If you're wanting to head off backpacking, then these are the top 10 destinations to do it in!
So, if you’re gonna go travelling, you’re gonna wanna know what the world’s best backpacking destinations are. So, if you’re an eager beaver, then check out this list here.
My Top Destinations for Backpackers at a Glance
- Overall Best Backpacking Destination: Thailand
- Best Budget Backpacking Destination: Vietnam
- Best Island Hopping Backpacking Destination: Indonesia
- Best Outdoor Enthusiasts Backpacking Destination: New Zealand
- Best Diverse Backpacking Destination: Malaysia
- Best Working Holiday Backpacking Destination: Australia
- Best Budget European Backpacking Destination: Albania
- Best Laid-Back Yet Adventurous Backpacking Destination: Laos
- Best All-In-One Package Backpacking Destination: Sri Lanka
- Best Culture Shock Backpacking Destination: China
The 10 Best Destinations for Backpacking
Right then, so you’re super keen to dive into the vastness of new cultures, cuisines and questionable hostel beds, well then, let’s crack on with the best backpacking travel destinations across the planet.
1. Thailand – Overall Best Backpacking Destination
We can’t have a top backpacking destinations list without mentioning Thailand now, can we!? Thailand is pretty much a mecca when it comes to backpacking, but don’t think that means that it’s all been done. There’s plenty of this beautiful country to see that is still off the beaten track.
What makes it the best destination for backpackers is that it’s got everything the traveller could ever want or need. It’s affordable, has wonderful cultural sights, mountains, beaches, adventure sports and even deep-fried spiders on a stick! Plus, it’s so established that most people speak good English, and transport is mega easy.
Whether you’re hanging at the beach in Phuket, exploring temples in Ayutthaya, making bad decisions in Bangkok or trekking on the mountainsides of Chiang Mai, I can guarantee you this… you’ll bloody love it! It’s one of the best backpacking travel destinations for a reason.
Oh, and it’s also one of the best places to backpack for beginners. Now, put those elephant pants to good use and go find yourself in Thailand!
- Meals: £1-3 for cheap eats / £6-15 for a restaurant.
- Accommodation: £5-12 for a dorm / £20-60 for a private.
- Transportation: £0.30-1.50 for local transport / £10-35 for long distance.
- Shenanigans: £10-50 for tours and activities / £2-6 for drinks and nightlife.
More Reading On Thailand:
2. Vietnam – Best For Budget Travellers
Alright, next on the list is probably my all-time favourite country to backpack around. It’s a little bit more challenging than Thailand for sure, but it also offers you a rich tapestry of adventure, history, culture and intrigue.
Having ridden from the bottom to the top of Vietnam on motorbikes (twice), I’ve been lucky enough to witness the many different sides of this country, from bustling city streets to unspoilt mountain villages. Plus, public transport is easy enough that even on the established tourist trails, it’s easy to take in a multitude of different landscapes and experiences.
From the sea of motorbikes that weaves its way through Saigon to the ancient limestone peaks draped in jungles untouched by man for millennia, you’ll find your jam in Vietnam. It’s one of the best places to backpack if you’re looking for your own unique experience.
It literally offers anyone and everyone the kind of trip they might be interested in taking, and it’s all wrapped up in one Pho-flavoured budget package! Heading from south to north is one of the best backpacking routes I’ve ever done for sure, and one of the ones where I learnt the most lessons from travelling.
- Meals: £1-2 for cheap eats / £4-10 for a restaurant.
- Accommodation: £4-10 for a dorm / £15-45 for a private.
- Transportation: £0.20-1 for local transport / £8-30 for long distance.
- Shenanigans: £5-35 for tours and activities / £1-4 for drinks and nightlife.
More Reading For Vietnam
3. Indonesia – Best For Island Hopping
Ok, let’s get this out of the way from the off, I LOVE Bali! I know some people with a stick up their arse like to be all high and mighty and profess to hate it, but honestly, the island is pretty big and diverse enough to offer a Bali for everyone.
BUT, I also know that Indonesia is soooo much more than just Bali. Sure, it’s one of the best backpacking locations in Indo, but it’s not the only one!
By all means, visit and have a freaking sick time chasing waterfalls, doing some CrossFit and eating acai bowls, but then be sure to visit a few of the other thousands of islands that make up Indonesia. Unless you’re looking for the ultimate digital nomad destination, Bali takes that crown all day long!
