Affordable Vacation

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By avoiding tour operators, luxury hotels, and expensive restaurants, one can travel around half the world for a relatively low cost.

Five countries in three weeks—without regard to the group’s schedule, friends from all over the world… And the casual mention during a conversation: “I remember there was this incident in a village on Bali…” To make all this a reality, you’d either have to become an oligarch or embark on a journey as a “backpacker.” “In three weeks, we visited Turkey, Bulgaria, Armenia, Syria, and Iran. The amount of money spent could have covered a week at a luxury hotel, but surely such ‘relaxing’ travel can’t compare to what a free traveler can actually see and experience?” recounts Yevgeny Boyko, a designer from St. Petersburg with two years of experience as a backpacker.

A Gallop Through Europe

So what exactly is a backpacker? The core of their philosophy is the complete lack of attachment to any particular place. You have a destination and tickets there and back—but otherwise, you’re free to do as you please. A backpacker is someone who travels around the world, avoiding the services of tour operators. In many countries, especially England and Israel, it’s almost become a rite of passage for young people to embark on a long journey after school or military service. European employers generally appreciate such experience; they believe that someone who has spent months traveling across Asia or Latin America must possess the energy and creativity needed for daily work.

“After school, I worked as a volunteer in Africa for half a year and prepared sandwiches in Canada for another six months. I traveled all over Europe and obtained my higher education in Russia. I even wrote a thesis on the issue of homelessness in Russia while studying in St. Petersburg. Later, along with an environmentalist friend, I visited China, Mongolia, Siberia, and Thailand. Now I’m looking to find a job in my home country, Britain. Employers will surely appreciate such a background,” says Tom McLennahan, a 24-year-old Englishman and one of my favorite international friends. Tom has visited Tolyatti many times, always marveling at our “wild industrial landscapes and beautiful girls in the clubs,” but he was always puzzled by how some people living in remote areas of Russia never even consider traveling abroad.

The First Step Towards Freedom

Of course, for Russians like Tom, such travel experiences are unlikely to help them get a job. In Russia, backpackers are still considered something exotic—especially in regions far from the capital. The exception is Siberia, which lies on the popular route taken by European travelers: Central Russia → Siberia → East Asia. Gradually, Russian adventurers are starting to join this movement of free travelers. The ultimate goal is to fit as many experiences as possible into a standard two-week vacation. How? Let’s find out.

For many people, the hardest part is taking that first step—especially when there’s no one around to inspire them. So for your first trip, it’s easier to join those who already have experience in this style of travel. You can find such people on specialized websites, forums, and social media groups. Of course, you’ll need a valid passport—in ideal, one that already has several tourist stamps on it, as this will speed up the process of obtaining difficult visas. It’s easier to enter Europe through Finland, where you’ll only need a basic set of documents for the Schengen visa.

As for accommodation, a true backpacker will figure it out once they’re there. The best resource is the Lonely Planet guidebook, which lists all the less-known attractions, cheap hotels, hostels, and restaurants. “I know that the Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of Indian architecture, but I’m more interested in visiting lesser-known places—temples where no buses crowd around them, and where tourists with cameras don’t hang around every corner,” says Andrey, a senior specialist from a Moscow bank who frequently participates in backpacker forums.

Another essential element of a free traveler’s kit is a comfortable backpack. It’s best to bring enough cash in local currency for your weekly expenses, and keep the rest on your card or in checks. In most visa-free countries, around $10–$15 per day is enough to rent a private room, eat out regularly, and feel like a king. Some people even manage to earn some extra money during their trips: “I traveled across Thailand on a rented motorcycle. Motorbikes have always been my passion. Once I realized that my bike needed repairs, I offered to do them myself. The friendly Thai owner was overjoyed. After I finished the work, he paid me and even offered me a permanent part-time job. I declined, but the experience was great,” recalls Andrey.

To communicate effectively with locals, it’s enough to have basic English skills. There’s no need to be a fluent speaker—most French, Germans, Brazilians, Japanese, and others speak English just as well as you do. Nevertheless, you’ll still need to use English for communication. So it’s a good idea to bring a dictionary or a laptop with an electronic translator along. “If you’re traveling through a tour operator’s arrangement, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to interact with locals. For example, on Borneo, you might be offered a meal with local residents. Just imagine how they’ll treat tourists after that… like some silly white guys,” says a Moscow manager. He adds that by behaving simply and friendly towards locals, you can make some very interesting friends—such as an Indian yogi living in the countryside or a welcoming Serbian family hosting weekly cooking events.

For Backpackers to Remember

So you’re ready to embark on a journey of freedom. Where can you find fellow travelers, lists of attractions, contact information for locals, and other useful resources? Here are some links for you.