Backpacking is an adventurous and affordable way to travel. It requires little upfront planning, minimal gear and can be done almost anywhere.
But how much should you budget for a backpacking trip?
The amount of money you need for a backpacking trip depends on the length of your trip, your destination and what kind of experience you’re looking for. Generally speaking, budget travelers spend around $30-$50 per day on basic needs like food, accommodation and transportation.
This doesn’t include additional costs such as entertainment or souvenirs.
Accommodation Costs:
If you’re backpacking, you’ll likely be staying in hostels or other budget accommodations like Airbnb or Couchsurfing. Prices vary depending on the location but expect to pay anywhere from $10-$30 per night for a bed in a shared dorm room.
If you want more privacy, double rooms are typically available for $20-$50 per night.
Transportation Costs:
Transportation costs depend on how far you’re traveling and how often you plan to move around. If you’re traveling within the same country or region, buses are usually the cheapest option at around $10-$20 per journey. Inter-country travel is generally more expensive with trains costing up to $50 per journey and flights can cost up to several hundred dollars depending on the route.
Food Costs:
Food costs vary greatly depending on where you are in the world but most budget travelers spend around $5-$15 per day on meals. Eating out is usually cheaper than cooking your own meals so if you plan to eat out often, it may be worth budgeting a bit more for food.
Additional Costs:
There are lots of additional costs associated with backpacking that can add up quickly if not accounted for in your budget. These include souvenirs, entertainment (museums/activities), clothing/equipment and any unexpected expenses that come up during your trip.
How much should I budget for backpacking? The amount of money needed depends on the length of your trip, your destination and what kind of experience you’re looking for but generally speaking, most backpackers spend around $30-$50 per day covering basic needs such as food, accommodation and transportation with additional costs such as entertainment and souvenirs adding up quickly if not accounted for in your budget.