F.G.R.
(Frequently Given Reasons)
Top 5 Reasons People Give For NOT Traveling...
1. It's too expensive!
Not true! Sure, traveling “can be” expensive, but if you plan ahead, go at the right time, utilize travel hacks (e.g. pack light, take budget airlines, use public transportation, stay at Airbnb-style accomodations, use local rideshare apps, go on free walking tours, prebook activities when possible, etc.), you’ll be amazed at how far you can stretch a dollar. The first step is to do your research. Exploring the world on a budget IS possible as long as you’re willing to put in the work.
2. It's too confusing!
Anything that’s new or different can be confusing. The key is to take it step by step. You don’t have to plan an entire trip in a day. But, maybe you could start looking at airfare or at least get an idea of when and what the cheapest time(s) to travel to your intended destination would be? Also, you may consider flying to a city nearby or a place that’s in the same continent of the city you’d like to visit then hop a low cost airline or intercity bus line (e.g. FlixBus, Nomago, Blablabla Bus, Ouibus, Bolt Bus, Megabus, Eurolines, Student Agency, etc.) to go the rest of the way. If all of that sounds confusing, don’t worry! There are plenty of sites dedicated to taking the guess work out of getting from one place to another. Rome 2 Rio is a good site to visit to get the balling rolling. Google Maps and Google Flights are some others. However, you can find the link to them and other transportation sites right here on our website
3. I just don't have the time right now!
We understand! Finding time to do anything you enjoy is tough at times. Yet, if you have the ability to travel, you might try scheduling it a year or so out to allow yourself time to get off from work or plan other things around your scheduled dates. Sometimes, just putting a TRIP on your calendar or making it a priority can make all the difference in actual doing it.
4. I like where I live so there's no need to go anywhere!
Believe it or not, we hear this one A LOT! It’s usually from people who have lived in the same town all of their lives and can’t imagine going anywhere else, least of all to another country or continent. Although there’s typically no reasoning with them, the thing to keep in mind about travel is that it gives you a different perspective on how other cultures live and it allows you to have a more diverse way of thinking. In our experience, exploring the world and being exposed to different ways of life and thinking has been invaluable.
5. I'll do it...some day!
We all have dreams of doing something we enjoy or want to experience at some point. Maybe, it’s learning to cook, build/repair something around the house or taking a dance class? The trouble is…”some day” seldom comes. For many of us, it’s tough to motivate ourselves to take the plunge or do something that’s new. That’s why it’s important to start planning now instead of later. Challenge yourself to set aside time to jot down where you’d like to go then start looking at some activities you’d like to do once you get there. Maybe, you can take a hop on/hop-off bus tour or just go on a free walk around the city. Either way, step out of your comfort zone and get moving.
Decide ‘where you’d like to go
Make a budget
Look at Rome2Rio site
Look for cheap airfare on Google Flights and Skyscanner
Look at bus routes on Bus Radar
See what days work best with your schedule and when the cheapest time to travel is
Lose hope
Keep putting things off
Stay in the same area your entire life
Be unwilling to have an open mind
Assume traveling is for the rich or upper middle class