{"id":7731,"date":"2018-04-13T20:56:11","date_gmt":"2018-04-13T18:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/?p=7731"},"modified":"2025-05-01T10:23:38","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T08:23:38","slug":"backpacking-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/planning\/backpacking-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"Backpacking for Beginners: How to Plan an Affordable Adventure Step-by-Step"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you a first-time backpacker unsure where to begin? Look no further! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of planning an affordable backpacking adventure, from pre-trip preparations to your triumphant return home, with a special focus on budget-conscious travel.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Choose a low-cost destination<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it might seem self-evident, selecting a budget-friendly destination is paramount for planning an affordable backpacking adventure. Although the initial airfare to these locales can be costly, once you arrive, maintaining a minimal budget for accommodation, transportation, food, and activities becomes surprisingly easy.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For your first international backpacking experience, Southeast Asia is highly recommended due to its exceptionally low cost of living. Additionally, Southeast Asian countries generally offer a safer travel environment compared to other popular regions like Latin America.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternative budget-friendly destinations include Eastern Europe and Central Asia.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out my destinations travel guides.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/destinazione_low_cost-1.jpg\" alt=\"Mete low cost nel mondo come Sud est asiatico, Sud America, Europa Est\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Visa, Vaccines and Insurance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After selecting your destination and securing your flight, it&#8217;s time to tackle the bureaucratic aspects of your trip. Some countries do not offer visas on arrival. In these cases, you must apply for a visa, which may incur a fee. A comprehensive list of visa requirements depending on your passport <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.passportindex.org\/travel-visa-checker\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can be found here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but I still recommend checking official sourcers. Certain countries also mandate vaccinations.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, do yourself a favour and purchase travel insurance that covers at least medical expenses and liability. I&#8217;ve written a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comprehensive article comparing the best travel insurance options<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which I encourage you to read.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/sicurezza_in_viaggio-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Sicurezza in viaggio specialmente quando si va in zone isolate\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Create a travel itinerary<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To maintain a budget-friendly trip throughout, I recommend gathering information about potential itineraries and attractions online. The internet is teeming with websites, blogs, and forums dedicated to these topics. Alternatively, consider purchasing a Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, or any of the numerous guidebooks available. However, remember that no guidebook is flawless, and keeping them up-to-date is challenging. Furthermore, everything you read is often subjective. If you&#8217;re unsure where to start, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/chatgpt.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">just prompt Chat Gpt<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you&#8217;ve gathered all the necessary information, it&#8217;s time for the actual planning:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a wishlist:\u00a0 Compile a list of things you&#8217;d like to see, but remember that seeing everything a country offers is impossible, as it is constantly moving from place to place. Aim to spend at least two nights in each location before moving on. Travel can be exhausting, so it&#8217;s better to experience a few places at a leisurely pace than to rush from one destination to another.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Map your itinerary:\u00a0 Locate and mark your points of interest on a map (Google Maps works well) to visualize their locations and create a logical itinerary. For instance, consider a trip to northern Italy starting in Milan and ending at Lake Garda, with Venice and Bologna as intermediate stops. Following this order is much more sensible than visiting Venice, Lake Garda, then Bologna. A geographically optimized itinerary will save you both time and money.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allow for flexibility: Itineraries can change rapidly. You might decide to explore a different location based on recommendations from fellow travelers or encounter unforeseen circumstances. It&#8217;s unlikely that everything will go precisely as planned, so let your instincts guide you, remain calm if things go awry, and don&#8217;t hesitate to skip some stops in favor of others or simply spend more time in a place you particularly enjoy. Embrace spontaneity and have fun!<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/pianificare_-1.jpg\" alt=\"Pianificare il viaggio prima e mentre si viaggia\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Choosing the Right Gear for Your Backpacking Trip<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, it&#8217;s time to pack your bags. I highly recommend using a travel backpack. Regardless of your luggage choice, pack according to your trip&#8217;s nature, considering the climate and planned activities (e.g., trekking, snorkeling), and always prioritizing lightness.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traveling light is the most valuable advice I can offer regarding packing. It will save you money, allowing you to walk instead of taking taxis and avoiding checked baggage fees. You&#8217;ll also appreciate it when moving between locations without straining yourself (if you&#8217;re considering a wheeled suitcase, remember that elevators and smooth sidewalks won&#8217;t always be available).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can find a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/gear\/packing-list\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comprehensive packing list for your trip at this link<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/preparare_il_babaglio-1.jpg\" alt=\"Prepare il bagaglio nel modo giusto prima di partire \u00e8 fondamentale\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>How to find low-cost accommodations<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I&#8217;m a big fan of hostels and wholeheartedly recommend them. Often dismissed, hostels have significantly elevated their quality standards in recent years while maintaining affordability. They&#8217;re inherently social spaces, making them ideal for solo travelers. Increasingly, hostels offer private rooms at lower rates than hotels, catering to those who prefer not to share accommodations.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For booking hostels and accommodation in general, my go-to platform is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/index.html?aid=1680713\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">booking.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those on an ultra-tight budget, besides traditional camping, I suggest exploring <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.couchsurfing.