10 Best Budget Travel Sites for Backpacking Trips

The Allure of Backpacking and Budget Travel

Individuals who embrace backpacking typically possess an adventurous spirit. Simultaneously, they are often highly mindful of their expenses. This inclination towards frugality is a natural consequence of the backpacking lifestyle.

The essence of adventure is rarely found in opulent surroundings or climate-controlled transportation. Aspiring backpackers must venture onto the trails and actively seek out less-traveled routes.

Defining the Backpacking Experience

As the name implies, backpackers limit their possessions to what they can comfortably carry. This minimalist approach defines their journey.

The backpacking experience often involves staying in hostels and dormitories. It may also include camping, enjoying street food, and resourceful practices like washing clothes in sinks or bathing in natural streams.

This lifestyle serves as a genuine expression of freedom and self-reliance.

Resources for the Budget-Conscious Traveler

Are you identifying as a backpacker? If you are currently organizing a trip to a distant location, consider exploring the following ten websites dedicated to budget travel.

Top Budget Travel Websites

• These resources can help you find affordable accommodations.
• They can also assist in locating inexpensive transportation options.
• Discover deals on tours and activities.
• Find tips for saving money while traveling.

Utilizing these platforms can significantly reduce your travel costs, allowing you to extend your adventure and explore more extensively.

Backpacker

Backpacker.com serves as the digital platform for the print magazine. The website is organized into distinct categories covering destinations, equipment, essential skills, and the natural world.

A particularly noteworthy aspect of this site is the inclusion of GPS data associated with many trail waypoints. This data can be downloaded for use on any GPS-enabled device.

Trip Planning Resources

Detailed, step-by-step guides are provided to assist backpackers in meticulously planning their journeys. These resources cover all aspects of trip preparation.

Gear Information

The site features comprehensive reviews of backpacking gear. Furthermore, an interactive Gear Finder tool is available to help users locate retailers.

Essential Skills

The Skills section offers crucial information for backpackers. It includes guidance on physical fitness preparation and vital survival techniques.

This section is highly recommended reading for both novice and experienced adventurers.

Backpack Forever – A Travel Resource (Discontinued)

Backpack Forever previously functioned as an online platform fostering a strong sense of community among global backpackers.

Travelers from diverse locations contributed their personal travel narratives and practical advice to the site.

Community and Content Sharing

Users were actively encouraged to participate and share knowledge of unique backpacking routes within their respective regions.

The platform offered an opportunity for contributors to monetize their experiences through advertising revenue generated from their written accounts.

Geographical Organization of Information

All submitted backpacking stories were systematically categorized and interconnected via an interactive map.

This mapping system enabled users to easily locate and explore travel information based on specific countries and geographical areas.

Backpack Forever is no longer available, but it previously served as a valuable resource for budget travelers.

The Backpacker Website

A dedicated section is available on the site, specifically designed to assist those new to backpacking.

Trails Database, featuring reviews contributed by users, and Trail Talk, a highly engaged backpacking forum, represent valuable resources for individuals passionate about backpacking.

Resource Highlights

• Trails Database: This section compiles user-submitted reviews of various trails.
• Trail Talk: A dynamic forum where backpackers actively exchange information and experiences.

Furthermore, the website provides a comprehensive database containing reviews of backpacking, camping, hiking, and other essential outdoor gear.

Backpackers can utilize this resource to research and compare equipment before their expeditions.

Trails.com

Trails.com functions as a resource for both backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a combination of complimentary and subscription-based services.

Trail Exploration

The platform allows users to explore trails categorized by the type of activity they wish to pursue. A comprehensive search function enables locating trails via an interactive map of the United States.

Travel Planning Resources

Beyond trail information, Trails.com provides a dedicated travel section. This includes a map-integrated tool for discovering hotels, motels, and other lodging options.

Community Engagement

An active discussion forum is present on the site, fostering a community among users. Individuals can register to share their own trail experiences and narratives with fellow adventurers.

Users are encouraged to contribute their own trail stories, enriching the platform for other outdoor enthusiasts seeking inspiration and information.

ExploGuide

For travelers seeking destinations beyond the typical tourist routes, ExploGuide presents a valuable resource.

The platform utilizes an integrated Google Maps feature to pinpoint numerous lesser-known locations, potentially revealing undiscovered gems – even within your own country.

Key Features

• Discovery of Unique Locations: ExploGuide excels at identifying travel spots that are often overlooked by mainstream tourism.
• Interactive Map Interface: A Google Maps mashup allows for easy exploration and visualization of potential destinations.
• Community Engagement: The site fosters a community where users can share their personal travel narratives and connect with fellow adventurers.
• Story Sharing: Travelers are encouraged to contribute their own alternative travel experiences.

