Long Term Backpacking FAQs and Advice
- margauxgathy6
- May 31
- 9 min read
I went on a 10 month long solo backpacking trip across Asia and Oceania, and I get a lot of questions about how I organised myself, packed, booked everything, got around, stayed healthy, met people, and so much more. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I get, and my answers and best advice. I hope you find it helpful!
Contents
How do you set a budget?
I set my budget by country. Each one was different, and I knew roughly how long I was going to spend in each one, so I could break it down by day. I would start by doing some basic research from other blogs, Facebook groups, and word-of-mouth to see how much things cost in each country. The most important things to look at are food and accommodation, and then have a look at any other big activities you want to do. All of my ‘Guide’ blog posts on countries I’ve been to have a breakdown of these costs, so hopefully those are also a resource to you!
Add all of this up, and you’ll have a rough figure. You won’t reach your budget max every day, and some days you’ll go over because it’s a big activity day or a travel day. It will even out in the end.
I set a separate budget for flights, again based on research on Skyscanner where I looked at the average cost of flights in the month I was planning on flying. It was relatively accurate and I actually ended up being under budget for this.
How did I save up the money to go? I was working three jobs for over a year, plus had savings from previous jobs. It was absolutely exhausting, but so incredibly worth it!
How far in advance do you book flights?
For long-haul international flights, I usually booked about 2 months in advance. This was usually when I could figure out when I would be ready to leave, but the prices weren’t too high. When I was absolutely sure of a date, however, I would book it asap. For internal or domestic flights, I found booking a month in advance was enough. I met people who booked weeks in advance, but as I knew where and when I wanted to go, I knew it would be better to book early.
How far in advance do you book accommodation?
This completely depends on the country. In general, ‘backpacker friendly’ countries in South East Asia don’t require advance booking. I usually booked 3 days before and was absolutely fine. In more expensive countries like Australia and New Zealand, however, you will need to book at least 2 months in advance to guarantee yourself a good and safe place to stay. I’ve also got a breakdown of this in my Guide posts!
How do you book internal bus/train/ferry transport?
There are several ways to book buses and trains, and again this will depend on the country. See my country guides for specifics. In general, most of the buses, trains, and ferries in Asia are booked on 12Go Asia (app or website), or through your hostel (in most cases I would recommend this). Booking can be done a couple of days or even the day before the trip. In more expensive countries, you will also need to book these more in advance - at least 2 months.
How do you pack for a long-term trip?
In general, I would pack enough clothes for 1-2 weeks (underwear for 2 weeks). Every place you go will have access to laundry. Most hostels offer it as a service or have self-service machines, and laundry services in towns also are great. There is no need to pack more clothes than this - you will regret having to carry it! For shoes, I packed my Tevas, a pair of shower flip flops, and some standard trainers with good grip for light hiking. I initially had my hiking boots for trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, but ended up shipping them, along with the rest of my hiking gear, home afterwards.
What are some essential things to pack?
Here is my list of essential things to pack (aside from clothes):
Towel: especially if you are staying in hostels which don’t usually provide one
Padlock
Kindle: if you’re a big reader like I am, this is so worth it!
Multi-adaptor: I have a Tessan one and it’s great
Headtorch: you have no idea how many times I used this! Bring one if you are a hiker!
Dry bag: for wet clothes or boat days
Power bank
Earplugs
Passport photocopies (plus any other documents that prove who you are and your address)
Travel bank cards (more on these below)
Vaccination certificates/history
Medical documents
Passport photos: for visa applications on-the-go
I definitely overpacked some things. You don’t need extra toiletries unless it’s prescribed or really important: you will be able to find it elsewhere!
How do you sort out visas?
I am extremely lucky to have a powerful passport, which means I did not need to get visas in advance anywhere (aside from a few online applications). Look at your government website to see what the visa entry requirements are for your country. If it is a visa on arrival, you won’t need to do anything in most cases until you arrive. Again, though, this is highly country-specific. Make sure you have passport photos, a photocopy of your passport, and US Dollars in cash to pay in person if needed. A lot of the time they are very strict with the US Dollar notes: make sure they don’t have any tears or imperfections as they are likely to be rejected. You might also need proof of onward travel. If you don’t have this already, take a look at Onward Ticket.
Which vaccines do I need?
Vaccines are also highly specific to your destination. Talk to your pharmacist, travel clinic, or doctor to see what they recommend. I got Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Rabies, and already had Hepatitis B and Yellow Fever (take the Yellow Fever certificate with you!). Whether or not you need malaria tablets is also dependent on your destination. Check with someone who knows!
What insurance do I need?
Get travel insurance. It is not worth any risk. Make sure you get a multi-country insurance plan that covers everything you want to do. I used Trailfinders which was great because there was no additional charge to be covered up to 7000m of altitude, which I knew I needed. I have heard so many horror stories of people without travel insurance, so let me re-emphasise again: travel insurance is non-negotiable!