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Couchsurfing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which offers the opportunity to stay with locals for free. It&#8217;s also a fantastic way to connect with people in the area.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I personally recommend booking only the first few nights in advance and securing subsequent accommodations once you&#8217;re certain of your plans. I value flexibility, and pre-booking can create unnecessary constraints. However, make an exception during peak seasons or holidays, as not having a reservation can be risky.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another indirect way to save on accommodation is by traveling overnight (for long distances) on night buses or trains. This not only eliminates the cost of a night&#8217;s stay but also saves you valuable time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/alloggio_economico-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ostello economico a Punta Gallinas in Colombia.\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>How to get around while spending less<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In short, utilize public transportation, avoid taxis whenever possible, and walk whenever feasible. These three simple steps will save you a substantial amount of money.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, sometimes taking a taxi is unavoidable. In developing countries, which are often popular budget destinations, fares are often determined arbitrarily, with a tendency to overcharge tourists. Agree on the price before getting in to avoid unnecessary disputes upon arrival.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever possible, use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uber.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uber<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/sg\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grab<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for short distances (especially prevalent in Southeast Asia), while BlaBlaCar is recommended for long distances.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the more adventurous, hitchhiking is always an option. In some countries, it&#8217;s not only relatively safe but also a common practice.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While not flawless, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rome2rio.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome2rio<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a useful website for determining how to reach specific destinations. I also recommend consulting the &#8220;Get in&#8221; and &#8220;Get out&#8221; sections of the relevant <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wikitravel.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wikitravel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> page.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/spostarsi_low_cost-2.jpg\" alt=\"Trasporto locale a Nicaragua\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>How to eat cheaply<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having the option to cook your own meals is almost always the most economical choice. Therefore, especially in destinations that aren&#8217;t particularly budget-friendly, I always try to find hostels with kitchens.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if your chosen destination is known for being affordable, you can often eat out for very little money. My advice is to visit the local markets, both for meals and to stock up on fresh produce. Markets not only offer the best prices but are also fascinating places to explore!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to restaurants, use common sense and avoid overly touristy areas. A restaurant filled with locals rather than tourists is generally a good sign. Using Google Maps and the price filter to look for restaurants works really well for me.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/mangiare_spendendo_poco-1.jpg\" alt=\"cibo locale in Asia\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>How to book tour, activities and tickets<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, I advise against booking any activities, tours, or tickets online, except for those with limited daily visitor access, like Machu Picchu. In such cases, purchasing entrance tickets in advance is definitely worthwhile.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regarding tours and activities, booking directly with a local agency upon arrival is almost always cheaper. A particularly appealing option for budget travelers is the &#8220;free walking tour,&#8221; where the guide expects a tip at the end. These tours are widespread in many tourist destinations and provide an excellent introduction to a city without breaking the bank.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/machu_pichu-1.jpg\" alt=\"Machu Pichu in Per\u00f9\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Before returning home or visiting another country<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before leaving your current destination, calculate the necessary cash for transportation, meals, exit fees, etc., and exchange any excess currency before reaching the airport, where exchange rates are notoriously unfavorable. Ideally, you could swap money with a fellow traveler at the official rate, but this isn&#8217;t always feasible. Alternatively, seek out a reputable currency exchange shop, get recommendations from your hostel or do some research on google maps.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you anticipate a long wait at the airport, pack food and water (empty your water bottle before security and refill it in the bathroom once inside the gate area). As a general rule, avoid airport purchases due to inflated prices.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When crossing borders overland, you&#8217;ll likely find individuals near immigration offering currency exchange at reasonable rates. I recommend downloading the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xe.com\/ja\/apps\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">XE Currency app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to have real-time exchange rates readily available.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ilbackpacker\/\">Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\">travel insurance<\/a> through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truetraveller.com\/?tag=4486\">True Traveller<\/a>. For everyone else, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/heymondo.com\/?utm_medium=Afiliado&amp;utm_source=ILBACKPACKER&amp;utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&amp;cod_descuento=ILBACKPACKER&amp;ag_campaign=INPUT&amp;agencia=3e3e0e90cc3ad100e738962ea2e0b0be8d69\">HeyMondo<\/a>, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=QTBBEQQCE37GA\">For donations\/pizzas and virtual beers<\/a> \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>Did you like the post? Pin it!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7653\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/STEP-BY-STEP-GUIDE.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"330\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/STEP-BY-STEP-GUIDE.png 330w, https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/STEP-BY-STEP-GUIDE-200x300.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 330px) 100vw, 330px\" \/>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you a first-time backpacker unsure where to begin? Look no further! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of planning an affordable backpacking adventure, from pre-trip preparations to your triumphant return home, with a special focus on budget-conscious travel.<\/span>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5473,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-planning"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7731"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7731\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5473"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}