5 Backpacking Tips

Have you been planning a backpacking trip but don’t know how to go about preparing for a trip? Backpacking may seem very intimidating but it doesn’t have to be.

All you have to do is start with proper preparation and put in the right amount of effort from the very beginning. Be sure to read all the information below so you’ll know what steps to take in order to plan your trips effectively.

1 - Estimate your backpack expenses

With the dates and destination set, it's time to calculate how much it will cost to make your backpack. In fact, it is at this stage that some travelers discover that the expenses will be higher than they imagined.

If that's your case, and even if you apply some techniques to travel cheap the value remains unfeasible, change the destination.

Some expenses that you should not forget to put at the tip of your pencil are: air or bus tickets, travel insurance, expenses with documentation (such as issuing a passport), accommodation, food, internal displacement, entertainment (tours and tourist attractions), night outings and shopping.

And of course, this is just a list so you can remember everything, but make whatever adaptations are necessary for YOUR backpack.

2 - Pay attention to the documentation

If you happen to be making an international backpack, be aware of the documents you will need to travel.

In addition to the classic valid passport, in some cases you will also need a visa, travel insurance, international yellow fever vaccination certificate (or other types of vaccine), proof of reservation of your accommodation, proof of departure flight from the country and proof you have enough money to support yourself during your stay.

Obviously not all countries demand all this. Each location or region has its own criteria. However, check this carefully before traveling to avoid any setbacks.

3 - Research about transport

Keep in mind how you will get around during your backpack. And I'm not just referring to intercity displacements, the truth being told requires more careful planning. But also research how to get around the city you are visiting.

Walking? Buses? Subway? Taxi? Uber? Bike? There is usually more than one alternative. And each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on the comfort you want and how much you are willing to invest, whether it's time or money.

For intercity travel, research whether it is best to travel by plane, bus or train. Once again: they all have their pros and cons, it's up to you to decide which is best suited.

If you decide to travel by bus, research in advance which companies make the route, what the ticket price is, how often and if you should buy it a few days in advance, or at the time of travel.

Not least, research ways to get around between airports and where you'll be staying. Taxi, of course, will always be a comfortable option, but it will always be the most expensive. Look for other ways to save money.

4 - What to pack

“Don't go overboard when packing your luggage”, this is a tip I would like to have a receipt for when I made my first backpack.

Although we think that we need to take a change of clothes for each day of the trip, in practice, this doesn't quite work.

Clothes for a week are more than enough. Regardless of how many days your trip will be. Keep in mind that it's more practical – and not as expensive – for you to wash your clothes while backpacking, rather than carrying around unnecessary weight.

The same goes for other junk we think we're going to need. We usually pack objects that we would never need, and forget about more useful ones.

By the way, here's the tip not to forget anything important: start packing your suitcase a few days before your backpack. This will give you the opportunity to remember items that are really needed and that are still out of the suitcase.

Just be careful not to let the spell turn against the sorcerer, and keep putting things and more unnecessary things.

5 - Read this Book About Budget Travel and Cheap Flights (Click at this affiliate link to go for the store)