Here are 21 Travel Tips we at Backhackers believe will help you hack your way through your travels…
1. The Double Purse
This is a great idea for use in crowded areas, to help you out should any pick-pocketers be on the prowl. Carry around two purses. One which only holds a small amount of money, which will be the one you take out of your bag to make purchases; and another which holds the rest of your money and any other important items such as cards or ID.
This one should remain hidden at all times, maybe in an inside pocket or tucked right at the bottom of your bag. This way if any twitchy hands are watching, they’ll aim for the purse that they’ve seen (i.e. the one holding little money) and won’t be aware of your VIP purse.
2. Don’t flash the cash
While away, it’s probable that you will take out money from an ATM. And given that ATMs usually have a charge for cash withdrawals, it’s likely that you will be withdrawing a large sum of money at some point throughout your travels. That is unavoidable.
But what is avoidable is quickly stuffing all the cash into your purse or wallet in no particular order and later having to take the whole wad out in plain sight to pay for something because you can’t immediately access one lone note. Instead of showing off your roll of money, take the time at the ATM machine to order your cash. Instead of folding it all together, perhaps separate a few of the smaller notes so they are easily accessible, before later separating them into the Visible and VIP purses as above.
3. Check out the wildlife at the beach
At most touristy beaches, you will notice signs up in relation to swimming, tides, wildlife and anything else that people should be aware of before setting up on the beach or entering the sea. This is not the case with the more secluded beach. While the quieter spots are absolute gems to find, and usually much more rewarding than a packed out resort beach, it usually means there won’t be any signs around.
It’s a good idea to just do a quick google, or ask around the locals about anything you should be aware of at that particular beach. Whether it’s a riptide, underwater hazards or just being aware to do the shuffle in case of any resident white rays, it’s always better to find out than to come home with a big sore sting-rayed foot.
4. Don’t get burnt
While it can be tempting to bake yourself into a glorious sun kissed goddess, you do need to be careful and sunburn can really ruin your week (and skin!). Remember that you will be travelling around for much longer than the usual week’s holiday so you have plenty of time to build up that tan and nothing sticks out more than a bright red lobster walking down the street.
Take care of your skin (especially your face!), not only so you don’t become a human beacon but also so you can carry on enjoying your trip to the full with no sleepless nights or having to bail on activities.
5. Language app – learn the basics
While a lot of communication can be made through various universal hand gestures, sometimes nothing cuts it quite like the local tongue. And while you shouldn’t expect to become an expert in a new language, it always gets you a little further just to know the basics.
Language apps or a little phrase book are great aids with this and can be carried around with you on the go. Practising with locals will also help your pronunciation and maybe get you started in a brand new friendship!
6. Love the shade
If travelling from a dreary country into a beautiful paradise of sun and beaches, it’s easy to forget that sometimes the sun is not your friend. Remember to love the shade whether it’s a quick break under a tree, a cap, bandana or a lovely parasol just remember to keep that beautiful head of yours nice and cool. Nothing kills your vibe like a bit of sunstroke!
7. Keep hydrated
Much like the shade, you’ll need to love your water. You’ll find you are probably far more active than usual while travelling and will need constant hydration. If you’re worried about the water in the area you’re travelling to, it might be a good idea to look into purchasing a filtered water bottle.
Different brands offer different kinds of benefits and durability so shop around! But don’t worry if you can’t find one, just make sure to keep purchasing bottled water and never go out water-less!
8. Leave the white clothes at home & love the patterns: these babies stain less
While those white clothes will look great against your tan – don’t kid yourselves! This colour does not do well on the old backpacking trail. Staining easily in an environment where you won’t always have the facilities to wash your clothes is not a strength.
So why not leave them at home and shove in as many patterns as you possibly can! Marks and creases will show up much less – something you will definitely appreciate. No one wants to spend the entire day scrubbing their clothes in a sink.
9. Clothes line
This is an essential you might not have thought of. If travelling around a hot country, you would expect for clothes to dry easily outside, hung across whatever you can find – so why bother with a clothes line?! Well, a lot of the time, you may not have access to a suitable outdoor area and if you do, it’s not ideal to leave them there overnight – due to bugs, potential rain or even a cheeky clothes-picker on the loose.
All you need is a strong(ish) piece of string, tie it to your backpack and off you go! Then you can unravel it and set up a super handy clothes line to dry not only your washing on, but also your beach towels after a sandy visit.
10. Save toiletries from places you stay
Some hostels and most hotels will provide you with a little soap or shampoo – sometimes even moisturiser if you’re lucky! If travelling through many different places, stopping at different hostels/hotels, it’s a good idea to take any unused toiletries with you.
Utilise those freebies so you always have spare in the event that you run out of any of your own toiletries or end up staying somewhere that doesn’t provide cosmetic products. Plus they are always mini sized so can easily fit in your bag with no extra weight to worry about!
