Accommodation

Never stay in a hotel, unless you really have to. It’s really just against the whole backpacking method. Why backpack and stay in expenses hotels, when you can save so much more money on other things and meet other backpackers? Hostels aren’t only cheap; they are safe, and fun. Another way to save money in staying at a hostel and staying in a dorm, not a single room. Single rooms are generally more costly.

Avoid luxurious tours

Many new backpackers start off with an expensive tour. Now they can be a great idea if you choose the correct tour such as Gap Adventures. But traveling to exotic countries with so many resources to travel independently, it really is just a waste of money. Yes, you might feel more comfortable, safe, and with no worries, but really you don’t meet as many backpackers who share the same love for traveling as you do.

Bargain

Every country is different with cultures and traditions and there are many approaches in how to achieve the correct price on an item. First figure out and understand how the pricing works in the country. Next always think of the best price in your head and never assume that there is a flat rate. Play with the price a little, make a judgment, and feel confident about the price your are offering.

Activities

From going to a museum to sky-diving. Find out the cheapest route to purchasing the tickets. Use your student card, passport, or even try to pass as a local. Every method in trying to save a dime is always what backpackers are looking for.

Airfares

Airfares aren’t always cheap and there is always a large gap in prices. Make sure you do your research, look online, go to a travel agent, book ahead, and even try booking in the middle of the night. I find most of the time the prices go down 20-30% due to it being in the middle of the night.

Now these are only a few quick tips in how to save money. Once you start backpacking often you realize there are small ways in how to save a penny here and there. Trust me you will get the hang of finding routes to save money.

Money

Traveling with cash is easy and easy to lose. Think about your options, like consider using an international bank. There are a few banks that you can use without paying lots withdrawal fees. Also, consider your safety. Using international banking is the safest and easiest way to keep track of your funds.

When it comes to transportation in a different country, I can easily find a common denominator if I look back at all my travels experiences. Unless I had a friend who lived in the country I was visiting, I never rented a car and turned my backpacking trip into a road trip. I normally relied on planes, buses, trains or ferries to take me from point a to b. But given that I was in Africa last year and I’m going back again in less than a month, I wanted something different. After some research on transportation in South Africa, it was obvious that a car hire was a good idea.

Although internal flights are cheap, most of them fly between major cities.  If you’re in a smaller town like Umtata in the wild cost and trying to get to the garden route, you’ll be able to find a flight, but it flies only once per week. The same situation rose when I was looking to travel to Central Drakensberg from Johannesburg. I thought hopping on a bus would have been the easiest option but the accommodations are so spread out in that area that one would have to hitch hike to their hostel, b&b or hotel. After a few instances like this, I began to look into renting a car for the trip. I was skeptical at first, you know, with the driving in South Africa fear but after reading a few forums, many people recommended it. So why not?

For internal flights between major towns and cities consider: Kulula,  1time,  Velvert sky, Mango

For bus carriers you can consider: Intercape, Greyhound, Translux, SA Roadlink

And so I went on Expedia and started looking at prices. One can easily find an economy or mid size car for about 200$ per week, and this, with unlimited mileage. It was great! After all this research on transportation options, we finally decided to rent a car and experience a 3-week road trip. There was a minor hiccup in our original plan because we land in Johannesburg at 10pm and we felt uncomfortable driving mot only at night, but on the left side of the road. The last thing I want to happen is get lost in a shady neighborhood in Jo’burg at midnight. This being said, we finally agreed to take a cab to pur friends house when we arrive and then pick up the car when we’re ready to drive to Drakensberg.

Another option that can be interesting to backpackers in South Africa is Baz Bus. It’s basically a shuttle service between popular towns and cities. The interesting part is that you can buy a pass based on travel days and hop on and off the bus as much as you want during that period. You can also choose to pay as you go. We considered this option but the timetables didn’t always correspond with our schedule and given our somewhat short vacation, we agreed on the car option.

Given the multiple transportation options in South Africa, no backpacker must really worry about it. The transportation method you choose will depend on the places you will visit. Good luck!

]]> http://offtrackbackpacking.net/2012/02/09/transportation-in-south-africa/feed/ 0 http://offtrackbackpacking.net/2011/10/07/underground-or-over-ground-a-brief-backpackers-guide-to-getting-around-london-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=underground-or-over-ground-a-brief-backpackers-guide-to-getting-around-london-2 http://offtrackbackpacking.net/2011/10/07/underground-or-over-ground-a-brief-backpackers-guide-to-getting-around-london-2/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:56:50 +0000 offtrackbackpacking http://offtrackbackpacking.net/?p=5258 Everybody wants to do London, right? It’s on every true backpacker’s list. Even if you’re from England, your trip has got to either start or finish here. It’s a country within a city within a country.

