In January 2018, I set out on the epic solo backpacking trip of a lifetime, traveling through Southeast Asia for two months before heading down to Australia and New Zealand, where I spent a year in each country thanks to their respective Work and holiday visa programs
For most of that time, I carried everything I needed in my trusty purple backpack and a smaller tote bag for my laptop and other important items. I embraced the backpacker lifestyle, keeping only what I needed and buying clothes that would come in handy. Gone are my days of overpacking as I knew I would have to transport it.
While backpacking isn’t for everyone, there are a few things you can do to make your first outing much easier. Here are three things I learned during my long-term adventure that you can apply to any backpacking trip, even if it’s only for a few weeks.
Choose the right backpack
Looking back, this is something I probably should have done more research on at the time, but I managed to get lucky. After reading a ton of articles and reviews online, I finally settled on the beautiful Purple 55L High Sierra Women’s Frame Backpack that I bought for $75 on Amazon. I bought packing cubes, which allow you to fit a lot more in there, especially if you fold and roll your clothes, and tried it out on a shorter trip a few months before I left.
Backpacks come in all shapes and sizes, from 30 liters to 80 liters, so you really have to think about how much you want to carry. They can also be quite expensive depending on how many bells and whistles you want. REI’s website It was a great resource for learning about the different types of frames, belts, straps, and other structural details that make your pack as comfortable as possible. You can also try a few in the store to get a better idea of how to size things correctly. Pick the one that works best for you, get used to using it before your big trip, and you’re good to go.
Diversify your accommodations
Hotels are great for shorter trips, but if you’re traveling alone, things can get pretty quiet. Do not stay in hotels, either camping, opt for hostels and shared Airbnbs (instead of renting the whole place) or care homes— opens you up to meeting more people and having some truly memorable travel experiences. By doing this, I learned to slow down, connect with my fellow travelers, befriend the locals who shared their homes with me, and the neighbors I met while traveling. pet sittingand most importantly letting my trip unfold instead of trying to plan every second.
Not only that, you’ll likely have a safe place to store your backpack no matter what time you arrive. Most of the hostels have lockers or other secure areas for this exact purpose, whereas hotels usually offer something similar if you arrive before check-in or need to store your things after check-out. Hostels almost always have a laundry room as well, so it’s one less thing to worry about during your big adventure.
Remember: It’s OK to Splurge Sometimes
save money It’s always a good thing, but it’s okay to splurge once in a while, especially if it will greatly improve the quality of your ride. Rather than suffer through a hectic night on a crowded night bus, see if there’s a roomier option like a train to get you there, even if it costs a bit more. If you’re tired of dealing with noisy hostel roommates, opt for a private room so you can enjoy the atmosphere but get a better night’s sleep. While I wouldn’t recommend doing this a lot, it can be a real lifesaver in the long run, especially if you only have so much time at each location.
Above all, have fun (this is your solo travel adventure, after all) and remember to give yourself a little grace when things don’t go as planned. Anything can happen, so it’s important to learn how to deal with the blows and make the best of things, wherever you are.
All details and policies mentioned were accurate at the time of publication.