Introduction to Backpacking
Backpacking is the quintessential way of traveling the world on a shoestring budget. With proper planning and some meticulous preparation, one can explore the world without spending an arm and a leg. Imagine scouring unknown cultures, tasting exotic cuisine, people-watching in hip-and-happening hubs, and taking in the beauty of the world’s finest landscapes — all while spending only a fraction of your regular travel expenses.
This article is a guide to backpacking around the world, arranged into five sections to reflect the various considerations that arise during a typical journey of this kind.
- Preparation Checklist
- Money-Saving Tips
- Health & Safety
- Social Aspects
- Key Takeaways
Preparation Checklist
Before heading out into the world, a backpacking traveler must give due consideration to their trip itinerary and the items they need to carry. A backpacking preparation checklist will be the difference between a successful trip and inevitable chaos.
Start Early
The problem with most backpacking beginners is that they underestimate the amount of necessary research and preparation involved in a budget trip. Plan four to six months prior to the start of your trip to ensure everything goes as planned.
Trip Itinerary
Once you have a comfortable budget set aside for the trip, start preparing an itinerary. Be sure to keep your budget in mind, strike out the places that are too expensive, and plan the budget-friendly places. Also, factor in the time for travel, visits to the places, and total duration of the trip so that it does not become too stressful.
Documents
Another important part of your backpacking preparation is to double-check all your documents. Make sure to carry an international driver’s license, valid passport, visas, and travel insurance. Check that your passport has at least six months of validity left before the expiration date.
Packing
The difficult part of backpacking is minimizing the luggage to only what is necessary. Comfortable clothing, two pairs of shoes, basic toiletries, a flashlight and headlamp, a multi-purpose knife, a first aid kit, a water purifier, binoculars, and a sturdy backpack are some of the must-haves for any backpacking trip.
Money-Saving Tips
Given that backpacking is typically a budget-friendly way of travel, it is important to keep a keen eye out for the opportunities to save money. Read on for some budget-savvy tips to get the most out of a trip.
Research Deals
Don’t forget to research and book flights, hostels, and other activities in advance, as this can be an easy way to cut costs, especially for group bookings. There is a plethora of online portals available, offering offers and discounts, including coupon sites and travel communities.
Stay in Hostels
Hostels are a great way to save money without compromising comfort. They come in various forms — ranging from single-person rooms to large shared dorms. Some even offer basic facilities like a kitchen and a laundry area.
Cook Your Own Food
Food can be one of the largest expenses while backpacking. Opting to cook your own food whenever possible is a great way to save money. Also, find out if the city you are staying in has any specialty food items that are cheap and can be enjoyed without spending much.
Avoid Tourist Traps
One surefire way to dip into your budget is to fall for tourist traps in the form of overpriced activities, souvenirs and restaurants. Hence, it is always wise to stick to the budget and avoid tourist traps.
Health & Safety
Backpacking can be an enjoyable adventure when the risks are mitigated beforehand. Health and safety must be taken into account for any trip, and is especially important for backpacking due to the constant changes in environment.
Vaccines
Be sure to consult a doctor before starting your trip and get all recommended vaccines, including a good travel-specific vaccine like typhoid and Hepatitis A. The types of vaccines you need depend on the destinations in your itinerary.
Know Your Limits
When you’re backpacking, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Know your limits when it comes to food, drinks, and stamina, and don’t be too adventurous with local food and drinks that you are unfamiliar with.
Stay Alert
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings by keeping off your phone in public areas or locations not packed with people. Always carry your personal documents in a secure place and do not flaunt your valuables.
Get Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is one of the most unconventional investments you can make for a good backpacking experience. It covers against future non-foreseen losses and it is always a sensible way to ensure risk mitigation.
Social Aspects
Though some may like to travel solo, forming social connections on a backpacking trip is sure to make the journey much more memorable. Here are a few takeaway pointers for making social connections while backpacking.
Join Groups
A great way to meet fellow travelers is to look out for backpacker’s meet-ups, either online or at the hostel. You could also look for other travelers with the same goals in terms of the time and budget, so it’s easier for you to plan activities together.
Broadsheet online magazines and travel bloggers also add to the fun of planning a trip. They provide interesting stories of places and communities through the people who have interacted with them.
Visit Tourist Spots
Visiting tourist places is a great way to make social connections. Most tourist spots have cafes and restaurants, providing a great opportunity to meet other travelers and share experiences.
Travel-related events are also another great way to make social connections with locals and other travelers. For example, take part in an activities showcase to explore new adventures or attend a local festival to soak in the culture.
Say Yes
When an opportunity to explore an unknown destination or interact with new people presents itself, don’t say no before thinking it through. You never know when you may discover something new in yourself or find a connection you never had in the most unlikely of places.
Key Takeaways
At the end of the day, the main thing to focus on while backpacking is to make memories and have a great time. Here is a quick list of all the key points covered in this article:
- Start early and prepare an itinerary considering the budget.
- Double-check travel documents like passport, driver’s license, visa, and insurance.
- Pack basics only and try to keep the weight to a minimum.
- Research for deals and book flights, hostels [in advance, where possible].
- Stay in hostels, cook, and avoid tourist traps to save money.
- Get all necessary vaccines and know your limits.
- Stay alert, carry documents in a secure place, and get travel insurance.
- Take part in meet-ups, visit tourist spots, and say yes to unknown opportunities.
The bottom line is that backpacking is a great way to discover the world while keeping costs low. Enjoy the journey, embrace new things, make as many friends as possible, and you are sure to have the time of your life!