Over the past few years I have gained a lot of experience traveling. I've had a lot of people tell me I should write a blog entry on this topic (have had PM's on here also), although I have answered tons of questions I'm not really sure what people really want to know. So this thread does have some selfish purposes of trying to frame a foundation for writing on the topic, but really more importantly hopefully will help inspire somebody to make the decision to hit the road.

For me traveling is more of a way of life than just going on a trip. A lot of poker players and people in general (like my Mom) enjoy traveling in style. If you require a hotel with maid, room service, gym and pool this thread is not for you. If you want to stretch your 3 thousand dollars out to last several months, interact with locals, experience a country and make friends from all over the world this thread is for you.

I have seen a lot of replies on here that may have merit to some but I hate when somebody says they have a few thousand dollars to travel and they are told to save a few thousand more if they want to have a good time. Bull****. The answer is GO. Don't wait or it will never happen. The hardest part of traveling is making the commitment and buying the first ticket. People have the time of their life and a very fulfilling experience while traveling on a tight budget. I would even call it a superior experience

About me: I'm 28 years old from Los Angeles. My first time traveling alone was to go snowboarding in Whistler during the summer when I was 16. My first real adventure my friend dropped me off at the bus station in Jerusalem and I headed to Egypt solo with really no travel experience. It was intimidating at first, learned a lot on that trip including not to fear the world. Then I went to Eastern Europe by myself for 6 months. I just traveled Asia solo for almost 20 months.

What is long term independent travel: I think I would start calling a trip long once it hits 3 months. It is at this point where other factors come into play like taking breaks from travel and it begins to evolve into more of a lifestyle than just a trip. It is definitely a flexible trip with no plans and complete freedom. Generally going overland whenever possible. A trip where you learn about yourself and evolve as a person. Independent doesn't mean you travel alone, but do everything as you go.

What is budget travel: Would involve local transportation, basic accommodation, eating cheap usually local food. Making your money last for as long as you can while still having a great time. For somewhere like SE Asia $400-900 a month, $600 is probably average for most long term travelers I know. The most well traveled people I know do it for less. Obviously some places cost more but there is a reason I've never been to places like Japan or Scandinavian countries. The cost will vary but the principles remain the same.

The answer to anybody that wants to travel. JUST DO IT. The rest is easy

Hopefully some good and interesting questions come. I'll try to answer anything relevant. Other people are obviously welcome to give their opinions as well. I know somebody like DCPublius has a lot of experience with independent travel, though on a larger budget. Still good information

I'm looking forward to this thread, as I will hopefully be doing some long term independent travel in China in a few months. A few questions for ya

How do you fund your travels?

Where are you now and where will you be headed next?

Any tips for traveling in countries where the language barrier poses some significant problems?

Could you give a breakdown of what you carry in your pack? Do you carry backpacking supplies like a tarp/tent, sleeping bag, mini stove, water purification etc? I've found these things can come in pretty handy on the road.

I swear by packing cubes. I use one cube for shirts, shorts and a 1/2 cube for socks and underwear. I wear cargo shorts that turn into pants. I like having the zipper pocket in my cargos, never been pick pocketed. Not in my cube is a hoodie or a light jacket. Other than that if it (clothes) doesnt' fit in my 1 1/2 cubes it isn't coming for the journey. An alternative to cubes is compression bags, that is what I keep my sleeping bag in. Makes it smaller and keeps it clean

Thanks for doing this, looking forward to the responses.

I've undergone a major conversion over the past 5 years and have realized how awesome long term travel is and also how difficult it can be once you enter the real world (not that I actually have experience doing so). So before getting my first real real job, I'd like to really do a big exploration. My idea is to travel for around 1.5-2 years with maybe a 3 month intermission.

I'm thinking of doing something like 1/2 the time in Asia (all over), 1/4 of the time in Central/South America, and the rest doing like 1mo trips to Southern Africa, Australia, and Europe.

My questions:

1) What do you think of that rough plan? How much more specific (or less specific) would you suggest making it? Do you think that's a good amount of time (I think it's pretty unlikely for me to travel for >2 months at a time for a very long period afterwards)?

2) How hard of a time am I going to have with some minor(?) food/dirtiness OCD? Like right now I'd probably not be too be thrilled with eating at a dive restaurant in a big US city and hate the thought of cooking food in a hostel (but am fine staying at decent hostels). "True" backpackers seem to have a pretty carefree approach to cleanliness.

3) Thoughts on this bag: http://www.eaglecreek.com/bags_lugga...con-65L-10081/

4) Suggestions for best long term adventure ideas like "biking across South Amer" like you mentioned above? Cairo to Cape Town is another cool one. I'd like to find something of this nature to do with a non-random group (or at least one person) of others and not alone either.

