The ultimate guide for backpackers
The ultimate guide for backpackers
Hi! My name is Lara and I’m a travel passionate. I have been traveling since I can remember. There is so much to see, so much to discover… I have traveled up to more than 25 countries and keep adding new ones to my bucket list! I have created a travel tips and guide website to help and inspire people to travel around the globe.
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short intro
Backpacking is such an easy way to explore around! When I first started traveling, I always traveled with a suitcase and now I realize just how uncomfortable it is.
Ok, you’ll have to carry your backpack on your shoulders, but, in my experience, I never carry it more than 30 min in one go. The easy thing about backpacks are that most of them are suitcase-focused bags, opening them from the side (important when buying one) and with many different pockets and spaces to save your stuff. Also, you can take it to the plane without the need to check it in beforehand and that’s probably two of the best benefits of it.
However, this isn’t a post talking about bags, this one aims to help you organize budgeted travels based on my experience traveling around for many years! I would like to show you some of my tricks and tips to being able to reduce many expenses and being able to travel around the world more often.
Here is my ultimate guide to backpacking travel
short intro
Backpacking is such an easy way to explore around! When I first started traveling, I always traveled with a suitcase and now I realize just how uncomfortable it is.
Ok, you’ll have to carry your backpack on your shoulders, but, in my experience, I never carry it more than 30 min in one go. The easy thing about backpacks are that most of them are suitcase-focused bags, opening them from the side (important when buying one) and with many different pockets and spaces to save your stuff. Also, you can take it to the plane without the need to check it in beforehand and that’s probably two of the best benefits of it.
However, this isn’t a post talking about bags, this one aims to help you organize budgeted travels based on my experience traveling around for many years! I would like to show you some of my tricks and tips to being able to reduce many expenses and being able to travel around the world more often.
Here is my ultimate guide to backpacking travel
Research destinations in advance
Fact number 1 to remember: 1 week in Europe = 1 month in Asia
This applies differently depending where you are from. I am European and this is my rule number 1. While somewhere in Europe I will have to live on a 60 daily budget for myself, I can easily stick to half of it somewhere in Asia, Latin America and so on. It is very important to research on the average expenses of your next adventure before booking anything as this will determine whether is an option for you in terms of total budgeting.
However, being honest, before researching about this, I have a look at flight options. If you are a traveler that doesn’t really mind where to go, this will be your first step. For example, for me, I really don’t mind where to travel this year but maybe I fancy tropical beaches this time – so I’ll have a look at destinations in the Caribbean, perhaps.
SKYSCANNER HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN – is a travel search platform which looks for hundreds of airlines to bring all possible options in one place.
If you have flexibility with dates, set your origin airport and then go on to the Click to search everywhere and the Cheapest month to travel or show whole month to travel option. You will then be able to see all the budgeting destinations to travel organized by price. Open up the calendar by days and play with them to see which one best suits you and which ones are cheaper.
When it comes to accommodation, I always recommend staying in Hostels and I always try to have some research first on the places I would like to visit in my next adventure and then make wishlists and save my desired hostels to have a look later on and discard the rest.
Save your destinations in Google Maps
One of the best parts when researching on your next adventure are the spots you would love to see – from insane views, to towns and even restaurants; you can create wishlists in Google Maps and save the spots in your list. This way, you will have them all safe in one place and you can always go back to recommend them to friends and family when they ask you for tips as you will be able to share your list too.
Since few years ago, I love traveling without setting a specific route. I just book the flights and create many wishlists for accommodation and places and then I decide as I go. Imagine discovering a place you really love but you have to leave because you have a reservation somewhere else… This way you are able to be as flexible as you want.
And just in case you are thinking of how stressful it can be not knowing where you’ll sleep tomorrow, let me tell you it isn’t! There are some times during your day when you sit down and have lunch or have a coffee, right? That’s the perfect moment to have a quick search on your phone and see where you’ll sleep. I mean, this is not likeable for everyone but the more I travel, the more I am realizing this is the perfect match for me. Also, I spend most of my days exploring around so I really don’t mind where to sleep as long as it’s clean and comfy – always check out the reviews first! Another thing to consider is… imagine your flight gets cancelled by any chance… what about all the prebookings you’ve made? This happened to me once and believe me, it’s a nightmare.
One of the best parts when researching on your next adventure are the spots you would love to see – from insane views, to towns and even restaurants; you can create wishlists in Google Maps and save the spots in your list. This way, you will have them all safe in one place and you can always go back to recommend them to friends and family when they ask you for tips as you will be able to share your list too.
Since few years ago, I love traveling without setting a specific route. I just book the flights and create many wishlists for accommodation and places and then I decide as I go. Imagine discovering a place you really love but you have to leave because you have a reservation somewhere else… This way you are able to be as flexible as you want.