ExploGuide provides a space to not only find new places to visit, but also to connect with a network of like-minded individuals and share your own explorations.

Gorp.com – A Resource for Travel Planning

Gorp.com previously served as a comprehensive online resource, detailing information for over 50,000 destinations globally.

Planning Your Trip

For those seeking spontaneous getaways, the Weekender Guide offered suggestions for brief trips. This section was designed to inspire quick adventures.

Backpacking Resources

The website provided extensive support for backpacking enthusiasts. Dedicated sections on Hiking, Camping, and essential Gear were available.

Essential Travel Information

Travelers could benefit from the Practical Advice section, offering valuable insights. Furthermore, the Trips of The Month feature highlighted curated travel itineraries.

Finding Your Next Adventure

If destination selection proved challenging, Gorp.com offered tools to assist. The Adventure Finder and Quick Escapes pages helped users discover suitable locations.

These pages also facilitated connections to available travel deals, potentially reducing trip costs.

Every Trail: A Comprehensive Travel Resource

Every Trail isn't exclusively focused on backpacking, but rather serves as a platform for discovering trail-based adventures. The site aggregates user-submitted travel content, utilizing geo-tagging to pinpoint locations of interest.

Diverse Range of Activities

Users can locate a wide variety of travel experiences through Every Trail. These include road trips, sightseeing tours, and aquatic adventures like sailing and kayaking.

• The platform also caters to outdoor enthusiasts with options for hiking and cycling.
• More adventurous travelers can find opportunities for hang gliding, skiing, and even flying.
• Unique activities like geocaching are also represented.

Global Coverage and Mobile Accessibility

Every Trail’s database encompasses travel opportunities in over 80 countries worldwide. Routes can be planned and tracked using GPS functionality via dedicated mobile applications.

The availability of mobile apps allows users to map their routes and navigate while actively traveling. This feature enhances the on-the-go experience for explorers.

Travel Independent

This webpage is particularly appealing due to its lack of advertisements and a clean, uncluttered design. This simplicity allows for quick and easy access to the information presented.

The site openly acknowledges its value, and rightfully so, as it provides a wealth of informative content. It’s a valuable resource for those seeking backpacking information in a concise manner.

Key Features

• The layout is straightforward and easy to navigate.
• Information is presented in a readily digestible format.
• A dedicated Links and Resources page offers further avenues for exploration.

For travelers prioritizing efficiency and direct access to relevant details, this website is highly recommended. The curated resources available through the links page are especially beneficial for extended research.

The absence of distracting elements contributes significantly to a positive user experience, making it an ideal starting point for planning backpacking trips. It effectively serves its purpose as an informative hub.

Adioso

Adioso, currently in its beta phase, functions as a search engine designed to identify the most affordable flights. It assists travelers in locating cost-effective airfare options from their departure city to a desired destination for backpacking adventures.

While the price alert feature remains untested, the search engine itself – despite being in beta – demonstrates sufficient functionality to uncover inexpensive airline tickets.

Key Features

• Interesting filters and graphical representations are provided.
• These tools facilitate the process of pinpointing the lowest possible fares for specific dates.

For backpackers operating on a limited budget, a search engine dedicated to discovering travel deals is an invaluable resource. The platform streamlines the search process, allowing users to quickly compare prices and identify savings.

Effectively, Adioso serves as a crucial tool for budget-conscious travelers seeking to minimize their flight expenses. It empowers users to make informed decisions and secure the best possible deals on air travel.

Hostel Bookers

For travelers seeking affordable accommodations, particularly those planning extended backpacking trips, a dedicated search engine is essential. Hostel Bookers provides a platform to locate budget-friendly hostels and hotels globally.

The site integrates a Google Maps feature, enhancing the search process and allowing users to visually identify potential lodging options. Prices are presented in Euros, facilitating easy comparison of available deals.

A secure payment system is implemented to ensure safe transactions. However, it is crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions before finalizing any hostel booking.

Resources for Budget Travelers

MakeUseOf.com has previously featured several resources beneficial for cost-conscious travelers. The following selections may prove particularly useful for backpackers:

• 5 Ways To Save Money When You Are Travelling On Vacation
• Research, Plan, & Organize All Your Travel Information At TravelMuse
• 3 Ways To Take Advantage Of The Travel Network CouchSurfing
• 5 Ways To Save Money When You Are Travelling On Vacation
• The 10 Best Free International Travel Guide Websites

Are your travel preparations complete? What destinations are on your itinerary? Share your valuable backpacking advice and experiences in the comments section below.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons