This is the full archive of the Travel Tricks backpacking blog: every itinerary, country guide and money-saving trick I have published from 7+ years and 40+ countries on the road. Filter by category below, or start from the Travel Tricks homepage if you are new here. No sponsored fluff, just the routes, prices and mistakes that matter when you travel on $30 to $50 a day.
Every published guide across all categories, newest first.
Whether it is your first solo flight or a cross-continent rail trip, the guides on this backpacking blog fall into three tracks. Pick the one that matches the trip you are planning.
Safe countries with easy public transport, clear signage and busy hostels. Start with my Florence walking routes or the Japan travel guide, where trains run on time and getting lost is genuinely hard.
Swap domestic flights for regional and high-speed trains. I compare single tickets against rail passes on every route, because on most trips the pass loses. The Italy travel guide shows that math leg by leg.
Coastal roads, mountain passes and national park campsites, with a campervan as your kitchen and your bed. The Iceland 5-day itinerary is the best place to start.
A lot of travel media runs on free press trips and sponsored hotel stays, which is why the budget numbers you read online often do not match what you actually pay. This backpacking blog runs on three simple rules.
For big-picture inspiration and photography, National Geographic Travel is hard to beat. The guides here cover the part glossy features skip: which bus, which bed, and what it really costs.
I do not accept free stays or tourism board trips in exchange for coverage, so nothing here is written to please an advertiser.
Budgets are built from what you actually pay for: dorm beds, bus tickets, supermarket shops and entry fees. Prices move, so every guide gives ranges and flags what to double-check before you book.
When fares, entry rules or scams change, the guide changes too. If you spot something out of date, tell me and I will fix it.
Readers of this backpacking blog often ask what gear survives months of overland travel. This is the setup I keep coming back to.
| Gear | What I Use | Why It Works | Space and Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpack | 40-liter frameless carry-on pack | Fits most airline cabin size limits. Budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air usually charge extra for anything bigger than a small under-seat bag, so buy the cabin bag add-on when you book. | About 1 to 1.2 kg empty |
| Clothes | 5 merino or synthetic tops, 2 quick-dry bottoms | Wash in a hostel sink and dry overnight | Two packing cubes |
| Charging | One 65W GaN USB-C charger and a universal adapter | Charges phone, camera and laptop from one socket | Replaces 3 to 4 chargers |
| Shoes | One pair of trail runners | Handles cobblestones, long city days and dirt trails | Worn in transit, zero pack space |
| Data | eSIM installed before the flight | Maps and transit apps work the moment you land | No physical SIM to lose |
How the guides are written, updated and organized.
Day-by-day itineraries, country guides, transport breakdowns and money-saving tricks for backpackers traveling on roughly $30 to $50 a day across Europe, Asia and North Africa, with more regions added over time.
New itineraries and country guides are added regularly, and older guides are updated when prices, routes or entry rules change.
Each guide gives realistic price ranges for beds, food, transport and entry fees at the time of writing. Fares and exchange rates move, so every guide also flags what to double-check before you book.
Yes. Use the filter buttons at the top of this page to switch between all guides, itineraries, destination guides and travel tips. Each filter loads every post in that category, not just the ones already on screen.
No. This backpacking blog does not accept sponsored trips, free stays or paid reviews in exchange for coverage.
Use the search bar in the site menu, use the Destinations filter above, or open the destinations directory to see every country guide in one place.
