{"id":96558,"date":"2023-03-23T12:09:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T16:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=96558"},"modified":"2023-03-24T12:22:33","modified_gmt":"2023-03-24T16:22:33","slug":"travel-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/travel-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 5 Travel Myths, Debunked (Plus Travel Tips!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>What are the top five travel myths? Have you allowed any of these myths to hold you back from traveling?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are so many misconceptions about travel that deter people from ever setting foot outside their home country. These myths range from the cost of travel to safety concerns to the ability to travel with children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s why these beliefs, and other myths about travel, are false and shouldn\u2019t hold you back from experiencing what the world has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-myth-1-traveling-is-super-expensive\"><strong>Myth 1: Traveling Is Super Expensive<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first, and arguably the worst, travel myth is that traveling is super expensive. While traveling <em>can <\/em>be expensive, it doesn\u2019t <em>need<\/em> to be. There\u2019s a great excerpt from Rolf Potts\u2019s book <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Vagabonding-Uncommon-Guide-Long-Term-Travel-ebook\/dp\/B000FBFMKM\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3N3PX6AJ9R24S&amp;keywords=vagabonding+rolf+potts&amp;qid=1651780513&amp;sprefix=vagabonding+rolf+potts%2Caps%2C208&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Vagabonding<\/em><\/a><em> <\/em>about this topic. He recounts a scene from Oliver Stone\u2019s film <em>Wall Street<\/em> when a character says, \u201cI think if I can make a bundle of cash before I\u2019m thirty and get out of this racket, I\u2019ll be able to ride my motorcycle across China.\u201d Potts is confused by this scene because he says you \u201ccould work for eight months as a toilet cleaner and have enough money to ride a motorcycle across China.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People have these preconceived notions in their heads that travel is out of their monetary reach. Some people go their whole lives only having gone on one big trip, such as their honeymoon, because they assume travel is beyond their means. This is false, and I can attest to it personally. By the time I was in my mid-20s, I had gone to Asia four times. And trust me when I tell you that I was in no way rich\u2014or even well-off. I was a lower-middle-class citizen paying for an apartment and working an hourly customer service job. If I could make it happen then you can too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tips-for-cheaper-travel\"><strong>Tips for Cheaper Travel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>1. <strong>Food and accommodations:<\/strong> If you\u2019re willing to stay in budget accommodations like hostels or cheap hotels instead of luxury resorts, eat street food instead of Michelin-starred meals, and take public transportation instead of private taxis, then you\u2019ve already made traveling exponentially cheaper. That all-inclusive resort may look enticing but think of all the activities you could do with the money you save.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. <strong>Choose your destination carefully:<\/strong> One huge factor to take into consideration when choosing<em> where <\/em>to travel is the price and currency exchange rate. There are some locations, such as Hawaii, that are going to be pricey no matter where you stay. But if beaches and palm trees are what you\u2019re craving, consider a location like Thailand instead. There, you can rent a scooter for $5 per day and eat a meal for $2.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. <strong>Don\u2019t go overboard with souvenirs: <\/strong>When you\u2019re in a new place, it\u2019s tempting to want to take everything home with you to show your friends and family. However, you should resist the urge and be picky with what you bring home. Remember that the prices of souvenirs are jacked-up for tourists, you may not have space for them in your luggage, and they will create clutter at home. Instead, opt for taking lots of photos\u2014they\u2019re free and they don\u2019t take up space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-myth-2-traveling-is-dangerous\"><strong>Myth 2: Traveling Is Dangerous<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Car accidents, pickpockets, wild animals, scams\u2014there\u2019s no shortage of travel horror stories out there. But, fortunately, these incidents are much less likely to happen than you think, especially if you\u2019re prepared and have your wits about you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tips-for-safe-travel\"><strong>Tips for Safe Travel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>1. <strong>Pickpockets and scams<\/strong>: While traveling, always keep your belongings close to your body and hidden away, don\u2019t display valuable items in public places, avoid walking alone at night, don\u2019t get in a car with strangers, and familiarize yourself with common local scams ahead of time. Basically, it boils down to being mindful, keeping your guard up, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/should-you-trust-your-intuition\/\">trusting your gut<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. <strong>Vehicle accidents:<\/strong> When it comes to getting in a car or scooter accident while in another country\u2014yes, it can happen. But like the advice above, it\u2019s far less likely to happen if you\u2019re responsible. As a matter of fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truscellolaw.