have you ever regretted travelling? im scared i'll regret it but cant get rid of the longing to travel. any advice?
Posted by boiLollipop@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 40 comments
growing up in the urban (ugly) part of the philippines, ive always dreamed of visiting those old historical cities in the west. dont get me wrong, the philippines is beautiful, but not the cities. especially not the one i grew up in or the one i live in at the moment. i watch walk through videos and sometimes go on google maps street view to get a feel of what it would be like to walk through edinburgh, prague, paris, or rome. everytime i do this, i feel such a strong sense of both awe and envy, it makes my chest hurt.
im 31 years old and i have an average metro manila income (a bit on the higher end but still within the average range). i've been pretty frugal my whole life and i've saved up a bit. i now have enough to go on a 2 week trip to scotland and still have enough left over without touching my emergency fund. im looking into different ways i can go on this trip on a super tight budget, like staying at a cheap hostel, and packing food so i dont have to eat out too often.
despite these measures, going on this trip would still make a significant dent on my savings. i wont go into debt or drain the money i need for basic needs but my frugality is making me think twice about going on a vacation. i ask myself if the money i saved would be better spent elsewhere
i'll be going on this trip alone. i enjoy my alone time but have learned from past experience that i dont enjoy solo trips to the beach. ive since learned from other people on reddit that beach trips can get lonely and they suggested i go to a city instead for solo trips.
so here's my dilemma: i dont know if i can justify spending tens of thousands of pesos to see beautiful landscapes and architecture. i imagine it would feel like a dream (might even get a bit teary eyed) but im also scared it wont turn out as good as i expected. im scared i'll regret it.
Rude_Context_4844@reddit
Go
Effective_Tackle_195@reddit
It's tough for most of us here! But an average Manilla salary is worse than an average western salary. So let me tell you: you dif great by saving so much.
For me, it was the question: what do I want in life. Money is a commodity. My own answer was: to travel everywhere for as long as I want to. That's why I did it.
Your answer may vary. If you feel like its more important to buy a house, or to save up for a wedding, you should absolutely do that.
However, your post makes me feel like you already know you want to travel. Ofcourse it could be dissapointing, but you got to take chances in life.
You could, if you want to, travel a bit closer to home first to get a feel for it. Philipines has a lot of great islands. Or even a country like Thailand (I imagine Manilla- Bangkok flights are cheaper than flights to Europe).
boiLollipop@reddit (OP)
thats a good point, we do have to take chances. i do want to travel to thailand at some point but right now (and for the longest time) i really want to see castles and feel like im in hogwarts šš i know it sounds juvenile but i need that kind of beauty in my life right now š„²
Katatoniczka@reddit
have you considered traveling to some cheaper destinations? like, the largest castle in the world can be found in Poland, which is a much cheaper destination than France or the UK. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malbork_Castle) the Czech Republic or Hungary are also beautiful, scratch the castle itch, and would surely let you travel less for more
Fickle-Bathroom-3950@reddit
Second this, Poland is really amazing
Warm_Butterscotch229@reddit
Polish castles are so beautiful! You can't get much better than Old Town KrakĆ³w for that kind of magical old European vibe.
Candid_Ninja7874@reddit
I went to Edinburgh last year , itās a beautiful city and very much enjoyed. While I was there I was begrudging spending so much money as things do generally cost more there than my home but a year later I remember the good time I had there and donāt think about any of the money matter of fact I donāt even know how much I spent lol
Least_Pear_9174@reddit
Traveling closer and maybe even for a shorter period of time will answer your concerns about regretting solo travel. If youāre not completely confident that youād enjoy two weeks alone then spending all of that money is a significant risk. If you take a four day vacation somewhere closer and enjoy it then youāll feel more confident about not regretting a big trip.
You should adjust your expectations for Scotland, as well. If youāre not going to spend the money to stay overnight in castles or manors, youāre not going to feel like youāre in Hogwarts, so if thatās what you āneed,ā wait a bit longer and save up more. Scotland is gorgeous and there is plenty to do on a budget but the castles you visit for day trips are not exactly magical. Theyāre actually only interesting if you really research their history, otherwise theyāre mostly stone walls with gardens.
