Embarking on your first backpacking trip? With world-class hiking, beaches, and cuisine combined with excellent backpacking infrastructure, Thailand is the PERFECT destination for you.
Your first backpacking trip abroad is like no other. What feels more adventurous than packing all your belongings onto your back and setting off to hop between destinations? Not much. Backpacking is one of my personal favourite ways to travel and explore the world.
Embarking on your first ever backpacking trip can be intimidating though. That’s why choosing the right destination can be super important for determining your trip’s success.
Your first backpacking trip destination should include a few important factors:
- Ease of travel within the destination (transportation, communication with the locals, etc.),
- How safe you will feel there,
- And of course, how excited you will be to visit that destination.
Factors like these determine how easy it will be for you to navigate and manage your trip. With this being your first backpacking trip ever, that can make a world of difference. You can instead focus on making this the trip of your dreams!
So how do you find a destination that checks off all these boxes?
Well I’ve got good news for you guys! I have the perfect destination for first time backpackers that does just that.
Thailand!
I travelled to Thailand on my first backpacking trip in 2018 and I still talk about it now. Thailand was all I could have wanted for my first backpacking experience. It was truly a life changing trip and I am so excited to share with you why.
Here are the top 11 reasons why Thailand is PERFECT for your first ever backpacking trip abroad.
11 Reasons Why You Should Visit Thailand for Your First Backpacking Trip
1. Thailand Has Something for Everyone
There are few destinations in the world that truly have EVERYTHING! And Thailand is one of them.
This country has something to peak every adventure travellers interest.
Love spending your time hiking in beautiful places? Thailand has a plethora of absolutely stunning day hikes. From seven tiered waterfalls to jungle hikes searching for wild elephants, the hiking in Thailand is world class.
Want to lounge on pristine beaches all day? Thailand is famous for its beaches, featuring golden sand, bright turquoise ocean water, and towering limestone cliffs surrounding it all.
Prefer to immerse yourself in a unique culture and it’s history? Thailand has some truly epic temples, a gorgeous ancient city (called Ayutthaya), floating markets, and bustling cities for you to dive into the local culture.
Among other things, Thailand is also widely known for it’s impressive cuisine, world-famous rock climbing, and cultural festivals and events.
Ok, you get the picture. Thailand truly has something epic to fit every adventurer’s dream trip.
2. Thailand Has Well-Developed Backpacking Infrastructure
Another important factor that will really put you at ease and allow for an awesome stress-free first backpacking trip is how easy it is to get around and be in the country. The best part of backpacking is quite literally carrying your backpack all over as you explore as much as you can. If it is difficult to find transportation or accommodation, you’ll spend too much time stressing over those things than simply enjoying and soaking up as much as you can in the destination you are in.
In Thailand, not only is it easy to get around, but you’ll actually have an array of options. Cheap taxis, buses, local flights, trains, shuttles, and car rentals, you won’t have any problem getting where you’re going.
When I visited Khao Sok National Park in Thailand, we took a short flight from Bangkok to a small local airport before catching a shuttle to the park. But we also met some other backpackers who had just taken a longer bus ride instead to save some money. There are always options!
There is also accommodation everywhere you go. There were a few nights that we just spontaneously booked the day of with no problem.
3. You Won’t Have to Overcome Significant Language Barriers
When choosing your first backpacking destination, you’ll likely not want to choose a destination that is going to present serious language barriers.
Picture this. You’re a bit lost and confused on how to get where you are trying to go and nobody speaks a single word of English. Think of the stress and even panic that you might feel from this.
Now this situation may not be that bad for a seasoned backpacker or traveller, but for someone that is just learning the ropes of the backpacking world it can add a lot more stress.
So that’s why it’s a great idea to choose somewhere that won’t present this problem! And Thailand is one of them.
While Thai is still the main and first language in most of Thailand, in the touristy areas (which is almost everywhere), a ton of the locals will speak English. Almost everyone you come across that works in tourism will also likely speak some English. We’re talking hostel and hotel workers, taxi drivers, restaurant workers, people in train stations, etc.
Don’t expect that everyone in these categories will speak perfect English, but most will speak enough to get by.
4. Thailand is a Relatively Safe Country for Backpackers
There is not a single country in the world that you can call completely safe. But there are tons of countries that you can feel relatively at ease when following regular safety precautions.
Feeling safe in your first backpacking destination is a pretty important consideration for making your trip the epic success you want it to be. Thailand is considered one of these relatively safe countries to travel in.
There is not often violence directed towards tourists in Thailand and they have a great health care system in case you get hurt on the trip. I actually spent a full week in a Bangkok hospital and had nothing but good experiences with the care I received.
Here are some tips for keeping safe on a backpacking trip to Thailand:
- Don’t speak negatively about Thailand’s king where people can hear you
- Don’t keep tons of cash on you
- Protect your valuables in crowded tourist spots to avoid pickpocketing. This can include wearing a money belt, not wearing fancy jewelry, etc.
