Backpacking
Planning the perfect jaunt with a rucksack
You’ve got time to go away for a good long trip, armed with nothing more than a map, a compass, and a pack on your back. Backpacking is the ultimate in low-cost travel and with some careful planning, and the right flights, you should be able to do it “on a shoestring”.
Choose your flights with care
Flights can be a big part of the overall backpacking cost and chances are you’re flying between major destinations and you’re travelling on a tight budget. The good news is that you’re likely to be able to be very flexible and therefore pick up the cheapest airfares available. Consider these options when looking for cheap airline tickets for backpacking:
- Canada multi-city flights – save when you fly between 3+ domestic cities
- International multi-city flights – save when you fly between 3+ cities abroad
- Around the world tickets – exceptional value for multi-stop international trips
- Air passes – an affordable way to see more of a region or country
- Student tickets – student-only deals, great for domestic flights
More strategies to find cheap airline tickets:
- Learn the basics. Check out Cheapflights-ology to find the golden rules for getting the best deal, every time.
- Find and compare thousands of cheap airline ticket deals.
- Keep an eye on Hot Deals for the latest offers.
Backpacking basics
What other planning should you do? In addition to our air travel planning tips, the following advice should help you plan the ideal backpacking adventure.
Choosing a destination
When you’re deciding where to go backpacking, it's not such a small world. The sheer number of possible options can be overwhelming. This is the fun part. Start by considering key factors such as geography and weather. Think about the season you’re flying into. If you’re travelling in the dead of winter, you’ve got to carry more clothing, but you’re likely to get a much better airfare deal in the off-season. Five top backpacking destinations are Europe, Asia, South America, the States and Africa.
How safe is it?
Canada is a pretty safe place for backpacking, but if you’re headed out of the country, is your desired destination safe at the moment? It’s not just Third World countries that can be unstable, and there are times when it is simply best not to visit. The foreign affairs website is loaded with current safety information and travel warnings by country.
Understanding the culture
Researching the basic customs of a foreign country before you head out is smart and can be fascinating. Simple things such as body language and gestures can vary dramatically from place to place and when you’re backpacking, you’re up close and personal with the local population. Make sure to check on acceptable dress codes for the culture you’re travelling to, especially for women.
Learn a bit of the local language
If you can say "please," "thank you," and "goodbye" in each of the places you visit, you'll get a much warmer reception. Take a phrase book with you. They really come in handy in emergencies and when ordering food.
Do your homework
We have hundreds of flights and travel guides packed with the kind of information that can oil the wheels of travel, from the books to read on the plane to the must-see attractions once you are on the ground. There are also a lot of travel blogs, such as Chicsavvytravels.com, to help your plan your trip in great detail.
Get a sense for local transportation
Unless you plan to do your whole trip on foot, check train timetables, bus schedules, and short, regional flights in advance. Plan a rough schedule before you go. Sticking to it might ruin the fun of backpacking, but know the connections that you cannot afford to miss. For information on transportation in Europe, including Eurail passes, visit backpackeurope.
In case of trouble
Get in touch with your embassy to help you out. They can do everything from arranging a replacement if your passport is stolen to contacting your family to let them know you’re okay. Carry a mobile phone for emergencies, if possible. Don't forget to enable it to make calls from abroad before you go.