Image courtesy of Matt

There are loads of free attractions like the National Science Museum and the Tate Art Museums and a hundred other sights and walks to see and do. You can have a picnic in Hyde Park one minute and weave your way down Oxford Street the next. You can sit atop a lion in Trafalgar Square by day and admire the dazzling lights of Piccadilly Circus by night. As you well know, there’s a lot to get through in London – you’ll never do it in a day.

But what a lot of backpackers debate about is the best way to get to and from these sights and sounds. The world famous Underground, an unbelievable feat of engineering in itself, is by far the most convenient way to get around, but some argue that the Tube deprives you of the full visual charm of London. Others say that the Tube is part of the charm of London and, while you may not agree during rush hour when your face is squashed against the window of a train, this is hard to refute. The London experience is incomplete without a ride on the Tube.

Of course, if you’re pressed for time, then the Tube is often the best way to get between points of interest that are beyond walking distance. If you’re staying for more than a couple of days and you think you’ll make quite a few trips via the Underground, then be sure to bag yourself an Oyster card – you’ll save a small fortune on fares to spend on essentials like food and drink.

LondonNights.com offers discounts on hotels all over the capital for a place to stay, even if it’s just for a night. Pardon the cliché, but there really is something for everyone in this city; from every type of cuisine you could imagine to a bar or club for every type of music put there.

It is, like most cities, a very busy place, so you will need to keep your wits about you, backpackers. This is especially true during busy spells on the Tube, so it would perhaps be worth your while to have your backpack as a frontpack on there. This shouldn’t, by any means, serve to put you off London, since every city has its dangers: it does you no harm to be extra vigilant for both yourself and your mates.

The streets of London can be, in parts, as busy as the Tube, but it is really up to you how you travel and what you want to see. Your itinerary of places to see will inevitably dictate how much time you spend underground, so it is always advisable to plan your visit in advance. If you can walk it, walk it. If it’s too far to walk it, tube it. Either way, you’ll get to experience London at its exhilarating best.

Train, Bus or Airport Strikes while traveling

Oh man, do I hate them! I can deal with flight delays but when they are due to strikes, shoot me! It happened when I was in Morocco and it was one of my worst experiences ever! The train cabin was crammed, the tiny bathrooms were full and I had to sit on my backpack the entire time even after paying for a seat. It was hot and I became dehydrated. No fun! I was lucky enough to hop on a train but I wouldn’t have minded waiting an extra day in that case.

Having Traveler’s Diarrhea

Ok, this is really no fun at all! Especially if you’re somewhere where bathrooms are a luxury!

Finding Place for Your Souvenirs in Your Backpack

When I leave with a backpack, which is 99% of the time, I normally leave with a full backpack. So my dilemma occurs when I buy souvenirs on the road but don’t know how I’ll manage to carry them home. So what do I do? Everyone gets something small… and I began cutting on souvenirs. With all the places I’ve been, I’ve spoiled friends and family. So when I don’t have space, I don’t buy much. (It’s good for the budget I must say)

When I Can’t Sleep Because of People Who Snore in a Hostel Dorm

I know it’s out of their control, but c’mon! Why do I have to experience sleepless nights because other people in the dorm snore. There should be a rule, if you snore, you need to rent a private room!

No Hot Showers in the Hostels

I don’t mind if the water is not very hot but I can’t take a cold shower unless it’s scorching hot outside. Let’s just say that taking a cold shower poses problems sometimes.

But that’s it! I only have 5 pet peeves, which don’t bother me all that much. Do you have a pet peeve you’d like to share?

…..I left off at the excitement of the Egypt trip after Greece and Russia. My working visa for England and ran out by the June of 1980 so I bought a airline Apex ticket which was only applicable for student travelers and the destinations were varied but multiple. I decided to cross over eastbound back to Canada through the Middle East, Asia, and then the Western States up to Chicago then Toronto. The ticket would last one year, so each destination or country chosen on the airline ticket could be a long or short stay as long I was able to get back to Canada on the year of the purchased original date. I landed at first in Beirut, but only stayed to fill up since young white females were under different obligations as far as the male-dominated Islamic world was concerned. I then got to Hong Kong and decided to stay there for a week not realizing that I needed a travel visa to get into Korea, then in order to land to Japan, Taipei then Hawaii. I met up with English acquiesces in the Southern part of China, (I took an old bus up to the mainland of China,) but mainly explored the Islands in Hong Kong. I was invited to stay with a family in Japan, outside Osaka but I chickened out because I was scared about the money I smuggled out of the UK. No traveler’s cheques, just 15,000 dollars cash Canadian money since I worked triple shifts in England and spent virtually no money on rent and food. Just saving….also I made more cash on tips compared to my English waitress co-workers partly because I was extroverted and friendly …like the American Service industry culture.

