how much is backpacker travel insurance

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5 Best Backpacker Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

Explore our top picks for travel insurance for backpacking trips and compare options to find the right coverage below.

in under 2 minutes

with our comparison partner, Squaremouth

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

The best travel insurance for backpacking trips is Travelex due to its affordable coverage for mult-destination trips. Travelex offers three plan options and a Travel America plan for backpackers making their way across the states.

From beachfront hostels in Thailand to campgrounds in Europe, a backpacker insurance policy can help you enjoy your adventure with peace of mind. Whether you’re traveling as a digital nomad or launching into adventure sports like trekking or scuba diving, travel insurance can cover the cost of unforeseen events or accidents during short or long-term backpacking trips.

Key Features To Look For in Backpacker Travel Insurance

Backpacker travel insurance is subject to your individual needs. According to the U.S. Department of State, the government does not cover medical bills overseas. Therefore, the agency recommends travel medical emergency insurance, especially if you’re participating in adventure activities. However, not all travel insurance companies cover adventure sports.

Trip interruption insurance can help you prepare for potential cancellations and flight delays, offering reimbursement of prepaid costs if interruptions occur for a covered reason. Emergency evacuation coverage is important in the event of natural disasters or civil unrest, especially if you plan on adventuring in rural areas. Ensuring your policy offers baggage and personal effects coverage also offers a financial safety net for lost or stolen belongings, including sporting gear.

While you may be able to find basic travel insurance with these features, the benefit limits may vary. It’s also important to note that not all policies cover adventure sports gear or medical expenses. Make sure to look for a plan with this coverage if you plan on adding sporting events to your backpacking trip.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Providers for Backpackers

Here is our list of travel insurance plans and providers to suit backpackers:

• Travelex Insurance : Our pick for families
• AIG Travel Guard : Our pick for families
• IMG Travel Insurance : Our pick for medical coverage
• Allianz Global Assistance: Our pick for concierge services
• World Nomads: Our pick for adventure travelers

Compare Backpacking Travel Insurance Companies

We requested online quotes for our top travel insurance providers so you can see how much coverage costs . The chart below includes estimates for a 25-year-old backpacker from New York taking a three-week trip to Mexico, with a total trip cost of $2,500. Quotes are for basic plans with travel medical insurance, trip cancellation coverage and more. We also included unique coverage options, including cancel for any reason or CFAR coverage.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

Pros & Cons

You can choose from three plans with Travelex Insurance: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. Travel Basic is a budget-friendly option for backpackers with sufficient coverage. Five optional upgrades are available with the more comprehensive Travel Select Plan, with a $50,000 limit for emergency medical costs.

If you are planning to backpack around the U.S., the Travel America plan provides emergency medical expenses and reimbursement for canceled events, such as ski resort closures.

Coverage & Cost

Add-On Options

Travelex offers a variety of add-on options, depending on the plan you choose. Upgrades include:

• CFAR coverage
• Car rental collision
• Adventure sports coverage
• Additional medical coverage
• Flight accidental death and dismemberment

Based on our quote process, the Travel Basic Plan costs $87 for a 25-year-old traveler on a 20-day trip to Spain worth $3,000.

If you’re looking for a travel insurance policy for backpacking as a family, AIG Travel Guard plans include coverage for one child under age 17 with the rate for a paying adult. The Deluxe Plan offers high-level medical evacuation and healthcare coverage up to $100,000, while

the Preferred Plan features up to $50,000 for travel medical costs.

If you are on a budget during long-term backpacking trips, the Essential Plan covers the basics, with 24/7 emergency assistance and medical care coverage up to $15,000. The Pack N’ Go Plan is available if you plan a trip last minute and don’t need cancellation coverage.

AIG Travel Guard provides a range of add-ons depending on your chosen plan. Some examples include:

• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage
• Rental vehicle damage coverage
• Security evacuations and interruptions bundle
• Adventure sports bundle
• Medical bundle
• Wedding bundle
• Baggage bundle

Based on the quote we requested for a 25-year-old backpacker traveling to Spain for 20 days on a $3,000 trip, the Essential Plan would cost $134.

