Backpacking: A Global Phenomenon of Movement, Meaning, and Modern Mobility

Backpacking (noun)

The activity of travelling for pleasure, usually without very much money, and carrying everything you need in a backpack.

Backpacking is often reduced to a stereotype: a young traveller with a large rucksack, moving cheaply from hostel to hostel. While this image contains some truth, it obscures the deeper reality. Backpacking is one of the most influential and enduring forms of global travel, shaping not only tourism economies but also cultural exchange, identity formation, and the geography of mobility itself. It is both a product of globalisation and a critique of it—simultaneously enabled by modern infrastructure and motivated by a desire to escape structured, commercialised travel.

As a global phenomenon, backpacking has evolved across centuries, adapting to shifts in technology, economics, and culture. Today it represents a substantial segment of the international travel market. According to the World Youth Student and Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation, youth and backpacker travellers account for more than 23% of all international tourist arrivals, representing over 300 million trips annually. Their collective spending is estimated at over £250 billion per year, making backpacking not a fringe activity but a central pillar of global tourism.

Origins: From Aristocratic Travel to Countercultural Movement

The roots of backpacking can be traced back to the Grand Tours of the 17th and 18th centuries. These journeys, undertaken primarily by young aristocratic men from Britain and other parts of Europe, were designed to cultivate cultural sophistication. Travellers would spend months or even years visiting the great centres of art and learning—Paris, Florence, Rome—absorbing language, philosophy, and aesthetics. Travel, in this context, was not leisure but education, a finishing school for the elite.

Although vastly different in structure and accessibility, the Grand Tour established a critical idea: that travel could be transformative. This notion persisted through the centuries, gradually extending beyond the aristocracy as industrialisation expanded access to mobility. The 19th century saw the rise of railways and organised tourism, most notably through companies such as Thomas Cook, which standardised travel experiences. Yet this early tourism was highly structured, leaving little room for the independence that would later define backpacking.

The true emergence of backpacking as a distinct travel culture occurred in the mid-20th century. After the Second World War, a combination of economic growth, expanding middle classes, and the advent of commercial aviation made international travel more accessible than ever before. At the same time, youth culture began to assert itself as a powerful social force. The establishment and rapid growth of youth hostel networks across Europe provided a physical infrastructure for low-cost travel, enabling young people to move independently across borders.

The 1960s and 1970s marked a decisive turning point. The countercultural movements of this era rejected materialism, traditional career paths, and conventional tourism. Travel became a form of personal exploration and, in many cases, a philosophical or spiritual quest. The so-called “hippie trail,” stretching from Western Europe through the Middle East to South Asia, became the defining route of this generation. Travellers moved slowly, often overland, relying on informal networks and shared knowledge rather than formal bookings.

This period established the core principles of modern backpacking: independence, affordability, flexibility, and a preference for authentic experience over comfort. These principles continue to underpin the practice today, even as the context in which backpacking occurs has changed dramatically.

Who Backpacks and Why

While backpacking has traditionally been associated with young Western travellers, particularly those aged between 18 and 30, the demographic profile has broadened significantly in recent decades. The rise of global middle classes, especially in Asia, has introduced new flows of backpackers from countries such as China, South Korea, and Brazil. At the same time, older travellers—often referred to as “grey gappers”—have entered the market, bringing higher budgets but maintaining the independent ethos of backpacking.

Despite this diversity, backpackers tend to share certain psychological characteristics. They are typically motivated by curiosity, a desire for personal growth, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. Unlike conventional tourists, who often prioritise comfort and predictability, backpackers value flexibility and immersion. They are more likely to engage with local communities, seek out non-commercial experiences, and adapt their plans spontaneously.

Research consistently shows that backpackers travel for longer periods than other tourists, often ranging from several weeks to several months. This extended duration allows for deeper engagement with destinations but also reflects a different relationship to time. Backpacking is not simply about seeing places; it is about inhabiting them, however temporarily.

The motivations behind backpacking are complex and multifaceted. For some, it represents a rite of passage—a transitional phase between education and employment. For others, it is an escape from routine or a means of reassessing life priorities. Increasingly, it is also linked to lifestyle choices, including remote work and digital nomadism, which blur the boundaries between travel and everyday life.

