Backpacking is an experience should do at least once in their life, but whether you are preparing for a few months exploring an entire continent, or a fortnight taking on a brand-new country, you must make sure you leave feeling prepared.
Whether you have recently completed your A-Levels or degree and feel its time to broaden your horizons with a gap year or round the world trip, or you are a more mature backpacker who has thrown off the shackles of your nine-to-five lifestyle to take a mid-life career break – it always pays to be fully prepared for the journey you are about to undertake.
Follow our travel planning guide will ensure that you have all essentials covered before you even think about picking out the perfect swim suit or the most spacious backpack.
Here are some important things to consider before going backpacking which will help you to stay safe and enjoy the trip of a lifetime exploring the world.
1. Travel Insurance
Filling in forms and being sensible is often the last thing that is likely to be on your mind before you set off on what is likely to be the most exciting and inspiring trip of a lifetime, but it is vital to make sure that you have covered all the bases when it comes to insurance and medical cover.
Medical travel insurance can ensure that your expenses are covered if you fall ill or injure yourself in a country that does not provide free medical treatment. Ensure that you have the correct type of travel insurance, which can vary dependent on the location of your trip and what you are planning to do whilst you are there.
Make sure your policy it covers the activities you will do (even if you aren’t sure what you will get up to, it’s better safe than sorry), your valuable items you are taking with you and all the countries you plan on visiting. Read the small print, and make sure there are no cheeky clauses that stop you claiming back!
2. Travel Finances
Keeping a track on your money both before and during your trip is another essential that without proper planning can go very wrong – very quickly. Attempting to plan how much money you will need for an extended backpacking trip is difficult even for the seasoned traveller, so try to ensure that you have saved more than you think you will need.
When carrying money it is best to carry it either as traveller’s cheques or use a credit card, which if stolen means you will not be left penniless in a country hundreds of miles from home. Another top tip is to leave some money at home with a trusted friend or relative, who can then send you this money via international money transfer as and when you need it.
3. Vaccinations
When planning your trip, make sure that you arrange to have the correct vaccinations that are necessary for each destination. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website is the best place to look for the specific vaccinations for individual countries.
Immunisations and vaccinations are essential for the backpacker as there are many diseases that are not widespread in the UK, such as malaria, dengue fever and rabies that are far more common in other areas of the world – so do not be tempted to run the risk of not getting your jabs, as the outcome could be extremely painful and unfortunate.
4. Visas
Once you have picked out the countries you are intending to visit it is important to research what sort of visa you will need when visiting. These visa requirements may be significantly different depending on the country, so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to arrange them before you leave, as you may need to visit the countries embassy here in the UK to apply. Overstaying the time allotted to you by your visa can be a very serious offence in some countries, so make sure you have fully understood the limitations and restrictions of your visa before travelling.
5. Make a Copy of Documents
A photocopy or online backup of your passport, any boarding passes for upcoming flights, proof of travel insurance and any medical documents you may need. Having one folder filled with all these copies makes life a whole lot easier if anything bad may happen.
6. Buy a Padlock
It sounds obvious, but is surprisingly easy to forget. When interrailing around Europe, me and my friend arrived at our first stop in Paris to the unfortunate realisation we had forgot to bring one. Staring at an unlocked locker full of our valuables, it felt like the locks on the river Seine were taunting us. We bought one that day, but for a price much larger than if we ordered a few when at home.
7. Long-life, Healthy Snacks
Travelling is tiring, and with the excitement of exploration, it can be hard to take time to think about and eat nutritional food (especially when on a budget). When I travelled Europe, my diet mainly consisted of supermarket bakery items.
Whilst yummy at first, I wish I bought some nuts or raisins to keep me going throughout the day. Also, more generally, try and remember to eat well! Fruit from supermarkets, salad veg like tomatoes or carrots and loads of water will keep you well whilst travelling.
