Whether it’s a long weekend or a well-deserved break of a few weeks, traveling can be an amazing way to relax and recover from the daily grind. But affording such an adventure can be a difficult task. Many myths about budget travel are spread as a kind of «wisdom» handed down by parents, friends and on the internet. Some of them can actually cost you money. Others — prevent you from considering a trip because it is «too expensive». So let’s take a look at some of the most persistent budget travel myths in the hope that you’ll be able to save enough to afford more travel now and in the future.
Myth 1: All travel is expensive
It would be great if all travel was free, but unfortunately no one has invented teleportation yet. At the other end of the spectrum is the perception that all travel is expensive. The truth is somewhere in the middle. It’s possible to get cheaper flights and cheaper accommodation, which makes a trip much more affordable than it seems at first glance. Two weeks almost anywhere for €2,000 is certainly much more reasonable than over €5,000 for the same time.
Myth 2: Plane tickets are always expensive
Airfare is almost always the biggest expense on any trip. However, there are ways to get cheaper flights. You may have to change your schedule or plans slightly, but it could be the difference of hundreds of euros saved per ticket. Booking months in advance can save you a certain amount of money, but this is less true than it is supposed to be.
Myth 3: Skiplagging or buying tickets to «hidden cities» is a great way to save money
Skiplagging is a «hack» where you buy a ticket to a cheap destination with a layover at an expensive destination and then get off the plane at the layover. For example, booking a flight from New York to Amsterdam for $800 with a stopover in London instead of a $1,000 ticket direct to London. This only works if you book a one-way flight and have carry-on luggage. Could this save you money? Yes, but it’s also a great way to get in trouble with the airline. Airlines have sued such passengers and canceled frequent flyer programs of people who do. It is not a good idea.
Myth 4: Hotels are the only places to stayWhen looking for places to stay, most people only look at hotels (and AirBnB , but we’ll get to that later). In most destinations, there are many different places to stay that can save you quite a bit of money. Couch surfing and hostels offer unique experiences for much less money than hotels, for example. Maybe you’re just looking for a luxury getaway?
In this case, a hotel or resort is fine, but if you want to save money, there are fantastic options.
Myth 5: AirBnBs (and similar) are cheaper than hotels
Sites/apps like AirBnB, Vrbo, and others promise to save you money by letting you rent homes from people instead of staying in a hotel. The truth here is not so clear. When these services first appeared, they often offered great deals worldwide. Unfortunately now they are all big companies. Often you don’t rent from a person, but through someone’s rental company. Additional fees can easily raise the price significantly above that of a hotel. Is it still possible to find a good deal? Yes, but thorough research and price comparison is essential.
Myth 6: Hostels are only for young people (or are unpleasant, dangerous, etc.)
Hostels are, in most cases, misunderstood. They are a great way to save money on accommodation all over the world. Are there bad hostels? Of course, but there are also bad hotels and AirBnB. There are review sites like Hostelworld.com that help you get an idea of where you’ll be staying. Most hostels are for anyone over 18 and many have private rooms that are cheaper than hotels.
Myth 7: «Points» cards save you money
Airline and hotel rewards cards are everywhere, and they all promise to help pay for your next vacation. In theory this is true. You may get enough of these cards’ benefits to justify their annual fees. The problem is that most people who only travel once a year pay far more in fees than they get in card benefits. That’s why banks (as well as airlines and hotels) love these cards. They earn more in fees than your benefits are worth.
Myth 8: Paying in your home currency will save you money
When you buy a good or service while traveling, you will often have the option of paying in the local currency or converting it immediately to your home currency. This is not a scam per se, but it is close to it. The problem is that when you choose your home currency, you are charged a fee and given the worst possible exchange rate. The only time you’re better off paying in your home currency is if your credit card charges you foreign transaction fees. With most maps this doesn’t happen, so it’s worth checking this before you go. In other words – pay in local currency.
Myth 9: Cash is most important
Depending on where you’re going, you may not need cash. However, in some countries, there are services that are still paid in cash. Nevertheless, it is unwise and dangerous to carry tons of your home currency to exchange at your destination. Better to find a local bank and use an ATM, even if there is a fee. So it’s safer than having hundreds of euros or dollars on you (or in your luggage). Some debit cards even reimburse you for ATM fees, so you can use any machine around the world for free.
Myth 10: There is a «best» time to travel
No. The best time to travel is when you have the time… and the money, of course. While some places are more suitable in certain seasons than others, whenever you have free time you can have a fantastic adventure.
