Travel has never been more accessible, but it can also feel more complicated and intimidating than it needs to be. In the end, a great trip isn’t about an arbitrary checklist — it’s about finding an experience that suits your interests, your budget, your time, and your preferences. Here are some of the most common travel myths that are worth reconsidering in an effort to get out there and see more of the world.

You Need a Lot of Time To Travel

Many people may put off traveling because it feels like it’s only worth it if it’s a two-week vacation to another continent. But some of the most memorable trips can happen over a long weekend. A lengthy slow-travel excursion, though worthwhile, simply might not be realistic for everyone, but even a two or three-day getaway can offer a much-needed change of scenery.

“Any time we experience a new activity, new neural connections form in the brain. Those new pathways help you see things from different perspectives,” psychologist Susan Albers told the Cleveland Clinic. “When we step away from our routine, our brains reset.” Waiting for the perfect amount of time could mean never going at all — so you might be better off reframing your expectations around a night away in a nearby city or a weekend exploring a national park that’s not too far. 

You Should Avoid the Popular Places 

Some people may dismiss famous destinations as too touristy, but many of the world’s most-visited places are popular for a reason. Paris, Rome, New York City, and London attract millions of visitors annually for their remarkable history, food, and culture — both around the big landmarks and in the off-the-beaten-path markets or restaurants. 

While crowds can be frustrating, avoiding a destination solely because it’s popular may mean missing out on something that genuinely lives up to the hype. Major landmarks will indeed have crowds, but attractions such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower are equipped to handle them comfortably. Popular doesn’t automatically mean overrated, and there are plenty of lesser-trafficked landmarks to explore in these destinations, too. 

Traveling Alone Is Too Dangerous

Solo travel is often thought of as inherently risky, and while precautions are of course important, traveling solo is not so different from navigating daily life in unfamiliar places. Travelers today have access to navigation apps, translation tools, and personal transportation services such as rideshares, and they can instantly share locations or communicate with friends and family just about anywhere. 

“Traveling on your own can be seriously empowering,” Maeve Hartney, chief program officer at the educational travel company Road Scholar, told KUNC. “Traveling solo forces you to go out of your comfort zone every day, which can push you beyond the boundaries of what you think you’re capable of.” More than being vulnerable, lonely, or bored, solo travelers are actually likely to feel independent and confident. Most importantly, taking a trip by yourself means not missing out on something simply because you couldn’t find someone to go with. 

You Need To See and Do Everything

It’s hard not to fall into the trap of treating a vacation like a scavenger hunt or feeling pressured by the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity it may be. Before you know it, every hour is scheduled, every attraction is booked, and every meal is planned well in advance. And while planning can certainly help alleviate costs and stress, this approach might leave you exhausted or burned out.

Research shows that vacations do us a lot of good when we leave room to be surprised by the unexpected. Prioritize your major must-sees, but otherwise leave some space in your schedule to linger over a meal, spend an afternoon people-watching, or even return to a favorite spot you’ve already visited.

Guided Tours Are for Inexperienced Travelers

Guided tours are sometimes dismissed as uninspired experiences designed for new or unadventurous travelers. But proponents of this type of travel don’t see it that way. On the contrary, a guided tour may give you access to experiences that would be difficult or unappealing to arrange on your own. 

Escorted travel is one way to make better use of your time by covering key landmarks efficiently, getting added context and knowledge about an area, and, importantly, taking the stress of navigating off your shoulders. Beyond logistics, tours are often social, too.

You Need a Different Outfit for Every Day

Social media has created the impression that every vacation requires a carefully curated wardrobe and a perfectly posed photo of each. In reality, experienced travelers often do the opposite. Packing light reduces baggage fees, makes moving around easier, and takes away some of the stress of what to wear each day. 

Instead of packing several separate outfits, go with a small collection of versatile pieces that you can mix and match to cover just about any itinerary. You might just find that the freedom of packing lighter outweighs any concern about repeating looks.

Go Far or Go Home

While immersing yourself in a remote island community, a carefree European beachside town, or a bustling foreign city can indeed be wonderful, you don’t have to cross the ocean to travel meaningfully. Rewarding experiences can happen close to home, too. Exploring a neighboring state, meandering through a small town you’ve never visited, or taking a scenic road trip can provide the same sense of novelty people are hoping to find when they book an itinerary that explores further afield. 

A memorable trip has less to do with how far you go than with how you engage with the place you’re visiting. For experienced travelers, learning about new communities, supporting local businesses, and traveling thoughtfully matters more than how many boarding passes or passport stamps you can rack up.