I donāt mean to put a damper on your plans and I do hope you get to Scotland and enjoy it solo, I just think when people have a mythical idea of a place or thing, theyāre bound to be disappointed, and you worked too hard for your money to set yourself up for that!
Distinct-Mail1942@reddit
Iāve regretted traveling with certain people but Iāve never regretted a trio
Loose-Acanthaceae823@reddit
Do you like camping? Are you physically fit? I walked the West Highland Way and got to see incredible places for much less than a city stay. It would put you near the Harry Potter train trip as well. You could, of course, still do city things. I knocked out Edinburgh in two days, seeing not everything but definitely the highlights! The other thing is not traveling during tourist season. It is cold in Scotland! But saving the money could be worth it. I'd recommend late September.Ā
I never regret travel. I grew up in the US lower middle class and travel just meant going to grandparents' homes. It's now a priority for me whether there's the money for it or not.Ā
qnhv_bloom_6121@reddit
Katatoniczka's suggestion about Poland and Czech Republic is smart - you'd get the castle/historical city fix for way less than Scotland, and honestly Prague has that hogwarts vibe youre after in spades. One thing noones mentioned: since youre already frugal enough to have savings on a manila income, you clearly know how to stretch money. That skill will serve you way better on the road than most travelers have. The fact that you keep coming back to google street view of these places tells you everything you need to know about whether youll regret going.
cheeshomie@reddit
To water down your budget check out Montenegro and the rest of the balcans (Montenegro being on the higher price range in the balcans but still cheaper than Scotland). Pretty confident you could make out of the budget of 2 weeks Scotland one month down there.
If you're keen on Germany: Transport is super cheap (60ā¬ a month for all you can ride), buy a cheap tent and sleep on campgrounds. Even in/around big cities you'll find good options. Might also be cheaper than Scotland.
CuppaTea_Digestive@reddit
Honestly, you only live once. Take your trip, youāre young enough to save up again. Scotland is lovely. If you travel around on the Ember buses they are really good value, comfort and service. Beaches in Scotland are stunning but typically not full of people sunbathing! So not like a usual beach holiday. Folks are pretty friendly too.
PurpleFunk-Chick@reddit
I was honestly nervous before my first big trip too, but I ended up regretting waiting so long way more than the travel itself. Even the stressful parts became good stories later on.
janpaisley@reddit
The one thing I would say is - plan carefully, but be open to changes. Being flexible and having a sense of humor about the unexpected ( and there will be the unexpected) will make the experience much more fun. They often make the best stories lster, too.
BillyD123455@reddit
If Scotland is your goal, then I wouldnt worry too much about the beach holiday bit.
Work out where you want to go, what you want to see and plan/budget around that.
If you're travelling so far (and from the Philippines), then i would say City breaks and countryside is way better for you.
UK beaches can be nice, but its a day trip .. not a beach holiday.
Epiclovesnature@reddit
I traveled like this. I had enough money for a tin of food, a bread roll, a serving of milk per day. Maybe a beer as a luxury. Stayed in dorm beds. Travelled through Europe for 8 weeks. Lost 20kg. Walked everywhere to save public transport costs. Slept on the side of a castle in the bushes in Edinburgh one night. That was 30 years ago. No regrets. It was life changing. I put my back pack in a locker. Accidentally left the key in the locker. Froze through the night. Stressed Iād lose everything. Woke up looking like a homeless person. Someone tried to run me over cause they thought I was homeless. Another homeless person stole from a delivery while I waited for the bus shelter to open at 5am to get my key.I got blamed. I love this memory, it was bad at the time but one of my many travel adventures I look back on with fondness now Iām old. I survived. It gave me strength. I left a boy and came back a man. You will truly regret NOT going when you are my age. There is never a right time. Just do it!
Next_Rhubarb5938@reddit
Go if you can afford it & you will still be able to afford all your necessities (shelter, food, health care etc) when youāre home. Itās not necessarily about the architecture or landscape but finding out who you are, how you get through tough situations and what really matters to you. I am a better person for travelling (a privileged position I understand) and although occasionally wonder what I might have if I didnāt travel (more savings, a house) I think the lessons I learnt along the way are priceless.
