How to Start Planning Your Backpacking Trip

[Kim]

So I've decided to create a new section on the site called "How to Start Planning Your Backpacking Trip".

I would love some suggestions on what you think are good ideas.

I am going to be making it as step by step as I can. Here's along the lines of what I was thinking:

1) Determine how long you have to travel. Figure out how many days you will be travelling for.

2) Decide on when you will be going. Time of year can be important in this dicision. Do you mind crowds in Italy in August? Is it important that the weather be nice out while you are travelling?

See the following links to see average temperatures and rainfall for countries in Europe.

3) Figure out how much you will be able to spend per day. You want to budget for a minimum of $50 US a day if you are planning on staying in dorms in hostels - and the more money the better! Reduce the amount of days if your budget isn't going to make it.

4) Consult the following maps (maps inserted). Decide what countries you would like to see then break it down into what cities you would like to visit. Be realistic - don't plan for less than 2 days in a city. A stable base where you can do daytrips from is a great idea.

5) Consult the following rail time tables (inserted) to see how long it will take you from each place to the next. Will this eat up one of your days? Are you able to do it as a night train? Is this route possible?

....

Those are just some things I've come up with, please post away other planning tips and ideas.

Kim

[WillTravel]

We slightly modified our recent Scandinavian trip so we had at least two nights in every location (except for our original landing in London).

However, if I were to do it again, I think I would say at least three nights in a location. This is clearly a matter of personal preference, but with two nights, it seemed that we would just arrive the first night, have one day of sightseeing, and then the next day was consumed with thoughts of having to make sure to get to the train or plane on time.

[Sli]

Get your self a good travel book on the countries of interest.
Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Let's Go etc...

Or Surf the net for great backpacking advice like Guide for Europe.

[Eagle]

KIM, What a great idea!!! I'm currently planning a backpacking trip to Europe, so I'm sure I will have some contributions to make at some point. I tend to plan some trips in very precise detail (especially at this particular time, as all I can afford to do is to "plan"). That's not to say that my trips are so structured that I don't have any fun. My theory is to plan the important details such as transport, food, lodging and finances in great detail, and then just relax and have a great time in each destination without having to worry about details such as where I'm going to sleep or how I'm going to feed myself. I like the concept of maximum efficiency for both time and money during travel, so that I don't waste too much of either during the trip.
At the moment, I haven't pulled all the details of my trip into any kind of logical order so can't offer any tips on what works in the planning process. However, when I'm a bit further through the process, I should have a few ideas to pass along to others on the site.
Incidentally, I've been using the Rick Steves Guidebooks for a lot of the planning I've been doing so far, in addition to information from the Internet.
I'll check back every so often to see how this is progressing.

[nitsansh]

Before anything else...

1. Determine in which company you would like to travel? Solo or with companions? Organized tour or Do It Yourself?

2. Determine what your objectives on this trip. What kind of places or activities interest you? (and your travel companions, in case you have. Agreement on this issue is very important)

3. Determine the time and money you can, or want, to allocate for this trip.

4. Determine your prefered level of living and spending. What kind of accomodation: Camping, Hostels, Hotels, B&B? What kind of food: Buy in supermarket and cook for yourself, fast food joints or "proper" restaurants? Are you going to visit many museums and sights? Are you going to spend on entertainment/partying?

Once you got all these basics sorted out, it's time to move on to planning proper...

When you choose destinations, I suggest to make 2 "wish lists":
1. Places you MUST see.
2. Places you WANT to see IF POSSIBLE.
Be realistic, and "budget" no more than 2 places per week on each list.
Take special note of time-related destinations, such as festivals or activities that must be done at specific dates. I call these "anchors", as they tie you to specific places on specific dates, and you plan the rest of the itinerary around them.
Also, they cut your long trip to smaller chunks of time that can be handled easier.

For those who make their first trip to unchartered territory... never think that it's your last trip over there (the only exception is if you're terminally ill)... you don't have to see everything you want in one trip, no matter if it's 7 days or 7 months...

[Kim]

Excellent suggestions so far, I will be adding them all in.

Keep 'em coming!

Kim