Whether you’re scrolling through Pinterest for the perfect packing list or listening to the latest travel podcast, you’re bound to find a feel-good quote or two about how wonderful travel can be.
Travel can undoubtedly be a life-changing experience, but some of the wisdom surrounding it can be misleading (if not downright ridiculous). Be savvy and leave these common travel myths in the dust.
Myth 1. You can only find good travel deals if you book early.
Truth: Artificial intelligence helps travel providers adjust their pricing on an hourly basis, making it possible for them to offer (and take away) deals at almost any time.
Many travelers believe that flights and hotels need to be reserved as far in advance as possible to maximize savings. In reality, the prime booking window for domestic travel is one to three months. It extends to between two and eight months if you’re traveling internationally.
Within that window, AI and those mysterious algorithms make it so that airlines can change the price at any time based on a number of factors. And when prices fluctuate often, it’s harder to predict with certainty when you’ll get the best deal.
To save money, spend your time looking at demand for seats and rooms. If you’re traveling at Christmas when demand is always high, don’t expect prices to drop. Book as soon as you can and avoid the headache of your preferred flight getting sold out.
Events at your destination — spring break, natural phenomenon like the Northern Lights, the Olympics or World Cup — are all going to drive up the price of transportation and accommodations, too.
Instead of guessing blindly, make an educated decision based on what you can predict about the destination.
Myth 2. It’s too dangerous to travel alone.
While there may be safety in numbers, travelers who take the right precautions can have a safe and memorable adventure on their own.
If you're a first-time solo traveler and aren't quite sure how to go about exploring a new place on your own, consider planning trips to destinations that are known for being accommodating to single visitors.
New Zealand and Australia are popular choices, as they are packed with clean hostels, vibrant urban nightlife, and a diverse landscape where you can find a variety of recreational activities.
A good plan can go a long way toward helping you to travel safely.
- Create at least a basic itinerary to help people back home keep track of you.
- Book only with reputable accommodations and tour operators.
- Learn about the public transit system, including whether it’s safe for visitors and when it runs at night.
- Be aware of common risks and scams at your destination. Knowing what to look for is the first step in avoiding a bad situation.
- Understand the spoken and unspoken cultural rules of your destination so you don’t make a social faux pas that puts you in danger.
- Keep emergency contact information with you no matter where you go. If something happens, you’ll want to be able to reach someone easily. It will also make it easier for someone else, like a hospital, to be able to reach trusted family or friends if you aren’t able to contact them yourself.
- Purchase travel insurance. Not only do many plans cover medical expenses if you get sick or hurt while traveling, but the company may also provide emergency travel assistance services. These can be invaluable for helping you find support from the road, even when you’re traveling solo.
Myth 3. Credit cards provide rental car insurance.
All too often, jetsetters who rent cars in foreign destinations fall into one of two camps. They believe that renting with a credit card covers any type of insurance they need, or they pay for extra insurance from the company.
The truth is that neither is completely true. Travelers who plan on renting a car should understand their options before making a final decision.
Before you leave home, check with your regular car insurance company to see if you’re covered in another country. Also research your destination’s requirements. Some countries may require you to have local coverage.
If you find out that you need additional rental car insurance, consider adding it to your travel insurance plan. Some plans provide this coverage as an optional add-on. This is often a more cost-effective way to get the right protection.
No matter where you get your insurance, read through your plan document before you travel to see what’s covered regarding vehicles and base your decision off that instead of travel myths.
Myth 4. Travel insurance isn’t worth the expense.
We hear this one. A lot. And if we’re totally honest, it might not be worth the extra money for some people. On the other hand, travel insurance might also be worth more than just the cost of your plan.
“I paid $90 for the insurance for the both of us, and I think this is the biggest return on investment I’ll ever get in my entire life,” said Lizbeth, a Seven Corners customer.
Lizbeth and her husband Paul were vacationing in Belize when Paul had a heart attack. Unable to receive appropriate care in Belize City, he was medically evacuated to a hospital back in the United States. The cost of his treatment in Belize and, more importantly, the cost of his evacuation was covered by Seven Corners.
