A budget traveler who uses a backpack instead of luggage, stays in hostels, moves frequently.
Definition: A budget traveler who uses a backpack instead of luggage, stays in hostels, moves frequently.
Backpacker culture peaked in the 2010s as cheap flights and hostel chains made long-term low-budget travel accessible. Typical day: $10-$30 USD, hostel dorm bed, public transit, street food. The 'backpacker triangle' in Southeast Asia (Bangkok → Vietnam → Indonesia) is the genre's epicenter. Sites like Hostelworld and apps like Couchsurfing built the ecosystem.