Introduction

 ‘Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance’

When planning a backpacking trip, the advice can seem very overwhelming for a first time traveler. There are endless gizmos, gadgets and innovations on the market, each promising to be convenient, safe, light-weight and solve so many problems on the road that you will wonder how you ever lived without it.

In backpacking, as in so many areas of life, you will find that you need far less than you think. Most of the items you will find yourself using on a daily basis will be ones you already owned at home and are pretty simple— a length of cord, comfortable shoes and an old pillowcase.

The benefits of packing light are almost endless— you will find it easier to move around, enjoy yourself more, it will be easier to run for trains, if you and you bag have to squeeze into a seat on a bus you will be more comfortable, you will be less of a target for petty theft and so on. A backpack which is bulging at the seams is harder to find things in when you are in a hurry, and takes longer to pack and unpack. Think also about your destination— if you are going to a developing world, that means fewer conveniences such as escalators, lifts and well-maintained footpaths, so you may end up carrying your bag a lot. Even a few kilograms can make the difference between you enjoying your trip, and finding every step a hassle.

Remember: there is a direct correlation between how much your bag weighs, and how much you enjoy your trip.

Before you set off, book yourself in a checkup with your doctor to discuss vaccinations and to make sure you have enough of any prescription medication you take (such as asthma or the contraceptive pill) to last for the whole of your trip. Take a copy of the prescription with you, as some countries have very strict rules about what you are allowed to bring in.

NB: If you do have prescription medication and are travelling with a buddy, it is a good idea to ask them to stash some of your supply in their bag. That way, if you lose your bag, you have not instantly lost all of your medication and should have enough time to replace it.

Have your teeth examined before you go. Explain to you dentist that you are going backpacking and would like to avoid any problems occurring on the trip. You should also probably get your eyes checked, especially if you wear glasses or lenses.

If you are a student, consider applying for an International Student ID card. You may be surprised at the amount of discount it gets you, especially if you plan to travel around Europe.

Aim to learn a few words in the languages of the country you plan to visit. No one is asking you to become fluent, but simply being able to say ‘hello’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ will go a long way.

The further in advance you plan your trip, the more chance you have to take advantage of cheap flights. You may find yourself flying at strange times of the day or night, but you can save a considerable amount of money this way. Although theoretically you could plan, pack and leave for your destination in a week, in practice it is better not to leave everything to the last moment.






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