Years ago, the Earth Porm website republished my article “The Ultimate Guide to Traveling When You’re Broke.” As I looked through the comments on the post, I was appalled by the mean and dismissive comments people were sharing as well as their misconceptions about travel.
These comments made me realize that, despite all the detailed websites and books on how to make travel affordable and accessible, too many people still buy into the idea that traveling is expensive, dangerous, and impossible unless you’re rich.
Too many people say, “I can’t. It’s impossible” and become cynical about traveling. The idea that traveling is expensive couldn’t be further from the truth (I wrote an entire book proving this very point.)
Yet people still have all kinds of misconceptions about budget travel and safety abroad.
So, today I want to debunk 7 of the most common travel myths I’ve encountered over the years:
Myth #1: Traveling is expensive
Everything costs a few money – and that includes travel. But the idea that travel is limited to luxury tours, resorts and luxury villas is outdated. Traditionally, subtle marketing language made everyone believe that “a fun vacation is an expensive vacation.” After decades of being bombarded by these insidious advertising campaigns, our collective consciousness still equates travel with luxury. Hell, I thought so too.
But the fact is, you don’t need a trust fund or a well-paying job to experience an amazing trip.
You will need to learn how to plan a trip.
You will have to save money.
But you don’t have to be rich to travel. You just need to be creative and have the right priorities.
And this can even be done with the minimum wage. Of course, saving for your trip may take longer and you may have to make sacrifices, but if you want to travel, whether it’s for two weeks or two years, you can find a way to make it happen. Here are some starting points that can help you cut costs and travel on a budget:
How to use the sharing economy 61 Travel Tips to Make You the World’s Savliest Traveler How to find cheap flights How to Change the “I’m Too Poor to Travel” Mentality How to find cheap accommodation Myth #2: Travel credit cards will ruin your credit
Collecting points and miles is the art of using travel credit cards to travel for free using your regular spending. No additional purchases. No jumping through rifts. Simply earn free travel by putting your date nights, groceries, gas, and other regular expenses on a travel card.
I can’t count the number of free flights and hotel stays I’ve had over the years. By collecting points and miles, I was able to travel for a fraction of the price it would have otherwise cost, opening up many possibilities for budget travel.
Although applying for a credit card will cause a temporary drop in your credit score, this drop will be corrected within two months if you continue to pay your bills. Unless you’re planning to make a major purchase (like buying a house) in the near future, this minor drop won’t affect you. Over time, having more available credit will actually improve your credit score. And I mean, what’s the point of building a credit score if you’re not going to use it? You work to build a good credit score with the goal of doing things with it.
I have over a dozen credit cards (although I only actively use three) and a credit score of 797 out of 850. As long as you pay off your card each month, you have nothing to worry about.
Here are some resources to help you get started:
How to Earn 1 Million Frequent Flyer Miles Every Year Beginner’s Guide to Points and Miles How to choose the right credit card The Ultimate Guide to Points and Miles Myth #3: Couchsurfing is not safe
Couchsurfing is a sharing economy application that facilitates cultural exchange. Locals offer a free space in their home (sometimes just a couch) that travelers can use to tour the city and learn more about the destination.
While staying in a stranger’s house may not be for everyone, it’s still a safe and fun way to travel (not to mention affordable). A bit like AirbnbCouchsurfing hosts have reviews and profiles you can read to make sure you’re staying with someone you think you’ll get along with. It’s really not much different from Airbnb (except it’s free!).
Of course, if you’re not ready to hang out with a stranger, you can also use the app to meet people for activities, like a meal, coffee, or museum visit. This is a great way to benefit from the app without having to stay with someone.
As long as you use common sense, read reviews, and trust your instincts, you’ll be able to use the app safely while saving money and having fun. There are families hosting people, single female hosts hosting only women, as well as expats looking to connect with other foreigners.
Couchsurfing and similar websites have vibrant communities. Because, contrary to what the news and media like to report, not everyone is a secret murderer looking for their next victim. Most people are good, kind people who are just looking to make friends and learn new things. Don’t let fear limit your opportunities.