*AM Best ratings are accurate as of June 2023.

From rafting to skydiving and bungee jumping, extreme sports fans can take advantage of IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Sport Plan. It includes sports equipment rental reimbursement and natural disaster evacuation coverage.

For long backpacking trips, the most affordable option is the iTravelInsured Travel Lite Plan, which includes benefits for trip cancellation, travel delays and emergency medical assistance. You can also opt for more comprehensive options with the iTravelInsured Travel SE and iTravelInsured Travel LX plans.

IMG offers the following add-ons with the iTravelInsured Travel LX plan:

• Interrupt for any reason (IFAR) coverage (up to 75% of trip costs)
• CFAR coverage (up to 75% of the trip costs)

Based on our quote, the iTravelInsured Travel Lite Plan would cost $83 for a 25-year-old traveler backpacking around Spain for a 20-day trip worth $3,000.

Allianz offers a range of affordable plans for backpackers, including the AllTrips Basic Plan, a multi-trip policy with year-long protection. Or, if you’re primarily looking for health insurance and have a flexible itinerary with minimal prepaid expenses, you can save money with the OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan. It only covers post-departure benefits, including unexpected events after your trip begins.

While Allianz also provides comprehensive insurance policies, budget travelers may prefer the OneTrip Basic plan for affordable, all-around coverage.

Allianz Global provides the following add-on options, which you can add depending on your plan:

• OneTrip Rental Car Protector
• Terrorism Extension cover
• Required to Work cover

Based on our quote, the OneTrip Basic Plan would cost $91 for a 25-year-old backpacker taking a 20-day trip to Spain for $3,000.

Whether you love Alpine skiing or rock climbing, World Nomads is a popular choice for adventurous backpackers. Its two policies, the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan, cover over 200 adventure activities and sports. The main difference between the plans is the Explorer Plan offers higher coverage limits.

World Nomads offers rental car damage coverage with the Explorer Plan.

We pulled quotes for both plans for a 25-year-old backpacker taking a 20-day trip to Spain. You could expect to pay $96 for the Standard Plan and $180 for the Explorer Plan.

Factors To Consider When Choosing the Backpacking Insurance

Everyone’s different, so choosing the best insurance for your backpacking trip means considering your personal needs. Ask yourself the following questions as you consider travel insurance policies:

• Does the travel insurance cover all the destinations you want to visit?
• How long is your backpacking trip and if needed, does the policy suit long-term travel?
• Does the policy include sufficient medical coverage for potential health issues or participation in sports?
• Are there adequate coverage limits for baggage, gear and high-value equipment?
• Does the policy sufficiently cover missed activities and flight cancellations ?
• Do you require coverage for a pre-existing conditio n and if so, does the policy include a waiver?

If you are planning a long-term backpacking trip, pay attention to the duration of your travel insurance policy. For example, if you apply for a multi-trip plan with six months versus a year of coverage. And if you plan to trek around the globe, make sure your policy includes your intended destinations.

It also helps to check the coverage you already have before purchasing a policy. For example, your credit card may include rental car coverage or other forms of travel insurance.

What Does Travel Insurance Not Cover?

Most travel insurance plans cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations and delays , and baggage loss or theft. However, most policies don’t cover the following:

• Alcohol and drug-related incidents
• Extreme sports such as cliff diving
• Non-emergency medical treatment
• Flexibility in trip cancelation, such as changing your mind about flights or destinations
• Incidents due to negligence

Some providers may offer add-on coverage for extreme sports, non-emergency medical treatment and cancellation flexibility (CFAR coverage).

Travel Tips for Comparing Backpacker Insurance

Before buying travel insurance, it’s important to shop around, compare prices and read customer reviews. We suggest obtaining online quotes from at least three providers before selecting a policy.

Once you’ve found a few options that suit your coverage needs and budget, read the policy documents to ensure the coverage is right for you. Look for any exclusions or limits that may impact your coverage, such as a lack of adventure sports protection. If you don’t understand something, speak to the provider directly before making your decision.