The Global Backpacker Economy

Backpacking is not merely a cultural phenomenon; it is a significant economic force. Youth and backpacker travellers account for approximately one quarter of international tourism, with global spending estimated at over £250–300 billion annually. What distinguishes backpackers economically is not the amount they spend per day—typically lower than that of conventional tourists—but the duration and distribution of their spending.

Backpackers tend to stay longer and travel more widely within a destination, spreading their expenditure across a broader range of businesses. This includes small, locally owned enterprises such as guesthouses, cafés, transport operators, and tour guides. As a result, backpacking plays a crucial role in supporting local economies, particularly in regions that are not part of mainstream tourism circuits.

Globally, there are estimated to be between 40,000 and 50,000 backpacker hostels, though precise figures are difficult to establish due to the informal nature of the sector in some regions. Europe and Southeast Asia account for the largest concentrations, while Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Latin America also maintain extensive hostel networks.

Backpacking in Europe

Europe remains the historical heart of backpacking and one of its most significant contemporary centres. The continent attracts an estimated 35–40% of global backpacker flows, driven by its dense concentration of cultural heritage, efficient transport infrastructure, and relatively small geographic scale. Interrail and Eurail passes, along with an extensive network of low-cost airlines, make cross-border travel exceptionally accessible.

Popular destinations include cities such as Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and Prague, each offering a combination of historical significance and vibrant social scenes. Eastern Europe, in particular, has seen substantial growth in backpacker tourism over the past two decades, as countries such as Hungary, Poland, and Croatia have developed their tourism infrastructure while remaining relatively affordable.

Europe is home to an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 hostels, ranging from traditional dormitory-style accommodations to high-end “poshtels” that blend budget pricing with boutique design. Daily spending by backpackers in Europe typically ranges from £40 to £80, depending on the country, with higher costs in Western Europe balanced by lower prices in the east.

Backpacking in Asia

Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, is widely regarded as the global epicentre of backpacking. The region attracts approximately 30–35% of the world’s backpackers, with countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia forming the backbone of a well-established travel circuit.

The appeal of Asia lies in its affordability, diversity, and accessibility. Daily budgets can be as low as £15–£30 in many parts of Southeast Asia, allowing travellers to extend their journeys significantly. At the same time, the region offers a wide range of experiences, from tropical beaches and dense jungles to ancient temples and rapidly modernising cities.

Asia has experienced an explosion in hostel development over the past two decades, with thousands of new properties opening across the region. These hostels often function as social hubs, facilitating interaction among travellers and reinforcing the communal aspect of backpacking.

India represents a distinct subculture within Asian backpacking, offering a more challenging but deeply rewarding experience. Routes through Rajasthan, Goa, and the Himalayan regions attract travellers seeking both cultural immersion and spiritual exploration.

Backpacking in Africa

Africa accounts for a smaller share of global backpacker tourism, estimated at 0.8% in a City Of Cape Town research study, but offers some of the most distinctive and transformative travel experiences. Backpacking in Africa is often characterised by overland travel, with routes connecting South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, and Tanzania.

South Africa serves as a major gateway, with well-developed infrastructure and a strong hostel network, particularly in cities such as Cape Town and along the Garden Route. The continent’s appeal lies in its natural landscapes, wildlife, and cultural diversity, but these same factors also contribute to higher logistical complexity and, in some cases, higher costs.

Daily spending varies widely, ranging from £30 to £70, depending on the region and style of travel. While the number of hostels is lower than in Europe or Asia, their distribution reflects key travel corridors, creating a functional if less dense network.

Backpacking in Australasia

Australia and New Zealand occupy a unique position within the global backpacking system. Together, they attract approximately 10–12% of backpackers, many of whom participate in working holiday programmes. These visas allow travellers to fund their journeys through temporary employment, effectively extending their stays and integrating them into local economies.

Australia’s east coast route, from Sydney to Cairns, is one of the most established backpacker trails in the world. New Zealand offers a similarly structured experience, with well-marked travel circuits across both the North and South Islands. Daily costs are significantly higher than in Asia, often exceeding £70–£100, but are offset by higher earning potential.

