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 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 make journey reasonably priced and accessible, too many individuals nonetheless consider the notion that journey is dear, unsafe, and unattainable except you’re wealthy.

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

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

So, right now, I wish to debunk 7 of the commonest journey myths I’ve encountered over time:
 

Delusion #1: Journey is Costly

All the pieces prices some cash — and that features journey. However the concept journey is simply about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated. Historically, refined 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 have to discover ways to plan a visit.

You’ll want to save cash.

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

And it may even be carried out on minimal wage. Positive, it might take longer to save lots of on 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 could find a option to make it occur. Listed here are some beginning factors that may assist you decrease your prices and journey on a price range:

 

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

Amassing factors and miles is the artwork of utilizing journey bank cards to realize free journey by utilizing your common spending. No additional purchases. No leaping by 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 lodge stays I’ve had over time. By amassing factors and miles, I’ve been capable of journey for a fraction of the worth it might have price in any other case, opening up tons of prospects for price range 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 preserve 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 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 sources that can assist you get began:

 

Delusion #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

Couchsurfing is a sharing financial system app that facilitates cultural alternate. Locals provide a free house of their house (typically 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 may not be for everybody, it’s however a secure and enjoyable option to journey (to not point out an reasonably priced one). Very similar to Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have opinions and profiles you possibly can 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!).

In fact, should you’re not prepared to stick with a stranger you may also use to app to satisfy individuals for actions as an alternative, similar 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 employ frequent sense, learn opinions, and belief your intestine, you’ll be capable of 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 on the lookout for their subsequent sufferer. Most individuals are good, type individuals simply seeking to make buddies and be taught new issues. Don’t let concern restrict your alternatives.
 

Delusion #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a comparatively frequent option to journey in lots of international locations all over the world. It was additionally a typical (and secure) option to journey the US and Canada for an extended whereas too.

The concept hitchhiking is harmful dates again to the Fifties when the FBI led a scare marketing campaign to get individuals to cease the observe, partially as a result of civil rights activists have been hitchhiking to rallies. The FBI’s marketing campaign completely embedded within the thoughts of people who 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 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, attention-grabbing individuals 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 snug going solo. And bear in mind, you don’t need to get into any automobile that stops. Use your judgment and observe your instincts and also you’ll be capable of meet a number of attention-grabbing individuals whereas nonetheless staying secure.
 

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

The “if it bleeds, it leads” method 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 may be very, very unsafe and needs to be prevented.

Fortuitously, that’s not true in any respect. You might 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 occasions when individuals have instructed 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 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 unsuitable. You might 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 instructed me, “You’re not going.” He was clearly frightened 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 could be simply as unhealthy 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:

 

Delusion 6: Price range Journey is Solely Attainable 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’re older, it’s your decision extra luxurious than a price range 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 must be restricted by age or your relationship standing. Listed here are some articles that show each households and seniors can journey on a price range:

 

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 refined 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 keen to do, you could find employment virtually anyplace. You will get a working vacation in international locations like Australia or New Zealand, turn into an au pair, educate English, and even volunteer in alternate 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 virtually at all times 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 here are some weblog posts to get you began:

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These journey myths come from years of being indoctrinated with the idea 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 way safer — and far more reasonably priced — than most individuals assume.