General travel tips for backpackers

From planning to mindset — everything you need to know

Where do you start?

Don’t overcomplicate it. Ask yourself: what excites you?
For beginners, Southeast Asia, Central America, or Portugal & Spain are great — affordable, well connected, and lots of fellow travelers.

How long?

3+ weeks is fantastic, but even 2 weeks can be an adventure.
Key tip: travel slow — don’t try to do 5 countries in 5 days.

What budget?

It varies. In Asia, €20–30/day is doable; in South America you’ll usually need a bit more.
Rule of thumb: plan generously so cheap days become pleasant surprises.

Travel insurance?

Yes. You hope you won’t need it — but you’ll be glad if you do.

Must‑have apps:

ChatGPT — fantastic for translations and quick planning everywhere.
Google Maps — shows public transport in big cities.
Booking & Hostelworld — I often use just Hostelworld, but both are good.
Agoda & Airbnb — Agoda for Asia, Airbnb for longer stays.
Revolut — great online bank for travel (low fees).
Maps.me — better offline maps and hiking routes than Google Maps in many places.
Splitwise — easy way to split expenses.
Skyscanner — excellent flight search; usually great prices.
Rome2Rio — great for route planning and transport options.

SIM, eSIM, or Wi‑Fi only?

Local SIMs are usually the cheapest option.
For frequent country‑hopping, a global eSIM (e.g., Airalo) can make sense.
Wi‑Fi only = choose your own adventure.

Tech basics:

Power bank, universal adapter, headphones, cables — and charge everything overnight.

Card or cash?

Depends on the country. In Europe: cards are common. In Cuba or Senegal: cash rules.

ATM tips:

Use ATMs of major banks only.
Check fees.
Use Revolut or DKB to save on fees where possible.

Black markets & exchange rates:

Sounds shady but can be normal in some countries (e.g., Cuba). Always research in advance.

Hostel or hotel?

Hostels are great for meeting people and saving money.
Couchsurfing brings local connections; Airbnb is handy for longer stays.

How to find good places:

Check recent reviews, not just star ratings.
Outside of high season, I often book on the same day or check places in person.

Common transport options:

Night buses (save a hostel night)
Shared taxis/collectivos (esp. in Latin America)
Scooters (super popular in Southeast Asia)
Budget flights with AirAsia, Ryanair & others

Tip:

Research reliability of transport and providers. And: a smile helps when things go wrong.

Do’s & Don’ts:

Temples may require covered knees/shoulders; tipping norms vary; specific gestures may be taboo.
Quick research goes a long way — and asking locals is usually appreciated.

Language barriers?

Gestures, smiles, and translation apps often work better than you think.

Mini first‑aid kit:

Sunscreen — often cheaper/better quality at home; bring it.
Insect repellent — buy locally; products are tuned to local critters.
Painkillers & anti‑diarrheals — just a small 1–2 day emergency stash; everything else is cheap and easy to get locally.
Band‑aids — also just a day or two’s supply.

Vaccinations & malaria?

Get advice from a travel clinic or your doctor depending on region.

Avoiding scams:

Be skeptical of “too good to be true”.
Research common scams for your destination.
Save emergency numbers (e.g., card blocking hotline).

Solo travel:

Full freedom and easy local contact — but you’ll need some courage at first. You’ll grow.

With others:

Fun and often cheaper — but compromise is key.

Tip:

Social hostels, free walking tours, and group activities are great for meeting people.

Not every day is Instagram‑perfect.

You’ll get tired, lost, maybe sick — that’s okay. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

Digital detox or always online?

Find your balance. A phone‑free day can change what you see.

When it’s all too much:

Rest day, good food, familiar music, a bit of distance — and you’re back.

Conclusion:

Backpacking isn’t a race or a perfection game. It’s about experiencing, learning, and growing. You don’t need to know it all — you’ll learn most of it on the road.

Pack light, smile often — and have the time of your life 🌍✨