Whether you’re exploring ancient temples on Java, climbing volcanoes on Lombok or chasing sunsets (and getting chased by lizards) on Komodo, Indonesia is one of the top destinations for backpackers wanting to embrace island life.
Just ya know, go easy on the Bintangs!
- Meals: £1-3 for cheap eats / £5-12 for a restaurant.
- Accommodation: £5-12 for a dorm / £18-55 for a private.
- Transportation: £0.30-2 for local transport / £10-40 for long distance.
- Shenanigans: £8-45 for tours and activities / £2-5 for drinks and nightlife.
More Reading On Indonesia :
4. New Zealand – Best For Outdoor Enthusiasts
If you’re one of those folks who just love to be outdoors, away from people, soaking in all that nature has to offer, then you’ll absolutely love New Zealand. Tucked away in a corner of the world often left off many maps, it offers peace, solitude and beauty unlike anything else I’ve ever seen.
Sure, New Zealand isn’t exactly a cheap place to visit, but it’s one of the best destinations for backpackers due to your ability to pick up a working holiday visa, plus, many of its main attractions are free!
Despite the chilled vibes, legendary locals and an overwhelming abundance of sheep, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s shy and retiring! Oh no, NZ packs a punch like no other when it comes to adventure! Throw yourself out of a plane, jump off a bridge or fly down a river at speeds Shorty has not moved at since that “incident” in Yangon. You’ll be spoilt for choice!
Plus, it’s also one of the best winter backpacking destinations and has some of the world’s best ski resorts. But whatever time of year you visit, renting a campervan is by far the best way to explore New Zealand.
Choice bro!
- Meals: £6-12 for cheap eats / £15-35 for a restaurant.
- Accommodation: £18-35 for a dorm / £50-120 for a private.
- Transportation: £1.50-4 for local transport / £20-90 for long distance.
- Shenanigans: £20-120 for tours and activities / £5-9 for drinks and nightlife.
More Reading On New Zealand:
5. Malaysia – Best For Diversity
“What’s your favourite country?” is a question I get asked all the time, having visited almost 70 to date. Now, I struggle to answer if I’m honest and always tell people it’s impossible, but if one country comes close, it’s Malaysia.
For me, Malaysia is one of the best backpacking destinations for beginners and experienced travellers alike. Its well-developed transport network makes it easy to get pretty much anywhere, locals often speak great English, and between peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, the diversity in the things to do here is mind-blowing.
Where else can you learn to scuba dive, take a two-day trek up a 4000m peak and see orangutans in the wild… oh, and that was just in Kota Kinabalu! Throw into the mix the tea plantations clinging to the side of a mountain in The Cameron Highlands, the crumbling colonial shophouses on Penang and the super modern Petronas towers in KL, and you’ve got yourself a winner!
- Meals: £1-3 for cheap eats / £4-10 for a restaurant.
- Accommodation: £4-10 for a dorm / £15-40 for a private.
- Transportation: £0.30-1.50 for local transport / £5-25 for long distance.
- Shenanigans: £5-35 for tours and activities / £2-5 for drinks and nightlife.
More Reading On Malaysia:
6. Australia – Best For Working Holiday Visas
Australia might not be one of the cheapest backpacking destinations, but it’s popular among travellers for a reason. This sunburnt country has been the promised land for generations of backpackers looking to work and travel whilst experiencing a different way of life (mainly that of living in a singlet, shorts and thongs with a stubby in hand!)
Aussie wages are a pretty sweet deal, even for unskilled work, so it’s the perfect place to save up whilst offering an extended amount of time to slow travel and explore this massive country. We were lucky enough to call Melbourne home for a couple of years, and Australia really does have a piece of my heart as a result… even if they are all bogans!
From sipping flat whites down a laneway in Melbourne to road-tripping through a sea of red dirt in the outback… plus, ya know, something something about beaches (but you already know that), you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to spending those dollaroos!
There’s a reason why it’s one of the most popular backpacking destinations in the world, and my biggest tip for visiting is to give yourself enough time to explore properly.
- Meals: £7-15 for cheap eats / £18-40 for a restaurant.
- Accommodation: £20-40 for a dorm / £60-140 for a private.
