Why I Love Backpacking
Backpacking is one of the craziest adventures a traveler can take. It’s a lifestyle that pushes your limits, humbles you, and changes you. There are many reasons why I love backpacking.
I had my first backpacking experience at the end of 2017 through part of 2018, when my ex and I decided to backpack eight months through Asia. So, with just one backpack and a handbag each, we packed a few things and set off to China to begin a new adventure.
It was the most life-changing experience and the one that opened up my world to travel even more.
I learned to live from very little, save money by eating cheap and staying in cheap hostels and guesthouses, and learn about new cultures while getting lost in beautiful cities.
Backpacking is not always as easy as it may seem. There are many reasons I sometimes hate it. But I would choose to backpack over and over again because it is absolutely freeing to the soul to leave everything behind and immerse yourself in a simple way of living.
Here are the many reasons I love backpacking.
Why I Love Backpacking
Table of Contents
Hostels
As much as I dislike sleeping in dorm rooms because I don’t get good sleep, I also love it. I love hostels for many reasons. First, they are perfect for making friends if you are traveling solo. The prices can be very cheap and save you a lot of money while traveling long term.
Many have private rooms if you want to get better sleep. Some have a very social atmosphere and organize tours. And despite what some people think because of movies they’ve watched, hostels are very safe. As a solo traveler, I feel safer in a hostel than in a hotel.
Learning About New Cultures
Learning about new cultures is one of my favorite things about backpacking long-term. Usually, when people take a vacation, it’s to stay at a decent hotel and see as many things as possible in one or two weeks. On the other hand, backpacking is usually at a slower rate, depending on the traveler. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in cultural activities, volunteer with the local community, and make local friends.
Minimalist Lifestyle
There is so much freedom in living out of a backpack. I come from a consumerist society, where we own more things than we need. I’m guilty of that too and tend to overpack for short vacations. But, backpacking forces me to pack only the necessary and live using that for many weeks, sometimes months.
It’s liberating not to need more. It’s hard too. But living a minimalistic lifestyle teaches you that you don’t need a lot of things to be happy. As long as you have a toothbrush, it’s all you need.
Friendships with other Backpackers
When I’m home, I have my close circle of friends. But when I’m backpacking solo, I meet other backpackers from all over the world. I learn about their culture, their way of thinking, their lifestyles, and so much more.
Before meeting them, I have preconceived ideas about how people from certain countries are.
Once meeting them, I learn so much, and I’m corrected about these ideas. Had I stayed home, I would never have had the opportunity to learn about others.
Meeting new people is one of my favorite things about backpacking. Now, I have friends from all over the world who I say connected with through Instagram. Some have even become close friends.
Making Friendships with Locals
On that same note, as much as making friends with other backpackers is great, I think I love becoming friends with locals even more. I love this because it’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the culture and to learn the real way people live and think.
I’ve had people from different countries invite me into their homes to have dinner, drink coffee, or go to a local nightclub, and those have been the memories I most treasure.
Local people love meeting foreigners, and not every foreigner is willing to form friendships with local people. However, it will be the most humbling learning experience to have.
No One Knows Your Past
People travel for different reasons. Some are just for the love of travel, and some have a story and reason for leaving to backpack. Backpacking can be the perfect getaway from things in your past. Not necessarily an escape, but a way to open up the doors to a new world.
When I’m backpacking, I love that I can choose to tell or not to tell my past. There is no judgment about your character, choices, or style of living. You are simply another traveler on the road who cares about seeing the world.
Age Doesn't Matter
In the backpacking world, making friendships is essential to combat loneliness. What I love about those friendships is that no one is specifically looking to only hang out with people their age. It is awesome because you can become friends with an 18-year-old or a 50-year-old and have a fantastic time with either. Backpackers have a love of traveling and seeing new cultures as a shared interest, and that’s all that matters.
Seeing New Places
It’s evident if you’re backpacking, you’ll see new places. It’s the reason we leave in the first place. It doesn’t matter how many countries, cities, and states I’ve visited, I still get excited about seeing each new destination I head to.
Many times, some places surprise me more than expected. For example, I visited Guatemala because I was nearby in Mexico. I was only going for ten days and loved it so much I stayed three weeks. In Thailand, I wound up staying two months. And now, I find myself living in Colombia.
Trying New Things
The majority of us, when we are in the safety of our homes, will stick to what’s familiar to us. However, while backpacking, you try new experiences you wouldn’t have back home. This includes food, hikes, adventures, making friendships, and so much more.
If you come from a small city as I do, you probably don’t have the opportunity to try things like sandboarding, scuba diving, or seeing a volcano erupt. Backpacking has pushed me to try new things I never imagined I would try. I can’t imagine how much I would have missed out on if I didn’t come out of the comfort of my home.
Tell me, what do you love about backpacking? Or what do you hate about backpacking?
What to Pack
Are you planning a backpacking trip soon? Check out some of my favorite items to pack:
Why I Love Backpacking
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
Why I Love Backpacking
