Any tips for backpacking around the UK?

Question

I'm a 20 year old female planning to travel around the UK next summer alone, possibly staying at youth hostels from time to time. I certainly don't expect them to be up to par with the Hilton, but has anyone who has stayed at them before willing to offer a "review" of their experience? Also, any tips for what I should bring with me/leave at home? I've been to the UK a number of times, but always packed way too much and stayed in nice hotels, so I need some tips for how to pack lighter without leaving out anything important as well as avoid problems at a hostel.

Answer 1

PhilipL had some great suggestions. Please do NOT worry about staying in hostels!! I've been travelling extensively for a number of years now (as a solo female in her 20s) and have spent months travelling around the UK by myself. I've never had a single issue in any hostel. They don't deserve the bad rap they have in many circles - unless absolutely necessary (ie: lack of hostels in an area), I don't stay in hotels when I travel. Hostels are a lot of fun - stay in a dorm and you'll meet a lot of great people!

That said - avoid the Blue Sky hostel in Glasgow. It was easily the worst hostel I've stayed in *ever* and was a bit on the scary side! But, one of the nicer hostels I've stayed in was in Edinburgh (also one of my favourite cities in the UK) - it's called Budget Backpacker's http://www.budgetbackpackers.com/

You might want to take a budget youth tour around the UK when you first arrive. www.radicaltravel.com Radical Travel is a youth tour network and it's really quite good. I met a few life-long friends when I went on a couple of their tours a few years back. I've recommended the tours to friends who've raved about them. They're inexpensive and can give you a good idea of the UK's layout before choosing areas to visit.

As for things to take with you, make sure you take a good (but light) rainjacket. I've found the summers in the UK to be warm but it can be a bit wet at times. Pack a good pair of walking shoes as well as walking sandals - I try to find a pair of sandals that I can also wear out at night if I want to dress up (they're not fancy of course but they do the trick). Take 2 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of light-weight pants (like linen or hemp), 2 tanktops, 2 short-sleeved tshirts and 1-2 long-sleeved shirts. Take one or two hoodies/sweaters and maybe one skirt/top for nights out (or if you want to go to the theatre, etc). One pair of PJs (very light) or just sleep in your underwear. Also, take only 3-4 pairs of socks and underwear. If you go to a travel shop, you can buy quick-dry versions and these are excellent. Also purchase a universal sink plug and small packs of washing liquid to do your own laundry. You can get cords to hang your laundry up and it'll dry overnight. Very, very handy! This doesn't sound like a lot of clothes to take but trust me, it adds up! This is more than enough.

Also, make sure you buy a money belt as well as a travel purse that zips all the way around. Purchase a travel towel (they dry quickly), a large luggage lock (to lock your luggage to your hostel bed - put the regular locks onto your luggage and then put the cord through the lock and then through the bedframe - can save you a lot of worry).

Travel-sized versions of everything like toothbrush/paste, shampoo, Purell, small hairbrush, etc will save a lot of weight. You can buy new stuff in the UK if need be. Flashlight, travel journal, Lonely Planet UK guidebook (VERY handy), etc.

Whenever I travel I go to a used book store and buy two or three small $1 books. Most hostels have book exchanges - leave a book and you can take another. I've used these extensively around the world and they're handy! You don't have to throw away or leave brand new books behind because of weight, and you aren't spending money on expensive new reading materials.

One more suggestion is that you buy space saver "bags" for your backpack or suitcase. These are rectangular bags (shaped like a box) made out of mesh and canvas - usually black and the zipper goes around three sides. Roll everything and put the clothes inside these bags. They come in different sizes and are very handy for saving space.

Answer 2

Hi,

First, please IGNORE the answerer above - if you stay at hotels and B & B's you will be very bored and very lonely plus it will cost you a LOT MORE - that would be a crying shame.

Hostels these days can be safe, clean and comfortable plus you will meet loads of friends to enjoy the sights and evenings with! On Hostelworld.Com all hostels can be sorted by ratings, and you can read the reviews of a hostel to makes sure other travellers recommend it. Not to mention that most hostels are usually right in the center of the attractions! Plus they usually provide advice on sightseeing and travel options...

To pack lighter the easiest option is to follow the old '3 of ach' rule.

So you have 3 pairs of trousers (maybe 1 short and 2 long) plus 3 pairs of socks, 3 short sleeves tee-shirts, 1 long sleeve tee-shirt, 1 fleece in case it's cold at night, and a lightwight waterproof like the Gore-Tex 'Extreme Packable' from Berghaus ...

Plus of course your ipod, mobile-phone, GPS, Game-Boy, N-Gage, cybershot digital camera ...

This is about what I take, but you might want to also include a couple of those light-weight travel towels and a skirt.

For your gear, make sure everything is light-weight and quick drying ... go to a travel / outdoor shop and have a look around... for example - for UK summers I'd recommend you take one of those Gore-Tex Extreme PacLite waterproofs that folds up very small, but performs very well in the rain!

Plus of course, you can always buy some more things if you need them in the UK...

And don't forget some sandals for hanging areound on beaches and by the lakes in Cumbria as well as some good hiking boots for hill-climbing in Wales and the Peak District.

To find good hostels (for having fun, security, and ,meeting other travellers) see Hostelworld.com

I've put some packing and gear links below, as well as the LP Thorntree links so you can search for more tips and advice.

The most important thing is to have fun!

Happy Trails

Philip

Answer 3

Wrap up warm ,wear sensible walking boots/shoes and carry English money NOT that Euro crap since it`s not LEGAL currency in the UK.
Seriously though - good strong shoes ,warm clothing ,plenty of socks ,water-proof outer clothing and a personal alarm (LOL).Stay away from hostels in isolated areas when possible and use town centre Bed & Breakfasts or Pubs instead ,many are cheap but more secure for a young woman travelling alone.
AND most important TOP-UP your cell/mobile phone just in case.

Answer 4

The most important tip of all: Have the time of your life!

Answer 5

Im afraid the only tip for you is bring your waterproofs and wooly scarf

Answer 6

Yes get a back pack.lol

Answer 7

Good advice just dont go alone.