Backpacking Is Life: Ultimate Travel Guides, Tips & Itineraries

Start here

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.

First trip

Use this first if you have never done a proper backpacking trip before and want to avoid the expensive beginner mistakes.

Read the guide

Route planning

A practical starting point for planning a longer trip through Southeast Asia, with route order, pacing, and key stops mapped out clearly.

Open the route

Whether you are choosing a destination, sorting out the basics, or comparing longer-stay options, these are the best places to start.

Destinations

Country and region guides to help you decide where to go, how long to stay, and how to shape the trip.

Browse destinations

Plan your trip

Flights, transport, visas, packing, and the practical details that are easier to sort before you leave.

Open trip planning

Budget travel

Daily costs, route trade-offs, cheap transport logic, and the practical choices that matter when money is tight.

Open budget guides

Digital nomad

City comparisons, budgets, remote-work trade-offs, and long-stay planning for trips that blend travel and work.

Open digital nomad guides

Start with the main regions and countries below to find the guides most relevant to your trip.

The latest transport guides, route breakdowns, and trip-planning articles from Backpacking Is Life.

Best eSIM for South Korea 2026: Saily vs Yesim vs Airalo vs LG U+
A practical South Korea eSIM guide for Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, Jeju and first-time Korea trips, with simple picks for easy setup, value and heavy data use.
Where to Stay in Tokyo for First-Time Visitors (2026): Best Areas for Budget, Mid-Range & Higher-End Trips
The best areas to stay in Tokyo for first-time visitors in 2026, including Shinjuku, Asakusa, Ueno, Shibuya, and Tokyo Station/Ginza, plus which neighbourhood fits budget, mid-range, and higher-end trips best.
Best Overseas Travel Debit Card for Australians 2026: Up, Revolut, Wise + More
Best overseas travel debit cards for Australians in 2026. Compare Up Bank, Ubank, Wise, Revolut, YouTrip — 0% FX fees, free ATMs, FCS protection.
Airalo vs Saily vs Yesim: Full eSIM Comparison (2026)
Airalo vs Saily vs Yesim compared for 2026 — pricing, coverage, app quality, and which travel eSIM is best for your trip. Tested across multiple destinations.
The Perfect 2-Week Sri Lanka Itinerary (2026): Cultural Triangle to Beaches
The complete 2-week Sri Lanka itinerary for 2026 — Cultural Triangle, hill country tea trains, safari, and southern beaches. Current visa rules, budgets, and what to book first.
Best Travel Card for Europe 2026: The Australian-Specific Guide
Best travel card for Australians going to Europe in 2026. Up Bank + Ubank setup, UK ETA + EES entry rules, multi-currency strategy, ATM traps to avoid.