Backpacking for Beginners 2026: Where to Buy a Backpacking Pack (Cheap) + 10 Best First Routes

Search interest in "where do I buy backpacking packs" and "discount backpacking packs" is climbing fast this fall. That usually means a lot of people are about to take their first big trip. If that's you, this guide covers the two things beginners get wrong most often: buying the wrong pack, and picking a first route that's too hard, too expensive, or too spread out.

The route rankings below use Voyica's city data. We compare 340 cities across 73+ metrics, pulling cost figures from Numbeo and Expatistan, safety data from the Global Peace Index, Numbeo's Crime Index, and US State Department advisories, and transit scores from Moovit and Walk Score. You'll get general ranges here, not made-up precise numbers. For the exact figures, check the live map.

Step 1: What Size Backpacking Pack Do You Actually Need?

For city-to-city travel (hostels, trains, buses, budget flights), a 35–45 liter pack is right for most people. Anything bigger tempts you to overpack, and it can push you past the carry-on limit on budget airlines. Those airlines make their money on bag fees. The large 60–70L packs are made for multi-day wilderness trekking with a tent and stove. That's a different kind of trip.

Look for a front-loading or "clamshell" opening so you can reach everything without unpacking, a padded hip belt that actually carries the weight, and lockable zippers. Torso length matters more than your height, so get measured if you can.

Step 2: Where to Buy Backpacking Packs (Including Discounts)

• Try in person first.

  Outdoor retailers like REI and Decathlon let you load a pack with weights and walk around the store. Even if you end up buying online, do this once so you know your fit.

• Buy used or refurbished.

  REI's Re/Supply used-gear program, brand trade-in programs, and local marketplaces often have lightly used packs for much less than retail. Packs are durable, so a used one is usually a safe buy. Check the zippers, buckles, and hip-belt stitching.

• Time your purchase.

  End-of-season clearances (late summer into fall), member sale events, and holiday sales are when discount backpacking packs actually show up. Last year's colorway is often the same pack for noticeably less.

• Weigh the warranty.

  Some brands (Osprey is the best-known example) offer generous lifetime repair guarantees. That can be worth more than a small discount from a no-name brand.

Step 3: The 10 Best Backpacking Routes for Beginners in 2026

We ranked these routes on daily cost, safety, ease of transit between stops, and how established the hostel and backpacker scene is. A good first route is one where things are easy to fix when they go wrong.

1. 1. Southeast Asia Loop: Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Luang Prabang → Hanoi

   This is the classic "Banana Pancake Trail" for a reason. Numbeo's data puts these cities among the cheapest in our dataset for meals and accommodation, and the hostel scene is huge, so you'll meet other travelers without trying. Start in Bangkok, take the overnight train north, and go slow. November through February brings the driest, most comfortable weather. The biggest risks here are scams and motorbike accidents, not violent crime. Don't rent a scooter unless you already know how to ride one.

2. 2. Central Europe: Prague → Vienna → Budapest → Kraków

   This is the easiest first trip in Europe. The cities are a few hours apart by train or bus, rated highly for safety in the Global Peace Index, and very walkable according to Walk Score. Budapest and Kraków are the cheapest stops. Vienna costs more, so plan fewer nights there. Go in May–June or September for mild weather without summer crowds.

3. 3. Iberian Run: Lisbon → Porto → Seville → Granada

   This route combines great food, sunshine, and prices that are low for Western Europe. Lisbon has some of Europe's best-rated hostels, and Porto is cheaper still. Andalusia is extremely hot in July and August per Climate-Data.org, so aim for spring or fall. Pickpocketing on Lisbon's trams is the main thing to watch out for.

4. 4. Mexico: Mexico City → Oaxaca → San Cristóbal → Mérida

   Mexico City is one of the best food cities in the world according to TasteAtlas, and costs stay low all along this route. Safety varies a lot by state, so read the State Department's state-by-state advisory before you go. Stick to first-class ADO buses rather than overnight driving. Neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa in CDMX are easy places to start.

5. 5. Vietnam North to South: Hanoi → Ha Long/Ninh Binh → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City

   It's a single long country with a well-worn backpacker route and sleeper buses or trains connecting every stop. Costs sit near the bottom of our index. The weather differs a lot by region, so check each city on Weather Atlas. Spring (March–April) is the best compromise across the whole route.

6. 6. Balkans: Ljubljana → Zagreb → Split → Kotor → Tirana

   You get Adriatic coastline for a fraction of Western Europe's prices, especially once you reach Montenegro and Albania. Buses are frequent but slow, so plan extra buffer days. Coastal Croatia gets expensive and crowded in peak summer. June and September are the sweet spots.

7. 7. Colombia: Bogotá → Medellín → Salento → Cartagena

   Colombia has a lively hostel culture, spring-like weather in Medellín all year, and low daily costs per Numbeo. It needs more street smarts than the routes above. Use ride-hailing apps at night, keep your phone out of sight on the street, and read the State Department advisory for regional details. Domestic flights on budget carriers can save you long bus rides.

8. 8. Japan on a Budget: Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Hiroshima

   Japan isn't cheap, but it's arguably the easiest country on this list. The Global Peace Index ranks it among the safest in the world, and its transit is among the best Moovit tracks. Capsule hostels, convenience-store meals, and regional rail passes keep costs manageable. It's a great pick for anxious first-timers.

9. 9. Caucasus: Tbilisi → Kazbegi → Yerevan

   This is the underrated pick. Georgia and Armenia offer wine, mountains, and famous hospitality at very low cost. US passport holders get generous visa-free stays per the Henley Passport Index. Marshrutka minibuses are chaotic but cheap. Go from May to October for mountain access.

10. 10. Peru: Lima → Arequipa → Cusco → Machu Picchu

    Peru is last on this list only because altitude and logistics add some difficulty. Spend a couple of days in Arequipa before Cusco to acclimatize. Machu Picchu tickets sell out, so book well ahead. The dry season (May–September) is best for trekking.

Beginner Backpacking Tips That Actually Matter

Pack light, then remove a third. Most hostels have laundry, so a week of clothes is plenty for any trip length.

Book the first two nights, wing the rest. Arriving jet-lagged with nowhere to sleep is the most common beginner mistake. After that, flexibility is the point.

Get travel insurance. Motorbike crashes, altitude sickness, and stolen gear are the three things that end backpacking trips early.

Use a daypack and a lock. Keep your passport and electronics in a small daypack that stays with you, and lock your main pack in hostel lockers.