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/car-accidents-happen-home\/#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20studies,10%2Dmile%20radius%20from%20home.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">about 69% of accidents<\/a> happen within a 10-mile radius of your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if you\u2019re nervous, don\u2019t rent a car or scooter if you\u2019re not comfortable driving one. Familiarize yourself with the road rules of the country you\u2019re in, always wear a helmet when on a scooter, and make sure you\u2019re insured just in case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. <strong>Wild animals:<\/strong> Don\u2019t pet or feed stray dogs, don\u2019t try to feed, coax, or rile up monkeys, and don\u2019t get too close to wild animals. You should appreciate wildlife with your eyes, not your hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sure, there are some dangers when it comes to traveling. But if you take the right precautions and act responsibly, many of those dangers become non-issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-myth-3-traveling-will-make-you-sick\"><strong>Myth 3: Traveling Will Make You Sick<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you afraid of getting food poisoning, picking up a disease, or getting an illness from mosquitos? While these are legitimate concerns, measures can be taken to prevent them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tips-for-staying-healthy\"><strong>Tips for Staying Healthy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>1. <strong>Get vaccinated: <\/strong>Before you travel to places with known diseases such as malaria or yellow fever, make sure to visit a travel clinic and get the necessary vaccines\/pills.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2 <strong>Use effective insect repellent: <\/strong>When traveling to a tropical area, make sure you have strong insect repellent. It\u2019s a good idea to spray your clothes and gear with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mosquitoes\/mosquito-bites\/how-to-use-permethrin.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Permethrin<\/a> ahead of time and to bring along a reliable repellant, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sawyer.com\/products\/picaridin-insect-repellent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Picaridin<\/a> (which is also great because it doesn\u2019t have a smell, as opposed to DEET-based products).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. <strong>Check the CDC recommendations: <\/strong>When traveling to certain countries, it\u2019s important to follow <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/page\/food-water-safety#:~:text=Raw%20foods%3A%20Avoid%20eating%20raw,Be%20careful%20with%20fresh%20salads.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDC guidelines<\/a> when it comes to food and water. Don\u2019t eat fruits and vegetables without peels, don\u2019t drink the tap water, don\u2019t eat meat that\u2019s been sitting out in a food stall, don\u2019t get ice in your drinks at restaurants, etc. The rules may sound intimidating at first, but you get used to them quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4. <strong>Get travel insurance: <\/strong>Because you never know what could happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-myth-4-you-can-t-travel-with-kids\"><strong>Myth 4: You Can\u2019t Travel With Kids<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have children, you\u2019ve probably been told at one point that your travel days are over. It seems to be common knowledge that there are only a few places where you can travel with kids, such as Disney. This is a travel myth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve encountered tons of travelers with kids on my trips. There\u2019s also a huge community of traveling parents and families online that provides advice such as how to fly with kids, how to deal with meltdowns on the road, the best gear for traveling with babies, etc. Some good sources for this information are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.babycantravel.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Baby Can Travel<\/em><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/TheBucketListFamily\/featured\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Bucket List Family<\/em><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidsonaplane.com\/category\/tips-and-tricks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Kids on a Plane<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So stop using your kids as a reason not to travel. Both your kids and you will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/why-traveling-is-important\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">benefit from traveling<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tips-for-traveling-with-kids\"><strong>Tips for Traveling With Kids<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>1. <strong>Be flexible: <\/strong>When traveling with kids, plan for everything