5) How far in advance would you begin planning a trip of this size? In the planning, what would you do? Write down interesting ideas for each location, good hostels, good restaurants, transportation methods?

6) With a DSLR, would you generally bring 1 versatile lens (eg 24-70)?

I'm travelling around South-Central Europe this Summer but I'm guessing you have been around these countries too. Any hidden gems that you'd recommend in Bosnia, Serbia, Hungary and Slovakia? Thanks

This is coming from someone who typically does no research whatsoever and misses out on worthwhile stuff as a result...

Do as much research as possible so you know what things you HAVE to see. However, don't feel like you have to do everything you want to see. Sometimes you'll meet people you really like and end up going off in the opposite direction to the one that you had planned.

What do you want to take pictures of?

My point and click, which has the equivalent of a 300mm lens, didn't have anywhere near enough range in Africa. I'm getting something like this the next time I go back there.

1) I like that

2) Yes, I was referring to non African places for that. I had a 200-400 in Africa 2 years ago and it was ample, but a 24-70 certainly would be a joke there.

No need to plan anything

Can't really help on this one. I had plans to do a couchsurfing canoe trip in Hungary and didn't intend on going to Serbia and Bosnia but kept hearing really good things. I went but was very short on time.

I really loved Sarajevo and wish to spend more time traveling Bosnia, that is a place I wish to return to. Serbia I don't have that much interest in

Slovakia I did a road trip with couchsurfing. Then I can't think of the name of it but there is supposed to be a really good hike in Slovakia. I tried to hitchhike there with a friend from NW Hungary but it was a Sunday and raining, we couldn't get a ride and gave up fairly fast. Supposed to be some really good hiking

Sorry, I love Budapest and Sarajevo but I didn't really do good trips in any of these countries. Did better trips in Romania and Bulgaria. I did the couchsurfing canoe trip which I recommend if you are a CSer and in the area when it happens, also went to Exit Festival in Novi Sad, Serbia which is a cool venue in a fortress.

"For me traveling is more of a way of life than just going on a trip. A lot of poker players and people in general (like my Mom) enjoy traveling in style. If you require a hotel with maid, room service, gym and pool this thread is not for you. If you want to stretch your 3 thousand dollars out to last several months, interact with locals, experience a country and make friends from all over the world this thread is for you. "

So what you are saying is; If you stay in nice hotels and travel in style you cant interact with locals, experience and country and make friends?

I said no such thing. I can make friends anywhere.

This thread is about long term overland travel using local transportation/hitchhiking/motobike/bicycle. Being in no rush and spending time in your locations. Using couchsurfing. Eating local food etc.

This is not the same experience as going somewhere for a couple weeks, staying in nice hotels and flying from destination to destination. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but that is not what this thread is about.

Yes, one way is far more conducive to local interactions and experiencing a country more in depth. Doesn't mean you can't have local experiences both ways.

Staying in a hostel/guest house is a far more social environment than a nice hotel. You will likely meet a lot more people at a hostel than a hotel. Since we are traveling overland we will also meet people at the hostel that are doing the same and will head to our next destination with us. If our goal is to meet people and potential travel partners a hotel is not the ideal place. It's really not close

The experience of staying in someone's home whether couchsurfing or met randomly is superior to both imo. The goal is to cross over and be with locals as much as possible.

In 2011, I spent about 8-9 months out of the country. Over the years, I've decided that most people romanticize travel and like the idea of travel much more than actual travel. They like reading and talking about it, but will never actually do it.

And as people get older, travel becomes more difficult, not easier. You have more roadblocks in your path - wife, kids, career, mortgage. Most serious travelers seem to be really young or retirees. Very little in between, particularly from USA. If you don't have wife, kids, or career yet, this is what it comes down to:

Logistically, there is no way to plan this sort of trip, nor is there a reason to. You are not on a schedule where each hour is important and missing 1/2 day drastically screws up your 1-week holiday. Long term travel is all about flexibility and constantly adjusting your plans and path.

Pack what you think is important to you, and don't worry about having the perfect setup full of perfect gadgets. If something is actually important in some region, it will be for sale in that region anyway. You don't need to bring everything. If you find something annoying or inconvenient while you are traveling, you will find an alternative solution.

Personally, here are a few things I travel with and like:

Pacsafe backpack - very sturdy. I always lock it to something in my room.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kS0j...ayer_embedded#!

Panasonic Toughbook CF-W5 - only 2.9lb and not widescreen. Good enough for Lightroom, browsing the web, etc. I've spilled stuff on it and dropped it quite a few times and it's still working.


Everything else like DSLR, GPS, toiletries, how you organize your laundry, is more personal choice than anything... Different people have different systems.

My preference is to travel by motorcycle. You get the freedom of where you want to go, where you want to stop, and you are not as isolated from the outside as you would be in a car.

