Budget for Travel

This tend to be the first question asked by all backpackers, as budget defines not only the destinations you visit but also how long you will be able to travel for.

Naturally everyone has different 'comfort zones’ when they travel which will define their ultimate budget, nevertheless; there are several core costs that you should be able to research and predict prior to leaving which will enable you to provide a rough costing for your trip.

The most important thing to ensure is that you have sufficient leverage in your budget to accommodate unexpected expenses and any expenses that you may incur while you are away such as storage, mortgage payments or rent and utility bills.

Fixed travel expenses which you should be fairly easy to accurately calculate (assuming that you itinerary does not radically change) include flights, visas, immunisations and travel kit. Accommodation costs will vary between countries though you can roughly calculate such costs by browsing online for hostels at each of the main destinations that you plan to visit, as a general rule if you are staying in dorms it is unlikely that you will ever pay more than $35 per night in Western countries and $20 in non-Western countries, though it is possible find accommodation for far less. Other core costs include food, entertainment, visiting tourist attractions and overland local transportation which will be linked to personal preferences. Lonely Planet (http://www.lonelyplanet.com) is an excellent resource which outlines approximate backpacking living costs for all major countries in their costs and expenses section.