Years in the past, the web site Earth Porm reposted my article “The Ultimate Guide to Traveling When You’re Broke.” As I went via the feedback on the put up, I used to be dismayed by the imply and dismissive feedback individuals shared as properly 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 inexpensive and accessible, too many individuals nonetheless consider the notion that journey is dear, unsafe, and not possible except you’re wealthy.

Too many say, “I can’t. It’s not possible” and become cynical about travel. The notion that journey is dear couldn’t be farther from the reality (I wrote an entire book proving that very point.)

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

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

Fable #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 However the concept that journey is simply about fancy excursions, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated.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 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 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 need to learn how to plan a trip.

You’ll need to save money.

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

And it can even be done on minimum wage. Positive, it could 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’ll find 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 price range:

 

Fable #2: Journey Credit score Playing cards Will Smash 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 further purchases. No leaping via 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 amassing factors and miles, I’ve been in a position to journey for a fraction of the worth it could have value 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 in case you maintain 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 really enhance your credit score rating. And I imply what’s the purpose of build up a credit score rating in case 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:

 

Fable #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

Couchsurfing is a sharing financial system app that facilitates cultural trade. Locals supply a free house 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 critiques 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!).

After all, in case you’re not prepared to stick with a stranger you may as well use to app to fulfill individuals for actions as a substitute, resembling 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 employ widespread 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 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 wish to report, not everybody out there’s a secret assassin searching for their subsequent sufferer. Most individuals are good, variety individuals simply trying to make buddies and study new issues. Don’t let worry restrict your alternatives.
 

Fable #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a comparatively widespread approach to journey in lots of nations 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 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 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 friend hitchhiked solo around the US.

Kristin from Be My Journey Muse hitchhiked around China

I’ve hitchhiked in Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America and met fantastic, fascinating individuals within the course of.

Hitchhiking, like Couchsurfing, is about utilizing widespread sense. Make a remark of license plates, have a telephone in case of an emergency, and journey with a good friend in case you’re not comfy 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 be capable to meet a number of fascinating individuals whereas nonetheless staying secure.
 

Fable #5: Journey is Harmful for Girls

Whereas each women and men face dangers on the highway, 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” method to reporting through the years has highlighted solely the detrimental tales of feminine vacationers. This model of reporting bolsters the perceptions that the world is so scary that solo female travel may be very, very unsafe and ought to be prevented.

Luckily, that’s not true in any respect. You might have 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 post on women’s safety:

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 executed 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 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 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 executed 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 will be simply as unhealthy because the vacation spot you’re headed to, if not worse.

As of late, there are tons of highly effective, unbiased feminine creators touring to all corners of the world — together with off-the-beaten-path nations. Heck, lots of them are extra adventurous than I’m! Listed here are some to observe for inspiration:

 

Fable 6: Finances 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 find yourself older, you might have considered trying extra luxurious than a price range backpacker. And I do know that household journey requires extra planning than solo journey. B

ut journey just isn’t solely the purview of the younger.

On the finish of the day, age doesn’t matter. I’ve seen families 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 price range:

 

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 elegant résumé. However, for the form 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 nearly wherever. You will get a working vacation in nations like Australia or New Zealand, grow to be an au pair, educate English, and even volunteer in trade 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, colleges, bars, eating places, cafes, and the tourism trade are nearly at all times searching for 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 here are some weblog posts to get you began:

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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 far safer — and far more inexpensive — than most individuals assume.