Setting out on your first backpacking adventure can be both exhilarating and daunting – often at the same time! Even experienced backpackers from time to time will find themselves in unknown territory. With so many potential and experienced backpackers running around the world the need for a backpacker forum has never been greater; a place, real or virtual, where backpackers can meet to ask and have questions answered. Offering help as a veteran of backpacker will act as a way of passing on lessons learned. Below you will discover places or ways to connect with others looking to set out with only a bag strapped to their back!

The online world

The best place to begin before you set-off on the inaugural journey is online. There are plenty of websites – Netglobers included – where you can find advice from fellow travelers. Online backpacker forums will allow you to find out where the best places are to travel, sleep and of course, where to buy equipment. Yes, the online solution will provide you with information essential to getting started; but browsing the web won’t allow you to meet people face-to-face in order to soak up their experience. For that, you may have to wait until the journey is underway...

Bus and train stations

Let’s face it backpacking often involves transportation that stays grounded. So, that is why seeking out advice in bus and train stations from other backpackers can prove to be successful. Operating as backpacker forums of travelers coming and going, stations will give you the chance to meet others making similar journeys. Bus and train stations can be especially important when traveling to foreign border-crossings where having some friendly advice could save time and hassle. And with all the time usually spent waiting for departures, you will have plenty of opportunity to chat. If traveling alone bus and train stations can also be a good place to meet future travel companions, or at least someone to share stories with during the ride.

Hostels

This one is a no-brainer. Hostels are THE backpacker forum. Not very often will backpackers be found in five-star hotels. Hostels are the perfect place to find like-travelers and swap stories and ask as many questions as you like. Sleeping and eating in the same rooms together make it easy to meet real backpackers in a relaxed environment. Don’t be afraid to sit-down beside others at dinner or in the lounge and just start talking. That is the special element that hostels have over hotels – you actually get to meet people! You will have no problem finding backpackers of all ages and experience levels.

The bar

Everyone needs to let their hair down at some point when traveling, and no place beats the bar. If not at the hostel there is always a well-known backpacker watering hole within close proximity. Over drinks it will be easy to relate to other travelers and share a few laughs in what can be thought of as the backpacker forum of fun and debauchery. The bar is also the place where other connections can be made, making for either long-lasting relationships or one night rendezvous. Either way, it is important for backpackers to rest the legs and back and enjoy an evening with others on the road.