A travel blog about adventure and culture

Traveler´s Buddy

  • HOME
  • TRAVEL 101
  • TRAVEL JOURNAL
  • DESTINATIONS
    • Africa
    • America
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • TRAVELBUZZ
  • MORE
    • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
    • Work with me
      • Media content
      • Video Content
      • Photography and Video content
    • Contact me
    • About me
    • MediaKit
Danakil depression camel caravan
Avatar
Juan Martinez
Tuesday, 27 October 2015 / Published in Travel 101

10 Things to remember before backpacking for a long time

There is always a calm before the storm and if we are talking about backpacking, you should never relax and think you know you already packed everything. You should always recheck what you did and make lists of what you need, what you are taking and what you should take. Here is a list of some things you can´t forget before getting in a plane.

1. Take a copy of your passport, ID & credit cards

image

Taking your passport, identification cards or insurance card with you is something I shouldn’t remind you of. But you should also save a copy of all these documents on your cloud storage or email account. You never know when you will lose your documents and need to proof your identity at the embassy (happened to me in Thailand). Taking with you only your credit card number is also really useful, then you can just leave the card save at home and check the numbers before you book a flight or hotel.

2. Take some medication for unexpected situations

Headache or stomach ache can happen everywhere, so take some medication with you for those situations. You will thank me when you can´t sleep because of a headache and you just need to get your bag and take some pills.

3. Check the free baggage regulations with your airline

image

The usual regulations are 23kg luggage and an 8kg handbag, but some airlines have different regulations. For example Etihad Airways have 30kg free luggage for economy class passengers, most people don´t know that and prefer to leave some things at home which they might miss on the road.

4. Take a family and close friends telephone list with you

You never know when your cellphone will die, so take a short list of your most important contacts in case of emergency. It will be the most useful thing when you are out of battery in Hanoi´s airport and you need to call your mom to unlock the credit card you took to withdraw some money.

5. Write a list of hostels before you arrive

image

The description of the room forgot to write about the cockroaches at the bathroom or the broken celing? It happen not so often, but it might happen.

I don’t like to book a place for more than 2 nights without seeing it first. I prefer to take a list of the hostels located in the location I like and check one by one. Sometimes in low season some hostel owners even give you a discount if you say you are looking at several places.

6. Take some clothing for unusual situations

It doesn´t matter if you are traveling to Morocco in summer, take a small jacket with you. You will never know if the aircon in the bus will be too cold or if the plane doesn´t offer a blanket. Same thing when you travel to cold places, take some shorts, tank tops and maybe swimming stuff with you. You are not expected to use them, but if you have to, you’ll be glad you packed them.

7. Check the public transport map of your destination on the web (and save it with a screenshot)

image

This is another thing I shoudn´t have to remind you. However, if you are arriving in a new city (no matter what time of the day) and you are not planing to take a taxi, check the public transportation plan and save it on your cellphone. If you want to search how to get to the city center, check the website of the airport or check websites like TripAdvisor or Wikitravel. They have detailed information how to get around in a new city.

8. Take a small lock with you

A lock is not only useful when you give your luggage at the airport counter, but also at the hostel, bus or any other situation you might not expect.

9. Check the visa regulations for your nationality

image

As a Colombian traveling can be a little exhausting, visa here and visa there. Some nationalities might not need to worry so much about that, but you will have to go to an Embassy for a visa at least once. Check the regulations, passport validation and health recommendations before. A visa shouldn´t be a last minute surprise for the travel.

10. Bring a charger adapter

There is nothing more annoying than wanting to charge your cellphone after a long flight and find out that the electric plugs look totally different and you forgot your converter. Check on the internet about the power plug type in the country you are going to and take a multi-adapter with you, it´s definitely much better than buying an overpriced one at the airport or running around a new city looking for one.

[spider_facebook id=”1″]
[custom-facebook-feed]

[fbcomments]

  • Tweet
Tagged under: backpacking, before travel, travel tips

What you can read next

Power plugs around the world
Power plugs around the world
How to get your next travel inspiration
Sticking to Your Travel Budget – It’s easy but requires some self-control

1 Comment to “ 10 Things to remember before backpacking for a long time”

  1. Avatar home blog says :Reply
    March 3, 2017 at 6:32 am

    wonderful issues altogether, you just received a new reader.
    What might you recommend about your publish that you simply made some days in the past?

    Any positive?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

See my work for Lonely Planet

Juan Martinez - Lonely Planet Berlin

See more of my work

Juan Martinez BBC Travel - Deutsche Welle

Follow me on Instagram

Instagram Juan Martinez Travelers Buddy

Follow me on facebook

facebook banner travelersbuddy

See my videos on YouTube

youtube channel Travelersbuddy

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • Dumb, wild and free – The setbacks of a millennial jet-setter during a pandemicDumb, wild and free – The setbacks of a millennial jet-setter during a pandemic
  • Packing list for a self-driving camping trip in NamibiaPacking list for a self-driving camping trip in Namibia
  • Packing for a train journey across EuropePacking for a train journey across Europe
  • Jamaica, with license to relaxJamaica, with license to relax
  • Outdoor in the Artic – Making the most of Swedish Lapland during WinterOutdoor in the Artic – Making the most of Swedish Lapland during Winter
  • Volunteering abroad as an alternative to normal travelingVolunteering abroad as an alternative to normal traveling
  • Is the Lost City trek in Colombia worth it?Is the Lost City trek in Colombia worth it?
  • A guide to visit Mauritania as a woman aloneA guide to visit Mauritania as a woman alone
  • Exploring Colombian landscapes – Places to visit while traveling in ColombiaExploring Colombian landscapes – Places to visit while traveling in Colombia
  • Why you need to do a gorilla trekking in RwandaWhy you need to do a gorilla trekking in Rwanda

RECENT POSTS

  • Djenne mosque from restaurant viewpoint

    Everything you need to know before to travel to Mali

    Untouched, volatile, yet incredibly rewarding, ...
  • How to plan the perfect safari trip in Africa

    How to choose the perfect African safari trip

    Destination, budget, type of safari—here, I wil...
  • Which are the most bizarre travel experiences in Burkina Faso

    Which are the most bizarre travel experiences in Burkina Faso

    From sitting next to wild crocodiles, to ceremo...
  • Best things to do in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

    Best things to do in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

    Often overlooked due to its remote location, Ou...
  • How to plan a safari trip on a budget

    How to plan a safari trip on a budget

    Can safaris be done on a budget? After experien...
  • How to plan a trip to Mauritius

    How to plan a trip to Mauritius

    There are only a few countries most travelers c...
  • Hidden Currency Markets: 6 Countries with Favorable Parallel (Black) Market Exchange Rates

    While in some countries exchanging money is jus...
  • Best things to do in Niamey

    Niger Unveiled: Best things to do in Niamey

    Being one of the less traveled capitals in the ...

WRITE YOUR STORY

We accept guest posts from bloggers, journalists or travel enthusiast about anything what motivated you to travel and experience new things

CONTACT ME HERE

WORK WITH ME

Last year we worked with over 10 different tourism boards from all over the globe. Learn more how we can work together and present how awesome your destination is

CONTACT ME HERE

COME AND SAY HI

Don't be shy and just drop us an email. It´s free

CONTACT ME HERE
Travelers Buddy Mountains Footer
  • Home
  • Travel journal
  • About me
  • Contact me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Imprint
  • More about Traveler´s Buddy
  • Travel journal
  • Home
  • About me
  • Work with me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Contact me
  • GET SOCIAL

www.thetravelersbuddy.com© 2021. All rights reserved

TOP