Whether you are planning an extended trip in Europe or Asia, or simply spending a couple of weeks abroad and roughing it, safety is always important as a backpacker. With more and more newbie travellers voyaging across the globe in search of adventure, it is important that all rookies get more info about how to stay safe and avoid trouble.
It is always best to get advice from those who have ventured out into the world before you. Learning from the experience, mistakes and successes of others who have made a go of backpacking will set you on the best course for having positive experiences of your own. You will be able to avoid common mistakes misunderstandings to maximise the fun of your time abroad.
Let’s look at some of the best travel tips to follow from experienced backpackers that will keep you safe.
Take Out Some Travel Insurance
One of the biggest mistakes that rookie backpackers make is foregoing the investment in travel insurance. While you might be interested in backpacking on the cheap, it is important that you do pay for sufficient travel insurance coverage before you take off. This will protect you from a number of accidents and mishaps, including lost luggage, that could potentially make your trip much more expensive.
Keep A Mini First Aid Kit
While there are likely hospitals or medical clinics in the area that you are planning to visit, these may differ dramatically in terms of conditions and offerings. It is a good idea to take along some basic first aid equipment to avoid the need to scout for bandages or medications after it is too late. If you currently have prescription medication that you must take, then be sure that you have enough to last you throughout your travels. Even common over-the-counter medications may be harder to find in some countries, so pack some of these if you think you will need them.
Do Some Research
Make sure that you do a bit of background research on the country or region that you are planning to visit. This will give you a better sense of what the cultural norms are and how you can avoid offending people or getting into trouble. It can even help to learn a bit of the local language. Look for a translation dictionary or guidebook with some key phrases that will help you navigate more smoothly with those who do not speak English.
Keep Your Wits About You
When you are out in public spaces in a foreign country, it is important that you maintain a sense of awareness regarding your surroundings. While it can be easy to get swept up in the excitement of new sights, smells and sounds, most tourists and backpackers stick out from a local crowd. This makes you a prime target for thieves or petty criminals.
Keep an eye on those around you. While you do not want to assume the worst about the people that you encounter in the course of your backpacking travels, it is important to keep your guard up a bit.
Safety First
While you are likely excited at the prospect of travelling to new and exciting new places, it is always important to keep tips like the ones outlined here in mind before and throughout your trip. You will want to enjoy yourself while you are backpacking but you will also want to be sure that you eventually return home safe and sound, and without any horror stories. Use common sense and educate yourself before you take off to make the most of any backpacking trip.