Copia Magazine: Feature: Backpacking for Beginners

In these tough economic times it pays to cut back on costs, including
travel costs, but does that mean travel has to be put off until the
economic up-turn? Not necessarily. Backpacking is a way of seeing the
world for less money and in a more adventurous way than luxury
travel. I've done my fair share of backpacking, and some luxury travel
too. I wouldn't say either one is 'better' than the other but they are very
different experiences.

What is backpacking?
What really sets backpacking apart from other types of travel is not
actually the type of baggage you choose to stow your gear in. It's to do
with how you travel, where you stay and the attitude you carry with
you.

Yes, backpackers tend to carry a backpack. They tend to stay in
backpackers' hostels and use backpacker transport, which means trains,
buses, and their own two feet. They take advantage of backpacker rates
and deals. All this leads to cheaper travel, and often a more authentic
travel experience.

Who backpacks?
Typically young, fit student types on long-haul, solo, round the world
trips. Less typically, but equally successfully, couples, families, groups of
friends and individuals from widely differing age groups, backgrounds
and fitness levels.

The Youth Hostel Association, which has over 4,000 member hostels in
60 countries, offers individual, group and family memberships. You can
visit their international site at www.hihostels.com and search hostels in
different countries and by different categories such as group hostels
and family hostels.

Typical backpacking accommodation.
There are backpacker hostels all over the world. Some belong to a
larger association, and some are truly independent. Prices are cheap
and standards vary. Typical accommodation is in dorm style rooms,
with communal bathroom and kitchen facilities. Dorms may have
anything from four to twenty (or even more) beds. Some hostels have
co-ed dorms, while some are segregated into male and female. Some
hostels offer single, double and family rooms. Always call ahead to
check, and make reservations in busy seasons. Hostels often fill up
quicker than hotels and motels.

The atmosphere at the average backpackers' hostel is incredibly
friendly, light hearted and inclusive. Everyone congregates in the
kitchen to cook, eat and trade travelers' tales and useful information on
the region you're traveling in. Kitchens are usually well equipped with
cooking and eating utensils. You will be expected to clear up after
yourself. There will be a communal fridge and shelves for storing food.
Some hostels will have a store, and most tend to be conveniently
situated with most amenities within walking distance. You can usually
store valuables in a safe at reception. You will need your own towel,
toiletries and sleeping bag.

I've stayed in a lot of hostels in several countries and rarely found them
to be anything other than clean, well-run and safe. In fact I've had way
more problems with dirt, bad management and security issues in cheap
hotels and motels.

How much will I spend (or more importantly save) by
backpacking?
Let's take a specific country - New Zealand, which is a great country for
beginner backpackers. A bed in a dorm at the YHA hostel in Rotorua,
currently costs NZ$29 (about US$18.30). I've stayed there. It's clean and
comfy with small, single-sex dorms. A room for one at the nearby
Sudima Hotel costs NZ$185 (about US$117) a night.

A Magic Travel Pass will currently cost you about NZ$570 (about
US$360). I've used this service and found it safe, reliable and
convenient. It's basically a backpacker bus company that does a route of
the whole country and you can hop on and off as you want, spending as
long as you like at each destination. The bus drops you right at the door
of selected hostels, and the pass is valid for up to 12 months. The cost of
a compact rental car in New Zealand for six months - over $4,000
(around US$2,525) plus fuel!