Why do people "backpack" in Europe and other places???

Question

I traveled alot in my day I been to many different countries. And I can never understand the whole "backpacking" thing. I really dont know why "backpackers" enjoy living like bums. Like why do they like staying in a crappy dirty hostel ,when they can stay in a hotel for a few dollars more? I really dont get it ,most countries backpackers go to are poor and they can afford to have better accomadations but they choose the latter, why?

Additonally one can see as much as much culture staying at a hotel oppose to a dirty hostel. Just because one stays in a hostel doesnt make them a "non tourist". All you do in a hotel is sleep just as you do in a hostel. So what makes hotel goers "tourists"? In many cases the hostels are right near the hotels. So what are backpackers seeing that iam not? Cockaroachs? I dont hate "backpackers" I just dont like how backpackers think they are somehow experiencing the culture more then "hotel goers" And you can be just as free staying at a hotel! You can leave a hotel anytime you want its not a jail!

Answer 1

* Cheap
* Easy
* No reservations required (sometimes)
* Good exercise
* Opportunity to see the countryside
* Ability to be spontaneous

For the record, the one hostel I stayed at was in San Francisco. It was supposed to be really nice and I thought it was fairly gross, so I'm with you.

Answer 2

I just spent a month "backpacking" through Europe. I didn't "live like a bum." I stayed in hotels, b&b, guesthouses and 1 hostel. The hostel I stayed in was clean, centrally located and the staff was very accomodating. I chose to backpack because of the freedom it allows. No heavy luggage to tote around (especially in remote towns or rough terrain). The other advantage was not having to check my luggage for flights. I took 5 flights within Europe and never had to worry about losing my luggage or waste time waiting at baggage claim. I plan on doing it again next spring. I don't think my experience would have been made any better by staying in a fancy hotel.

Answer 3

Backpacks are minimal carriers, but are easier to carry than suitcases hanging from one hand. By using local transportation it is possible to get out and away from crowded civilized centers for a while, eating in smaller establishments and meeting people on a different basis. While it may be possible to find "hotels" that cost little more than hostels, with some attention and discussion with other people, clean hostels are more flexible to arrive at and the difference in price may mean 4 weeks of travel instead of 3. And besides hostels and hotels, there are a variety of other choices especially away from the cities, including inns, B&B's, private homes, parks and barns that can be found by asking rather than looking in books.

Answer 4

Backpacking saves you money; more then you probably think. Also, backpacking is a great way to experience the city and make new friends or traveling buddies. You could say the same thing about camping? Why camp in a tent when you can stay at a lodge or in an RV? Well, it's all about having a different and/or more adventorous and gritty experience. It appeals to some people and others... not so much. It all depends on the spirit of the traveler. =)

Answer 5

Im 16, and have had experienced many different types of vacations but i really want to backpack through europe in college! I like cruises, resorts, and visiting different cities but their is something so adventurous about backpacking. The idea of not knowing where your gonna stay or what your gonna eat or even what kind of people you will meet. I could understand that you might not get it if you are like 30+. But for young people who haven't lived on their own or done things for themselves their whole life, backpacking is a way to find out things about yourself before you go into adulthood. I think it will be a great adventure and i CAN'T wait until i get an opportunity.

Answer 6

the cost between a hostel and a regular hotel is a huge difference. People backpack because it's really hard to travel when you're an average joe who doesn't make that much money... or makes money just not enough to travel on a huge scale without going broke. Travelling is expensive dude... those people that backpack travel on a budget so that they can travel as much as the world as possible.

Answer 7

Because I like travel over tourism. When you "backpack" you stay in places and interact with people in a more meaningful way. The whole purpose of the trip is to immerse yourself in the customs and cultures of the country you are visiting. Its harder to do that when you fly in, take a taxi to a posh hotel where the workers are instructed to speak to you only when spoken to and then only in a certain manner. You eat in restaurants the locals could never afford to eat at, go places they could never afford to go, mostly btw owned by foreigners. Go back to your room, get your taxi, fly home and say you know all about that country.

I've done it both ways, and I'd rather backpack any day. I've made more friends, seen more things, even been invited on several occasions to stay as a guest in the home of a local, dine with them, play with their children, and have returned just to visit with them again, and to this day have stayed in touch.

Answer 8

Most of those backpackers are young and definetely in need to know, see, and do more. What better way than intermingling with all sorts of classes, whether economic, society, ethnic, etc. They want to get to know the world from the real point of view, I guess. And a luxurious hotel will only show him part of a world, one that they probably have already at home.

Answer 9

because it is more fun and adventurous.
One is a tourist one is a traveler

why stay at the big hotels you ask? you might just as well stay at home.
I was (sorry) "Backpacking" in India.
I met Tourists that stayed in A/C fancy hotels, ate western food and took tours on a/c buses through India, and think they saw India.that is why they are tourists and not travelers. i slept in the streets and ate food from street vendors. I experienced India.
You seem to be a tourist

Answer 10

I've never done it myself but i think most of these people can get to see a lot more places and cultures by going for the cheapest way,
I work in tourism of 4 and 5 star hotels and the clients we get seem to be real hard up, that's life now days....

Answer 11

It's a lifestyle! You cannot even begin to see Europe by any other mode of transportation better than your own 2 feet! Well, maybe bike. As far as the dirty hostels, they aren't ALL dirty - there are many quaint, clean and safe hostels around Europe. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it!