Hi there, I’m planning to spend two months in Mongolia, and I’d love to be welcomed by a nomadic or semi-nomadic family in the Altai Mountains. I can work and, of course, contribute money for my stay! Has anyone already had this experience? Also, is it still possible today to take the Trans-Siberian to Novosibirsk and then cross the Russia-Mongolia border at Tashanta? Looking forward to your replies! Thanks

Hi there, We’re planning a trip for 2 adults and 2 kids to Tanzania and Zanzibar. I’ve had a quick look, and the prices are starting to get pretty wild. We’ve got a budget of 8,000 €, and I was thinking of doing three or four days of safari and three or four days in Zanzibar, but even that seems like it might be over budget. Have you got any thoughts? I was also considering heading straight to Zanzibar and doing a one- or two-day excursion by plane instead—maybe that’d be cheaper than staying in a lodge. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences and any price tips, departing from Nice!

Hi everyone, So great to be back on our forum!...

For the past few years, I’ve been traveling on a budget, especially by sleeping as often as possible in campgrounds or in my car... If I can help, I’d be happy to.

Hi I’m offering my 29-year-old daughter a trip to Croatia. We can only go in August, and we’d love to combine hiking and snorkeling. It seems like Dalmatia could be perfect for both—do you know of any youth hostels or Airbnbs at reasonable prices? Thanks in advance Laurence from Bayonne

Hi there! 😊 I’d love to take my two kids (12 and 14) away in July. We’ve never traveled all three of us together before. My son would like to go to Italy, but nothing’s set in stone… We’d like to go abroad, but I have two tricky conditions: - Budget max 1000 € all-in, I’ve tried but I can’t save any more than that 😅 - I have some health issues, so… I can’t drive for more than 2-3 hours. No way we can go by car. Also, once we’re there, I can’t do long hikes or sports (short walks and swimming are fine).

Any ideas, please?

I’ve started looking at Airbnbs and the prices are reasonable, but as soon as I check flight tickets 😵💸🔥

Maybe it’s better to go for an all-inclusive place like Booking.com?

Thanks so much to anyone who can help! 😊

hi everyone I’m just starting to plan a trip to Kazakhstan—I’m thinking 4 weeks in summer ’26—and I’m totally in the dark! What route should I take? First off, for my flight ticket, where should I fly into and out of if I want to book soon?

Is it possible to rent a vehicle with a roof rack? Is that generally tolerated? (Maybe around Almaty?)

I love trains, so I’d prefer that mode of transport.

Anyway, I’m counting on your experiences since it’s tough to find practical info about this country. Thanks in advance for your tips

Hi, We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit). After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally. After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical? Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging? Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg? We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages! Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hi everyone! I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:

Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal) Tanzania: 3-day safari Zanzibar: 6 days Istanbul: 7 days Return to Montreal.

Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:

Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket? Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)? Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days? Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?

Hey everyone!

I’m diving into planning a trip I’ve dreamed of for a long time: crossing Africa from North to South solo, with a departure planned for October 2025 for about 8-9 months. I’m leaving from Paris with a starting budget of around 7,000 €, aiming to supplement it with work along the way.

My planned route: Senegal → Gambia → Sierra Leone/Liberia (if logistics work out) → Côte d'Ivoire → Ghana → Togo → Benin → Cameroon → Gabon → Kenya (Masai Mara) → Uganda (Bwindi gorillas) → Rwanda → Tanzania (Kili + Serengeti + Zanzibar) → Mozambique → Malawi → Zambia (Victoria Falls) → Botswana → Namibia → South Africa (Cape Town). Madagascar as a bonus if timing/budget allows from Mozambique.

I’m not a backpacking newbie—I’ve done several trips in Europe and I’m familiar with the lifestyle, hostels, local transport, etc. But Africa is my first big adventure on this continent, and I’ve got some very concrete questions I’d love feedback on from people who’ve been there.

🎭 My big dilemma: flexibility vs. pre-organized work

What matters most to me is NOT rushing through. If I feel good somewhere, I’ll stay longer. If a region doesn’t click, I’ll cut it short. That seems totally incompatible with having pre-booked work or volunteer gigs, yet I need that income to stretch my budget.

I’m torn between two approaches:

Option A: The mixed rhythm: 3-4 weeks of volunteering in a country (free accommodation, full immersion), then 1-2 countries in classic backpacker "vacation" mode, then another mission somewhere, etc. This gives a breathing rhythm and avoids burnout from non-stop volunteering.

Option B: The continuous flow: finding gigs as I go, from the previous country, contacting hosts 2-3 weeks in advance with a flexible date range. Keeping maximum spontaneity but never arriving anywhere without a safety net.

Have you tried either? What actually works on the ground in Africa?

🌍 What I’m really looking for in this trip

Not just the classic tourist spots. I want to see the country as it is—eating at local joints, taking local transport (bush taxis, minibuses, sept-places), staying with locals when possible. The big reserves and safaris are part of the plan (Masai Mara, Serengeti, Okavango), but just as much as hanging out in a residential neighborhood in Dakar, understanding how people really live.