Is Backpacking Travel Insurance Worth It?

Backpacking is often an adventure of a lifetime, but it is also an investment. Safeguarding your prepaid and nonrefundable costs, along with having financial safety nets for unforeseen medical emergencies, can help you enjoy a stress-free journey.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if backpacking travel insurance is worth it . If you’re planning to launch into adventure activities, top providers such as World Nomads, IMG and Travelex offer extra coverage. You can also opt for a basic plan from Allianz or choose AIG Travel Guard if you need coverage for a child. Regardless of your choice, each of our top providers can provide affordable options with sufficient coverage for backpackers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance for Backpacking Trips

Should i purchase travel insurance for a backpacking trip.

While your need for travel insurance is up to you, purchasing a policy can be worth it. Travel insurance for backpacking can cover medical costs in an emergency. Policies can also safeguard you against financial loss by providing reimbursements if your trip is canceled or delayed or your baggage or gear gets stolen. Some providers offer add-ons to cover rental car damage, highly valuable items and more.

What type of insurance do you need for backpacking?

The type of insurance you need depends on your destination, the duration of your trip and the activities you plan to do. At a minimum, backpackers should consider a policy with the following coverage:

• Trip cancellation , interruption and delay
• Emergency medical expenses
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation
• Lost or stolen baggage

Consider policies with adequate add-on coverage, like if you plan on participating in adventure sports or need a rental car.

What is the difference between backpacking insurance and travel insurance?

Backpacking insurance is simply a type of travel insurance with coverage tailored to backpackers. While some providers offer adventure-specific policies, you may find that a standard travel insurance plan suits your backpacking trip. Researching policy options can help you find coverage for your unique needs, including annual multi-trip plans for long-term trips.

Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Travel Insurance Companies for Backpacking Trips

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

A.M. Best Disclaimer

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• Health insurance for visitors to usa
• Best senior travel insurance
• Best travel insurance for families
• Best student travel insurance plans
• Travel insurance for parents visiting USA
• Best travel medical insurance plans
• How much does travel insurance cost?

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at  editors@marketwatchguides. com .

More Resources:

The Best Backpacker Travel Insurance – 17 Options Compared

In this guide to the best backpacker travel insurance we compared the 17 most popular providers –  you’ll be surprised which was the best!

Do you really need to get travel insurance?

It’s probably a familiar question. It’s certainly one I ask before every single trip.

Even as a cyclist, hiker, climber, traveller and general accident-prone backpacker, travel insurance is something I’ve always been dubious of. I don’t like insurance companies and the concept of paying for something you may never use has always seemed alien.

Then, at some point or another, you have a personal experience where travel insurance quite literally saves your life. 

Whether it’s lying in a hospital bed in Indonesia with Dengue Fever, filing for a stolen bag in Barcelona, having a bot fly cut from your head in Panama or needing to return home to visit ill family… there comes a point in every trip I realise yes, yes you definitely do need travel insurance (and, yes, they are all things I’ve had to claim for). 

Unfortunately, it’s not that easy finding the right policy and travel insurance companies don’t make it any simpler. There are SO many different options, so many different prices and the small print is too often clouded behind technical jargon. Altogether it can be very hard to know what you’re getting and which policy is best for you.

Should you pay an extra £50 and get added cover?

Is it worth paying for a lower excess?

What even is liability insurance?

In this guide to backpacker travel insurance, we’ll explain all the jargon and the nitty-gritty stuff you need to consider when finding a policy. We’ve also compared 17 of the most popular backpacker insurance policies to see which is the best – y ou’ll be happy to know it’s not always the most expensive!

In this article, you’ll find:

• What is the difference between backpacker and travel insurance
• Why you should never travel without it
• Insurance terminology explained
• Things to look out for when finding a policy
• Picking the best travel insurance for YOU
• Travel insurance activity packs
• When to buy backpacker insurance
• How to make an insurance claim abroad
• 17 popular backpacker insurance options compared
• The best insurance policies in detail

What is the difference between backpacker and travel insurance?

