A Few Backpacking Tips
We backpacked for 9 days and managed to learn a fair bit from our experience. I've jotted down some points that I would like to share with you guys about backpacking. I hope you find it useful!
1) Time Zone
Always check the time difference before you depart. This is very important as you might miss your next flight/train ride/coach if you referred to the wrong timing! Especially when you have to travel to a few countries with different time zone. PLEASE take note of daylight saving as well!
2) Transport (you can ignore this, if you know how to fly..ahahaha)
- Transport to travel to another country: e.g. plane, train or coach
If you are traveling from UK, you can check out the following sites -
• http://www.easyjet.com, http://www.ryanair.com (budget airlines)
• http://www.raileurope.co.uk (by rail)
• http://www.nationalexpress.com/eurolines/home/hp.cfm (coach)
If you find some of the tickets expensive, do consider to look for tickets that require transit, they tend to be cheaper. For e.g. I traveled from Zurich to Milan by rail, instead of buying the direct tickets, I bought 2 tickets that required me to change train at some point. I managed to save around 7 pounds.
Another option will be buying tickets on the spot from the local train company because they are usually cheaper than what you get online through agent. Of course this will involve some risks, give and take right ;).
- Transport within the country
Some countries offer day-pass where you pay an amount and get unlimited travel on the bus, tram, underground or boat. Do some research and once you reach the place you can get what you want straightaway without wasting time queuing up at the information center.
3) Weather
Always check weather forecast before you depart to know what are the essentials to be brought along. Some websites allow you to check forecast up to 10 days http://uk.weather.com/. At least, find out what's the current season of that country, you can't be bringing summer clothes for winter right -_-.
4) Tap Water
Why? You can save a lot from buying mineral water! The tap water in some of the countries are drinkable, if so you can just refill the water bottle instead of spending a fortune on mineral water.
5) Electric Socket
If you plan to charge your camera battery or hand phone, you will need to check the electric power of the country you are going - http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm to make sure your electrical appliances have the right adapters. Do consider to purchase an International Travel Plug Adapter (which I didn't coz I am that stingy -_-).
6) Tourist Attraction Distance
If you can walk then walk. After all, this is what backpacking is all about. Walk to save some transport money also to see more of the surroundings. Check out the distance through Google map and it can be useful. Best of all, it helps in planning your journey.
7) Cash
Always bring more than enough. No matter how well planned your journey is, there will be situations that are unexpected. Of course, don't bring the whole stack of money with you la, just bring more than what you budgeted. Who knows you might want to participate in some of the interesting local activities that require $?
8) Restaurants/Food to Eat
Just find out the most famous or cheapest restaurants in town because I realized most of the time are spent looking for a decent restaurant with low price -_-. Also, you should try out the famous local food and local drinks (beer in this case...haha) - like Paella in Spain, Pasta in Italy & etc. Local beer - Estrella in Spain, Nastro Azzurro in Italy.
9) Accommodation
Are you on a budget trip? If yes, do consider renting a room in an apartment or a place where they allow you to cook and do your washing. That's what I did in Barcelona, went to the supermarket and purchase our breakfast also to cook our own dinner. One very important thing, always check with the local ppl where is the nearest supermarket to get mineral water or food.
http://www.hostelworld.com
http://www.easytobook.com
10) Language
Need me to say more? Not everyone in the world knows how to speak English. So you will have to learn some basics before you travel to a particular country.
11) Things to bring (those that I think are necessary):
- Insect Repellent: This is not only for mosquitoes but for whatever type of bugs or insects. Some accommodations are not well-maintained and their bedsheets might have bed bugs and so. If you don't want to suffer any scratching, bring it along.
- Umbrella/Poncho: Bring it with you, be it summer or winter.
- Basic medications: for headache and stomache also adhesive bandage
- Travel wash: if you are traveling for more than 5 days, you might need to wash your clothes
- Tissue or handkerchief: Or you can get it from McD =p
12) Last but not least, remember if you are on a budget airline - where you have to pay extra to check in your luggage and because you are backpacking so you wana save that money.
Bear in mind that, all the liquid that you are carrying with you (e.g. shampoo, showel gel, lotion, toothpaste, conditioner, moisturizer & etc) have to be in a 100ml container individually and all the containers have to be placed in a 1L transparent re-sealable bag. If you are traveling with more than 1 friend, do consider check in 1 of your bags. The hassle of pouring all the liquid into small bottles makes you go crazy!
I guess that's all I want to share with you =)
P.S. You can ignore this entry if you want to travel in style -_-
P.S. Share with me your experience and travel tips too. I need to know more before I head to the next destination.
~The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are - Samuel Johnson ~
1) Time Zone
Always check the time difference before you depart. This is very important as you might miss your next flight/train ride/coach if you referred to the wrong timing! Especially when you have to travel to a few countries with different time zone. PLEASE take note of daylight saving as well!
2) Transport (you can ignore this, if you know how to fly..ahahaha)
- Transport to travel to another country: e.g. plane, train or coach
If you are traveling from UK, you can check out the following sites -
• http://www.easyjet.com, http://www.ryanair.com (budget airlines)
• http://www.raileurope.co.uk (by rail)
• http://www.nationalexpress.com/eurolines/home/hp.cfm (coach)
If you find some of the tickets expensive, do consider to look for tickets that require transit, they tend to be cheaper. For e.g. I traveled from Zurich to Milan by rail, instead of buying the direct tickets, I bought 2 tickets that required me to change train at some point. I managed to save around 7 pounds.