And just in case you are thinking of how stressful it can be not knowing where you’ll sleep tomorrow, let me tell you it isn’t! There are some times during your day when you sit down and have lunch or have a coffee, right? That’s the perfect moment to have a quick search on your phone and see where you’ll sleep. I mean, this is not likeable for everyone but the more I travel, the more I am realizing this is the perfect match for me. Also, I spend most of my days exploring around so I really don’t mind where to sleep as long as it’s clean and comfy – always check out the reviews first! Another thing to consider is… imagine your flight gets cancelled by any chance… what about all the prebookings you’ve made? This happened to me once and believe me, it’s a nightmare.
Do not check in bags at the airport
Most long flights include a checked in bag in the price and that’s alright but short ones don’t. Every bag may cost 30-50EUR and that could be a night accommodation for two! I think a real backpacker does just that – travels in a backpack. Imagine you are traveling to France for few days, just compare 30EUR to check a bag to 4EUR buying shampoo in a supermarket when you get there. There is a difference, right? Remember you can travel with up to 100ml liquids, so the ones that are essentials to you try to buy them with those measures or just buy little 100ml bottles and fill them up to carry them.
I will say the same thing for long flights. Why risking my bags when I have one or two flight stops before arriving to my final destination and may get lost or why would I’d be waiting ages in the queue before my bag arrives when I can just walk off? I carry it always with me and save it inside the plane, on the top drawers. Remember you can take up to a 50l bag with you inside the plane. Also, for us girls, our clothes are likely to be less bulky than guys – that’s a perk! And if you are traveling more than two weeks you’ll be able to wash some of your clothes, so don’t take more than what you’ll need.
Also, take a smaller bag with you! Most hostels will allow you to leave your backpack there until your room is available. My tip is to take all the important things you have in your smaller bag (passport, money, credit cards, etc) and go and explore around until your room is ready! Think about it this way… what would someone steal from my backpack then? Clothes?… This is a great way to face your fear of letting your backpack and enjoy the day without missing a second!
Stay in backpack friendly hostels & set up a daily budget
Even if traveling solo, with friends or as a couple – I highly recommend staying in backpack hostels. Why? It’s cheaper than any hotel, you’ll meet many travelers and their stories to tell and, also, some hostels look like 5 star hotels… This last one depends on where you are going but spoiler here: Asia and the Caribbean have some of the most beautiful hostels I have ever seen!
It is important to set up a daily budget. I would recommend having a look first at average accommodation prices. For example, if traveling to Mexico as a couple, a daily budget of 30EUR per two per night is reasonable. From there, think about food and transport; and leave some money for extras such as possible activities you may do.
Get an International debit card to avoid commissions
You may take as much cash with you as you want, but it’s likely you’ll need to get more cash at some point as I don’t recommend either having too much money on you. I always use Revolut and has never let me down! It’s free to get and 0 maintenance, commissions or whatsoever. I can take money out wherever I want and never get extra charges compared to my ordinary cards. Also, it is great for traveling as it is connected to your conventional bank, which means, it’s always on 0EUR. When you need to use it just transfer the money from the App the amount you’d like and it’s an instant transfer. This way I am not afraid of loosing it or someone coping my detail banks as it’s always in 0EUR.
In this link you’ll be able to get your Revolut for free and we’ll be able to earn 40EUR each – not credit, money – just because I’m inviting you to join! Have a look at the conditions but it’s pretty easy and hey, you’ll get 40EUR for doing nothing.
Get a Sim card when arriving to your destination
This is so useful! You won’t need to rely on wifi and at the airport you’ll find many good deals for tourist sim cards for as long your trip lasts. You’ll have many perks apart from having Whatsapp or Instagram. For example, you’ll be able to call your accommodation in case you have any problem getting there, use Google Maps to find your way around, search for different information you need on the time, etc.
One thing we love doing and that many people doesn’t know is… remember what I mentioned earlier of traveling and book accommodation as you go without pre booking in advance? Ok, here is an amazing tip: have a look at booking options and call the hostel to ask for the price. They are likely to give you a cheaper offer as they will definitely prefer you book it directly through them than through an online platform as they will save the commission they will need to pay to the platform. Nice, isn’t it? We stayed in accommodations for 20EUR when in online platforms offered it at 50EUR (low season).
This is so useful! You won’t need to rely on wifi and at the airport you’ll find many good deals for tourist sim cards for as long your trip lasts. You’ll have many perks apart from having Whatsapp or Instagram. For example, you’ll be able to call your accommodation in case you have any problem getting there, use Google Maps to find your way around, search for different information you need on the time, etc.
One thing we love doing and that many people doesn’t know is… remember what I mentioned earlier of traveling and book accommodation as you go without pre booking in advance? Ok, here is an amazing tip: have a look at booking options and call the hostel to ask for the price. They are likely to give you a cheaper offer as they will definitely prefer you book it directly through them than through an online platform as they will save the commission they will need to pay to the platform. Nice, isn’t it? We stayed in accommodations for 20EUR when in online platforms offered it at 50EUR (low season).