The Ultimate Travel Tips for Backpackers!

The worst part of any backpacking adventure is the packing. Do you feel like you don’t know where to even start and not sure whether you are taking too much or too little or even the right things? Lucky for you, we have compiled a list of the Ultimate Travel Tips for Backpackers!

Let’s start off with the most important tip

#1 Download Offline Maps as soon as you get WiFi

You don’t want to get lost when you’re in another country so make sure you have all the necessary resources. We’ve got a few tips:

– As soon as you get any source of Wi-Fi head over to Google Maps so that it can download the maps.

This will then be stored on your phone even when you don’t have internet.

– Download What3Words.

This is a revolutionary app that helps make talking about your location simple!

What3Words divides the whole word into separate 3mx3m squares and assigns each of these squares a 3-word code.

So if you ever get lost or separated from your friends you can exactly pinpoint where you are (or where your friends are) using the 3-word code.

– Another tip is to recognise landmarks when you’re walking. The simplest thing to do is to keep an eye out for things.

Anything that stands out that is near where you are staying will make it easier to recognise where you are.

Also, locals are more likely to recognise popular landmarks and give you directions to them rather than places they’ve never heard of.

#2 Don’t pack your whole wardrobe

Whilst it might be nice to have a wide range of your favourite clothes with you so you can have a choice of what to wear, it’s not smart to bring loads of clothes when you backpack. That’s why it has made our list of the Ultimate Travel Tips for Backpackers.

You will get very annoyed if you have to drag all of these clothes with you everywhere you go so here are a few tips on how to choose only the essentials

It’s also important to pack for the weather so make sure you look at the weather forecast before you travel.

You want to make sure you pack clothes that are:

• Light (try to avoid thick raincoats and go for those thin ones that fold up into the size of a CD)
• Simple and plain so that they can match with several outfits
• Suitable for multiple occasions (dinner, parties etc)

Check out this video on how to pack like a pro!

Speaking of clothes this leads us on to our next point!

#3 Don’t buy the biggest backpack available

Even though it might seem wise to buy a big bag, this will only lead to you packing more than you need and eventually you’ll have more with you on your backpacking adventure than you do at home.

So buy an average size, one that isn’t too small and not too big. A bag around 40-50 litres should be perfect.

For more information on the best backpacks click here.

#4 Set a Budget!

It’s important to make sure you stick to a budget firstly as it’s good practice for life and secondly so that you don’t end up broke.
However, you don’t need to be stuck onto it as you might encounter spontaneous events whilst your midway through your holiday that you would like to go to.

So try to have a budget range that way you can be flexible but also strict at the same time.

We also recommend getting a Monzo Card. This is the perfect card for any travellers. You can simply have all your money on this card and use it to pay for stuff without facing the consequences and any International fee charges. You simply pay what the exchange rate is at the time of purchase.

#5. Ask Locals for ideas on what to do!

That’s right, no one will know the city better than its own locals.

Yes, whilst you can find lots of cool things to do on the internet, locals will be able to give you an insight into all the hidden gems that don’t exist on the internet.

By hidden gems, we mean places that not many people know about.

People are usually friendly and will always be happy to help (providing that you ask in a nice way!)

If you’re planning on staying at a hostel be sure to check us out. We have 12 locations all over Europe!

Our team members at our hostels are consist of locals to the area! They will definitely have the best ideas on what to do!

#6. Bring some things to keep you entertained

When you’re a backpacker you should expect to be travelling for long hours every day which can get quite boring.

So to keep yourself entertained and to help make the journey go quick look to bring some small items with you.

A classic is a deck of cards! There are 100’s of games you can play with cards and is always a good way to break the ice if your travelling alone! You can also bring a book or a crossword puzzle book.

#7. Take care of your health 

Even though you might say you never get sick, when you’re on a backpacking adventure you are likely to get sick if you don’t look after yourself.

So make sure to pack all the essential medicines with you so that you have easy access to them whenever you need. Take everything such as painkillers, soothers, plasters & electrolyte tablets.

Also, you don’t have to take medicine to stay healthy. Make sure you get a good amount of fruit in your diet when travelling. The natural vitamins will help keep your immune system in check.

#8. Research, research & research

Research is key before you make any travel plans. You want to make sure that you’re travelling to a place that you will enjoy and also feel comfortable in.

Make a list of all the things YOU want to do while you’re travelling. Whatever your interest is be sure to match that while you travel.

If you’re stuck on ideas have a look into the common things that other travellers do in that city to spark some interest.

Read up on travel blogs as they often give very good advice! In fact, we’ve got some great travel blogs on our [E]xplorer Blog. Be sure to check it out.

Also whilst it’s good to know about the popular tourist destinations it is also important to research the culture.

Different places have different rules, some that you might not think even exists. You don’t want to unintentionally offend someone so be sure to research this aspect as well.

#9. Carry Plastic Bags

You are bound to either have a wet swimming costume or dirty clothes while you travel and it would be wise not to mix these with your fresh and dry clothes.

So carrying bags to separate these is a perfect idea.

You can also use plastic bags to keep your clothes categorised making it even easier to find certain items.

#10. See what you can share

This only really applies to people backpacking in groups.

You don’t want to each be bringing the same item on your trip. Get in pairs and speak about things you can share. Things such as shampoo and shower gel can be easy things to share which will also save you space in your bag.

There are obviously some things that you can’t share but with enough planning, you can save a lot of space!

Even if you run out of the things you have shared you can always purchase many branded items in local supermarkets, sometimes even for cheaper than back home!

There you have it, our list of the Ultimate Travel Tips for Backpackers is complete! Hopefully, this has given you a good insight into what you can do to make your backpack trip a lot easier.

Have we missed any? Have you got another tip? Be sure to let us know via Instagram!