Nothing in life is better than knowing that if everything else goes to shit, you can look after yourself no matter where you are. This includes travelling on a shoe string budget!
alie1020@reddit
My only advice is for your itinerary itself. If you stay in Scotland for two weeks (with the goal of enjoying cities, not going to the Highlands or something) it's possible that you'll regret it just because you're going all that way and seeing very little. If you do something like a week in London, a day in Oxford / Cambridge, stop in York on your way north, and then finish off with 3 days in Edinburgh. You'll get to see a lot more of the things you're interested in, and looking back on it someday you'll probably feel like "x wasn't that great, but y really surprised me, and I would love to go back to z!"
boiLollipop@reddit (OP)
thats a good idea, i do want to see the highlands as well, and sorta just want to stare at castles haha but tha k you i'll look into checking out other places as well! š
where_did_I_put@reddit
Scotland is one of my favorite countries Iāve ever visited. It was spectacular. My time in Isle of Skye was my favorite.
sitheandroid@reddit
No, I've never regretted travelling, I enjoy every trip! For me the adventure starts as soon as I step into the airport: the people, the flight experience, everything. It really is about the journey, not just the destination.
If you're on a budget, then I highly recommend having some kind of emergency access to cash; it's ok planning things out but you need a contingency plan in case of issues, bearing in mind that a problem in Edinburgh is likely to be a lot more expensive than the same issue in Manila.
I'd also recommend planning everything in as much detail as possible; accommodation, travel, day-by-day activities, even amounts spent on food. The efficiency of the UK may come as a surprise, there's not really the same concept of "bahala na" here, which allows you to make the most of your time.
Pick the time of year to come here carefully: cold, wet weather is no fun and no good for admiring the landscape, similarly summer midges are fierce and will spoil your time outdoors.
I've no doubt you won't regret your trip, but you can maximise your success and enjoyment with lots of planning in advance.
boiLollipop@reddit (OP)
omg kabayan! yes im gonna plan everything in detail. regarding emergency access to cash, could you elaborate on that? do you mean i need a card that i can use to easily withdraw cash or are there other options?
sitheandroid@reddit
I'd suggest having something like a credit card; don't use it unless an emergency occurs. Similarly having someone back home that can wire cash to be picked up would be very useful.
BlackberryNice3371@reddit
I recently traveled to Scotland and I have traveled to a decent number of cities and countries. I took that trip at a time financially when it was not my wisest move (I feel very grateful that I was able to make that choice still). It was 100% worth it and it was one of my favorite places I have ever been in my life, at no time did I think it was a waste of my money. I have been to a few places in Scandinavia, France, Ireland, a number of US cities, Canada/French Canada and the only thing that came close to the awe I felt in the Highlands was the Redwood forests in California. It will not disappoint you.
The city is also a fantastic mix of architecture styles that feel romantic and classic as you describe! It's fairly condensed so you can walk around it and really get a feel for the city, especially if you have two weeks. The New Town area is Georgian (so it feels a bit like London or something) and Old Town is even older and has a very Gothic feeling to it. It's a great choice to get a variety of architecture/city feelings without having to go to different cities during the trip. If you go in the Fall, lodging may be cheaper but the days will be shorter. This is not a major concern in the city, as people will still be out and about, but if you go to the Highlands, you will lose hiking/outdoor time. I went in the fall and did get great deals on hotels nicer than I normally could afford, but I also was kicking myself as the sun went down during our hikes and we had to hurry.
If you do go, I am sharing my itinerary below. Transparently, we did not plan it as a budget trip, so take what makes sense for your budget from this.
The weather will likely feel chilly no matter the time of year you go because of the weather you are used to, just layer up, and it may rain while you are there, but as long as you have a good attitude it can't dampen the experience :) If you go out in "bad" weather, you're just getting the full experience ;)
My itinerary:
Day 1: Flew into Inverness for one night (rented a car, but you could also try a tour company).
Day 2: Drove from Inverness to Isle of Skye.
Day 3 + 4: Stayed for two nights in Isle of Skye and hiked (Old Man of Storr was a major highlight here, so if you do a tour company just look for one that actually gives you time to get out and climb up the mountain IMO. Getting out for photos is still beautiful, but if you're traveling all that way it is nice to be able to see more!).
