5 tips to travel the world on a budget

Want to holiday abroad but can't really afford the hotels and their exorbitant prices? Or you have the freaking money but don't want to spend it on overpriced hotels? Or the main purpose of your travel is to meet like minded people and have some meaningful conversations?

If you can connect with any of the 3 questions above, you need to start backpacking. Hell yeah, don't wait for your friends! Just pack your bags and start travelling. 

Travel the world with your backpack

1. Two is many, Three is too many, Four is not funny

NO! NO! NO!

If you want to backpack, you have to travel light, as light as possible. You don't want to be lugging a huge suitcase(s) around, with 20 shirts, 5 trousers, a running shoe for the morning run, a formal shoe for the evening dinner and a hiking shoe for the hikes! The lighter you travel, the faster it is to pack.

Have you read the family planning message behind Indian trucks - "We one, Ours one"? Adopt that wholeheartedly for your trip (for the bags eh).

YES! YES! YES! 




The Yes! was for the Bag in the background, not for the Beer :)

2. So what does travelling light entail?

Personally, I would recommend that you don't carry extras of anything except shirts and undergarments. When packing, you normally have the urge to pack that extra pair of jeans just in case the one you're wearing gets soiled or that extra sweater which looks awesome on you. I have done that in the past and realised that I never use any of those extras.

So for someone travelling for a month, a perfect bag would include:

1. 3 or 4 shirts (including one you are wearing)

2. 1 pair of jeans

3. 4 undergarments (including one you are wearing)

4. 2 socks (including one you are wearing)

5. Phone + Charger

6. Camera + Charger

7. Laptop + Charger (only if needed)

8. Body/Face Wash re-packed in small containers

9. 1 Towel (carry the most compact one you have)

10. 1 brush + medium tube of toothpaste

Depending on the time of year you are travelling, you may choose to carry a jacket/jumper/sweater, fleece and thermals (if needed). Carrying multiple jackets will take up too much space so take only one which will be perfect for all the places you are planning to visit.

Tip 1: Reversing and wearing your underwear after bath doubles the number of underwear's you are carrying :) So 4 = 8. It's a clever hack while travelling. Screw the critics, you're the one travelling!

Tip 2: However hard it may seem, do not put in things which you think you 'may' use. You can always buy them at the destination country if it's really needed.

Tip 3: If your towel is too bulky, think of buying a travel towel.

Tip 4: Keep some money aside to buy essentials at the destination country in case you forget something (like toothpaste, toothbrush, body wash etc).

Tip 5: Plan to take a 40-60 litre bag and not a big suitcase. That way, you will be forced to carry only things you will definitely need.

Tip 6: Carry only one amazing pair of shoes (waterproof if possible) that will serve you well in all weather conditions and terrains.

Less packing, less worries, more travel, more fun!

3. How to get from one place to another?

In  a nutshell, travel by the cheapest mode of transport. Usually, the cheapest mode would be a bus, but do check for flights as well. Sometimes, flights are much cheaper than trains and buses. It depends on your priorities though. I hate flights as it doesn't let me see the country. Buses and Trains would be my favourite, although in most places, trains can be ridiculously expensive.

The order of priority can be as follows:

1. Cheap

2. Fast (Need not be the fastest)

3. Comfortable

4. Where to stay?

There are tons of options available. Since you are planning to backpack, costs are definitely of paramount importance. Hostels are a great place to meet like-minded travellers. 

If your thinking is similar to mine, the priority would be as follows:

1. Cheap
2. No Curfew

3. Clean Toilets

4. Clean Beds

5. Lockers to keep stuff safe

6. Good atmosphere (Bar, Common Area, friendly staff)

7. WiFi

8. Access to transport

Feel free to re-order your priorities. These are just ideas to help you think. 

5. Start thinking about travelling light :)

Needs no explanation does it?

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Gaurav Rajaram is a photographer from Bangalore who is passionate about travelling, teaching and writing. 

He teaches Accounting and Direct Tax to students pursuing the Chartered Accountancy (CA) Course. You can read more about him and what he does for a living here