In Lizbeth’s words, their travel insurance probably saved their house. It kept them from going into debt, and the emergency assistance services from Seven Corners took away a lot of the stress of having to arrange the evacuation herself.
Find out what travel insurance covers and decide if it’s worth the cost — financial and otherwise — to you.
Myth 5. You should only travel with a carry-on bag.
Yes, checking a bag is usually more expensive than just taking a carry-on bag. But trying to cram everything into a carry-on or leaving necessary items at home just because they exceed TSA’s fluid ounce rule isn’t fun, either.
Weigh cost with convenience. If you’re going to be constantly wrestling with your belongings or have to purchase a bunch of items at your destination because you don’t have what you need, just pack the bigger bag.
Myth 6. Budget airlines are always the cheapest.
The initial price you see online for budget airlines almost always makes it seem like a good buy. Once you add in the extras, though, you might find that the great deal isn’t so great anymore.
Do the math before you click buy. Factor in the upcharges for choosing your seat, getting a drink and snacks, checking a bag, and printing your boarding pass. Also factor in the airline’s reputation. Do they have a history of long flight delays or lots of cancellations?
Then compare all of that with a more mainstream airline. We bet the prices might not be so different after all. And if the mainstream airline can get you to your destination with fewer headaches, paying a few extra dollars might even be worth it.
Myth 7. It’s better to wander without purpose or reason.
There is something to be said about stumbling onto a café or park performance serendipitously. But if you really want to benefit from your time away from home, it helps to have goals.
Before you depart, think about what you hope to gain from travel. Do you want to sharpen your foreign language skills? Become a more confident navigator? Go off grid and relax without checking work emails?
No matter how broad or specific your purpose might be, if you spend your time intentionally working toward it, you’ll end your journey with more than just souvenirs.
Not sure where to start? Check out our tips for taking a gap year. Or if you’ve never considered a wellness retreat before, now could be the time.
Myth 8. Travel is never a matter of money, but of courage.
Not only is this quote a little elitist, but it’s also simply not correct. It takes incredible courage to travel, but without a solid financial plan, you’re not going anywhere.
Make a budget for travel and stay within your means to avoid unnecessary debt.
Myth 9. It’s better to spend money on experiences, not things.
We love this as a general rule, but in all honesty, there’s a place for souvenirs, too. The items we bring back from our trips can prolong the joy we found when we were abroad.
“When I take long-term trips, I try to find one piece of clothing or home decor to bring back with me,” said Seven Corners writer Grace Lower. “To look around my apartment and see pieces that tie back to my travel memories brings me so much joy. And while I’m always glad I spent my money on the experience, there’s something to be said about the things, too.”
Myth 10. Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.
It’s easy to think of travel as this life-changing experience that can open minds and break barriers. It is possible, but the truth is, there are plenty of people who have traveled extensively and gained nothing.
You have to be willing to put in the work to overcome your own biases and assumptions. Ultimately, it’s not travel that creates personal growth. It’s the traveler’s willingness to change.
It’s like that coffee mug quote: “Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.” To truly become “richer” when you travel, respectfully engage with your host community. Rather than sticking with other Americans, find ways to authentically connect with locals. Buy someone a drink at a bar, make small talk with your cashier. Learn about their beliefs and attitudes.
Myth 11. The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.
Travel is an incredible privilege. Thinking less of people who do not, or cannot, travel isn’t a good look. For starters, there are so many rich experiences in life that don’t involve travel. From raising a family to starting a business, every experience offers a wealth of knowledge.
There’s a happy truth to be found. There are plenty of resources available for people to learn about the world without ever leaving their living room. Documentaries, books, and blogs can make many of travel’s lessons accessible to those who can’t or won’t go on a trip.
Travel is often life-changing, but to position it as the ultimate teacher is to undervalue other experiences.
Travel Like an Expert
If you find yourself getting overwhelmed by all the travel advice out there and can’t tell if it’s legit, give Seven Corners a chance. We have the latest travel hacks — tried and tested by people who have actually been there. Get them delivered monthly straight to your inbox by signing up for The Wayfinder.