Day 5: Drove to Edinburgh through Glencoe and stopped at Glenfinnian viaduct and some spots along the road that runs through Glencoe.
Day 6 - 10: Explored Edinburgh. LOTS of the museums are completely free! Simply walking around will feel like a whole other world. The Prince Street Gardens, National Museums, Dean's Village and walking along Water of Leith, Arthur's Seat (this is a true hike, not just a stroll), and Calton Hill (GO HERE FOR THE SUNSET!!!!) are all free, extremely enjoyable things in Scotland. The architecture around the Royal Mile and
If you are planning to prepare your own food, you might want to consider lodging with some kind of communal kitchen so you can make something warm, but it's not 100% necessary I'm sure you could make it work without one.
I've never been to Manila so I don't know if this would impress you, but the Highlands really were a trip highlight for me. The mountains are just enormous and so old. The view from Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye was probably my big highlight and the air smelled so clean on the island. Glencoe also had very impressive mountains. There are day trips via a small group van or bus that let you see Glencoe more easily ā just search from highland day trips from Edinburgh. The Three Sisters in Glencoe was awe inspiring and that alone would be worth your trip, there are a lot of day tours that allow this. I believe you can also do 2-3 days group tours to Isle of Skye.
My final suggestion is this: document your trip in some way! Write in a journal, print out a few photos of your favorite things you saw, hold onto tickets or other bits (business cards, flyers etc.) you find a long the way as souvenirs. There is research that a lot of your satisfaction and enjoyment of a trip comes from replaying it later, either through talking to people about it or reviewing it to make an album etc. If you're spending your money, this will help ensure you feel it was worth it for many years to come.
I would also like to give you some context regarding who is giving you this advice, because financial choices are so personal and our priorities might be different: I am in the US and I am in a relatively fortunate position, but I did not grow up wealthy. I went to a private college and my parents helped me with some living expenses at that time using loans, I used loans for my tuition and food, and I did not have a vehicle (which is standard in my area, so was limited to just being on campus with very little public transportation). My family never traveled internationally and I went on one plane ride domestically within the US when I was 14. Before that, we did road trips to visit family and one visit to a big city just for fun. My grandparents took me on a one week trip to Ireland when I was 13 (they had saved for a major anniversary trip and took me along). I was saving for about two years to buy a car when I got my first big opportunity to travel by myself ā a summer study abroad program that cost about as much as the money I had saved for the car ā and I took that trip instead of buying the car. I do not regret that decision because I value the experiences I had during that trip so much, and it kicked off a lifetime of prioritizing travel because I do genuinely love it! I ended up moving to a big city and still have not bought the car (but I could afford to if I needed to). Financially, I did recover without help from family and have never missed the money I spent on that experience. I think it teaches you about yourself AND it adds to your mental bank of how you see the world.
BlackberryNice3371@reddit
The other thing about being disappointed is this: Set your expectations lower and let yourself be surprised and open to what you find! I am generally optimistic and try not to picture what I'll see too clearly in my mind before I go so that the place can impress me.
Thomato_Yorke@reddit
Opinions will vary, and of course I would say make a proper budget that you can afford without going into debt or anything of that sort, but travel is something that in my experience you tend really really not to regret.
Yes you have to fill your bank account, but you also have to fill your memory bank.
AffectionateMove1004@reddit
I'm in my mid forties and I've spent much of my life, from when I was 10 until the pandemic, travelling, visiting roughly 70 countries, most of it travelling solo.
The truth is that travelling has both its ups and its downs and these days I prefer the calm quiet of home, travelling comes with a lot of stress, but also with a lot of joy and memories.
To save money as well as having a more social experience I would recommend using a site like couchsurfing, staying with people while travelling instead of using hotels and hostels, it cuts down on costs a lot. It is no longer fully free like it was back when I travelled but the fee is quite nominal and I have recieved many experiences I never would have if I hadn't stayed with locals. The tradeoff is of course a bit less flexibilty and that you might need to start by hosting for a while to build up some good references.
While I have certainly had bad experiences while travelling, the good outweighs the bad by a good margin and I wouldn't say that I regret travelling. If you are curious, start small, maybe host a traveller or two, talk to them and get a feeling of how it is then start locally and work your way outwards.