How much cash do I need? How do I get it out?
Based on your budget, you’ll know roughly how much cash you will need. Usually, this means maxing out on the first cash withdrawal you make at an ATM. Have a currency converter ready on your phone so you have some kind of reference as to how much you’re withdrawing. If it is a cash centred country, which most backpacker destinations are, take out cash in the airport or as soon as you find an ATM. I would always take out the maximum amount if I was staying more than a week somewhere, or if there was a charge on the withdrawal. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t carry it all around with you. Leave some locked up in your hostel.
In some countries, there are a few ATMs that don’t have foreign exchange fees. Do some research beforehand to find out the names of these and seek them out - it is worth it!
If you are nearing the end of your time in a country, try and figure out how much you’re spending on average daily to see how much cash you need. Some countries have closed currencies, meaning you can’t exchange them outside of their borders, so be aware of this before you take out too much.
Do I need a travel bank card?
I would highly recommend getting a travel card like Revolut, Wise, or Monzo. These offer you zero foreign transaction fees which will save you money. I would recommend having more than one card when you travel, in case you lose one, get hacked, or get robbed. Always have a backup and don't carry them in the same place - use separate wallets and bags if you can.
What do you do about SIM cards?
My phone is e-SIM compatible, which meant it was very easy to get an e-SIM online. I used Airalo for my whole trip and had zero issues. It also has regional SIMs which is great for long trips. If you are travelling solo, I would recommend getting an e-SIM and having the SIM installed before you arrive in a new country. It may be cheaper to get a SIM card at the airport or from a shop when you arrive, but knowing that you have access to the internet from the moment you set foot in the country is a huge safety net.
How do you meet people travelling solo?
This was a big question I had before I went, but I did not need to worry at all - it got to the point when I had to seek out time alone! I met some really incredible people, many of whom I am still in touch with a year after. Staying in hostels is the easiest way - 90% of the people I met were also solo, and most people are up for anything. Always smile and say hello to people when you walk into a room, and it’s really easy to have conversations and make plans. See my hostel survival guide here.
Booking tours is also a great way to meet people. Often hostels have activities organised, but if not, an external company will!
Just remember: everyone wants friends! But also give yourself some time off to recharge your social battery, because after meeting new people every day, you will be exhausted!
How do you figure out food?
You won’t have to worry about finding food. Look on Google Maps, ask recommendations from other travellers or the people working at your hostel, or just walk around until you see something that looks good. Hostels also often have breakfast, and some have full cafés and restaurants for when you don’t feel like exploring.
How do you avoid food poisoning?
I have a few tips to avoid getting food poisoning in countries where that is a risk. Of course, you might get unlucky, but follow these and you should be fine:
Focus on cooked food: this will vary depending on what country you’re in and the water quality, but generally you don’t want to eat fresh vegetables because it’s highly likely they were washed in tap water and could make you sick. In most South East Asian countries I didn’t have a problem with this, but in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, I ate exclusively cooked food.
Drink bottled water only: I brushed my teeth with it too. I carried water purification tablets in case of emergency (if I was in a place where I needed water but only had access to an impure source). I never needed them but better safe than sorry. Filtered water bottles are also a great idea. LifeStraw, Water To Go, and Grayl bottles have the best reviews. I knew people using these everywhere and didn’t get sick. I had a Water To Go bottle that I drank New Delhi tap water out of and was fine so… Boiled water is also fine, so hot drinks like tea and coffee are usually safe.
Wash your hands frequently. In India I was using hand sanitizer after washing them too because the water is that bad. I didn’t do it anywhere else, though, and was fine. Have hand sanitizer and/or anti-bacterial wet wipes on hand as well.
Generally only eat food that’s been cooked right in front of you or has just been prepared by a restaurant. Anything that is sitting out in the sun all day is a massive risk - especially meat.
Avoid meat: this is a high risk food and you’ll see how most of it is transported and sold. (Unrefrigerated and laid out in full sun with flies everywhere). The same goes with dairy products.
Check Google reviews for restaurants: sort by newest and check no one has mentioned anything about food poisoning in the recent months.
What do I need to think about when I go to a new country?
Here is my little 'headed to a new country' checklist to round off this post:
Visa: this will be specific to you: make sure you have what you need
Currency: know the exchange rate, know if it is a closed or open currency, and know which (if any) ATMs are free to withdraw from
SIM card pre installed: e-SIMs are my preference
Find out how to get from the airport to your accommodation: this might involve downloading taxi apps like Grab. Check if your destination uses a specific one. Have the route screenshotted on your phone.
Make sure there is money on your card to withdraw when you land/arrive
Check which adaptor you need: get a multi-adaptor to be safe in most places
I hope that covers most of your questions! If you have any more, please leave a comment, and I will add my answer. Long-term trips are incredible, so be sure to enjoy, but remember to take care of the places you visit and leave only your footprints behind :)
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