Top 10 Myths About Budget Travel

Whether it's a long weekend getaway or a multi-week vacation, traveling is a great way to relax and reset your daily grind. Thinking you can afford an adventure like this can be daunting. Many of the myths about cheap travel remain as a kind of “wisdom” passed down through parents, friends, and the Internet.

Some of these superstitions can actually cost money. Some people may not consider traveling because it's “too expensive.” So let's take a look at some of the most persistent myths about cheap travel in hopes of saving you enough money to travel more now and in the future.

If you're interested in more of this kind of thing, check out my book Budget travel for beginners. is available in Amazon, Barnes & Nobleand wherever books are sold!

Myth 1: All travel is expensive.

It would be great if all travel was free, but unfortunately no one has invented a transporter yet. At the other end of the spectrum, there's a common belief that all travel is expensive. The truth lies somewhere in between. I've lived on less than $50 a day in cities around the world. You can get cheaper flights, cheaper accommodation, and travel anywhere much more affordably than you first thought. Two weeks anywhere for $2,000 total is much more reasonable than the $5,000+ mentioned on endless travel blogs.

Myth 2: Air tickets are always expensive

Airfare is almost always the biggest expense of your trip. That being said, there are ways to get cheaper airline tickets. You may have to make a few changes to your schedule or plans, but you could potentially save hundreds of dollars per ticket. You might find it a little cheaper if you book a few months in advance, but this is not as true as is widely believed.

Myth 3: Skip plugging, or buying tickets to the “Hidden City” is a great way to save money

Skip plugging is a “hack” in which you buy a ticket to a cheap destination with a layover at an expensive destination and then get off the plane at the time of your connection. For example, instead of a $1,000 direct flight to London, you book an $800 ticket to Amsterdam via London. This only works if you book a one-way trip and have carry-on luggage.

Will this save you money? Yes, but it's also a great way to get in trouble with the airline. Airlines sued people and discontinued their frequent flier programs. That's not a good idea.

Myth 4: The only place to stay is a hotel

When looking for a place to stay, most people only consider hotels (and AirBnB, but more on that next). Most locations have plenty of accommodation options that will save you money. Homestays, Couchsurfing, and hostels all offer unique experiences for much less money than hotels. Maybe you're just looking for a luxury vacation. A hotel or resort is fine in that case, but if you're looking to save money, there are plenty of great options.

Myth 5: AirBnB (and similar) are cheaper than hotels

Sites and apps like AirBnB and Vrbo promise to save you money by letting you rent from people instead of staying in a hotel. The truth here is not so obvious. When these services first appeared, they often had great deals all over the world. Unfortunately, these are all big companies now. In many cases, you don't rent from someone, you rent through someone's rental company. Additional charges can easily exceed the hotel price. Is it still possible to find a deal? Yes, but extensive research and price comparisons are essential.

Myth 6: Hostels are for young people only (or terrible, dangerous, etc.).

Hostels are largely misunderstood, at least by most Americans. A great way to save money on accommodation around the world. Are there any bad hostels? Of course, but there are also terrible hotels and AirBnBs. There are review sites like Hostelworld.com that can help you get an idea of ​​where to stay. Most hostels allow guests over the age of 18, and many hostels have private rooms that are cheaper than hotels. I've stayed in hostels all over the world and had a great time as well as meeting some incredibly fascinating fellow travelers.

Myth 7: “Points” cards can save you money.

Airline and hotel loyalty cards are everywhere, promising to help you pay for your next vacation. In theory, this is accurate. It is possible to take full advantage of the benefits of these cards in a way that is worth the annual fee. The problem is, for most people who only travel once a year or so, you're paying far more than the card's perks are worth. That's why banks (and airlines and hotels) love these cards. They earn more in commission than the perks cost.

Myth 8: You save money by paying in your home currency

When purchasing goods and services while traveling, you often have the option of paying in your local currency or converting it to your home currency on the spot.this is not a scam itself But it's very close. I wrote about this for Forbes years ago, and it's still a big issue. The problem is that if you choose your home currency, you will be charged a fee and receive the worst exchange rate. The only time it's better to pay in your home currency is if your credit card charges a foreign transaction fee. Most cards don't, so it's worth checking before you go.

In other words, most people pay in local currency.

Myth 9: Cash is king

I rarely travel with cash. In no case will he exceed the equivalent of 50 US dollars. Depending on where you're going, you may not need it. That said, some countries and services are still cash-based. In any case, it is not wise or safe to carry large amounts of your country's currency with you to exchange at your destination. It is better to find a local bank and use their ATM, even if there are fees. It's much safer than carrying hundreds of dollars around (or in your luggage). Certain debit cards also refund his ATM fees, so you can use them for free at any machine in the world.

Myth 10: There is a “best” time to travel.

no. The best time to travel is when you have the time and money (read my book!). Some places are better than others at certain times of the year, but you can have a great adventure anytime you have free time.