Backpacking in the Americas

The Americas present a diverse and evolving backpacking landscape. North America accounts for a relatively small share of global backpackers, primarily due to high costs, though cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Vancouver remain popular.

In contrast, Central and South America have emerged as major backpacking regions, attracting approximately 10–15% of global travellers. Countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia offer a combination of affordability, cultural richness, and natural beauty. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, for example, is one of the most iconic backpacking experiences in the world.

Infrastructure in the region has improved significantly, with a growing number of hostels and transport options facilitating independent travel. Daily budgets typically range from £25 to £60, depending on the country.

The Digital Transformation of Backpacking

The rise of the internet has fundamentally reshaped backpacking. Where travellers once relied on guidebooks and word-of-mouth, they now have access to a vast array of online resources, including blogs, forums, and video content. This has democratised travel knowledge but also contributed to the rapid popularisation—and sometimes over-commercialisation—of certain destinations.

A new generation of travel content creators has emerged, turning backpacking into a viable career. Websites such as The Broke Backpacker and Nomadic Matt, along with creators like Where Goes Rose and Gabriela Here and There, have built substantial audiences by sharing practical advice, personal stories, and destination guides. These platforms generate income through advertising, affiliate marketing, and digital products, illustrating the growing intersection between travel and entrepreneurship.

At the same time, social media has altered the visual and experiential dimensions of travel, with certain locations gaining prominence through platforms such as Instagram and YouTube. This has created new opportunities but also raised questions about authenticity and sustainability.

Resources for Backpackers

Modern backpackers operate within a highly developed ecosystem of resources. Planning tools include online booking platforms for accommodation and transport, digital maps, and community-driven review sites. Mobile applications provide real-time information on everything from currency exchange rates to local transport schedules.

Hostel booking platforms such as Hostelworld list tens of thousands of properties worldwide, while budget airlines and long-distance bus networks have made even remote regions accessible. Travel insurance, once an afterthought, has become a standard component of backpacking, reflecting increased awareness of risk.

Despite these technological advancements, the fundamental ethos of backpacking remains unchanged. It continues to prioritise independence, adaptability, and meaningful engagement with the world.

Conclusion

Backpacking is one of the most significant travel movements of the modern era, bridging centuries of cultural evolution and adapting continuously to changing global conditions. From the aristocratic journeys of the Grand Tour to the digital nomads of the 21st century, it reflects a persistent human desire to explore, learn, and connect.

Its importance extends beyond tourism. Backpacking shapes economies, fosters cultural exchange, and influences how destinations develop and present themselves. It challenges conventional notions of travel, emphasising experience over consumption and connection over convenience.

In an increasingly interconnected world, backpacking remains a powerful expression of individual agency within global systems. It is not merely a way of travelling; it is a way of engaging with the world—one that continues to evolve, adapt, and inspire.

Backpacking in South Africa - Past, Present and Future

Backpacking as we know it was born in the 1960s, with its roots in the flower-power counter-culture. A whole generation of rebels picked up a backpack, headed off to see the world, and did things their parents had never done. Cheap international flights were new. The hippy trail to Asia was opening up. Young people from Europe and the US poured into Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, India, and Nepal. It was idealistic, bold, and completely new.

South Africa played no part in any of this. The country was a police state under apartheid. The early backpackers believed in peace and love. That left no room for a government that repressed people on the basis of their race or poltical opinions. South Africa was not just unattractive as a place to visit. It was a place to avoid. An entire generation of Western travellers passed it by without a second thought.

That all changed on 11 February 1990. Nelson Mandela walked out of prison after 27 years. The world watched. Within four years, South Africa had held its first free election. The apartheid era was over.

By this time, backpacking had become a fully grown cultural force. In the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, and the US, the "gap year" idea had taken hold. School and university leavers were taking time to travel the world before starting their careers. It was no longer just the hippies - millions of young people were now doing it every year. South-East Asia, India, Central America, and Australia were the go-to spots. South Africa had never been on the list. Then, almost overnight, it was.

