7 Frequent Journey Myths Which can be 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 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 tips on how to make journey reasonably priced and accessible, too many individuals nonetheless consider the notion that journey is pricey, unsafe, and inconceivable except you might be wealthy.

Too many say, “I can’t. It’s inconceivable” and turn out to be cynical about journey. The notion that journey is pricey 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 protected overseas.

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

Delusion #1: Journey is Costly

All the things 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 However the concept that journey is simply about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated.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 save cash.

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

And it could possibly even be executed on minimal wage. Certain, it might take longer to save lots of to your journey, and chances are you’ll must make sacrifices, however if you wish to journey — whether or not for 2 weeks or two years — you’ll find a solution to make it occur. Listed here are some beginning factors that may provide help to decrease your prices and journey on a funds:

 

Delusion #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 by means 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 resort stays I’ve had through the years. By amassing factors and miles, I’ve been in a position to journey for a fraction of the value it might have value 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 should you maintain paying off your payments. Until 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 build up a credit score rating should 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 can assist you get began:

 

Delusion #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

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

Whereas staying in a stranger’s home won’t be for everybody, it’s nonetheless a protected and enjoyable solution to journey (to not point out an reasonably priced one). Very similar to Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have critiques 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 completely different than Airbnb (besides it’s free!).

In fact, should you’re not prepared to stick with a stranger you too can use to app to satisfy folks for actions as a substitute, akin to a meal, espresso, or a museum go to. It’s a good way to profit from the app with out having to stick with somebody.

So long as you utilize frequent sense, learn critiques, 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 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 in search of their subsequent sufferer. Most individuals are good, form folks simply seeking to make pals and study new issues. Don’t let concern restrict your alternatives.
 

Delusion #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a comparatively frequent solution to journey in lots of nations all over the world. It was additionally a standard (and protected) solution 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 observe, partially as a result of civil rights activists had been hitchhiking to rallies. The FBI’s marketing campaign completely embedded within the thoughts of people 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 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 fantastic, fascinating folks within the course of.

Hitchhiking, like Couchsurfing, is about utilizing frequent sense. Make a remark of license plates, have a cellphone in case of an emergency, and journey with a buddy should you’re not comfy going solo. And keep 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 be capable to meet a number of fascinating folks whereas nonetheless staying protected.
 

Delusion #5: Journey is Harmful for Girls

Whereas each women and men face dangers on the highway, 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” method to reporting through the years has highlighted solely the destructive 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 ought to be averted.

Happily, that’s not true in any respect. You might have the next 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 advised 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. 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 dad and mom that I had plans to go to Rwanda. My involved father advised me, “You’re not going.” He was clearly apprehensive about Rwanda’s tumultuous previous. Had he executed 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.

Today, 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 here are some to comply with for inspiration:

 

Delusion 6: Price range 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 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 all over the world, 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:

 

Delusion #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 elegant 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’ll find employment virtually wherever. You may get a working vacation in nations like Australia or New Zealand, turn out to be an au pair, train English, and even volunteer in alternate for room and board.

Certain, you won’t 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 virtually at all times in search of workers — particularly in areas with a seasonal inflow of vacationers. You received’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 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 way safer — and far more reasonably priced — than most individuals assume.