Myth #4: Hitchhiking will get you killed
Hitchhiking is a relatively common form of transportation in many countries around the world. It was also a common (and safe) way to travel within the United States and Canada for a long time.
The idea that hitchhiking is dangerous dates back to the 1950s, when the FBI led a warning campaign to urge people to stop the practice, in part because civil rights activists were hitchhiking to attend rallies. The FBI campaign permanently ingrained in people’s minds that hitchhiking is dangerous by claiming that most hitchhikers were murderers.
Combined with the media narrative that the world is unsafe, hitchhiking continues to be perceived as a dangerous activity, even though it is not.
My friend hitchhiked solo in the USA.
Kristin from Be My Travel Muse hitchhiked to China
I hitchhiked EuropeTHE CaribbeanAnd Central America and I met some wonderful and interesting people.
Hitchhiking, like Couchsurfing, is about using common sense. Note license plates, have a phone in case of emergency, and travel with a friend if you’re not comfortable going solo. And remember, you don’t have to get into a car that’s stopping. Use your judgment and follow your instincts and you can meet many interesting people while staying safe.
Myth #5: Traveling is dangerous for women
While both men and women face risks on the road, women often face additional dangers that require caution and awareness. But that doesn’t mean women should stay home or only travel to extremely safe destinations.
Over the years, the “if it bleeds, it leads” approach to reporting has only highlighted the negative stories of female travelers. This style of reporting reinforces the perception that the world is so scary that solo female travel is very, very dangerous and should be avoided.
Fortunately, this is not true at all. You’re more likely to get hit by a bus than end up like in the movie. Taken.
But don’t take my word for it. Here is an extract from an article on women’s safety:
If I think back to the times when people told me “Don’t go!” or “You could die!” This is mostly advice from people who have never been to these places and never researched them. The press is extremely influential. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read international news articles that were flat out false. You need to find reliable sources and advice from people who know what they are talking about. One day, I mentioned to my parents that I was planning to go to Rwanda. My worried father said to me, “You’re not going. » He was visibly worried about Rwanda’s tumultuous past. If he had done his research, he would have known that Rwanda is the safest country in East Africa. Once he researched it, I never heard from it again. The crime rate in your backyard may be just as bad or worse than the crime rate in the destination you’re headed to.
These days, many powerful, independent female creators travel to all corners of the world, including to countries off the beaten track. Hell, a lot of them are more adventurous than me! Here are a few to follow for inspiration:
The blonde abroad Endless steps Be my travel muse Somto is looking for Myth 6: Budget travel is only possible if you are young and single
Too many people think that traveling is something you can only do if you’re young or single. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I understand that when you are older you may want more luxury than a backpacker in low budget. And I know that family trips require more planning than solo trips. B
But travel is not just for young people.
In the end, age doesn’t matter. I saw families and seniors backpacking around the world, staying in hostels or driving an RV.
You don’t need to be limited by your age or relationship status. Here are some articles that prove families and seniors can travel on a budget:
Why Don and Allison gave up on a normal retirement This 72-year-old man backpacks around the world How a Family of 4 Traveled the World on $130 a Day How Amanda educates her children from the road Myth #7: You can’t work abroad.
We often think that working abroad is a difficult process that is not worth it. It’s something that requires interviews, visas, and a polished resume. But for the kind of jobs you’ll get as a traveler, that’s not true.
If you want to work and are flexible about what you are willing to do, you can find a job almost anywhere. You can benefit from working holidays in countries like Australia Or New Zealandbecome an au pair, teach English or even volunteer in exchange for room and board.
Of course, you may not get an interesting or well-paying job. But if your priority is to travel, who cares?
Farms, schools, bars, restaurants, cafes and the tourism industry are almost always looking for staff, especially in areas with seasonal tourist influx. You won’t get rich, but you will discover the world. If you want to learn more about your options, here are some blog posts to get you started:
15 Ways to Work Abroad The 9 Best Places to Teach English Abroad How to Travel and Work Around the World with WWOOF *** These travel myths come from years of indoctrination with the belief that traveling must be expensive and that the world is scary.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
With a little research, you’ll find that traveling the world is much safer – and much more affordable – than most people think.
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
