Domestic vs. International travel

Domestic vs. International Travel 

So you read my last blog post and got all excited and about taking a vacation and started the process, then stopped because you couldn’t figure out where would give you the most experience for the best price. Well don’t you worry because this weeks post is all about the positives and negatives about both domestic and international travel in order to narrow down your choices and help you book that dream vacation!

Palm Springs 2018

Domestic Travel- domestic travel is when you travel in the United States, or your home country. This travel is usually cheaper and doesn’t require a passport, making it a lot simpler to plan. 

Positives:  There are many positives that come with domestic travel. Some of my favorite vacations have been right here in the US. The biggest positive when traveling domestic is that you save so much money on transportation and travel time. Earlier this year, my boyfriend and I traveled to California to visit his family. The flight from Virginia to California was only 7 hours and costed 379 dollars for a round trip that I found on Expedia! Being a college student this money was easy to save over the course of a few weeks and allowed me to take that winter break vacation to somewhere warm. In the US we also have the luxury of being able to drive to our destinations. Many people dread being in the car for multiple hours, but driving to your destination and not having to rent a car upon arrival can save you tons of money!

Negatives : Nothing can be perfect! Although I feel that domestic travel is a great option to travel while saving money, it can also limit your exposure to different cultures. When you travel international you get exposed to different types of people, different languages, and different foods. The US lacks this, for the most part most Americans are the same in their culture. Although, we have different ideologies and things that are unique to the areas we live in, when you travel domestically you will most likely be able to find the same stores and restaurants that you experience at home. This takes some extra work on your part. It may be very hard for some to try new restaurants, and shop in stores they normally don’t because humans are creatures of habit. It helps to elevate this problem if you think about these things before your trip. If you have a plan to try a new restaurant its easier follow through with, then if you’re really hungry trying to find somewhere to go. I suggest asking Facebook friends and looking at Yelp reviews a few weeks before you go so you can try food that are representative of the place you are traveling. 

Hilton Head Island 2017

International Travel: International travel is travel to another country. This requires a passport, and is generally more expensive, and involves a lot more planning. 

Positives: International travel provides you with endless opportunities. When you travel to another county you are emerged in the culture, and get to experience all things that country has to offer. You also get the feeling of getting away from home which you may not get when you travel domestically. If you are looking to experience a new culture or a total change in scenery an international trip might be more your speed. 

Negatives: International travel can be very very expensive. When you travel internationally you will have to purchase more expensive flights, transportation when you get there, as well as a multitude of fees. Im not saying that all the hoops aren’t worth jumping through, but international travel is not travel that can be done without thought. If you feel that this is your dream trip check out last weeks blog post on how to save money on travel expenses! 

Travel can be a very exciting thing, but don’t forget to sort out the details before you head on your dream vacation! I found that Google trips can be very helpful for this, and I thought i'd share!