Another option will be buying tickets on the spot from the local train company because they are usually cheaper than what you get online through agent. Of course this will involve some risks, give and take right ;).
- Transport within the country
Some countries offer day-pass where you pay an amount and get unlimited travel on the bus, tram, underground or boat. Do some research and once you reach the place you can get what you want straightaway without wasting time queuing up at the information center.
3) Weather
Always check weather forecast before you depart to know what are the essentials to be brought along. Some websites allow you to check forecast up to 10 days http://uk.weather.com/. At least, find out what's the current season of that country, you can't be bringing summer clothes for winter right -_-.
4) Tap Water
Why? You can save a lot from buying mineral water! The tap water in some of the countries are drinkable, if so you can just refill the water bottle instead of spending a fortune on mineral water.
5) Electric Socket
If you plan to charge your camera battery or hand phone, you will need to check the electric power of the country you are going - http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm to make sure your electrical appliances have the right adapters. Do consider to purchase an International Travel Plug Adapter (which I didn't coz I am that stingy -_-).
6) Tourist Attraction Distance
If you can walk then walk. After all, this is what backpacking is all about. Walk to save some transport money also to see more of the surroundings. Check out the distance through Google map and it can be useful. Best of all, it helps in planning your journey.
7) Cash
Always bring more than enough. No matter how well planned your journey is, there will be situations that are unexpected. Of course, don't bring the whole stack of money with you la, just bring more than what you budgeted. Who knows you might want to participate in some of the interesting local activities that require $?
8) Restaurants/Food to Eat
9) Accommodation
Are you on a budget trip? If yes, do consider renting a room in an apartment or a place where they allow you to cook and do your washing. That's what I did in Barcelona, went to the supermarket and purchase our breakfast also to cook our own dinner. One very important thing, always check with the local ppl where is the nearest supermarket to get mineral water or food.
http://www.hostelworld.com
http://www.easytobook.com
10) Language
Need me to say more? Not everyone in the world knows how to speak English. So you will have to learn some basics before you travel to a particular country.
11) Things to bring (those that I think are necessary):
- Insect Repellent: This is not only for mosquitoes but for whatever type of bugs or insects. Some accommodations are not well-maintained and their bedsheets might have bed bugs and so. If you don't want to suffer any scratching, bring it along.
- Umbrella/Poncho: Bring it with you, be it summer or winter.
- Basic medications: for headache and stomache also adhesive bandage
- Travel wash: if you are traveling for more than 5 days, you might need to wash your clothes
- Tissue or handkerchief: Or you can get it from McD =p
12) Last but not least, remember if you are on a budget airline - where you have to pay extra to check in your luggage and because you are backpacking so you wana save that money.
Bear in mind that, all the liquid that you are carrying with you (e.g. shampoo, showel gel, lotion, toothpaste, conditioner, moisturizer & etc) have to be in a 100ml container individually and all the containers have to be placed in a 1L transparent re-sealable bag. If you are traveling with more than 1 friend, do consider check in 1 of your bags. The hassle of pouring all the liquid into small bottles makes you go crazy!
I guess that's all I want to share with you =)
P.S. You can ignore this entry if you want to travel in style -_-
P.S. Share with me your experience and travel tips too. I need to know more before I head to the next destination.
~The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are - Samuel Johnson ~
Comments
In Europe - I learnt my lesson that if you need to change your currency, make sure you planned it well. 5 euro per transaction is really a ripped off esp silly me spent 25 euro for 300 pound.I thought i wanna jimat , take out little by little (pound), it doesnt work that way. If pound runs out, i urge to use credit card instead paying more for the commisions.
One backpacking item i will never leave without is a good book and a calculator...although look like 'ah sam' sometimes, but it can be handy.I was Indonesia where the local actually programed thier calculator.( yea, u can use ur phone)
And lastly, if your r staying in a 16 bedroom dormintory - get some ear plugs ;)
I am actually planning for a holiday maker myself...
but lots of worries.
So far, how was yours, Mei?
About the currency issue, I agree with you. It's always better to use your credit card than changing for cash. We wanted to change Euros but they offered us 20.60 Euro for 20 pounds. A bit ridiculous right..after the deduction of commissions and all.
Yes, I have my calculator and a small note book to jot down all my expenses =).
Thanks for sharing!!
Katetricia: I hope it helps =)
The start of the whole thing was a bit tough but things are better now.
I do enjoy the traveling most=)
YawMing: Hey man! How have you been? Where are you now? I hope life is treating you well!
I found this out when i was in Lucerne - The chapel bridge with all those cafe hot spots. The menu is simply different from the indoors . Maybe instead of 'Happy Hours', they have 'Happy Place' - lol..
The advantages on CC not just on avoiding the commisions, i realize the currency ( paying in RM ) sometimes better that the money changer itself :D
I'm so proud of you! Hahaha...I seriously learn lots of stuff by reading your blog even though I travel so often. Sigh~ Mine is a different kinda travelling la.
I don't think I got anything to contribute. You know more than me! ;)
Take care!