Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Backpackers.com all about?
The Backpackers.com site is centred around a Travel Blog, updated daily, with two major themes: upcoming festivals and highlighted destinations.
Plus, you can make online hostel bookings and air your views in our ever-popular travel forums!
Q: I’m looking for information on backpacking. Have I come to the right place?
A: You have if you’re a backpacker. To us, backpackers are travellers, modern-day global citizens who can be found in all interesting corners of the globe. Here’s a more formal definition of who we are and how we travel from “The Backpacker Phenomenon,” by Professor Philip Pearce:
- a preference for budget accommodation;
- an emphasis on meeting other travellers;
- an independently organised and flexible travel schedule;
- longer rather than very brief holidays; and
- an emphasis on informal and participatory holiday activities
To others, a backpacker is a hiker, into trails and the outdoors. While it does sound rather healthy, it’s not what this site is about. So, if you’ve still got hiking and trails on the brain, we suggest you look here.
Q: Can I book hostels on this site?
Yes! you will be able to choose from over 10,000 hostels world-wide, at the best internet rates available (no mark-ups!). No waiting in line, no frantic phone calls, just a simple online service you can access from anywhere at any time.
Take a look at our handy hostel booking FAQ for more info.
Q: What festival information will I find here?
We’ll be bringing all you party animals out there the scoop on the best upcoming festivals around the globe.
From the more famous festivals like the Running of the Bulls (San Fermin) in Spain and the beer-guzzling Oktoberfest in Germany, to the weird and the downright quirky ones like Camel Wrestling in Turkey, we’ll get you all the latest news and tips for survival.
Plus, like we’ve done before, we’ll organise ticket giveaways and festival passes for awesome dance parties like Godskitchen’s Global Gathering and Creamfields!
Q: What is the ‘Destination Highlight’?
Every month (and possibly more often in future) a new destination comes under the spotlight.
But, we’re not going to try to be just another destination guide. We’ll point you in the direction of traditional destination websites, sure, because they do know their stuff, but who better to tell you about a place than someone who’s there right now, or a traveller who has visited recently and wrote about it?
Every day we hear about great sites, old and new, covering the ins and outs of each and every known destination, from first-hand experience. From now on you’ll get the story from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.
Plus, every backpacker loves freebies, so we’ll have loads of destination-related competitions and giveaways to help you stretch that ever-restrictive budget a little bit further!
Q: What’s the deal with the forums?
This is your chance to pick the brains of fellow travellers. Get tips from veteran backpackers on how best to get from A to B without spending all your hard-earned booze money, and find out about great out-of-the-way places to put on your itinerary.
Share your experiences – the good, the bad and the outrageous – who knows, maybe you’ll find like-minded travellers to share in your adventures!
Q: Why don’t you/have you thought about/when will you…?
A: Chances are that’s a great idea, and while we may not have thought about it, we are thinking about it now, and if we have the time, we’ll do it soon.
Please feel free to make suggestions. We may not be able to take up your suggestions right away, and you should see the pile of emails we get to understand why we’re not always able to respond, but rest assured, we really appreciate your feedback! It helps us figure out what is important to backpackers, and ensures that Backpackers.com remains useful.
Q: Will you protect my privacy?
We don’t like spam and promise not to give your email address to third parties. Please see our privacy policy for more details.
