Backpacking isn’t complicated and can be a wonderful experience. In fact, it is the simplicity that makes it so attractive. With only your pack on your back, there are no limits to what you can do or see. Backpacking allows you to expand your horizons by taking excursions away from your original plan, the part of what makes backpacking so much fun. Planning a backpacking trip may seem trivial at home, but can become complicated when you are in a strange place. Essential gear for your trip will include Backpack, Fast Drying Towel, Walking Shoes, Socks and Underwear, Long Underwear, Pillow Case, Sleeping Bag, Passport, Spy Wallet, Day Pack, Sunscreen and a Camera.
One option with backpacking is the backpacker hostel. These hostels are usually very affordable. Many hostels provide self-catering kitchens where you can cook your own meals and some even have their own restaurants, cafes and bars. Some hostels even provide meals, such as a free breakfast, while many hostels provide internet access and laundry. You should book a room at a hostel early in the day or the day before rather than wander the streets at night looking for a room. It is useful to be able to compare room rates at a number of hostels in your preferred destination. Hot Tip: Book a room in a hostel before you travel so that you aren’t roomless on your arrival.
Generally, large city hostels are open 24 hours per day, while others may have shorter opening hours. During the daytime, there is usually a lockout time from early morning to late afternoon when the rooms are being cleaned, though the hostel custom is that all guests clean up after themselves. Today, many hostels are not unlike budget hotels where the only significant difference is the price. Many hostels provide access for wheelchair users, and specially adapted rooms are becoming more common. Many hostels in the country are so quiet you can hear the air move.
Almost all hostels offer lockers, either free of charge or for hire so that people staying in dormitories can lock up their valuables. Safeguard your important documents and money – Get one of those thin money belts that fit inside your clothes. That way you can carry your passport and money with you at all times. Common identification used to stay in hostels includes passports, photo driver’s licenses and state or country identity cards. Hot Tip: Many hostels give discounts to students, so you should always keep your student card handy, if you have one.
It isn’t only the young who use hostels. Many older travellers use hostels for cheap accomodation at their destinations. People from all walks of life and every corner of the world stay in hostels. There are hostels in castles, in teepees and in railroad carriages. Hostels provide a great way to meet new people and experience new things which is why they appeal to such a diverse range of traveler. Think about a backpack adventure and staying in hostels for a future vacation.
GREAT post, I enjoyed it a lot! I’m excited to do backpacking now! Thank for sharing!!!
Hi Carlanne
I just thought that I would update you on a few things in your post.
The hostel industry especially in Europe and Australasia has developed enormously over the last 10-15 years.
Most hostels provide sheets and won’t let you use sleeping bags. The reason for this is to prevent the spread of greeblies such as bed bugs.
Independent backpacker hostels hardly ever have a lockout during the day. In fact I can only think of some in Paris that still do this. This is mainly an old YHA feature although a lot them don’t have lockouts now.
Booking a hostel now is never easier. There are virtually a plethora of specialist booking sites such as http://www.hostelworld.com and http://www.hostelbookers for travellers to choose from. You are right through make sure you book early especially in the height of summer where hostels start to fill early. Booking 2 weeks ahead is the norm.
Security is a big issue especially where to carry your passport. I have worked in the youth travel industry for near on 20 years and most passports and money go missing when travellers are out site seeing. My advice is never carry your passport when you are going out at night. Lock it in the hostels safe and take another form of ID with you.
Also never carry all your valuables in one place i.e a day pack. always divide up your valuables. Before you leave photocopy your passports credit cards etc: Keep one copy with you and Give the other to someone look after just in case.Its a lot easier to get replacement documents if you have photocopies of the originals.
I Hope That this helps
Pops