Planning a backpacking trip

[hottiedoggie]

Hey guys, so i had been thinking of going backpacking to SEA but i'm unsure of how to go about planning. As of now, I think i would be backpacking solo. Any tips for a newbie? Thinking of backpacking to Thailand for 1-2 weeks

 

[butterbarter]

Easy. First, research on the places you wanna go. You can use wikivoyage.com or wikitravel.com, tripadvisor, etc to zero in on the parts of Thailand you wanna go. If you are newbie, its easier to visit places with alot of tourists (bangkok, chiangmai, huahin, phuket, etc), since the locals there are more likely to be able to speak English and the hotels and transport network is well developed.

For each area/city, decide on the attractions you wanna visit. Goto google maps and create a custom My Map and locate all the places and attractions you wanna visit. Download the map KML to your phone. Download a copy of Triposo or other travel guide to your phone as well for travel info.

Book your tickets and hotel (i use agoda or booking.com for hotels, but there are many equivalent sites).

Make a packing list, and try not to overpack. Keep everything to just a single 40L carryon backpack. My pack is usually 3.5-4.5 kg, including the backpack, depending if I'm going to a hot place, cold place, and the bag I happen to be using. This allows you to travel light and fast. People struggling with multiple bags become easy targets for pickpockets and snatchthieves.

On arrival, get a data SIM card for online access without having to rely on Wifi hotspots.

Lastly, buy travel insurance, use a money belt, stay alert, avoid dark lonely places, and don't carry your wallet or passport in your back pocket.

Hey guys, so i had been thinking of going backpacking to SEA but i'm unsure of how to go about planning. As of now, I think i would be backpacking solo. Any tips for a newbie? Thinking of backpacking to Thailand for 1-2 weeks

 

[Din0saurus]

the easy way is to start looking for itineraries that entice you and just follow them. there's plenty for SEA. definitely include something that pushes you slightly out of your comfort zone. even if you don't like it in the end, i guarantee that will be the one thing you will be talking about for years to come.

give yourself free days if you have that luxury. this is especially important on the last day. it feels great to be able to relax when things beyond your control screw up. the town i was in last year got hit by a landslide last year and it was nice being able to just buy coffee and sit around planning an alternative route while people rushing back on a flight the next day were having major panic attacks. if that didn't happen, i would use the day for laundry and going for a random walk instead.

always plan your transportation before booking accoms and work backwards. i prefer taking trains over buses/cars/flying and sometimes there's only 1 train into town daily. if it arrives in the afternoon, that rules out day trips that start in the morning. once that is done, the accoms plan will fall into place.

bring spare energy bars and chocolate. i'm not sure if this applies to SEA, but i've ended up missing meals because i liked a place so much i decided to stay longer and the nearest restaurant is 1-2hrs away. that's when you share the food store and become everyone's best friend.

lastly, bring a notebook and start planning for your next trip. mine reads like a packing list of stuff to cut the weight/bulk i carry around and also things i never knew existed with a major impact on comfort level.

 

[butterbarter]

bring spare energy bars and chocolate. i'm not sure if this applies to SEA, but i've ended up missing meals because i liked a place so much i decided to stay longer and the nearest restaurant is 1-2hrs away. that's when you share the food store and become everyone's best friend.

I do this too, but I usually bring 2 small packs of nuts. If I'm hungry or in a rush and cannot stop for a meal, I eat the nuts. Good thing about nuts is that they are dense, contain alot of calories for their weight, is quite filling when taken with some water, and can be eaten as a snack at the end of the trip if you didn't need it as a meal.

 

[Din0saurus]

I do this too, but I usually bring 2 small packs of nuts. If I'm hungry or in a rush and cannot stop for a meal, I eat the nuts. Good thing about nuts is that they are dense, contain alot of calories for their weight, is quite filling when taken with some water, and can be eaten as a snack at the end of the trip if you didn't need it as a meal.

i'll try this for the coming trip! 500g should last me quite a while.

http://www.adventuresaroundasia.com/2014/06/13/food-photo-friday-xinjiang-ground-nuts-and-honey/

 

[itsmydayyeah]

I just finish one back packing for ten days In Australia and my recommendation is to travel and live like a local. If you are a risk taker, only book tickets in terms of traveling from one location to another (eg from Phuket to Bangkok) and for accomodation, stay as you go. Basically I travelled with my big back pack with me all de time.
I also research on some ''must go attractions' before going but did not specify what date what time to go, just Otot to go to these places

That's de most enjoyable part of back packing.

 

[Alexanderwalker1]

Many people who travel like to have a carry on baggage prefer the use of a backpack. You can carry it with you and keep it full of those needful things that one takes on a trip.

 

[hottiedoggie]

Hey guys, would be backpacking alone to east Australia in Nov. Am interested to know if anyone would be backpacking around the area, would like to get some tips and possible some ideas on where to go.

I'm going to the following places in order:
Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Gold Coast and lastly back to Brisbane.

 

[dilphinus]

Hey guys, would be backpacking alone to east Australia in Nov. Am interested to know if anyone would be backpacking around the area, would like to get some tips and possible some ideas on where to go.

I'm going to the following places in order:
Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Gold Coast and lastly back to Brisbane.

Take Scoot to Gold Coast then travel South. Take Jetstar or Tiger or Scoot back from Melbourne. Not sure if Tiger and Scoot fly Melbourne.