- Research the areas you are visiting to ensure they are considered a safe spot, especially when venturing off the more beaten path
- Don’t get super drunk and wander out late at night without groups of friends
- Be mindful of scams, especially with the tuk-tuk drivers
Again, I want to reiterate that there is no such thing as a perfectly safe country. There are always risks everywhere, and this is just what I experienced when travelling there.
5. Thailand is Super Budget Friendly
Thailand is one of the cheapest backpacking destinations out there. On a budget, it wouldn’t be hard to get by on only $20/day.
Whether you have a tight budget or a little more leniency, a cheap destination will allow your money to go further.
Eat out and enjoy the local cuisine, take a local tour, rent scooters for a day to explore on your own. Whatever you want to do, it will be a lot cheaper than most places in the world.
I travelled to Thailand on a slightly tight but mostly mid-range budget. But I was able to book several amazing tours and travel all over the country. I booked a full day tubing tour that took us down a gorgeous river in Khao Sok National Park, where we swung on rope swings and floated by stunning lime stone cliffs. All for about $15. A total steal!
Travelling in such a cheap destination will also allow for more flexibility, which can be great for making your first backpacking experience an epic adventure.
6. Thailand has an Epic Hostel Culture
I am a huge believer in the benefit of staying in hostels when you are backpacking. Whether you choose to stay in private or shared dorms, hostels are the place to be for a fun and easy-going environment.
The best part of staying in hostels is how easy it is to meet other travellers from all over the world. It is a great place to socialize with like-minded people and have a fun time. As a result of being such a popular backpacking destination, the hostel culture in Thailand is fantastic!
The large number of hostels spread throughout the whole country, means that you’ll have tons of great options to choose from. Travellers are often super receptive to meeting new people, so it won’t take long for you to make some new friends.
Thailand hostels are also known for having some pretty rad parties. One of the hostels I stayed at in Krabi actually had it’s own bar.
Hostel staff in Thailand are also usually very helpful. Often the hostel will help you arrange things like transportation and sometimes even tours. I booked a tour to visit Erawan Falls in Thailand through the hostel I stayed at in Bangkok.
7. Thailand has Great Wifi to Stay Connected to Home
Another consideration that is often overlooked when choosing a first backpacking destination is the country’s wifi capabilities. Even if you are not the type of traveller that feels the need to constantly be connected, knowing that there is easy access to good wifi if need be can be reassuring.
Thailand has great wifi access in most touristy places you’ll visit. In hotels, hostels and most restaurants, you will almost always find free wifi.
8. You’ll Meet Tons of Other Travellers Everywhere You Go
One of the best parts of backpacking is meeting other travellers and making new friends along the way.
With Thailand being such a hot backpacking spot, it is the perfect destination if you are looking to meet people from all over the world. Whether you are a solo traveller or in a small group, this can really enhance your backpacking experience.
It is also great for helping you feel more safe while you are travelling. There is added reassurance when you are exploring an area that also has tons of other people doing the same thing.
9. The Locals are Well-Accustomed to Tourists
Thailand is a very touristy country! In fact, tourism is one of the main economic sectors for the country and accounts for a significant portion of their GDP. With that being the case, the locals are very well-accustomed to seeing tourists and are known for being quite friendly.
Visiting Thailand for your first backpacking trip, you will feel welcomed in the country. You also won’t experience the intense stares as the locals wonder what you are doing there, because they are so used to seeing tourists everywhere.
This will also make it easier for you to ask for help if you are in need, which results in feeling much safer in your travels.
10. You Can Still Find Comforts From Home
When travelling on your first backpacking trip, it can often be comforting to find small tidbits that remind you of home along the way. For example, after a couple weeks of travelling in Thailand, I was getting tired of eating food that felt foreign to me and wanted to find some food that more resembled what I was used to eating back home.
There are tons of restaurants in Thailand that will offer Western food and honestly I think you could find a restaurant offering food from almost all regions of the world. I even found a small poutine restaurant offering food that is very specific to Canada.
11. Thailand is Central in South East Asia for Further Travels
If you are planning to continue your travels through the rest of South East Asia, then Thailand is a great country to start in.
Thailand is central to a lot of the most popular destinations in South East Asia. It is also often the cheapest of the destinations to fly in and out of.
Also, with all of the reasons listed above, it is a great introduction to backpacking. This will allow you to get more comfortable with the experience, before moving on to other countries.
Final Thoughts on Thailand Being the Best First-Time Backpacker’s Destination
So there you have it! All 11 reasons why Thailand is the PERFECT destination for your first backpacking trip. From amazing things to do, ease of getting around, and the comfort it allows, this country will allow you to sit back and enjoy the wonders of backpacking travel with little stress.
If you have anything to add feel free to comment down below. I really appreciate hearing from you guys!
Happy Adventuring!
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