Volunteering or work interests me for that reason too (not just for free lodging, but because it’s the deepest way to dive into a country). Working at a school in Ghana, a lodge in Kenya, a permaculture farm in Mozambique—I see it as an immersion that classic tourism can’t offer.

🎒 My concrete questions

About Workaway and Worldpackers: I’ve read a lot but would love on-the-ground feedback, especially for West and East Africa. Are hosts really flexible with dates for long-term travelers? Do the advertised gigs match reality? Are there alternative platforms you’d recommend for Africa specifically (I’ve heard of Help Exchange, WWOOF Africa, local networks…)?

About "off-platform" jobs: Is it really doable to find informal work on the spot (bars, restaurants, lodges) without prior contacts? In which countries/cities is this most accessible for a French speaker without a local work permit?

About logistics between countries: For those who’ve done the West Coast (Senegal → Ghana → Benin), how did you cross borders? Direct buses or local shared taxis at each border? And for the jump from Central Africa → Kenya, is a flight mandatory, or are there feasible overland routes?

About Madagascar: I’m considering adding it from Mozambique (flight Maputo or Beira → Tana). Those who’ve done it backpacker-style on a tight budget—is 3-4 weeks doable, or is it too short to be worth it?

I’m open to all tips, experiences, warnings, and pleasant surprises. And if you’ve got trusted local contacts (Workaway hosts, associations, community lodges), I’m all ears!

I’ve got tons of questions and I’m eager for any advice or experiences you can share!!

I’ve got some new questions about Albania!

My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!

Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:

* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania? * Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online? * Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?

If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!

Thanks ☺️

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to Thailand. Since we’ll only be there for two and a half weeks, we want to visit the Krabi area and then Chiang Mai. So we won’t take the train—it’s too long in terms of travel time. We’re wondering if it’s more worthwhile to buy the flight tickets on the spot? If so, is the price difference really significant? From what I see on online booking sites, you’re looking at between 35 and 60 € per person for a Krabi/Chiang Mai route.

Hi there, I’m planning to travel by bus during my stay in Greece, mainly in November. Since I’ll be spending a few days in Nafplio, is it easy to get to Olympia by bus, or is it better to take a guided tour from Nafplio? It’s not ideal, but it would be my only option to see the site. Also, since I want to go to Delphi, is it possible to take public transport, staying one night in Olympia and leaving from there the next day for Delphi? That would save me from having to go back to Athens. If anyone has already done this route, I’d love to hear about your experience. Thanks!

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Lindos with my 15-year-old son for a week in July.

I’m looking for a 3-star hotel with breakfast and, if possible, half-board. Or any other affordable accommodation (up to 700 € for the week) that isn’t too far from the center of Lindos, since I won’t be renting a car. However, we do want to do some activities (visit to Lymos, etc.).

Thanks in advance.

Hi there.

I’m planning a getaway to Bali at the end of September. I’m a bit late applying for the international driving permit through the official site. Someone told me about https://international-permit.com/en-us. Is it reliable?

Thanks for your replies.

Hi everyone, I’m thinking of heading to Southern Africa next autumn for several months. I’d love some advice on my itinerary—I’m looking for authentic spots with cheap accommodation. I know Southern Africa is generally pricier than Asia or Latin America because of the lack of backpacker infrastructure (except maybe Cape Town). I’m planning to visit South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, and maybe Eswatini. My main goal in South Africa is to see the coexistence between white, mixed-race, and Black communities. I think I’ll skip Namibia and Botswana because of the cost of living. Thanks

Hi everyone,

Need some fresh advice, please.

I’m planning a trip to Japan for late February/early March 2025.

A friend who usually travels there often used to fly from Marseille (yes, really) with round-trip tickets for around 500-odd euros to Tokyo—something that’s impossible to find now. Her last trip was just two months ago.

Any tips, please?

I already know flights magically get more expensive on weekends, but I’m looking for tips to find fares under 900 € per person...

Thanks in advance!

"By the time a man realizes his father was probably right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong." 😛 — Charles Wadsworth

😉

Hi there,

I’m planning a 10-day trip to Slovenia in May (9–19 May) and starting to look at accommodations. Unfortunately, I’m only seeing relatively expensive options—nothing under 50 €, and usually around 100–150 €. Traveling solo, that could quickly blow my budget. And 30 € for a bed in a 10-person dorm at a youth hostel feels like a rip-off...

Are there other booking sources besides the usual Booking.com, Airbnb, and Google? Or can anyone confirm if I’ll find more reasonable rates on the ground around Bled, Bohinj, Triglav, or in mountain huts? I’ll be renting a car to optimize my travel, so I won’t be limited geographically.

Thanks so much! !

We’ll be in Srinagar for 4 days in mid-May 2026 during our backpacking trip as a couple. Do you have any nice places to recommend, and what about the houseboats on Dal Lake? Should we spend all our nights there, or just one night for practicality when getting around? Thanks, Rozenn

Hi, We’re traveling to Vietnam (the delta), Cambodia, and Laos as a group of four for two months. We’re looking for info on how to get around by car with a driver in these countries. Specifically: How much does it cost in these different countries based on distance? Where can we find these cars with drivers? Thanks for your tips, Miguel

Hello,

There are two of us, and we’re spending a few days in Luxor (after a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, likely with Terres d'Égypte). On the way back, we’ve planned: - The evening of April 17th: the Karnak Sound and Light show - April 18th: a hot-air balloon ride - After the balloon ride on April 18th, we’re heading to Marsa Alam to join a group leaving for Sataya; our boat departs on the 19th.