First things first, backpacker travel insurance is specifically designed for backpackers going to multiple destinations over a longer period of time. It is also sometimes under the same umbrella as long-term travel insurance. 

Compared to regular travel insurance policies, backpacker insurance can be used for trips ranging from 3-18 months (sometimes more). It covers a wider range of activities like hiking , diving, skiing, working with animals etc and has extra precautions for things more likely to occur on a backpacking trip.

The best travel insurance policies will include:

• Medical and dental cover  ranging from small prescriptions to major surgery
• Baggage, electrical and documents cover also covering things like bicycles, outdoors or camera equipment
• Legal cover and advice  paying for lawyers’ fees to political support if there is civil unrest
• Cover if you cancel or change your trip  also includes transport delays
• Home visits  if you need to return home during your trip
• Hostage cover  everything from ransom fees to paying for negotiators
• Natural disaster cover  hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, wildfires etc
• A good level of sports and activities this is often included in the price rather than an additional cost

Note. most of the insurance policies in this article require you to be currently in the UK and not already travelling

Do you even need backpacker travel insurance?

The simple answer is, yes.

Whether you’re a disaster-prone adventurer cycling from England to India,  a couple planning on Interrailing through Europe or you’re going to be backpacking Asia on a gap year, insurance is a no brainer. 

These are just some things which could easily happen to anyone on any journey

• You lose your passport and need a replacement
• You get sick or injured during your trip
• You miss a train and end up stranded
• There is political unrest and you need legal support
• A family member becomes ill and you have to return home

Many of these things could be out of your control when you’re travelling and an accident might be no fault of your own. Overseas legal or medical fees are outstandingly high so having insurance as a safety net can be life-saving. It can also protect you from the crippling financial hardship you’ll face after paying fees from your own pocket.

And, if you’re a renegade thinking “I’ll be fine” then think of your friends and family. If you need emergency medical treatment it will likely be them having to pay for it. Ask many backpackers around the world and they’ll likely have a number of tales where travel insurance has saved their skin!

Why we’ll never travel without backpacking travel insurance again

At some point during all of my backpacking trips, I’ve needed some kind of medical attention, police support or legal advice. However, during our year in Vietnam 3 things happened which made me realise I’d never travel without comprehensive insurance again. 

• We met a friend who had developed a serious leg infection whilst hiking in China. This infection had him hospitalised, close to the point of a leg amputation and nearly death. He did have cheap backpacker insurance but it didn’t cover hiking. His family had to pay tens of thousands of pounds and start a crowdfunding campaign to get him medically transferred to a Thai hospital and then back to his home in Ireland. With the right insurance policy, this would have been covered. 
• Whilst living in Hanoi there were constant stories of travellers and expats having fatal motorbike accidents. Without insurance, it can cost friends and family more than £10,000 to have the body sent home. Morbid I know, but a game-changer for us. 
• The thing which really hit home was when my mum became extremely ill during our time living in Hanoi. We had very little money but we were able to immediately return to the UK and claim for our flights and possessions left in Vietnam. Mum is much better now!

Bottom line is, you might have dozens of trips without needing to make a claim but it’s worth the money for the one trip you do. Need some more convincing? Check out these travel horror stories !

The Best Backpacker Insurance Buyer’s Guide and Tips

As mentioned there are many different types of policy options, some which might be useful to you, others which might not. In this section, we’ll go through all of the things you need to look out for to find the right policy. 

1. What does it all mean? Travel insurance terminology

Before we get into things it’s probably best to go over some travel insurance terminology. It can be seriously confusing reading through the small print and policy wordings so this should help explain some of the confusing parts. 

Baggage cover

This generally covers the baggage and belongings you take with you, including travel documents and bank cards. This sometimes covers electronics and outdoors equipment too but you will need to check the small print. 

Cancellation

Cover if you have to cancel your trip before you travel.

Cooling off period

The length of time you have to cancel your policy.

