Are You In for a Backpacking Trip? Check Out These Tips On How to Get the Best Experience without Spending a Fortune
Planning for a backpacking adventure? You don’t have to spend a fortune on your trip to make it fun and exciting. There are things that you can do to cut on the expenses, while still enjoying the experience. This is a great way to explore other places and cultures, especially if you are on a limited budget. Here are some of the tips that can make your next backpacking trip the best one without breaking the bank.
Choose Cheaper Countries
Some countries have higher cost of living than the others. It means that you’ll spend more if you choose to travel in a more expensive country. Search for inexpensive and at the same time interesting countries that you can go to. There are several beautiful places that have lots to offer, but wouldn’t cost you a huge amount of money to stay.
Bring Only the Essentials
As the term backpacking suggests, you’ll be travelling with your backpack with you. Pack light and only the ones you need, so it wouldn’t be difficult for you to carry it around, especially when you need to walk a long distance. Moreover, this will prevent you from paying over your luggage limit at the airport. There’s no need to bring your jewelries and other valuable items that are not really needed for the travel. This is to avoid attracting the attention of pickpockets or thieves.
Stay in a Hostel
Hostels are much cheaper than hotels, but they also offer the privacy of your own bedroom and bathroom. You may even find one with kitchen, in case you’re planning to prepare your own food, which is another way to save cash. Do a research on the available hostels around the place that you’re traveling.
They don’t require reservations so you can check them out when you arrive. If you’re planning to hop from one city to another, take note of the hostels on your target cities as well. With this, you’ll know the best and most affordable places to stay on your next destinations.
Walk Around
What better way to explore a new place, but to walk around. You’ll feel the benefit of packing lightly when you walk for several hours. This will also allow you to save money from using public transportation. It doesn’t mean that you’ll completely veer away from public transportation though, as you would still need it to go to other locations, especially if it’s too far.
Since you’ll be doing a lot of walking, you need to have strength and energy. Condition your body several months before your trip. Exercise and walk regularly so you’ll be ready for your backpacking adventure.
Eat and Drink with the Locals
Wherever you go, restaurants are often not that difficult to find. However, eating at restaurants will cost you more money than eating on local diners or eateries. Get to know some locals and ask them for recommendations on where you can have great foods and drinks at a cheaper price. This is also best if you want to experience the local cuisine of the place you’re in.
Prepare Your Own Meals
As mentioned, you may get a room that comes with a kitchen so you can cook your own meals. This is even more cost-effective than eating at local diners. Buy fresh produce, fish or meat from the wet market or supermarket for your breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Learn to Haggle
Vendors usually offer their products at a higher price for tourists. This is why you must learn how to haggle so you’ll not be robbed on your every purchase. Be nice when haggling though, and avoid fighting or being impolite. Sellers are more likely to lower the price if you’re friendly.
Get Travel Insurance
Don’t think of travel insurance as an additional expense. Unwanted things may happen when you least expect it. You can get assistance in case you experience any of the situations covered by your plan. While travel insurance vary from one provider to another, some of the common risks covered are missed flight connection, travel delays, lost or damaged baggages and medical emergency. It will save you a huge amount of money in case you experience any of these scenarios.
Add zest to your life by starting your backpacking adventure. Remember that you don’t have to overspend just to have the best experience.
Image By Jerzy Strzelecki (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
