Things Only Backpackers Can Understand

Backpacking is more than just thrifty traveling - it’s an adventure. It’s a way for travelers to really immerse themselves in the culture of the country they are visiting, and meeting the people beyond just as a tourist. Each trip is a personal challenge to embrace the spontaneity, the chaos, and find the order and calm in it.

Cheesy, right? But for those who haven’t tried backpacking before, that’s exactly what you’ll feel. So before you take on that Asian trip you’ve been planning or booking that Penang accommodation in Georgetown you’ve been eyeing, here are some #BackpackerThings you might want to know.

Just like with normal traveling, you should always do your research beforehand. This includes knowing the general climate when you arrive so you know what it is you need to pack for the trip. Backpackers usually make multiple stops when they travel, so they’d want to know if they need to bring layers during their trip.

You should also know the dos and don’ts so your actions are guided accordingly. The last thing you want is getting in trouble with the local authorities just because you made a hand gesture that seem innocent to you, but mean something different to them.

Chances are, you’re traveling on a budget and would want to allocate your expenses to more important things like admission tickets or food. One of the ways you can save on your trip is making sure you don’t go over your baggage weight limit. Especially if it’s a budget airline, you’re only given a little wiggle room for bag weight. To address this, backpackers wear a lot of layers to make sure you can keep within the limit throughout your trip.

Ask any backpacker, creating an itinerary is the last thing on their priority list. The reasoning behind this is to keep the trip both exciting and educational. If your plans have room enough for spontaneous moments, then you get to experience local life in a way that no itinerary can ever plan for because you’re not constrained for time.

Additionally, you won’t get burned out, and it does happen even when you’re on vacation. Following a strict schedule feels like you’re looking a class schedule, or worse, like it’s work. So you can list down the places you want to see, but make sure you have breathing room.

Never leave without setting aside emergency funds. You can bring this extra money with you or give it to someone who can wire it to you easily. In the event that things don't go as planned, you’ll have prepared for it.

The worst thing to happen on your trip is having no cellular signal. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling to disconnect from social media or to get away from stressors in your life, your phone is still a handy tool for contacting people when you need help or for the apps. So make sure you’ve talked to your network provider about data roaming, or consider buying the local sim.

Backpackers know that if they want to have enough funds to get around, they’ll have to start choosing accommodations and transportation options that offer savings. But that doesn’t mean that should sacrifice quality just because it’s the cheaper option. It’s confusing, for sure. However, once you know the technique, you’ll be able to identify which cheap option offers the best experience.

For instance, when choosing a Penang hotel, most people would go for hostels, airBnBs, or really old hotels. But there are hotels like Evergreen Laurel Hotel Penang which constantly has discount deals on offer when you book directly on their website. Take advantage of those promos sot that you can enjoy the indulgence of being in a hotel but for a much affordable price.

If you’re planning to go on a backpacking trip soon, make sure your prepared by keeping these tips in mind. You won’t have to worry about expenses or how you can immerse yourself in the local culture if you just open yourself up to the experience and prepare really well before the trip.