Terms, History, Backpacker Tips for Beginners

Backpacking is a budget-friendly, educational, and enjoyable way to travel. Why? This is because being a backpacker means being smart in managing expenses and preparing compact items for essential needs during the trip. But why is it called a backpacker? Are all tourists who travel with a backpack automatically called backpackers?

Who Can Be Called a Backpacker?

A backpacker is a term used to refer to someone who travels to a place without involving a travel agent. Although the name is backpacker, not all tourists who visit a place and carry a backpack are automatically called backpackers. This is because the main essence of a backpacker is an independent person who manages various needs from transportation to planning their own itinerary. For this reason, a backpacker is usually better known as a budget traveler.

A backpacker will carefully prepare travel necessities well in advance. Some backpackers even spend more time researching tourist spots and preparing travel needs than the actual trip itself. Because of this, backpackers are referred to as smart travelers because all needs are met independently.

When at tourist spots, backpackers do not prioritize tourist activities such as visiting popular attractions or taking photos for their social media accounts. Instead, they prefer to mingle with the local community and use public transportation to save costs. What a backpacker emphasizes is how the experience of visiting a new place provides them with lessons about life.

History of Backpacking

The origin of the term backpacker is not very clear, and it is also difficult to trace who traveled independently using a backpack. What is certain is that the essence of a backpacker's journey is derived from the experiences of hippies in the 1960s.

At that time, hippies traveled to various places and mingled with local residents. They would chat, seek rides, and even stay with locals to save on travel costs. However, they did not only travel but also campaigned about going green to the community.

The backpack that has become the identity of a backpacker was discovered around 1991 in the Ötztal Alps. It is said that a mummy was found with an animal skin backpack beside it, and the mummy was referred to as Ötzi the Iceman. From there, the design of the backpack was created to facilitate mobility while carrying many items for the purpose of traveling. Due to the high mobility of a backpacker, the backpack was chosen because it makes travel more compact while still being comfortable compared to other types of bags.

8 Tips for Backpacking for Beginners

For friends who are interested in traveling as a backpacker, you can apply the following tips. These tips will make it easier for you to prepare yourself. Although it is known as a budget-friendly form of travel, it is impossible not to prepare a budget at all, right?

1. Plan Your Trip Thoroughly

Traveling certainly requires careful planning, especially for a backpacker. Being independent and not relying on travel agents certainly has its own challenges, especially for someone who is not used to independent travel.

The travel plan does not need to be complicated; it can simply be written on a device or in a regular notebook. Start with where the destination is, which spots will be visited, what transportation will be used, how long the trip will take, and where to stay if it requires a long time. This plan can help you know what needs to be prepared, thus making your trip more organized.

2. Research Your Destination

When someone wants to visit a place they have never been before, the first thing to do is research the place. What is the condition of the community there, what is the weather like when we visit, and what are the typical food and transportation prices?

As a backpacker, all of these things should be memorized, especially regarding public transportation prices for your mobility during your stay.

3. Pack Necessary Items

Do not overpack when being a backpacker. This is because you will be carrying your backpack everywhere during your trip. Why? Because usually, a backpacker does not stay in just one accommodation but moves around to gain more impressive experiences by visiting many places and meeting many people.

Bring only the necessary clothes. Later, when you arrive at your accommodation, whether it is paid lodging or a local's home willing to host you, wash the clothes of the day to wear them on another day. Besides lightening your load, this also trains you to be independent and maximize your travel time well. And, your back won't hurt from carrying too much stuff, right?

4. Public Transportation, Walking, or Hitchhiking?

A backpacker does not worry about what transportation to use from one place to another. Unlike tourists who use travel agents and take buses to their destinations, backpackers are more flexible. They can use public transport in the area or hitch a ride with locals going to a certain place. There is no need to worry about being rejected by locals when asking for a ride, as long as we are polite, they will surely be friendly to us.

Due to this uncertainty of transportation, a backpacker should prepare rain protection gear such as an umbrella or raincoat. Because, it might rain before finding public transport or a ride, right?

5. Socialize with Local Residents

If someone asks whether backpacking is better done by an introvert or an extrovert, the answer is that anyone can do it. An introvert does not mean they cannot socialize and must be alone in a room. What matters is that the person can place themselves well in the community to have a pleasant travel experience. Besides facilitating mobility, socializing with local residents at the backpacker's tourist destination is also useful for gaining knowledge, as locals usually know much more about the tourist spots than tourists do, right?

6. Be Aware of Dangers

Do not be complacent! Being a backpacker requires you to always focus on your safety. Even if some backpackers travel with friends, consisting of two to four people or even more, backpacking is not as safe as traveling with a travel agency.

Being independent and using public transport everywhere certainly makes one more vulnerable to pickpockets or thieves, right? Therefore, independent travelers must be more cautious of their surroundings. Place crucial items like gadgets and wallets in safer spots. If necessary, divide some cash to keep in different places so that if, for example, your wallet is lost, there will still be money left because it is stored in different places.

7. Always Stay Updated on Promotions

When the backpacker's destination is far from home, it is impossible to just walk or hitch a ride, right? At the very least, you will need to use public transportation such as trains, ferries, or even planes. You may also need to book accommodation. So, staying updated on promotions in travel apps is key.

Do not miss moments leading up to holidays, special days, or national celebrations. During such times, there are usually many promotions. However, the most important thing is not to book transportation tickets or accommodation too close to the departure date. It should be done well in advance, okay, friends!

Traveling as a backpacker is so much fun. Because, backpackers are no longer defined as independent travelers who have no money and must save everything. The essence of being a backpacker is to gain more experience and education than travelers who use travel agencies.

So, are you interested in becoming a backpacker?

Author: Nisa Maulan Shofa