Are you backpacking for the first time? If so, we can imagine that you may have questions and curiosity about what would be helpful to know beforehand. Read on to discover the most valuable tips and facts for first-time backpackers!

Don’t Carry Too Much Luggage

We often see backpackers with big bags wherever they travel, but don’t carry too much stuff! Don’t bring too many things, you will soon realize that you don’t need that much stuff on a backpacking trip. Besides, if you have a favorite travel outfit, you will most likely wear it more often. So, avoid bringing a hundred pairs of shoes, a thousand shirts, or a dozen pairs of pants.

Make Copies of Important Documents

Still quite useful are “copies of important documents”! This includes copies of your passport, driver’s license, and health insurance card. Copies of airline tickets, visas, and vaccination booklets are also valid. It is a good idea to keep everything in order, especially if you are backpacking for the first time. If you happen to lose them, at least you have copies. Don’t feel comfortable carrying a whole set of documents with you? Then, of course, you can keep a copy on your cell phone or email. Just what’s right for you!

Choosing a Backpack

Of course, you can borrow a backpack, but it’s also wise to buy a bag that really suits your height and build (hint: you can even get one as a birthday present). Not all backpacks are equally comfortable. If you are going to be carrying a backpack around a lot, from the bus to the hostel and beyond, then having a good bag is essential. If your backpack doesn’t fit your physique, you’ll get back pain faster, and packing isn’t as good as it is with any bag. So, take a good look at what bags are available and which one suits you best.

Leave Expensive Jewelry at Home

Expensive jewelry or jewelry that looks expensive should be left at home. When you are backpacking, you don’t need such things, and the chances of losing or having them stolen are pretty high. You never know who you’ll be with in the dorms, and in some countries, they don’t want to look too rich. The only exception to this is fake women’s wedding rings! Especially if you are a woman traveling alone, this can work wonders and scare away men.

Read

It’s great to have all the information you need at your fingertips. In some countries, wifi is poor, or the information you need is not easily found online, so make sure you read about everything you need beforehand. Think of routes, bus schedules, other public transportation, how long it takes to get somewhere, good hotels, good restaurants, places with nice views. You can either opt for travel books when going backpacking or digital versions like millennial travelers will probably opt for. These are especially good for getting inspiration and choosing different backpacking destinations in advance.

Bring Appropriate Clothing

In some countries, a scarf or sarong may be required, for example, if you are visiting a sacred place. So, when you travel to a country where you think you need one, make sure you bring these things with you. Don’t have a scarf or sarong? You can often rent them locally, but if you are going to be doing this a lot during your trip, it may be smarter and cheaper to bring your own. Places where you may need such a thing include Indonesia, Cambodia, Oman, and Turkey.

Let us know if these few tips have helped you in the comments below!