Backpacking is not affordable, but you can still manage to do it smartly. You have plenty of options on how to organize this activity and use old gear, upgrade it a little, and invest in something new, to maintain a balance between the expenses. Since you have to bring a lot of things with you, packed in a backpack, you are probably looking for lightweight solutions that come with great quality, but they are usually more expensive than the regular ones, which may be too heavy to bring with you. If you are going with a friend or partner, you will need a tent for two people in the first place and you can click here to find something that will work nicely for you.
And when it comes to sticking to a budget, we have a few things to suggest, including:
1. Avoid heavy gear
Heavy gear is a huge stress on your whole body, and you have to plan these things in advance. Follow the weather forecast, so you can know what you must take, and which are things you can survive without. Also, when it comes to tents, instead of buying a waterproof solution with some advanced properties, you can buy the tent and waterproof cover separately, and it will work just perfectly as you install it properly. At the same time, you are saving space in your backpack, because you can fold them to be smaller, and they don’t weigh a lot, which is good for your pine.
2. Use coupons and wait for sales
Every store can offer deals with a few dollars off if you sign up for their newsletter, or join their membership program. Also, follow their pages regularly, so you can see when they have big sales. It’s a great time to invest in high-quality gear for prices you can afford. Also, the coupons from different sources can make a difference. Don’t be ashamed to use them, because you can save precious amounts of money you can use for something else.
3. Don’t underestimate the preparation phase
img source: rei.com
Today, we have everything available on the Internet. You can check the trails, see if you have to pay for some tickets, or rent the tent area, and count down the potential expenses you may have during your trip. For example, you will need a lot of water to stay hydrated, and you can find small shops on the trails that are recognized as regular paths, so make sure you bring enough money for that. Also, some experienced backpackers will suggest investing in portable water filters, so you can use nature’s sources to drink it, without risk of getting poisoned by chemicals and dirt. This lifestyle demands a lot of changes, and you must be ready for that. The gear is expensive too because no one wants to buy a new tent or backpack every few months.
4. Choose a budget destination
Some countries are much cheaper than the others, and you can simply research that, and see where you can go on your journey. Also, keep in mind that you have to check the safety issues, because the crime rates in some of these countries are very high, and you don’t want to get robbed as you sleep in your tent. Be careful with the street food too, because it doesn’t meet the needed standards, no matter how delicious it is. As you know, we live in a pandemic for more than one year just because these markets weren’t properly controlled. So, choose the destination wisely, and calculate the transport expense too. We highly recommend using the regular ways, like buses, walking, trains, or taxi, and not hold onto auto stopping on the highway – because we don’t want something bad to happen. When it comes to destinations, you have to know that Europe is cheaper than North America, but South America is much cheaper than Europe too. Take the distance in mind, and you won’t end up spending a lot of money on transport.
5. Hostels and camps are cheaper than hotels and private apartments
img source: magazine.tablethotels.com
Probably you can’t afford to stay in a hotel or private accommodation if you are reading this article. But, hostels may offer comfortable conditions too, especially for the nomads like you. And they are much cheaper than the private apartments. Our suggestion is to inform yourself where to stay since you have it all on Booking or Airbnb, or other similar services, so you won’t end up being scared the whole night due to suspicious sounds around you. Camping is a good idea, especially if you find a campsite that will rent a piece of the area for a few dollars only. Consider couch surfing as an option too, but be careful with that too, because there are some scary stories about the hosts who wanted to have intercourse with the guest only.
6. Plan it a few months in advance and save money on a separate card
Saving money for this adventure is a must. You can start planning even one year earlier, so you can manage your money better. You can’t save a lot in a month or two, but if you give yourself at least six months, you can really do it. Some experienced backpackers will suggest opening a separate debit card for traveling, that you can save your money on it, and of course, that works internationally, so you can use it anywhere in the world.
As you can see, it’s not that hard, if you have a plan, you save money, you track down the big sales, and you have someone who supports you. Backpacking can be unusual, and still an exceptional experience for anyone who wants to try something new and exciting. We mentioned a lot of things that can decrease the expenses, but surely, you are the one who is planning it. You only have to be careful not to fall for scams, and take care of the safety. We really hope you will have a good time, or if you can’t do that now, that you will accomplish your dreams next year.