Do you know what the cost of a Luxor to Marsa Alam transfer is? I’ve seen prices that vary wildly—some double what others quote—and I’m not sure what budget to plan for.

Can we organize the Karnak Sound and Light show and the hot-air balloon ride on our own, or is it complicated? If you also know of a reliable local agency for transfers and excursions, I’d love to hear about it.

Thanks for your tips!

Hi everyone.

I’m heading to Quebec and New Brunswick this summer and got a Revolut Classic card for the trip. I’ve already exchanged some Canadian dollars in the app so I’ll have a reserve ready for my departure day. My question is whether I’ll incur any additional fees when using my Canadian dollar account. I think I’m limited to 200 € in ATM withdrawals for my part. Thanks!

We’re planning a week-long trip to southern Tunisia in early September and we’d like to rent a car in Djerba. We don’t have a credit card, only a debit card. Any good tips on rates and reliability?

My friend and I are arriving in New Delhi on March 4th at 12:05 AM. Could anyone recommend a decent and affordable hotel? Is 20 € the going rate? Thanks!

Hi there, we’re planning a road trip in northern Algeria at the end of January – early February. Anyone have any tips for a car rental agency that’s both reliable and not too expensive? Thanks in advance!

Hello, We’re planning to travel at the beginning of 2026 (a couple) to visit these two countries (Laos and Cambodia). We’re looking for local travel agencies to organize our trip with a driver and vehicle. For accommodation, staying with locals suits us just fine. If any seasoned travelers have reliable recommendations, we’d love to hear them. Thanks! Best regards, Lionel 1946

Short stay in Mauritania (one week), then back to Morocco (Dakhla) for a few days before heading to Agadir and flying back to Brussels. Looking for great spots and sights to visit, as well as nice, moderately priced accommodation. What do you recommend? Thanks in advance

hi there

I’m planning to spend about twenty days in Réunion in November. I’d like to get around using the *car jaune* (2 € per ticket), but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t cover the whole island. I’m not looking to head toward the ocean and the beautiful beaches—more toward the mountainous landscapes, even if I’ll just be admiring them from below. 😉 Maybe other buses go where I want to go. By the way, are there any relatively easy mountain hikes, and where?

But here’s the most important part: I don’t want to book anything in advance because I don’t know what my itinerary will look like—it’ll change depending on my mood. 3 days here, 5 days there, etc. On top of that, I’d like to arrange half-board stays with locals—not professionals—by approaching them and asking if they’d be willing to host me (overnight stay, breakfast, and dinner) for 30 € to 40 € per day.

What do you think? Does the price seem reasonable? And is it okay to take the initiative and ask Réunionnais directly?

The tourist office in Réunion told me that since November is peak tourist season, I should book without delay. 🤪

For four years in a row, I traveled across Canada for a month and a half each time, relying only on hitchhiking and half-board stays with Canadians who welcomed me (and refused to let me pay them).

If I’d listened to my family and friends, I never would’ve taken the leap—and that adventure remains one of the best experiences of my life.

Thanks for your input!

I'd love some destination suggestions for a road trip from Nice to Livorno by car, including the routes, tolls to cross, distance, and estimated travel time. We're planning a 5-day trip, with 2 nights near Nice, 1 night along the way, and finally 2 nights in Livorno. There are 4 of us in a rental car, and we'd like to stay in either an apartment, a mobile home near the sea, or a campsite. Our budget isn't too extravagant!!!! We want to visit the Promenade des Anglais, and I've heard Menton is really interesting. Once we reach Livorno, we'll take the ferry to Corsica for 12 days with the same rental car. We're planning to leave the last week of May and the first two weeks of June 2026, so around 17-18 days total. Thanks

Hi there,

Could anyone tell me how to connect Central America (starting from which country and with which airline) to Martinique in the most budget-friendly way, please?

Flight duration and number of stopovers don’t matter.

Thanks!

Claire

Hi there,

Three years after exploring northern Argentina and Chile, my two travel buddies and I want to discover the southern part of these two countries. We’re traveling on a budget, backpacker-style, favoring public transport and modest accommodations, but we don’t hesitate to splurge a little when it’s worth it. The classic spots that have been fueling our dreams: Bariloche, the lakes, Chiloé, El Chaltén, Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, El Calafate, Fitz Roy, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, and wrapping up in Valparaíso. We’ll take a round-trip flight to Santiago, then I’m thinking of a one-way flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. From there, we’ll explore and do several day hikes in the south, including Ushuaia and, if possible, Tierra del Fuego. Then we’ll head back north by bus to Bariloche and the lakes, followed by Chiloé, then a bus to Santiago and Valparaíso. Based on your experience, could you help me figure out the best way to structure this trip and maybe suggest some ideas? Thanks in advance. Didier