11. If you don’t ask you don’t get
Seize the day! Grab any opportunity you can while travelling! And remember, if you don’t ask you don’t get. In this case, we mean don’t fret about putting yourself out there or asking questions. Making friends with someone in your hostel or on your travels could open up so many doors – maybe an invitation to a cool event or freebie tickets on an excursion! You never know…
12. Speak with locals
Much like the above tip, speaking with locals can open up so many opportunities. You can find out about local events, the best bar to go to, markets, cheapest places to shop etc. and they can also give you pointers on places to avoid, such as tourist hotspots where the prices are whacked up. Making a friend with a local has so many upsides, plus you might even be lucky enough to get yourself a new pen pal!
13. Wash everything in the sink (bit by bit no big loads)
While travelling, some people prefer to pay a local or a laundrette to do their washing in bulk. But if this isn’t your thing, washing your clothes in the sink is the cheapest way to go about keeping fresh.
If you wash a pair of pants and a top every day, you should keep on top of things – always having at least a clean shirt and undies! Washing little and often is the best way to go if you want to keep things cheap and cheery.
14. Buying beer? Beware of charges for different containers and any drinking restrictions
Across the globe, recycling is tackled in many different ways. In some countries it is down to the individual buyer of the product to recycle the packaging as required – whether this is disposing of the packaging through local recycling facilities or returning the container to specified depots.
The item this mainly concerns globally is glass. So if you’re buying your beer from a local shop, try to be aware of the areas’ attitude towards recycling. In some countries, you will be charged extra for purchasing a beer in a glass bottle as opposed to a can. Just something to keep in mind to make sure you’re recycling responsibly…
15. Keep up to date with the exchange rate
It’s all well and good setting yourself a budget for your travels but it doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t keep up with the exchange rate. It’s a good idea to check the rate weekly, or whenever you’re withdrawing cash.
For example, £30 one week could get you a daily spend for two, including accommodation, food and activities; whereas other weeks (when the exchange rate has changed) it may only afford you accommodation for the night. Exchange rates can fluctuate – which is something to bear in mind as well as the general prices of the area you’re travelling to.
If passing through a more expensive area, make sure you do this when the exchange rate is better for you – making sure you definitely get more bang for your buck.
16. Make your own lunch
A big spender when travelling can be food. Try to get accommodation which offers breakfast as part of the price. Most places will offer a buffet-style breakfast, which means you might be able to grab a few extras which you can hold onto for your lunch. Paying for breakfast, lunch and dinner does add up and can massively effect your budget.
So grab as many freebies as possible. If not, do a mini shop at a local food store and purchase items you can use to make your own lunch. On the go, you’ll only be needing something small so you won’t be carrying around much extra weight. Taking your own lunch also means you can find great picnic spots as opposed to sitting in a café or restaurant.
It’s a great way to massively reduce your spend. (If possible, stay somewhere that offers either a shared kitchen or kitchenette in your room. Doing a weekly food shop and cooking dinner for yourself is a great way to keep prices down. Plus accommodation that offers this doesn’t usually cost more than somewhere just offering a bed.)
17. Local markets
If you are planning on doing your own shopping, keep the costs down by buying from local markets. It’s a great way to see the local produce (and local culture) and support the community you are visiting, plus the prices are great.
18. Free fruit (but know your stuff)
Picking fruit is a great way to get free snacks but you really do need to know your stuff. This means knowing what the actual fruit is and whether it’s safe to eat and also that you are allowed to pick from that particular bit of land – private property is not always signposted so well.
If in doubt, ask a passer-by but never eat any fruit if you are unsure. But if you know the fruit and the land go for it! Pick away to your heart’s desire and enjoy your piece of free goodness.
19. Travelling as a couple? In dorms you have to pay for 2 beds which is often more expensive than buying a private room
Dorms are probably the assumed go to accommodation while travelling. But did you know, as a couple, it’s actually cheaper to pay for a private room the majority of the time. If travelling solo, of course you opt for the dorm if you’re being thrifty. It’s a great way to get to know fellow travellers and the cheapest option for you.
But as a couple, or pair, it’s often more expensive to pay for two beds in a dorm than it is to stay in a private room (sometimes with a private bathroom). It’s a good thing to look into – especially if you prefer some privacy.
20. It’s a coffee thing
You might not realise it now, but coffee is quite the saviour while travelling. So much excitement and living to the full can mean you’re a bit groggy in the mornings. If you love your morning coffee, travelling with a moka pot might be right up your alley!
It’s small enough to fit into your bag, not taking up too much room and all you need to carry with you is a small bag of filter coffee, which lasts ages! (Plus any sugar or milk you might want – FYI if you need milk, why not carry some milk powder – lasts longer and is much easier to store). It can be heated on a stove or over a fire so can be used pretty much anywhere. Much cheaper than buying yourself a coffee each morning!
21. Don’t be an easy target
While the majority of people are not out to get you, it’s still a good idea to make sure you’re never seen as an easy target. If you don’t present an opportunity for someone, it’s much less likely that something will happen. For example, if you leave your stuff unattended, it’s much more likely your things will be taken than if you kept them with you at all times.
An obvious example, but you get the point. Just think about things and take in the environment around you. Keep aware and you’ll have no scares!