6 Travel Myths Debunked: See the World Without Fear

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of travel! The joy of leaving home, the smell of the airport, new experiences, and a wealth of life lessons—all these make our brains work differently and our lives better. However, countless myths surround the travel process, discouraging people from embarking on new adventures. It’s as if there’s an organization dedicated to destroying the very concept of travel. We’re here to debunk these myths because… let’s make travel happen!

Myth 1: Travel is Expensive

While travel does cost money, the notion that a good and interesting vacation can only be had in luxurious hotel rooms is a misconception fueled by advertising, movies, and cultural norms. However, an interesting vacation doesn’t always mean an expensive one. Walking the streets of Rome while staying in a hostel is just as enjoyable as doing the same while staying in a luxurious and overpriced hotel room. Why overpay for a place to sleep? You’re not going there just to sleep, are you?

When we plan our first trip to Greece, tours to Australia seem like a dream for the gods. But in reality, there are several options for economical and exciting travel to the “Green Continent.” Various seasonal offers advertised by tour operators significantly expand the possibilities; you just need to adjust to the time specified in the “hot offer.”

In the era of websites and special offers, there’s nothing easier than finding and planning an exciting budget adventure to your dream country. All you need to do is spend some time searching for a suitable hotel, tickets, and other perks of budget travel.

Myth 2: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

While staying in the home of barely known Chinese people you’ve only spoken to a couple of times on Skype might not seem appealing, experience has shown that you can rely on the kindness of strangers. People offering their homes are often very responsive and kind.

Of course, blindly trusting people from the other side of the world is not wise. Some people might not disclose their mental disorders and maniacal tendencies. So, what should you do? Read reviews. Websites like Couchsurfing allow you to see host reviews and choose whom to stay with. It’s best not to break the old tradition of lodging: a lone girl stays with another woman, a family with a family—it’s safer that way.

Myth 3: Hitchhiking is Unsafe

The idea that hitchhiking is always unsafe originated in the 1950s when the FBI led a scare campaign to curb the wave of mass travel with strangers. This was partly because people from all states were gathering for rallies. The cunning “federals” scared the population with stories about all drivers being maniacs and perverts. These alarming thoughts spread worldwide, merging with the idea that the world is unsafe, and are considered almost as dubious as trying heroin.

However, hitchhiking doesn’t always end in a ditch. A trip through Serbia and Montenegro turned out to be a joyful experience with pleasant people. Even a thrilling journey with a maniac-looking truck driver, Valery, from Dzerzhinsk to Nizhny Novgorod, ended safely.

Myth 4: Travel is Dangerous for Women

Both men and women face risks during travel, but it’s true that women have additional difficulties. There are situations where they need to be especially careful, and their nature adds extra problems.

However, society’s sick and frightened imagination often exaggerates these risks, convinced that a maniac awaits a woman around every corner in every alley during travel. In reality, those who warn against travel often haven’t ventured beyond their grandmother’s village. Ultimately, the chance of encountering dubious elements or getting hit by a bus during a journey is equal to the chance of experiencing this on the streets of your hometown. So, should we live in fear and never leave the house?

Take Morocco, Tunisia, or Algeria, for example. If you decide to visit one of these countries and face protests from relatives who claim that these are African Muslim countries where a girl can be kidnapped, raped, and killed—ignore them. These are some of the calmest countries on the continent. And all the above can happen even in peaceful Switzerland.

Myth 5: Travel is Only for the Young

There’s a belief that travel is for the young, and as you age, your aging and tired body becomes more demanding. No more walking tours, only all-inclusive with round-the-clock lounging on a stiff sunbed.

But in reality, age doesn’t matter. How many pensioners worldwide prefer hiking to comfortable lounging by the pool? It’s a joy to watch: they move much more than the younger generation. They don’t mind staying in hostels, driving cars, and denying themselves nothing. It’s not age that limits, but mindset.

Myth 6: It’s Impossible to Find Work Abroad

There aren’t many things as attractive as working abroad. You earn money while getting to know a new culture. But only a few are capable of such a decisive step. Not because of patriotism, but out of old habit, new obstacles are found.

It’s clear that finding a good job right after stepping off the plane is difficult, but otherwise, there are no problems if there’s a desire. Almost all countries are open to new workers. You can work on a cruise ship, teach a language abroad, or work through various student programs. Getting a work visa isn’t as difficult as it seems; even distant and mysterious New Zealand has a surprisingly simple visa procedure.