Many backpackers setting out on their first trip tend to have questions that revolve around the same few concerns, many of which end up in my inbox. Traveling for the first time can bring up all kinds of anxieties about handing the basics abroad that you’ve comfortably gotten down pat at home.
As with many travel questions it’s good to get down to specifics and while these answers are certainly not comprehensive, they should help you get off to a good start.
1. What Is It Like Traveling Solo?
Traveling for the first time alone can seem like taking a trip into disaster before you ever hit the road. There are many advantages to traveling solo, ways to ease into it, and the advice of experienced travelers from all walks of life to alleviate some of your anxiety.
The truth is that when traveling, you’re often not alone and being without others eventually becomes a great motivator for getting social.
2. How Will I Overcome Language Barriers?
Much of that depends on your mother-tongue but assuming you know enough basic English to read this post you’re off to a good start. Although the notion is controversial, English is the universal language and widely spoken in enough key places where (relatively) clear communication is necessary. Airports, hotels, and ordering food from most menus will be straightforward.
To help yourself out with or without English though, you can learn these 4 word combinations for free using these resources, language social networks, or get digital with one of several nifty mobile phone apps like Word Lens.
3. How Can I Save Money And Travel Longer?
Most backpackers and budget travelers have at least heard of hostels (in case you haven’t) but there are many more ways to save before and during your trip. Although it seems counter-intuitive, flying more, on multi-city flights can often be less expensive than booking a simple round-trip fare. Where you go makes a big difference too so figure out the cheapest places to travel with your currency before you lose them.
Finally, if you’ve got the time, travel slower to see more and use a simple travel budget to track your spending.
4. Where Should I Go?
I’ve gone into resolving not knowing where you want to go before at length but the gist is to go where you want based on why you travel.
Don’t limit yourself initially, life is short so go visit the places you’ve always wanted to.
5. Should I Get Travel Insurance?
The answer depends on where you’re going and what you want to insure. Medical insurance and coverage for your valuables (including cash and passports) are the main two reasons people consider travel insurance.
(I’ll be covering this topic in a more detail post in a few weeks.) There are several big caveats to coverage so be sure to read any policy carefully and check if emergency health care is covered by the government of the countries you’ll be visiting.
Answering The Next Big Question And Realizing It Doesn’t End There
Almost always entwined in backpacking questions are how to choose the right backpack, pack light, and cope with being far away from home. The fortunate thing is that you’ll find plenty of opinions online about all of your first-timer questions that manifest themselves in various ways after your first jaunt. That’s one of the beauties of travel, that these questions have endless answers and discovering what works in each place keep the journey interesting.
[photos by: niznoz (question mark), Kamal H. (lone traveler), fotograf1v2 (leather wallet), santheo (arm in cast)]
That iphone app is ridiculous!! I didn’t even know they had something like that.. I am still a blackberry man and will stick to it until iphone comes out with a keyboard. Been great to me on my travels around the world.. easier to unlock also
If my memory is right, Michael Hodson (http://www.goseewrite.com) first brought it to my attention. Pretty cool to see it in action – they’re working on getting more languages released *and* an Android plus Blackberry version. Hopefully soon!
http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/mobile-phones/1281727/word-lens-instant-translation-app-launching-on-android-plus-global-languages
now if Apple would just give me an iPhone to try it out! My quickie review was here: http://www.goseewrite.com/2010/12/word-lens-instant-visual-translator-app-iphone/
Thanks Michael, it was you! Let me know if they send you an iPhone, I want to get in on it too! Do you carry a smart phone at all? I might break down at some point soon…
I’m looking forward to your post on travel insurance. As a general rule I’m anti-insurance because I think insurance companies are the devil, that said, that’s not so useful if you’re hurt!
I’m always trying to save money but skipping the insurance maybe isn’t the best option. Do you have tips about what countries will treat you regardless? I think for the most part Italy will treat anyone for emergency or minor cases (just not surgeries and stuff). I could be wrong since I’ve never been to the hospital (know on wood!!).
Many travelers seem to have a love-hate relationship with travel insurance. The experiences people have had with them really vary widely but (knock on wood too!) I’ve never had a serious injury or something similar to deal with.
I need to do some digging (and will be sure to for the upcoming post) but off-hand most Western European countries, New Zealand, and maybe Australia; though I wouldn’t be surprised to find many more countries in other parts of the world where emergency services would be covered.
I use travel insurance and I’ve been robbed twice so it’s paid for itself 🙂 Although now that I am planning on staying longer I wonder about it as hospitals etc are so cheap here in South America and the private ones provide great care.
I recall you mentioning that somewhere and I remember reading about it – definitely worth it in your case. That’s the thing with ironic thing with insurance – you don’t want to have to use it but when you do it makes that money worth the investment 🙂
What type of coverage did you go with – was it easy to be reimbursed?
The first time I traveled with insurance I made my money back. Came home with an eye infection and a foot infection. Oh and worms. It paid all of my medical bills once home since they were affiliated with my trip. This past 8 month trip I didn’t have to use it once, but for an extra $5 (total, not per month) they would fly me to any hospital I requested in the world should something serious happen. I will ALWAYS go with travel insurance in the future 🙂
For $5 that’s not bad at all! Which coverage/provider did you go with?
The insurance debate is an interesting one. By far the biggest issue with not having insurance is if you get seriously hurt or ill. It may be unlikely but it can be worth your life if it occurs. If the country you are visiting does not have some sense of emergency care without hefty payments (that you may not be able to readily make) then you are in serious trouble. A fair chunk of Asia, Africa and the Americas (and especially the USA) are not good in this regard and that cost can run into $100000s. This is when insurance becomes valuable.
A very good point – it’s not fun to think about but something that many (including myself) don’t consider often enough.
My travel insurance lapsed when I entered the US and I hadn’t renewed a US based policy. A quick trip to the doctor’s office to have some blood work done for a visa cost me a cool $300 bucks.
A serious injury can break your longterm budget and you’re foolish to travel without it!
It *is* expensive without any kind of insurance – in the US the bare minimum for a visit has got to be around $100.
Have you couchsurfed, Anil? I’ve done it twice (Once in London and once in Hamburg) and I’ve been able to meet really cool people who is interested in showing you around and share some cool tips. Our couch “host” from Hamburg was particularly helpful and became a very good friend afterwards. That’d be another way to save some money.
I haven’t unfortunately; mostly because I spend so much time online working at weird hours, I’d make a terrible guest. Certainly a good way to save and add experiences to a trip though.
Wow, great write up packed with stuff good to know here. I look forward to read more about your advices around travel insurances, THAT is a tough subject!
haha, yes, thank you. It is certainly a topic I’m finding that has layers upon layers!
Good back to basic points mate. As for the travel insurance debate, most people get it at home for their car or their house so why not insurance yourself and your belongings while abroad? Aren’t you worth more than both of those two items combined.
Good point, especially about the medical coverage.
Wonderful post Anil. It answers many of the questions I had before my first time out on the road. There seems to be a lot of talk lately about whether travel insurance is worthwhile or not, crazy! I’ll certainly be investing in some!
It’s one that’s been very popular in my inbox 🙂 Any chosen company or policy you’re going with? I’d be interested to hear about it while putting together my post. Feel free to drop a link too if you’ve written about it 😉
Number 3 is the question we get the most from other travelers when we tell them we’ve been on the road for the last 2 years. It’s always a hard one to answer because it varies depending on what type of traveler you are. Budget backpacking has so may different interpretations!
Yes, the costs depend on many factors but generally the more flexible your travel plans, the less expensive your options.
I have a question. Where is the backpacking???
?