Backpacker Tips — Budget Travel, Packing List & Must-Knows
- I'd 45-liter backpack or less is perfectly sufficient
- Always with me: travel towel, packing cubes, medicine bag, waist pack, plug adapter
- Clothing roll instead of combining
- Accommodation: Booking.com or Hostelworld — never longer than 1-2 nights book
- The cheapest way to travel is usually by bus and train; for comfort, use the Uber app.
Contents of this post6 chapters
The backpack:
Don't make the same mistake I did on my first backpacking trip and buy the biggest backpack you can get. A 45L (or less) backpack is completely sufficient!
Remember: There are shopping opportunities in other countries too!
The packing list:
You can find 100 packing lists on the internet. But keep in mind that at least half of it can usually be left at home!
Always with me:
- Travel towel (ultra small)
- panniers
- Medication bag
- Small fanny pack (wearable under clothing!)
- In Asia: Bite-Away Stick
- A small cuddly blanket (I can never be without one!)
- Plug adapter for the respective country
Remember: Only pack the things that are really necessary for you!
Pro tip: Roll clothes instead of folding them! 😉
The accommodation:
I prefer booking through Booking.com or Hostelworld. It's easy and I can filter exactly what I want.
For real penny pinchers, I recommend the Couchsurfing or Airbnb app.
Remember: Never book longer than 1-2 nights. You can always extend! This way you save yourself a lot of stress if the accommodation is not as expected! 🙏
Travel insurance for your backpacking trip
For longer trips there are international health insurance plans that can be canceled monthly.
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The transport:
There are plenty of options here. But most of the time, you'll find buses and trains to be the cheapest!
If you want a bit more comfort, I recommend downloading the UBER app!
Remember: Of course, you can also walk or ride a bike around! 😛
MEETING PEOPLE
The easiest way for me to meet people was in hostels. It usually happens naturally. Often the hostel itself also offers group activities. Alternatively, there are also countless Facebook groups, etc.
I've met incredibly wonderful people on my journey ❤️!
It's always cool to know someone halfway around the world & meet again even after years!
I was grateful for every little tip back then & sifted through the whole internet. In the end, you figure everything out 🥰
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Frequently Asked Questions
How big should my backpacking backpack be?
Don't make the same mistake I did on my first trip and buy the biggest backpack you can find. A 45-liter backpack or less is perfectly sufficient. Remember: There are shopping opportunities in other countries too.
What should you really pack?
I always pack: an ultra-small travel towel, packing cubes, a medicine bag, a small fanny pack that can be worn under clothing, a Bite-Away stick (for Asia), a small blanket, and a plug adapter for the country I'm traveling to. At least half of the items on packing lists from the internet can stay at home.
How far in advance should I book accommodation?
Never stay longer than 1 or 2 nights. You can always extend your stay later—this saves you a lot of stress if the accommodation isn't what you expected. I prefer to book through Booking.com or Hostelworld; for real bargain hunters, there's Couchsurfing or Airbnb.
How do I meet people while traveling?
The easiest way is at a hostel; it usually happens all by itself. Hostels often offer group activities, or alternatively, there are countless Facebook groups.
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“Life is too short for ‘someday’.”
Janet Dannehl
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For the past eight years, I've worked with tourism boards, hotels, and premium brands—authentically, personally, and effectively. Combined with Max Haase, we reach over 6 million people.
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