- Transportation: £2-5 for local transport / £25-120 for long distance.
- Shenanigans: £20-150 for tours and activities / £6-10 for drinks and nightlife.
More Reading On Australia:
7. Albania – Best For Budget European Backpacking
If you’ve written off Europe as being too expensive and maybe a little overdone, then instead consider Albania. This off-the-beaten-track country offers so much in a relatively compact package, and all at an affordable rate.
If you want to experience a unique culture, hike through glacial peaks, sail down fjords or just relax on idyllic and unspoilt beaches, then Albania is the one. This is one of the best backpacking destinations in Europe if you want real bang for your buck. Ok, the transport in Albania is a bit of a wild ride, but it’s an adventure!
Albania is a mixing pot of distinctive local traditions, a unique layering of culture, tasty food, rugged mountains and the jarring clash of charming cobbled stone towns with the brutalist remains of communism. There is also some great skiing and snowboarding in Albania, making it one of the best winter backpacking destinations in Europe.
From the vibrantly modern yet often Stark Tirana to the picturesque hillside town of Berat and the jagged mountains and serene beaches in between, Albania will blow your mind! It’s one of the best European backpacking destinations for sure.
- Meals: £2-5 for cheap eats / £8-18 for a restaurant.
- Accommodation: £6-15 for a dorm / £20-55 for a private.
- Transportation: £0.30-2 for local transport / £5-20 for long distance.
- Shenanigans: £8-40 for tours and activities / £2-5 for drinks and nightlife.
More Reading On Albania
8. Laos – Best For Laid-Back Adventures
Laos is kinda like the middle child of Southeast Asia, often overlooked by its more popular siblings and yet possessing its own unique charm, identity and diverse ethnic cultures. Laos is somewhere I unexpectedly fell in love with, and I can’t quite pinpoint why. It just has this understated vibe that busy Thailand and manic Vietnam are missing (I love them too, but Laos hits differently!)
Maybe it is because it’s often found missing from the itineraries of people who would rather live it up drinking buckets at full moon parties in Thailand or write it off as being “probably the same” as Cambodia, but without a beach or Angkor Wat. Well, it’s their loss, let’s keep it for us!
There’s nothing quite like floating down the Nam Song River on a tube as the limestone peaks of Vang Vieng drift by or watching the lines of saffron-clad monks float through the temple-laden town of Luang Prabang.
Laos just has a magical serenity to it, where the pace of life slows right down. It’s also one of the cheap backpacking destinations if you’re a budget traveller.
- Meals: £1-3 for cheap eats / £4-10 for a restaurant.
- Accommodation: £4-10 for a dorm / £15-40 for a private.
- Transportation: £0.50-2 for local transport / £8-30 for long distance.
- Shenanigans: £5-30 for tours and activities / £1.50-4 for drinks and nightlife.
More Reading On Laos:
9. Sri Lanka – Best For All-In-One Package
When I first visited Sri Lanka, I was struck by just how much it has to offer in such a small and easy-to-navigate package. I always describe it as a “mini Southeast Asia” with its combination of captivating temples, rolling tea plantations, fascinating local customs, incredible beaches and of course, delicious food. Oh man, the food!
What makes Sri Lanka one of the best backpacking destinations in Asia is not only the wealth of incredible things to do and places to visit, but also how close together they all are. You could quite easily spend the morning exploring the coastal colonial town of Galle before witnessing elephants in the wild in the afternoon! Even if you only have two weeks in Sri Lanka, you can do so much.
Plus, Sri Lanka is a hella budget-friendly place to visit and is one of the best cheap backpacking destinations in the world.
- Meals: £1-4 for cheap eats / £5-12 for a restaurant.
- Accommodation: £5-12 for a dorm / £18-50 for a private.
- Transportation: £0.20-1.50 for local transport / £4-20 for long distance.
- Shenanigans: £8-40 for tours and activities / £2-5 for drinks and nightlife.
More Reading For Sri Lanka
10. China – Best For Culture Shocks
Ok, let’s set this straight, China ain’t one of the best first-time backpacking destinations, but it’s definitely for those with more experience! China can be a challenging country to visit, but for me, it’s those challenges that make the difference between backpacking and going on holiday.