The timing was extraordinary. A whole new country opened its doors at the exact moment a new generation of young travellers was ready to walk through them. The result — to the bemusement of South Africa's own people — was a flood of backpackers. They arrived wide-eyed. The country they found had jaw-dropping wildlife. It had a stunning coastline and a warm culture. And the prices were so low their budgets felt almost embarrassing. Word spread fast. More people came.

The Pioneers

A whole new industry appeared from almost nothing. Hundreds of backpackers hostels — known simply as "backpackers" in South Africa — sprang up all over the country. Some were in cities. Some were in beach towns. Some were in places so remote that getting there was half the fun.

One of the very first was Ashanti Lodge in Cape Town. In 1992, Lisa Krohn and her partner Craig Johnstone converted some rooms above his parents' garage into three simple dorms. They had just come back from their own travels and knew what a good hostel could be. The timing was spot on. Within three years they had moved into a grand Victorian house on Hof Street in Gardens. Ashanti went on to become one of the most loved hostels in the country. It is still going strong today.

Many of those early hostels were started by people who saw an opportunity. Lebo Malepa grew up in Orlando West, Soweto, next door to Nelson Mandela's old house. He started by selling crafts to the tour groups who came to see the Hector Pieterson Memorial. He got talking to travellers. He liked them. In 2003, he turned his family home into a backpackers hostel. Lebo's Soweto Backpackers became famous for its bicycle tours of the township. It was known for its storytelling nights too. And for its deep roots in the local community. Lebo won many awards and was rightly seen as one of South Africa's great tourism pioneers. He passed away on Christmas Day 2021. The hostel still runs today, led by his family and the team he built.

A group of famous hostels grew up along the Wild Coast in the 1990s. The Price family was instrumental in this, taking over a fading resort that had been built for SA's domestic tourism market in the 1980's and turning it into Buccanneers Backpackers. Many of the ideas that shaped the Wild Coast's backpacking scene - free drinks on arrival, every 5th night free, dress-up parties - originated there. Sugar Shack in East London was started by Dave Malherbe, a former pro surfer who had competed on the world circuit. He and his brother Andre converted the old lifeguard's building on the beach into a hostel. It became a classic stop on the backpacking trail. Dave later took over the running of Coffee Shack in Coffee Bay, another Wild Coast legend, after its founder passed away.

Tim and Annie Oakley — two travellers who had been teaching English in Taiwan — saved enough money to come home to South Africa and invest. They started Amapondo Backpackers in Port St Johns. It went on to become one of the most celebrated hostels on the Wild Coast. Another is Dillon Harvey, who travelled the world as a cook before starting The Kraal at Mpande on the Wild Coast. He's still there, one of the few of the Old Guard still standing.

Not all the great stories are set in South Africa itself. Helen Large — now Jarman — is a British woman who started Pink Papaya Backpackers in Chimoio, a remote town in Mozambique. She did this in the early days of that country's own tourism boom. She later got married, moved south, and now owns Witsand Poshpackers in the Western Cape. The same free spirit that drove the early pioneers is still alive and well in her story.

As the industry grew, new voices emerged. Bheki Dube is one of the most inspiring. He grew up in Johannesburg and started leading walking tours of the city centre at the age of 16. At 21, he opened his first hostel — Curiocity, in the vibrant Maboneng Precinct. He has since built the Curiocity brand into a group of four design-led hostels in Cape Town and Johannesburg. His approach — bold design, local roots, guided city tours — has helped reshape what backpackers hostels in South Africa can be.

Professional groups have also entered the scene. Villa Viva in Cape Town was once known as The Backpack — one of the great originals. It is now part of a broader social enterprise network. Zzzone in Hermanus is a newer kind of hostel: design-focused and sleep-first. It targets the active traveller who wants a solid night's rest as much as a great time.

And then there are the eccentrics who make backpacking so interesting. One of them is Louis Fourie: obsessed with permaculture, being off-grid and living a life free of society's constraints. He found his niche in deeply traditional Africa, at Magwa Falls. It's one of the country's most draw-dropping natural features which, due to its remoteness, hardly any have even heard of. Thanks to Louis, it's now accessible to tourists - a real hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

The Two Pillars of the Industry

For decades, two things held the whole backpacking South Africa scene together. One was the Baz Bus. The other was a small but mighty booklet called Coast to Coast.