Good luck and godspeed on whichever you decide.
7uci_0112@reddit
No travel ever lives up to our expectations. Sometimes we're let down, sometimes pleasantly surprised. If you are generally disappointed with life, you might feel similarly with travel, but if you can find joy in the unexpected moments--you'll do just fine. My best travel memories are from when things didn't go as planned, maybe the bus broke down or the hotel location was terrible. For me the joy is in the unexpected moments and interactions.
If your heart is set on Scotland, go there. If you are open to different places, you may have opportunity to travel for less. Airfare is one of the biggest expenses, so finding cheaper routes can help.
Couchsurfing or woofing can save some money, but it's also a very different experience, both good and bad.
Travel slow. You may want to see everything, but sometimes exploring 1-2 cities and moving slower can be much cheaper. But if you do move cities, where possible take night train/busses. Saves on hotel.
I never regret money spent on experiences and travel. Best of luck on your deciscion and future travel!
LordOfErebus@reddit
I think there are pretty cities in the Philippines. Have you been to Vigan? Quite pretty, lots of colonial Spanish architecture. I like Baguio aswell.
Cakeygoodness666_@reddit
I dont regret traveling ever. Im 52 now and been traveling since 18. I love seeing other countries
lucytravel9@reddit
Since you want to see castles but are not keen on blowing all your money (buying tickets to Europe from Manila), what about checking out castles in Japan? If you book outside peak season you can get a lot of good budget flights from where you are.
Iāve never regretted traveling. I think lifeās all about going for it and learning about yourself and your preferences. You can do that over time. Start small.
balancedperspective0@reddit
Go for it. If your emergency fund is safe, you won't regret fulfilling a lifelong dream. The pre-trip anxiety is normal, but staying home wondering "what if" is much worse.
After-Leopard@reddit
I regret not traveling more! Iāve found that the actual trip might not be perfect but afterwards it becomes magical in my memory. So now I suffer through the inconveniences and disappointments knowing I will only remember the good parts (or have a funny story to tell later). I donāt let it ruin my trip.
Safe-Thanks6114@reddit
Do it
dssx@reddit
The risk you're taking by going on this trip is part of what makes it an adventure.
You're setting sail, so to speak, and heading out to seek a treasure. Every treasure hunt and adventure has the risk of failure to it. That's okay. If the scottish highlands stir your soul from a screen, they'll stir your soul in person for sure - furthermore, they are beautiful regardless of the weather so you don't have to worry about it raining or not.
Life is short. The point of being frugal is to have money for what's important and that includes doing bucketlist trips like this that you want to see before you die.
benevenstancian0@reddit
If you go and enjoy it, itāll be well worth it.
If you go and donāt enjoy it, youāll never want to do it again and the wanderlust will go away.
Either outcome provides peace of mind in some way. Look at it as paying yourself to learn what your heart truly desires. Worst case scenario, you learn that you can stay home and save and not feel like youāre missing something. Ingat.
boiLollipop@reddit (OP)
oh i love this thank you š
SeaworthinessGold202@reddit
traveling is always worth it when it fills that wanderlust. Budget your expenses lowest on the flight, use the money for daily experience.
castaneom@reddit
It sounds like you really wanna go and I think you should. If you can afford it and if itās what youāve always wanted then go for it now while you still can. You just never know what can happen tomorrow and you might never get the chance again.
I grew up very poor in the US and as a kid I used to dream of being able to go all over the world. Itās mostly because Iāve always loved geography and history. The older I got the more chances I got to travel, but it was mostly to go see family in Mexico or here in the US.
Eventually I decided I needed more and started doing solo trips around Mexico. Then a few years ago I booked my first trip to Europe and I havenāt looked back. I fell in love so much that I have to go back every year now. Iād never felt so fulfilled and happy in my entire life.. itās hard to describe.
Iām not married and donāt have that many responsibilities yet.. so Iām gonna keep doing it until I physically canāt anymore. Just go for it. It might change your life. Itās definitely changed my life. Itās helped me get through a lot of stuff. Thatās another story.
Best of luck to you! Also, Iām almost done planning my next trip in September. Makes me so happy thinking about it.