I landed in South Korea instead of Japan, since Japan during the 1980′s was at their sparklingly economical heightened ways. Once I landed in Hawaii, I stayed there for a week to visit Pearl Harbor and the other side of the island. After Hawaii, was a long flight back over the Pacific and I arrived to Los Angeles. From there, I phoned a long lost cousin and ended up by bus to San Francisco which I loved amongst the other cities too. I eventually knew I had to get back to Toronto since the sudden crisis occurred with the Ronald Reagan administration. The air traffic controllers went on strike that summer of 1980, so the President fired all flight staffing. I ended up having to pay an extra two hundred dollars to get a ticket on a bus and ride on this bus for six solid days and nights. Baby food was my diet that week since there was no movement and financially, I needed to save extra pennies since I needed the cash to establish myself once I got back to Toronto.

After a few years, I only traveled back to England several times with my newly wedded husband from England, and then honeymooned to the Caribbean, Barbados. For years, once children arrived in our lives, we didn’t travel at all until the children were no longer babies.

Now the children are adults living in different cities, working, my partner and I hit the South Asian countries in 2006. We also got to Mexico, more Caribbean islands, Southern States then Europe. Portugal was first, 2004, Italy in 2008, 2010 April was Prague, Germany and Austria, and this October 2010 we will flying off to Africa, Tanzania and Kilimanjaro.

I thought this was a story to tell, because every backpacker gets the travel bug from something or someone. As for me, I got it from my mom.

My first experience with the travel bug occurred in 1979 when I graduated from Sheridan College (Media program) and I applied to the NUSWAP from University of Toronto (National University Student’s Work Abroad Program set up around the same time as the CUSU Program, which was also affiliated with the Canadian Universities. This program in particular that I paid one thousand dollars for a working Visa, to either Germany for three months, Australia, or England. I chose England mainly so I could at that time apply for acting school like RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts), which was deemed one of the finest acting schools in the world besides Julliard in New York City.

I auditioned and got in, but I finished the course realizing that acting was not in the future – traveling was.

The Suswap program pertained to working visas, which meant working in a hotel, located pertaining to a city that was allocated to the area of the student’s desire. I chose Aer Lingus Airlines Hotel called the London Tara Hotel and my job was waitressing in the main dining area. This hotel was designed for large tour groups from all across the world and the time limitations were three or five months. I stayed on longer than the three months so I could save to travel. Knowing my time limitations, I felt it was the most feasible thing to do also being robbed in cash from a recent break-in, in my living quarters that enticed me to work longer. Also had me staying in England longer to save more money for traveling.

In 1979 November, I first went to Greece on a tour with mainly older people, traveled by bus, ferry around some of the Greek Islands and Athens. I felt I was too immature to handle phoning ahead, taking the train and staying at the youth hostels, but the hostels were still primitive and also limiting as far as young single female students were concerned. I loved Greece of course, with the history, temples and culture, but realized my working visa for England was time-limiting so I picked countries that seemed culturally different and far away from Canada. The expense of traveling had to be taken into account, so my next destination was the following January which was Russia, (mainly because Russia celebrates their Christmas during our January festivities. Also Russia was my father’s last trip before he past away in 1978 so I felt destined to find his spirits.

My next trip was to Egypt, which again was thoroughly enjoyable…..

Stay Tuned……… story to Continue.

Contrary to bad reports, Nicaragua is quite safe for travelers – whether in a group or alone. The locals are extremely friendly, and most of the time, more than happy to chat to tourists. So if you’re hungry for adventure, excitement, and the fabulous natural beauty of Nicaragua, then pack your briefcases and get ready for an unforgettable vacation.

Another great thing about holidaying in Nicaragua, is the fact that there are not millions of tourists wandering around, as in other popular holiday destinations. Backpacking in this country with the idea of enjoying the peace and quiet of the countryside is precisely what you will get.

Backpackers can enjoy the spectacular beaches, many of them hidden and remote, as well as having the opportunity to explore an active volcano. While strolling through the country, you will pass through many beautiful little sea-side villages where the streets are lined with the locals trading their wares at very competitive prices.

Now Granada, a colonial city that is situated on Lake Nicaragua, is an absolute must on your travels. On the one hand, there is the spectacular beauty of nature that will leave you breathless, while on the other hand, the shopping opportunities are great – beautiful leather items and surprisingly inexpensive too!

Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua and, although very beautiful, can become extremely hot and humid at certain times of the year. Apart from being somewhat uncomfortable at times, also brings with it a lot of insects as well, so insect repellent should definitely be included in your backpack!

