Best Budget Travel and Backpacking Travel Guidebooks
Travel Guidebooks might be dead in some people’s minds since the internet has all the information we need for free. However, I still wouldn’t consider venturing abroad without a published, reputable travel guidebook. You’re not going to have internet access everywhere, and when you need some quick go-to backpacking or travel tips, a big fat travel guidebook from Lonely Planet, Frommers, Fodor’s, or Let’s Go is your best and easiest option, unless you’d rather hunt down an internet cafe to read some restaurant reviews. Now I present you….
The Best Budget Travel Guidebooks
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Lonely Planet’s Europe on a Shoestring - Probably considered the must have guidebook for a European backpacking budget friendly trip. This was the first guide I’ve read (not in its entirety of course), and I was pretty impressed. It’s fat, helpful, and well worth its price. For planning and traveling it’s a must read for creating your European backpacking itinerary. |
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Rite of Passage - A very interesting and entertaining book of travel stories. Gain insights into others’ memorable backpacking trips through Europe to help mold your own itinerary and attitude. |
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Let’s Go 2008 Europe - Let’s Go is a major player in travel guides, and this Europe travel guidebook does not fall short. It has good ratings and is surely a helpful companion. |
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Lonely Planet Eastern Europe - Western Europe isn’t really affordable, and if you don’t feel like making excuses to travel to Europe, Eastern Europe may be your best bet. This Lonely Planet guide will pick up the gaps found in other general Europe guidebooks so you’ll have more specific tips and information to help you plan. |
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The Rough Guide, First Time Europe - Not that the other guidebooks aren’t friendly towards first time travelers to Europe, this one just doesn’t take anything for granted and explains everything. Good ratings and surely a great guide for beginners traveling to Europe. |
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Rick Steves Best of Europe 2008 - Rick Steves has made a name for himself regarding budget travel, especially in regard to Europe. Best of Europe has good ratings and should be a big help to anyone. |
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South America (Shoestring) - This relatively new Shoestring guide should give you a good overview of South American countries. There aren’t many other guidebooks covering the entire continent, so looking into country specific books may be necessary. |
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Latin American Spanish Phrase book - If your Spanish is a bit rough, or just non existent, this Spanish phrase book is a cheap solution helping you avoid a lot of hassle in Latin America |
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Frommer’s Australia 2008 - The land of OZ is a backpacker’s dream. English, partying, great natural beauty and sweet accents. |
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Southeast Asia on a shoestring - I’m not forgetting about Southeast Asia’s wonders. the Lonely Planet on a shoestring series should be a good overview of the region for budget backpackers |
These are just a few of the top rated books covering different destinations. There are tons of other guides from a wide range of publishers and countries, so give Amazon a search as well.
This is so encouraging to hear! I was starting to wonder if I was trying to go too much "by the book". I have had Lonely Planet's Europe on a Shoestring for about a year now. And I just bought Southeast Asia on a Shoestring yesterday.
You see, my husband and I are leaving on September 30th, 2008 to backpack and budget travel the world for a year or so. We are so excited and have been busy planning. Feel free to offer your advice or guidance as we continue to plan, travel and work our way around the world.
http://www.nomadbackpackers.com
I am definately encouraged that as we become nomad backpackers reading guide books will be helpful not hindering. And I might just have to check out the book "Rite of Passage". It sounds pretty neat too.
Thanks for sharing your insight!