So far, I've traveled 5 continents on a motorcycle - still need to do Australia - but I would also love to try other modes of travel, particularly bicycle. When I was in Thailand, I got trained in flying paramotor, (some random video showing what paramotor is) and one day I want to do a trip that would incorporate flying. One day...

Anyway, Justice Assessor has been around for sure and I really dig that he's done couch surfing and hitchhiking.

Some random pics:

Namibia dunes:


Indian Himalayas


Most developing countries do not charge motorcycles to use toll roads.


Mozambiqan gas station.


Good old South Africa.




Rhotang Pass


17,000 feet and still climbing...

I've got 4 questions:

-Most overpriced thing you have done, where the hype did not live up to expectations?

-Cheapest - but not free - thing you have done that you think was totally worth it?

-Ever been stuck anywhere or had trouble getting to/out of a specific region/province?

-Ever met any creepy people on couchsurfing? I was reading this article and it says that the rating system on CS is a bit flawed because people are afraid to give negative feedback because they will get negative feedback in turn which will often kill their reputation...

Really enjoyed that article. Well done. This quote is dead on

"It's not just the thrill of taking candy from strangers that makes CouchSurfing radical; it's that the greatest discoveries are built on the day-to-day banalities of someone else's life."

I've met well over a thousand couchsurfers and had about 40 couchsurfing hosts in almost 20 countries. . Overall it is a GREAT group, definitely some weird ones in the bunch. I've had a couple odd experiences with hosts. First, a host in Belgrade, Serbia that just seemed like he did way too much acid. I stayed for a night and left the next day. Second, I had a host who was a really nice guy, very helpful and went out of his way for me. He was also clearly in the closet. I could give a **** if he is gay but it was sad that he had to hide it. Was kinda creepy because he works for the church in Jerusalem. To me that is so weird. He had some weird comments, he told me he sleeps naked for example. I don't give a **** how you sleep, you have your own room and I have my own room. Do whatever you want in there...I felt very safe but it made for a couple awkward moments. I've never had what I would call a negative experience.

The flaws in the reference system given in the article are accurate for the most part. Just because me and you don't click is not reason for me to give you a negative reference. I think girls should give more negatives when guys are inappropriate but at what point is it negative? If you get drunk with your host and rejected by her, then lay off is it really negative? To give somebody a negative reference means "No, I do not recommend you to have this person in your house, he/she is not safe". If somebody steals that is an instant negative for sure. It does police itself but it is also true that people are hesitant to give a negative reference. Especially when they have a newer profile. I think if you read references you can tell which ones are genuine and which ones are generic. I have never given or received a negative but I've also never deserved one or felt that somebody else did either.

Also, excellent post DC. Great photos too

Coolio I was just worried you were a travel snob.

In Bosnia, definitely go to Mostar and stay at a place called Majda's Rooms. Her brother Bata runs a fantastic tour of Mostar and the surrounding area--way more than you could otherwise see in that amount of time. It costs something like 20 Euros.

Normally I'm not the type to do guided tours--I'll go to backbreaking lengths to find my own transport and get things done my way, and you'll see this if you look for any of my trip reports. But this one is very much worth it, one of the highlights of a four month trip.

Spend another day or two in Mostar also to get a feel for the place, as it's a very nice town.

ever been to New Zealand?

This is something I completely agree with. I wasted years trying to persuade friends to go travelling with me. Wish I’d taken the plunge and gone on my own much sooner.

Any recommendations on places to visit in Romania? I’m strongly considering taking a 2-3 week holiday in Transylvania when I get home from this trip.

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for countries to hitchhike in? I’ve had a great time doing it in New Zealand. You tend to get picked up by other travellers and people that used to do a lot of travelling when they were younger so you get lots of ideas for future trips. I met a lady that worked in Antarctica a couple of weeks ago

The reason I ask is I would never hitchhike back home (Scotland/UK). I don't think it would be particularly dangerous there but your chances of getting a lift are slim.

In the US, we've been conditioned to fear hitchhiking. In some ways, it became a self-fulfilling prophecy and anyone who is still hitching or picking up these days is... well...

It's not like some developing countries where public transportation is scarce and hitching is something everyone without a car does. I hitchhiked in developing countries, but would be much more paranoid about it in Western countries.

This is a cool hitching story from This American Life. Go here and click on Play for Act 2.

No. Would definitely love to do some trekking there but I generally stick to cheaper countries

.

long term independent budget travel = backpacking.

Long term independent budget travel is backpacking, but backpacking is not necessarily long term independent budget travel. The term also refers to long term trekking.

I agree with this. But I also warn total noobs about traveling on your own for the first time- I think that your first big trip is probably best with at least one friend. Figuring out the process for traveling/learning how to do it is a difficult process in itself.

I do agree that traveling alone is a cool way to do it. You'll never really be alone (unless you want to be), since you'll meet people in hostels/etc.