What “backpacking” means in this guide
The word covers two overlapping activities. For some travellers it means budget travel with a pack, staying in hostels and moving between towns. For others it means multi-day hiking with a tent or hut stops. Many of the best trips combine both, such as a few days of trekking tucked into a longer overland route. This guide covers countries that work well for either style and notes which one each place suits best.
Prices, visa rules and trail conditions change, so treat everything below as a starting point and check current official sources before booking.
How to choose a country
A few questions narrow the field quickly.
- Season. Weather often decides more than anything else. Monsoon seasons, snow on high passes and extreme heat can all close or spoil a route. Look up the typical conditions for your travel month first.
- Budget. Daily costs vary a lot between regions, and flights are often the largest single expense. A cheap country far from home may cost more overall than a pricier one nearby.
- Experience. Well-developed backpacker routes with hostels and frequent transport suit first trips. Remote trekking suits people with navigation and self-sufficiency skills.
- Time. Some regions reward a long, slow trip. Others are best as a two-week focused visit.
- Entry requirements. Check visa rules, vaccination advice and any trekking permit systems early. Some popular trails limit numbers and require booking well in advance.
Best countries for first-time backpackers
Thailand is widely regarded as an easy introduction to backpacking. Transport is frequent, hostels are plentiful and it is simple to meet other travellers. Trekking exists around the north, but most people come for the mix of cities, islands and food.
Vietnam is popular for its north-to-south route, with trains, buses and short domestic flights linking the main stops. Northern areas near Sapa and the caves of Phong Nha offer hiking options.
Portugal is a gentle option within Europe, with a compact geography, good public transport and coastal walking routes. It is often cheaper than much of Western Europe, though prices in popular cities have risen.
Best countries for trekking
Nepal is the classic trekking destination, with teahouse-style routes in the Himalaya where you can walk without carrying camping gear. Permits are required for many regions, and altitude is a real health consideration, so read up on acclimatisation and consider advice from a medical professional.
New Zealand has a network of well-maintained tracks and huts, including the Great Walks, which generally need advance booking in peak season. Weather can change fast, even in summer.
Peru and Bolivia offer Andean routes at high altitude. Our South America itinerary shows how these fit into a longer overland trip.
The United States has world-class backpacking, and Alaska stands out for true wilderness. See our guide to backpacking in Alaska.
Asia more broadly has far more trekking than most people expect. Our guide to the best treks and hiking trips in Asia covers options from Southeast Asia to the Himalaya.
Cheapest countries to backpack
Budget-focused travellers most often point to South and Southeast Asia, parts of Central and South America and some Eastern and Southern European countries. Commonly mentioned examples include Nepal, India, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Bolivia, Guatemala, Albania and Bulgaria. Exact daily budgets depend on your style, how fast you travel and exchange rates, so we do not quote fixed figures here. Look at trip reports from the past year for a realistic picture.
Costs also rise sharply with transport. Moving every two days costs more than staying a week in one place.
Best for islands and culture
- Indonesia combines islands, volcano hikes and a huge range of regional cultures.
- Sri Lanka packs hill country, beaches and ancient sites into a small area.
- Greece is built for island hopping, with ferries linking the main island groups. See island hopping Greece as a backpacker.
- The Caribbean is pricier but possible on a budget with planning. See island hopping the Caribbean on a backpacker budget.
- Spain and the UK both have long-distance walking traditions. Our guide to pilgrimage walking routes in Britain and Europe is a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
What is the “big 3” in backpacking?
In hiking and backpacking gear terms, the “big 3” usually means the three heaviest items: your pack, your shelter and your sleep system. Reducing the weight of these gives the biggest savings.
Is 25 too old to go backpacking?
No. People backpack at every age, and there is no cut-off. Hostels and trails host travellers from their teens to their seventies. Fitness, planning and personal preference matter more than age.
Is $20,000 enough to travel the world?
It depends on how long you travel, where you go and how you travel. In cheaper regions it can stretch over many months, while a route through expensive countries will use it far faster. Build a rough budget from recent cost reports for each region, then add a buffer for flights, insurance and emergencies.
Which country is best for a first trip?
Countries with established backpacker routes, frequent transport and easy ways to meet other travellers, such as Thailand, Vietnam and Portugal, are common choices.