8. Micro-fibre Towels are Really Useful
They can get a bit gross after a few weeks of use, so make sure they dry properly after you use them, but their compact size makes them incredible for long-term travel. I kept mine in the side of my bag, in the water bottle hold, which I would recommend for easy access.
9. Remember a Portable Charger
Without my portable charger, I think I would have gotten lost in every city I had visited. I don’t think you realise how much you rely on your phone until you travel – it has your directions, your money, your recommendations. A portable charger means you can head out for the whole day, not worrying about what you will do once your phone dies.
10. Hand Sanitiser / Wipes
Travelling is a bit gross at times – you are endlessly in public spaces such as museums, trains, or metros, meaning you’re exposed to an abundance of different germs and bacteria.
This combined with the fact you probably won’t be sleeping as much nor eating as healthy food as normal means you do have a higher chance of getting sick.
At least if you are always sanitising your hands before you eat (and in general), you are more likely to stay healthy on your travels.
11. Check Medication
Outside of the U.K, medication and painkillers are usually quite expensive. Bringing a pack or two will save you money, and you will thank your past self when you have them at a quick access.
Definitely check the FCDO travel advice for information about what medication you can bring into the country. In certain countries common painkillers containing ‘Codeine’ and UK prescribed medicines are illegal.
12. Pack a Plastic Bag for Dirty Laundry
I didn’t think of this until I was on my travels, and it helped so much – I hate the idea of mixing my dirty and clean laundry, so this meant I could separate them and keep track of what I had left (and what I would have to wash in a hostel sink that night…).
13. Plug Adaptors are a Must
When at train stations or airports, plug adaptors are super expensive, so ordering a few before saves you a good amount of money. I would recommend bringing more than one just in case anything breaks!
14. Carry Toilet Paper
Some hostels don’t provide toilet paper and neither do some public restrooms. And when you are doing your business in nature, remember to take your toilette paper back with you. You would not want to see other people’s TP flying around during your trek.
15. Always Have Fun
Be sure to leave room for fun and silliness and don’t take yourself too seriously. We meet travelers that have forbidden technology, are the authority of good music, know the solutions for developing countries, feel as though they are always getting scammed, negotiate everything and truly hate all Americans. Please, everyone, relax, have fun and enjoy life.
16. Never Pass Up Once in Lifetime Opportunities
When you are presented with a once in a life time opportunity, take it, even if you do get motion sickness. On my Nazca Lines flight I only got to see 4 out of 12 figures because I got sick on the plane, as I knew I would. It was a miserable 30min flight that I would do all over again if it were my only opportunity to see the famous Nazca Lines.
17. Be Flexible and Patient
Expect the unexpected, because things will go wrong. In Costa Rica our bus broke down, in Chile our rental vehicle almost got stuck in 2 feet of mud (that was really scary) and in Bolivia our jeep got a flat tire and the fuel pump broke during our Uyuni tour. We also lost out on $135USD worth of bus tickets when, after 9 months of reading military time, we understood 20:00 hours as 10pm.
18. Document Your Journey, But Don’t Risk Your Life
Capturing the great photo or video footage is part of the excitement during your travels, but be sure to take calculated risks when doing so. Jason has fallen endless times while filming during a trek, almost breaking the camera and his face. In Bolivia, it’s often considered rude to take photos of people and you might get rocks thrown at you.
19. Never Under Estimate the Power of Nature
The wind in Patagonia can blow you over. Your backpack goes first and you follow. You can’t climb on ice with regular boots. Rain can create flash floods in minutes. Glacier water is naturally delicious.
10. Be Patient With Your Partner
There will be good days and bad days. You are with them 24/7, all the time, night and day and the next morning. Okay, you get the picture. Just be sure to have fun together and share the experiences you both want to have.
Go Explore the World
These are just a few of the things you will find useful when backpacking for the first time, but there are also things you find you’ll want when on the move.
Backpacking is a unique adventure, and everyone adapts to new environments differently. The most important thing is you feel safe, comfortable and know when to take rest days so you can enjoy the experience to the fullest.
Happy travels!