept that journey is just about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated. Historically, delicate advertising language made everybody consider 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 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 an incredible journey.

You’ll have to learn 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 appropriate priorities.

And it will probably even be performed on minimal wage. Positive, it might 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 — you will discover a approach to make it occur. Listed here are some beginning factors that may show you how to decrease your prices and journey on a funds:

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

Gathering factors and miles is the artwork of utilizing journey bank cards to achieve free journey by utilizing your common spending. No further 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 rely the variety of free flights and resort 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 could have price in any other case, opening up tons of potentialities 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 when you maintain 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 won’t have an effect on you. Over time, having extra accessible credit score will truly enhance your credit score rating. And I imply what’s the purpose of build up a credit score rating when 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 financial system app that facilitates cultural alternate. Locals supply a free area of their house (generally only a sofa) which vacationers can use to then go to town and study in regards to the vacation spot.

Whereas staying in a stranger’s home won’t be for everybody, it’s nonetheless a secure and enjoyable approach to journey (to not point out an inexpensive one). Very like Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have evaluations and profiles you’ll be able to learn to be sure you’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, when you’re not prepared to stick with a stranger you too can use to app to satisfy folks for actions as a substitute, comparable 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 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 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 prefer to report, not everybody out there’s a secret assassin searching for their subsequent sufferer. Most individuals are good, variety folks simply seeking to make mates and study new issues. Don’t let worry restrict your alternatives.
 

Fable #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a comparatively frequent approach to journey in lots of international locations world wide. It was additionally a typical (and secure) approach to journey the US and Canada for a protracted whereas too.

The concept that hitchhiking is harmful dates again to the Nineteen Fifties when the FBI led a scare marketing campaign to get folks to cease the apply, partly as a result of civil rights activists had been hitchhiking to rallies. The FBI’s marketing campaign completely embedded within the thoughts of folks that 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 buddy 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 frequent sense. Make an observation of license plates, have a cellphone in case of an emergency, and journey with a buddy when you’re not snug going solo. And keep in mind, you don’t should get into any automobile that stops. Use your judgment and observe your instincts and also you’ll have the ability to meet a lot of fascinating folks whereas nonetheless staying secure.
 

Fable #5: Journey is Harmful for Girls

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

The “if it bleeds, it leads” strategy to reporting through the years has highlighted solely the unfavorable tales of feminine vacationers. This type of reporting bolsters the perceptions that the world is so scary that solo feminine journey may be very, very unsafe and needs to be prevented.

Thankfully, that’s not true in any respect. You may 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 put up on ladies’s security:

If I look again on the occasions when folks have informed 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 performed 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 mistaken. 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 mother and father that I had plans to go to Rwanda. My involved father informed me, “You’re not going.” He was clearly anxious about Rwanda’s tumultuous previous. Had he performed 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 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, lots of them are extra adventurous than I’m! Listed here are some to observe for inspiration:

Fable 6: Funds Journey is Solely Doable if You’re 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 when 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 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 world wide, 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 funds:

Fable #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 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 keen to do, you will discover employment virtually anyplace. 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 alternate for room and board.

Positive, 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 trade are virtually all the time searching for employees — particularly in areas with a seasonal inflow of vacationers. You gained’t get wealthy, however you’re going to 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 needs to be costly and the world is horrifying.

That couldn’t be farther from the reality.

With some research, you’ll uncover that touring the world is far safer — and rather more inexpensive — than most individuals suppose.

Find out how to Journey the World on $75 a Day

My New York Occasions best-selling e book to journey will train you learn how to grasp the artwork of journey so that you simply’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 funds vacationers.”

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