Whether it’s a gap year or a short adventure away from work ,backpacking is an exciting way to see the world. But where to start? What should you bear in mind?
Plan, plan, plan
Backpacking is cheap, using budget hostels and eating locally, but make sure you get to see what you want to see and keep your spending under control by forward planning.
First, decide where you want to go and what you want to do and then figure out the costs to see whether it fits into a realistic budget. Keep a careful check on what you’re spending by keeping tally on a spreadsheet. For those of you with plenty of time to travel, why not consider working abroad to boost your funds? Bar work is easy enough to come by, or if your language isn’t good enough, you could apply to work at a hostel.
It’s easy to forget that your expenses won’t just be flights and accommodation; don’t forget to factor in in-country travel, sight-seeing as well as visas, travel vaccinations and specialist insurance like Allianz Backpacker Insurance.
Pack light
When you trek in the mountains you will be grateful that your bag is light. Write a list of essential items for your bag and stick to it. As well as saving your back, it’ll mean you won’t be flirting dangerously with the risk of excess baggage charges in the airport.
Flashpack
If you’re sharing a dormitory with fellow travellers and their noise gets too annoying for you, why not try out flashpacking? It’s an upmarket version of backpacking. You keep the authenticity of the travel experience but you pay more for some home comforts, like your own room. Use it to treat yourself from time to time, after all this is supposed to be a holiday, right?
Loo rolls
Before you head out trekking into the desert, jungle or mountains don’t forget the loo roll and sanitising hand gel – the toilets you will encounter might not always be quite what you’re used to…
Reference
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/aug/19/gap-year-budget-adventures-a-to-z