Consider a backpacking holiday in Nicaragua. The natural beauty of the countryside, the cities, the little villages and their surrounding areas will definitely not disappoint you; you will find and enjoy everything you expect to experience on a backpacking holiday.

Even while enjoying wandering around the country and marveling at the magnificent beauty of nature, there will be times when you will feel the need to explore the numerous specialty shops that are found in the small towns dotted throughout the country. One of the things that will catch your eye immediately is the beautiful locally handmade jewelry that is available at very inexpensive prices – perfect as a gift for someone special back home, and easy to carry around in your backpack!

Lynette writes for briefcases and lives in a beautiful little town called Koringberg in the Western Cape area of South Africa. Her home is shared with two very active dogs and two sleepy cats.

Well if I and like many others can travel by having a day to day life, why can’t you?

Reasons to stay at home

1. You feel secure: whether is may be, money, house, car, and all the materialistic objects
2. You feel safe: you are surrounded around your family/ friends and you know your city/town.
3. You have a career/job: you have a steady income or you are in a career position in something you love
4. You have a routine: you do your day to day routines, job, shop, socialize, and go home to a comfortable environment
5. You have a relationship
6. You want other things in your life before considering traveling. You believe traveling is too much of a leap.

Now if you think all this stops us backpackers, from traveling well you have that completely wrong. Most of us have all this back home, but when there is a gap between these reasons we include traveling to fill it in. There will always be reasons why to stay home, but to have the chance to see new places/countries when you can is not only rewarding but exciting to. Wouldn’t you rather want to snatch that up? It’s not only amazing to see new places everyday but expanding your knowledge about different cultures and traditions around the world is something you can not learn at home. Therefore, you may think you are learning a lot in an office environment, but imagine how much you would learn in just one day in a new country that is filled with things you have never experienced before. I realize it is easy to say rather than do, but some people are just too scared to consider backpacking. Yes, every backpacker is scared, but you have to get over that fear and feel the freedom around you. You will soon realize how rewarding it is to travel and see places that most of the world will never experience.
So anyone can get up and book that flight to another country, no matter how many reasons you have in why to stay home!! Its easy, you just need to figure the hard part out first.

As for me, my passion for traveling has never stopped due to obstacles in life getting in the way.

You can’t let those obstacles stop you from achieving your goals.

Traveling for me is a bug, so even though the ordinary day route of work is still there, I make sure to fit traveling in that lifestyle. Many people ask me, “well you must make a lot of money” or “you are one of those lucky people to get the time off work.” Well both comments are completely incorrect. Since I am so obsessed with seeing new places around the world, I make sure nothing stops me. It is a true passion of mine, so no matter how hard it is to find the time or money to travel I make sure it works. For the most part, backpacking can be very inexpensive. You just need to find flight deals, stay in hostels, and do everything on a low budget. Plus true backpacking is seeing the world on a budget. As a result, backpacking usually makes its way in my lifestyle ever few months. Even if it is a five day backpacking trip, at least I am doing something that I love.

So if you have a passion for something, make it happen even if it is extremely difficult to make. Anything and everything is possible. Also, life is to short to not do something you love.

Hostels are dirty. Well that is un true. Almost every hostel I have came across has been clean and very tidy. Although I see your point in why you might think they are dirty, because the amount of people going in and out/ partying, they are fairly cheap, and they are usually made up of dormintories . With just bunk beds and backpacks laying around, yes you might think they are dirty. Yet, they aren’t only because every backpacker who travels is in the same vote as you. Trying to keep things together, clean and organized. Well for the most part. Yes, you can come across those few travelers who have their personal things everywhere, but at the same time hostels can be cleaner than a motel or hotel.

Hostels are dangerous. Well that is un true too. As a female, solo backpacker I found hostels to be the safest lodging for traveling. Reason for that is because you are surrounded by similar individuals. Everyone is always friendly and looking to chat/meet. Very rarely backpackers don’t chat within the hostel among fellow travelers. I believe it is the best way to meet people – in a hostel. As far as danger goes, well the hostels are usually very carefull in who they let in at late hours of the evening. Some hostels even have lock down during certain periods of the night. The individuals who work for these hostels are usually travelers, working aboard or who once was a backpacker. So they know how to keep the hostels danger free.

As far as Hostels being scary, well yes maybe at first they can be. If you have never experienced a hostel before you might be a little overwhelmed. There are always many people around, large rooms with bunk beds, people chatting everywhere, and tones of backpacks surrounding the floor, and sharing a bathroom. Yes you might be a little scared at first. But once you get in the groove of meeting people, knowing where your personal belongings are at all times/organized, and getting use to the dormintories, you will soon grow to love being in hostels. You will quickly feel welcomed in any hostel, since everyone surrounding you is in the same vote as you. They are traveling, wanting to meet people, and over all wanting to have a great time.