Backpacking for beginners: route, budget and preparation

Your first backpacking trip is exciting and maybe a touch overwhelming. Where do you start, how much does it cost and what do you take? Good news: backpacking is one of the most accessible ways of travelling there is. In this guide to backpacking for beginners we go step by step through choosing a destination, setting a route and budget, and preparing, so you set off with confidence.

Backpacking for beginners: choose a suitable destination

As a beginner you'd best choose a destination that eases you in gently. Some regions are ideal for a first backpacking trip because they're cheap, feel safe and have a well-trodden path where you easily meet other travellers. Think of areas with lots of hostels, reliable public transport and a lively travel atmosphere.

• Go for a country where many backpackers travel, so the infrastructure is geared to travellers.
• Watch the season and the climate for the time you want to go.
• When in doubt, pick a destination where you have plenty to do without having to travel far.

Put together a realistic route

The classic beginner's mistake is wanting to see too much in too little time. Constantly moving on is expensive, tiring and in the end you mostly see bus and train stations. Better to plan fewer places and stay a bit longer at each. That way you really get to know a destination and keep energy for the fun things.

• Count on at least two to four nights per destination before moving on.
• Build in rest days. A trip needs breaks too.
• Keep your route flexible, so you can stay longer where you like it.

Set your budget

Backpacking is flexible, so you largely set your budget yourself. Work with fixed daily amounts instead of one big total, then everything scales with the length of your trip. Split your costs into a few clear categories:

• Transport: your outbound and return journey, plus buses and trains along the way.
• Sleeping: hostels, usually per night, where a bed in a dorm is the cheapest.
• Food: eating local and on the street saves hugely compared with restaurants.
• Activities and a buffer for unexpected expenses.

Pack light and smart

The golden rule of backpacking is: everything you take, you carry yourself. New backpackers almost always pack too much. Lay out everything you think you need and then take out a third again. Choose versatile clothing you can layer and that dries quickly.

• Take a backpack you can lift comfortably, not a lead-heavy case on your back.
• Choose clothes you can easily combine and wash.
• Limit electronics and toiletries to the truly necessary.
• Keep important documents both on paper and digitally.

Sort your preparation in time

A few practical things are best sorted well before departure. They sound boring, but they make the difference between a carefree trip and hassle on the road.

• Check that your passport stays valid long enough and whether you need a visa.
• Take out good travel and cancellation insurance.
• Find out which vaccinations are recommended for your destination.
• Make copies of your passport, tickets and insurance papers.

Keep an overview on the road

On the road your plan changes constantly, and that's exactly when an overview is worth gold. If your route, bookings, budget and documents are in one place, you don't have to search through ten apps and emails. A travel planner like Zuvy puts your whole trip, including budget and documents, on a timeline, so even as a beginner you keep a grip while staying flexible. Feel free to set off with half a plan. The best discoveries you make on the road anyway.