I used to backpack because the only other options – i.e. organized tours – I couldn't afford. Also because I wanted to spend months overseas – not weeks (or days). My only option was independent travel – the stuff that backpackers do.
But now, as I get ready to hit the road again – I consider – why don't I just organize a river cruise in Europe, a nice resort in southern Thailand and have done with it?
Because I don't have to. You see I'm not too old to backpack. I'm not too old to carry a small pack (I could in fact carry a large one – but I'm too lazy).
I am old enough to know that this gives me the freedom to hop on and off buses, boats, tuk-tuk's, motorbikes and airplanes without needing porters or luggage trolleys.
I don't want to miss out on the randomness of arriving at a Thai Island and then figuring out where to stay.
I know I may hate the place that others loved and find the beach that I looked forward too washed away by last week's storm.
Or I may fall in love with the cut-price cocktails late at night and the breakfast bakery and fail to make the 10 am boat (every day, for a week). But that's OK cause I don't have any reservations to miss.
I can still get travel insurance – well for most of my body anyway (they haven't covered the knees since the Himalayan incident ).
I don't need oxygen or an extra bag to carry my medications. If I get too hot, too cold, bitten by insects and even bounced off the back of a motorbike – it won't kill me.
I know how to recognize a scam from several paces, and I know never to leave my pack several paces away from my body. I know my new found friend wants to sell me something – but sometimes its fun to find out what.
I can afford to backpack – because I don't have to. I can afford the comfortable 4-star hotel for a few nights stop-over when I will be jet-lagged and on the way home.
If I get sick I will check into a nice place with large beds, functioning air con and room service.
I know if the taxi driver won't bargain with me I can walk away. I know how not to get myself stranded in a remote location with a taxi driver who wants to up the price.
I know that I will have a better time traveling in a random manner. Choosing when to go and when to stay.
I know I won't miss the Louvre because on the day the tour group was organized to go there I had to replace a stolen passport.
I know that if I get sick I can stop and get well. I know that getting ill hardly ever lasts for more than a day or two and then I can just pick up my itinerary where I left off with it.
I know that a backpacker, or as they are called now, flashpackers, has the ultimate freedom. We can choose to tour or not tour, to stay or go, to spend more money or less.
I know that I can travel for several months for the same price that most people my age would spend on 3 weeks travel. And have a better time. And see more than they will ever see.
So when are we too old to backpack?
When we can't handle uncertainty, change, different food, and unusual hotels. When we need to know what the day will bring, and when we will have lunch.
When we are worried about mixing with people who don't look like us, don't speak English and will probably stare at our odd, pale skin.
I have friends who were too old to backpack at 20, and one who was still traveling independently in her 80s. Backpacking is a state of mind – and has nothing at all to do with age.
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About the Author: This is a guest post by Lis Sowerbutts who is suddenly closer to 50 than 20 but still hasn't figured out what she's going to do when she grows up. Lis writes about independent travel at her site for the older backpacker: midlifetravel.com. Lis has been traveling independently for the last 25 years.
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking uses and recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours
- Skyscanner for researching flights
- Hostelworld for booking hostels
- Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
- Rail Europe for train passes
- World Nomads for travel insurance
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Considering I am about to sub-title my blog: Tales of a Middle Aged Backpacker — I am glad the answer to this question is that no age it too old! Lovely guest post. Thanks.
Ha ha – yeah its an addiction – took me years to figure out that backpacking just fed the addiction and didn’t allow me to “get over it”
Okay girl props to ya cus you know what you are NEVER too old to backpack. Backpacking is just a style of travel & it has no age limit.
You do need your health – I had to fight for travel insurance for our next trip for my partner – he got cover – but it was a fight – and there was no issue with his fitness to travel – just the insurance company’s perception of risk
Super post – and I totally agree with you. I know many people younger than me who are ‘too old’ to backpack! I backpacked with my dad who was 73 through the whole Annapurna Circuit in Nepal…and he was one of my favorite travel companions ever!
You are never to old to travel. As long as you appreciate what you see and let it turn you into a better person that is all that matters.
Fantastic post. Most of our friends are far too old to backpack (we’re in our 30s!). We had an email from a 68 year old Canadian lady who is moving to Turkey in two years’ time. She’s lived alone on a Greek island for 20 years. For the next two years, she will be backpacking before she settles here. Hope we still have the same attitude when we get to that age.
eeeks – if you think you’re too old then there’s no hope for me … I was planning on making enough money from my on line coaching biz to finally do the long dreamed of round the world backpacking trip – which by current progress will put me dangerously close to 60.
Gill seriously – don’t put it off – a lot of people aren’t too old to backpack but the time’s not right – the career, the business, the mortgage – its all just excuses. Are you going to regret spending more time working on your death bed?
I know I am late to the party, but I just found your website. I have been doing “short trip backpacking’ since 2001. I am a now 59 year young woman. I usually travel with one or two grandchildren. We camp, rent campervans, couch surf and hostel. We do 2-3 weeks at a time as that is all I can get off work and still keep a roof over our heads. But we put a lot into those weeks. My 17 year old and 13 year old grandsons and I are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro next month. After our climb, we will be staying in a hostel in Moshi and doing a camping safari. I am NOT too old to do the backpacking thing, and when I am able to retire, I will enjoy seeing all of you on the road with our backpacks!!! :)
This is a fantastic post–so glad to see it! I’m totally with you on this and want to keep traveling independently/backpacker style as long as I can. I know people who are young and afraid to travel unless it’s a package deal; some don’t even want to see a movie on their own! And I’ve got a friend who’s in his 70s who, until recently, was still staying in hostels.
The bottom line? Your final paragraph says it all!
I couldn’t agree more Lisa, which is good because I just turned a ripe old 34 recently. :)
LOL Dave – hope you are planning on “settling down” soon :-)
For all travelers, I have a very neat product… clam-ups.com
Does age really matters when backpacking? I don’t think so… I know a few who are still so active to go backpack and they are even on the go that the younger ones. I think it is just a matter of determination. If you want something, and you are determined, nothing can stop you from doing it even your age.
Inspiring and motivating article for this 50++ who is getting ready to hit the road again for a 3-4 month Latin America walkabout.
Awesome Philip – glad you liked Lis’ story and are heading off on your own adventure soon! If you have the chance, I highly recommend a visit to Colombia.
Work to travel. Retire to travel. It can never be taken away from you.
Going in backpack it’s not for everyone…I think we all dream about confort when we get old…no? It could become harder and harder past 40 years old…
Becomes harder past 40 ?….Nope…not at all..been travelling rough since I was 17 and at 45, if nothing else I know what I’m might be in for….”comfort” can be a bus station with air condition..or at least have a spot without light so you can get some sleep:-)
at 57 yrs. old planning backpacking from Siem Reap then border crossing Ho Chi Minh, then to Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Savannakhet then border crossing Vientina,Laos
As a matter of fact you get more experience at backpacking with time
I agree Charles, I certainly feel more confident when I travel now at 37 then I did at 21.
Good to hear that there are others who think it is never too late! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Excellent post. I could not have said it better my self. Way to go Lis. Wish you many more fun filled backpacking trips.
Since our 1st attempt at a month of backpacking in Thailand, we are hooked. At 47 & 48 years young, we have worked hard our entire lives, decided not to have children & so therefore feel it’s now time to start doing what we want & whenever we want to. Unfortunately we still need to work, but maybe, with time, patience & practice, our backpacking will become take a on a more important role in our lives, than what our careers currently do.
Great stuff! Informative for my. Looking forward to get more resource from you. Thank you for sharing with us.
Regard
Steven Rocks