China is such a vast and diverse country that it’s an intense and eye-opening experience from start to finish. Backpacking is the perfect way to see as much of this massive country as you can, whilst immersing yourself fully into the inevitable culture shock.
From ancient villages like Pingyao, the staggering mountains of Zhangjiajie or the busy streets of Beijing, China is a place of extremes… and that includes emotions too because these guys cannot bloody queue!
It’s one of the most underrated backpacking destinations for sure.
- Meals: £2-5 for cheap eats / £6-18 for a restaurant.
- Accommodation: £6-15 for a dorm / £25-70 for a private.
- Transportation: £0.30-2 for local transport / £10-60 for long distance.
- Shenanigans: £10-60 for tours and activities / £3-8 for drinks and nightlife.
More Reading On China
Our Favourite Cost and Time-Saving Tips for Backpacking
Right then, so you want to visit some of the best backpacking destinations in the world, well, you’ll be wanting a few pointers then, I suppose!
Transport Costs
Stick to public transport like buses and trains as much as you can. These are the cheapest ways to get around, and let’s be honest, most backpackers are looking at keeping things as cheap as possible.
Regions like Europe and Southeast Asia have amazing public transport networks, and you can get anywhere and everywhere on a bus, train or even a ferry. But also don’t rule out the odd flight, as both regions also offer good budget options, and they can be great if you’re pushed for time.
When it comes to booking, I always recommend booking online as far ahead as you can. This saves queuing up in sweltering conditions surrounded by other sweaty people, only for the language barrier to end up with you buying a ticket for the wrong destination! Plus, some popular routes do sell out at peak times.
Renting a Car or Campervan
Some areas, mostly Eastern Europe (think, places like Albania), Australia and New Zealand, have so-so public transport and getting your own wheels is highly recommended. Car or campervan hire isn’t too expensive, so it’s worth pricing up because you’ll be able to see so many more places along the way.
If you’re someone who likes to visit more off the beaten track destinations, rural spots, go hiking or just likes to make a proper road trip out of it, then I can’t recommend it enough. If you get a campervan, you’ll also have your accommodation covered for the night (plus some campground fees), which often actually makes it more budget-friendly than you might imagine.
Accommodation Costs
Whether it’s your first time staying in a hostel or you’re an experienced pro, there is no doubt that it’s the best place for backpacking. A hostel offers cheap accommodation that comes with a whole heap of benefits like meeting like-minded travellers, being able to easily organise things like laundry and tours, as well as generally just being more chill and fun than a hotel.
And yeah, many hostels come with private rooms and some even with pools and gyms these days, so don’t worry, you won’t be slumming it if you don’t want to! Again, it’s worth shopping around online for the best deals and snapping them up before anyone else does.
Staying Connected
Landing in airports at 3 am after a 12-hour flight is bad enough, but when the free Wifi ain’t playing ball, and you’ve got a hungry mob of taxi drivers smelling blood, you know you’re on to a bad start! Don’t let a lack of connection ruin the vibes in a new country.
Instead, I always travel with an eSIM preinstalled on my phone and ready to go. You just connect as soon as the wheels touch down, tell your mum you’ve landed and then book your Uber/ Grab/ride-hailing service. There are probably not many better feelings than swanning through the sea of scammer taxi drivers, telling them you’ve already booked your ride!
And of course, you’re gonna need data for catching all those regional Pokemon!
Travel Insurance
If you’re gonna be hitting up the best backpacker destinations, you’ll probably be heading to some locations where healthcare might not be as good as back home, or it’s gonna cost you a fortune… or both!
Add that to the probability that you’ll be doing some adventurous shiz, and you need to have some high-quality insurance. I highly recommend Safetywing with its super flexible monthly subscription policies made for those hitting up the best countries for backpackers.
Which of These Best Backpacking Destinations Is Right for You?
Well, there you have it—the world’s top backpacking destinations, handpicked by yours truly. I can personally attest to just how amazing each and every one was, and I just know you’re gonna love them too.
Whether you choose to meditate with monks in China, eat your weight’s worth of bureks in Albania or get lost in the busy streets of Vietnam, you won’t regret trading in the predictable for the unpredictable and becoming a backpacker.
Now, I’m off to plan our next adventures, and maybe some more additions to this list! Did we miss out on anywhere you love? Let us know what you reckon are some good places to go backpacking.
Happy travels, fellow renegades!
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