The Baz Bus was the creation of Barry "Baz" Zeidel — a chartered accountant and keen traveller. He had seen similar backpacker bus services while travelling in Europe and Australia. He launched the Baz Bus in November 1995 with two small buses and one route between Cape Town and Johannesburg. It was a hop-on, hop-off service, which picked up and dropped off directly at hostel doors. No bus terminals. No taxi rides. No getting lost. The idea was simple. The result was brilliant. The Baz Bus grew into a fleet of 26 buses that ran the length and breadth of the country. At its peak it carried over 15,000 backpackers a year. It was not cheap — but the price reflected quality. Baz was a popular employer who retained his staff for years and paid them well. Every driver knew every hostel, every stop, and every pothole on the route. You were in safe hands.

Coast to Coast was a different kind of clever. It was conceived, designed, illustrated, written and distributed by a Capetonian graphic designer, Geoff Heald. This was a pocket-sized booklet — almost certainly the only travel guide in the world printed in black and white on cheap newsprint. It made up for this with a bright cover, cartoons, corny jokes in the page margins, an ingenious indexing system on the back cover, and a tone that matched the spirit of the industry perfectly. The content was all paid-for listings which, necessarily, said only good things about the advertisers — this being before the era of online reviews. Nevertheless, piles of Coast to Coast sat in almost every hostel in the country, free for anyone to pick up and head into the unknown. At its height it was over 350 pages long, with more than 45,000 copies being printed each year. Tourists kept them as souvenirs. Others tried to copy it, but none could. The low production costs — cheap paper, single-colour printing — and its excellent distribution made it unassailable. It ran for decades.

Where Things Stand Today

The early wave of excitement faded slowly over the years. There was a brief boost around the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Then Covid arrived and hit the industry hard. Hostels closed. Staff were let go. The Baz Bus shut down. Coast to Coast ceased publication. For many people who had built their lives around this world, it was a body blow.

As of early 2026, tourist numbers remain minimal, despite the South African government's claims to the contrary. According to them, record numbers of holidaymakers from abroad are visiting the country. The Backpackers Bible is sceptical of these claims - at time of writing, we're on the Garden Route, one of the country's biggest drawcards, but we're seeing only a few international visitors here and there. It's not like the old days, when a place like Coffee Shack, in the middle of nowhere, was at full capacity of 75 bona fide tourists, three days a week, year-round. We suspect that workseekers and cross-border shoppers from other African countries are being included in the official tourism statistics in order to artificially inflate them. An indicator of this is that, according to official sources, the second-biggest group of tourists by language is French-speaking. In a normal scenario, the real figures would be English-speakers followed by German tourists, which makes us think that large numbers of French-speaking West African job seekers are being included in the holidaymaking stats.

A bright point is that the Baz Bus is back. It was bought by the team behind Peru Hop — a similar backpacker bus service in South America — and is now running again. But it's not as big as it once was, serving a limited route between Cape Town and Gqeberha a few times a week, unlike in backpacking's heyday when every hostel in the country was visited every day. The 30-seater buses have been switched out for 16-seater minibuses.

Just over 200 hostels are still operational. Many have survived by switching their customer base to the domestic tourism market, some cater to groups of contract workers. Some have become more local bars than tourism establishments. A few have resorted to dodgey employment practices to cut down on their overheads. All of which is understandable, and some of which is not entirely acceptable. It tends to detract from the holiday spirit which tourists really want.

Nevertheless, hope springs eternal. The infrastructure is still there, and South Africa remains one of the most exciting travel destinations in the world. Backpacking South Africa has always been shaped by two things. The first is what is happening inside the country. The second is what is happening back home for the travellers. The mood in Europe, the UK, Australasia and the USA matters. Conflicts in other parts of the world matter. So does the strength of the dollar, pound and euro against the rand. So does the cost of flights. South Africa's crime rate matters (although it must be said that the country has never had a serious problem with crime directed at tourists - its safety record remains comparable to most other backpacking destinations). These things push and pull the numbers. Right now, they are not pointing in the best of directions. But global circumstances may conspire to bring positive change. New players in the backpacking scene may bring in fresh ideas. South Africa has too much to offer to stay off the radar forever.