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If you are new here, start with these guides. They cover the basics, help you avoid common mistakes, and make the rest of your planning much easier.
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Whether you are choosing a destination, sorting out the basics, or comparing longer-stay options, these are the best places to start.
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Start with the main regions and countries below to find the guides most relevant to your trip.
Latest Guides
The latest transport guides, route breakdowns, and trip-planning articles from Backpacking Is Life.
Best eSIM for Bali 2026: 4 Tested and Compared
Land in Denpasar with Grab and Google Maps already working. The 4 best Bali eSIMs for 2026 — Saily, Airalo, Yesim, and GigSky — skip Indonesia’s IMEI registration headache entirely.…
Do Australians Need a Visa for Bali / Indonesia in 2026?
Australians do need a visa for Bali and Indonesia in 2026 in most normal tourist cases. Here is the current e-VOA and VOA setup, what it costs, how long it…
Best Travel Debit Card for Bali / Indonesia for Australians (2026): ATM Fees, Cash & FX Compared
Bali is more card-friendly than many parts of Indonesia, but Australians still need the right setup for ATM withdrawals, cash-heavy spending, and low-fee foreign transactions.
Gyeongju Vegan Guide 2026: Best Vegan Restaurants, Temple Food, Where to Stay & Trip Tips
A practical vegan guide to Gyeongju, South Korea, with the restaurants worth planning around, where to stay, how to get there, and the small details that make the trip easier.
Best eSIM for Thailand (2026): Tested & Compared for Speed, Value, and Ease
Thailand is one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia to use a travel eSIM, but the best pick depends on whether you want the cheapest small-data plan, unlimited browsing,…
Best eSIM for China 2026: Saily vs Airalo vs Yesim Tested (VPN Included)
Land in Beijing or Shanghai with Google Maps and WhatsApp already working. The 3 best China travel eSIMs — Saily, Airalo, and Yesim — all bypass the Great Firewall by…