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When we come across information on the web that was useful to us, this is the place where we will post it. This is not a catchall resource page where we put links to everything we find. Rather, we will strive to only link to the best online resources for budget travelers and first time nomadic backpackers.
Budget Travel Guides
No budget travel website is complete and each site has it’s weaknesses. That being said, when I need to know that answer to a question, or when I know so little about something I that I need to first learn what the right questions are, I ask the experts. The following sites are created by people who have spent years traveling the world as budget travelers. I think that qualifies them as experts.
Travelindependent.info is of the most comprehensive budget travel/nomad backpacking sites I have found on the web. This is the premier site in terms of reading about how to travel the world from the perspective of the expert backpacker.
Ever want a round table discussion on the city you’ve been considering visiting? Or perhaps you have a question that wikipedia cannot answer?
The members of eurotrip.com are active and offer great advice on a wide range of budget travel topics. It’s amazing how quickly someone’s question will receive response. Opinions, ideas, answers from people who have been their (or are currently in that country) or by people who have made a travel mistake they want to help others to avoid.
The site is made up of a team of individuals who blog, “the backpackers team”. The team at backpackers.com covers relevant issues backpackers are facing. For example, “Where to stay during Oktoberfest”. With so many people in town to celebrate, apparently backpackers are having a harder time finding lodging.
What a phenomenal place to find specific info just for women. Anything from traveling safely, cheaply, accommodations, health, volunteering, or even how to find a teaching job best for a woman. My favorite new concept the site explores is “pro-poor tourism” and how one can positively influence the poor while traveling. women-on-the-road.com is a warm welcoming site that gives me a sense of community and empowerment.
We land in Dublin at 11:40 pm. Now what? Should we venture out for a beer or crash at the airport for the night? Is it safe? Where is the most quiet area of the airport? How do the chairs rate for comfort? All these answers and more at sleepinginairports.net Be creative, leaving at 5:45 am, why not sleep at the airport the night before? Wake up and jet…
Check out couchsurfing.com find your place, find your couch! Either find a couch to sleep on somewhere around the world or offer your couch or guest bedroom up to another traveler. It’s a fun way to meet people and interact with locals.
Need to escape to that tropical destination? Why get on a plane? It’s only a click away! Greg has created a great resource for an experienced budget traveler, or first time backpackers. Enjoy thailandtips.info as you dream of where you might go in the future.
Logistics
World Nomad travel insurance is easy to obtain, easy to use, and affordable. If you are looking for an insurance company that is willing to tell you, in laymen terms, exactly what is and is not covered by their insurance- this is your company. Ideal for short term or long term travel, World Nomads is expandable from anywhere on the globe. For more an expanded version of our thoughts on travel insurance read the Murphy’s Law and Travel Insurance post.
Stuck in a city with no wheels? No problem! A cross-cultural carpool network set up to facilitate catching that ride to your next destination with someone driving in that direction anyway. Why pay for a rental car or bus fare when you can be more environmentally friendly, save some cash and meet someone new?
Guide Books
All guide books are not created equal and the process that creates a guidebook can be rather scary when you think of how many travelers treat a guidebook like the ultimate authority (i.e bible) on a country. Read this article by a previous guidebook author to gain a new perspective on the guidebook industry. What is a bit interesting about this section is that we cannot in good faith recommend a guide book unless we have used it. So I suspect that it will take some time before there are many books listed here.
The Rough Guide to First-Time Around the World
This book contains practical information for first time long term budget travelers. The authors include information on:
- - Picking a travel partner (if you pick one at all)
- - Determining how much money is needed
- - Why you should pack lite and what not to pack
- - Reverse Culture Shock (what happens when you get back home)
For the first time backpacker, this book is easily accessible, containing a wealth of knowledge about many aspect of long term budget travel. Reading this book with likely leave you with more questions than answers but it is an excellent way to be introduced to the idea of traveling around the world
Any specific info about Backpacking in India ??
Akshay, I apologize for not having any personal advice for backpacking India. Unfortunately, neither Justin nor myself have had the opportunity (yet).
One thing that I have heard has to do with lodging. Don’t ever settle for the first room someone shows you. Ask to see another room, because typical hostel owners will offer their worst rooms first. Also, if the weather is suitable, you can inquire about sleeping on the roof. See if it’s an option, because you can often sleep under the stars for super cheap, and still use the other amenities offered.
Not sure if that will help you out? But I do hope that India is everything that you want it to be!
Hey Natalie,
) I was wondering if you could add our website too on this page if it helps….!!
)
Good to hear that,India sure is everything you want it to be
It is http://www.indianbackpacker.com
And seriously if you havnt Backpacked to India till now,you really are missing out on something !!
You should try to make it asap
A great travel budget planning and tracking resource is http://www.budgetyourtrip.com. It’d be great if you could add it to your list.
Hey Natalie,
Your site is looking great!
Would you be interested in contributing to http://www.startbackpacking.com ? I’m in dire need of some fresh content and looking for articles.
Cheers and good luck!
Greg