Backpacking is an activity that is ever increasing in popularity. It is great fun, cheap and can be very enriching. It's a wonderful way to see the world, but backpacking does not mean disorganised travel. In many ways, it requires more organisation in order to stay safe, keep costs low and squeeze out every bit of fun from the trip. Here are a few backpacking tips that will enrich the backpacking experience and are globally applicable.
It is a good idea to take only the basic minimum of the things one would require on a trip. What is important is to carry basic necessities like a mobile phone, guidebook and camera. These are vital for wading through the intricate maze of the local culture.
All traveling does carry some degree of risk of injury. The reality is that there may be some places on the trip that may not exactly be an injured person's paradise. It might happen on a hike in the middle of nowhere or in a town that does not offer basic medical facilities at night. Carrying a first aid box with bandages, digestive syrups, and other simple daily medical items is a wise move.
Avoid carrying cash or expensive equipment as far as possible. A credit card is the backpacker's best friend on a trip. It's imperative to have some sort of insurance for both medical emergencies and in case of theft or other emergencies. Insurance providers such as Direct Travel Insurance provides customised policies for all kinds of trips.
The very fun of travelling comes from mingling with the locals and experiencing the local culture. No matter how globalised the world gets, each city and each country will have it's very own nuanced culture. Taking advantage of global friendships and experiencing the nuances of a country's life makes a trip a lot more enjoyable. Friends can also be very helpful in helping with discovering smaller cultural details like a delightful cafe, a festival most people are not aware of and so on.
Saving money is important for backpackers. Booking in advance for flight tickets and hotel / hostel stays is smart because discounts are often offered for early bookings. For trains and buses, there are passes available by week or by month which can be really useful in saving money. There are also benefits to be gained from off season booking and from group travel discounts. Travelling in a group is great fun, and can also be very economical, not to mention safer.
Speaking of safety, it is foolhardy to assume that all places are equally safe. Consulates / High Commission websites for the concerned country often provide safety tips for travelling in the country. Again, consulting the locals for information is a good idea. There are also some generic safety practices like not taking lifts from strangers, not travelling in dark areas at night and not allowing perfect strangers to buy drinks.
With some common sense and a lot of organisation, a backpacking trip might be comfortable and enriching, while being economical at the same time.