to take longer than expected. Things <em>will<\/em> go off-schedule, and that\u2019s okay. Your schedule should be loose and shouldn\u2019t be jam-packed with activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. <strong>Pack lots of snacks: <\/strong>Cranky kids will take the enjoyment out of any trip. This is especially important if you\u2019re traveling to a foreign country and your child may be put off by new foods. Having a stock of their favorite snacks readily available will save you a lot of hassle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Contact information: <\/strong>If your child gets lost, it\u2019s important they have some form of contact information on them at all times. This might mean zip-tying your info to their shoelace, but make sure they or whoever finds them have the means to contact you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-myth-5-travel-planning-is-complicated\"><strong>Myth 5: Travel Planning Is Complicated<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I can\u2019t even count the number of times people have asked me how I plan my trips. For some reason, people think that planning an international trip is complicated and that they need to go through a booking agent or with a tour group. This travel myth is one of the easiest ways to make a trip unaffordable. Tour groups are very expensive and booking agents hit you with tons of fees while trying to coerce you into purchasing packages and add-ons you don\u2019t need.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tips-for-planning-a-trip\"><strong>Tips for Planning a Trip<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>1. <strong>Do it yourself:\u00a0 <\/strong>While it may sound intimidating, the best and cheapest way to plan a trip is to do it yourself. It doesn\u2019t have to be complicated either\u2014thanks to Google, travel bloggers, YouTubers, and other online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/best-travel-blogs-podcasts-vlogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">travel resources<\/a>. Thankfully, we live in a time where you can easily Google a location and find a suggested itinerary that fits your budget and preferences. For example, if you Google, \u201cHow to spend two weeks in Costa Rica,\u201d you\u2019ll find tons of articles that cater to all types of budgets and interests. You\u2019ll find itineraries for beach lovers, thrill-seekers, partiers, families, romance, animal lovers, and the lists go on. All the hard work has been done for you, and it&#8217;s at your fingertips\u2014for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. <strong>Don\u2019t over-plan:<\/strong> You might be tempted to plan every minute of every day of your trip to ensure that you don\u2019t miss out on anything. <em>Don\u2019t do this.<\/em> When visiting a new place, it\u2019s important to have the time to explore it. If you\u2019re jumping from one activity to another, then you might miss the opportunity to stop at a cute cafe on the river for brunch. The moments in between the activities can be just as special as the activities themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not to mention, having a strict itinerary adds stress to your trip. It\u2019s stressful to plan and it\u2019s stressful to stay on a schedule while traveling. However, having no plan at all could mean that you miss out on things you wanted to see\/do. Try putting together a loose plan with just a few activities or landmarks you\u2019d like to see, but stay flexible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-stop-dreaming-and-get-out-there\"><strong>Stop Dreaming and Get Out There<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t let any of the above travel myths hold you back from living a life full of adventure. You don\u2019t need to save up for one big \u201ctrip of a lifetime,\u201d but rather, you can travel to a new country every year or two. With these travel tips, you\u2019ll be the envy of those around you. So stop thinking, \u201cI wish I could,\u201d and do it!\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are the top five travel myths? Have you allowed any of these myths to hold you back from traveling?&nbsp; There are so many misconceptions about travel that deter people from ever setting foot outside their home country. These myths range from the cost of travel to safety concerns to the ability to travel with children. Here\u2019s why these beliefs, and other myths about travel, are false and shouldn\u2019t hold you back from experiencing what the world has to offer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":96569,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,42],"tags":[452],"class_list":["post-96558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-motivation","tag-guides","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.3 (Yoast SEO v24.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Top 5 Travel Myths, Debunked (Plus Travel Tips!) - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you letting these five travel myths hold you back from seeing the world? Here&#039;s how and why you should be traveling more often.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/travel-myths\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Top 5 Travel Myths, Debunked (Plus Travel Tips!)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Are you letting these five travel myths hold you back from seeing the world? 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