Comments on: Travel tips to help backpackers travel smarter

By: Benedict Adam

Benedict Adam — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:52:44 +0000

Carrying a big backpack can be a real pain, especially in countries where the public transport isn’t really designed for space for your backpack, more to cram as many people in as possible. Expect to pay extra on a Bemo in Indonesia, hold on tight on the back of a motor bike and struggle to fit through the security gates on buses in Brazil. All part of the experience of course!

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By: Darren Cronian

Darren Cronian — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:43:51 +0000

@ Amanda

That sounds like a bit of a nightmare – how anyone can travel all that way with just a backpack is beyond me haha.

@ Al

Thanks for the tips, especially about the plastic bags! I am not sure how many airlines allow more than 20kg on flights anymore aswell. So if your flying RTW then you’ll have to be even more aware of what your carrying.

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By: Al

Al — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:25:06 +0000

If you’re backpacking and staying in hostel dorms, don’t use carrier bags to pack your gear into. There’s nothing more annoying or more sure to hack off your new-found buddies than waking everyone by rustling bags when you rush out for that early bus.

Unless you’re planning on camping everywhere, if your pack is over about 15kg when you leave home then you’ve got too much. You’re bound to pick up a few bits and bobs along the way and no-one wants (or needs) to be lugging more than 20kg around.

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By: Amanda Kendle

Amanda Kendle — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:04:28 +0000

I’ve taken my backpack from Australia to Europe via Japan and the Trans-Siberian and I can tell you, it’s IMPOSSIBLE to get everything back in every time. Somehow you manage, but then it gets impossible to carry it, and I start wobbling around overloaded … then dump all that dirty underwear etc and carry on with the trip.

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