Curtailment  

Cover if your travels are changed or disrupted during your trip. This often includes travel delays, like missed transport or travel changes due to injury, illness or from returning home. 

Deductible or excess fees

The amount of money you will need to pay before your travel insurance starts to make payment. This may be shown as “Baggage cover – £3,000 (£50 excess)”.

Cover for any legal costs resulting from accidents with other people or their possessions. 

Personal accident

This is a compensation payment made if you have an accident, resulting in death, loss of limbs, loss of sight etc. 

Repatriation

The costs of sending an ill or deceased person to their home country. 

Single trip Vs. Multi-trip insurance

Most travel insurance policies cover you from when you leave the country to the point you return home. Multi-trip travel insurance covers you for multiple trips taken over a certain period of time. This may be useful for business people with a number of trips in the space of a few months but is less useful for backpackers.

Single trip vs. long-term vs. backpackers travel insurance

Single trip insurance is often available for shorter trips and won’t cover as many activities. Long-term insurance is regularly aimed at travellers visiting one country for a longer period of time whilst backpacking insurance is for multiple countries, varying lengths of time and with additional cover for activities. 

Sometimes the terms  backpacker  and  long-term  are actually given to very similar policies so you need to check to see what they provide. 

Single article limit

The most you’re covered for a single item e.g. if your single article limit is £500 and you have a £1,000 camera stolen your insurance provider will only pay up to £500.

Any other terms you found confusing when you were looking for insurance? Tell us in the comments so we can add it in for other readers 🙂 

2. What to look for when buying travel insurance

• Medical, cancellation and curtailment, legal, liability and repatriation are the most important aspects – find the policy that has the best cover
• Always read the policy wording and small print so you know what is included 
• Check you’re covered for any existing medical conditions you may have
• Make sure you’re covered for all the destinations you’re visiting and the activities you’re doing (sometimes they’re an add-on)
• Check all of your baggage is covered and that gadgets cover isn’t additional
• If you’re travelling with expensive gear or equipment make sure the single article limit is high enough
•  A 24-hour emergency helpline is very useful to have
• If hiking or climbing make sure you don’t go above the altitude you’re covered for, for campers check your baggage is covered whilst in the tent
• Find out how much cash you are covered for and try not to carry more than that on you
• See what the excess is and decide what you would be able to pay
• Some insurance policies won’t cover periods of voluntary or paid work – check the policy
• Age restrictions may apply and if you have pre-existing medical conditions then make sure you state them
• It’s great having the option to return home – some providers include this

Things which are generally not covered – cruises and winter sports, alcohol or drug-related accidents, failure to declare medical conditions, stolen items which weren’t reported. 

3. What’s the best travel insurance policy for backpackers?

Everyone’s travel plans are different – if you’re planning on hiking the Dolomites your activities will be very different to someone city hopping, for example. T hink of what type of trip you’re going on and what is most important for you.

As an example, we no longer take flights and instead cycle so curtailment cover isn’t very useful. We do a lot of outdoor activities and travel with expensive camera equipment so it’s important we have good medical and baggage cover. 

Think of the where you’re going, what you’re going to be taking and what you’ll be doing. If you’re planning a city trip then having adventure activities covered probably isn’t a necessity. If you’re going to be hiking Everest Base Camp then check to see if you’re covered. 

4. Travel insurance activity packs

If you know you’ll be doing lots of potentially ‘hazardous’ activities (climbing, hiking, rafting, skiing, bungee jumping, sky diving, cage diving, martial arts training etc.) then it’s especially important to find a fitting policy. Commonly these will be covered in different ‘activity packs’ for you to choose from. 

Typically, insurance providers have a base range of activities which are automatically covered, with backpacker insurance being more comprehensive than other insurance types. Take a read through the policy to see what’s included and works for your trip. 

If you’re not covered with the base activities then you’ll normally have two options depending on the company.

Firstly , with some policies, you can buy an add-on pack which will include a larger range of more serious outdoor activities. For things like hiking and climbing, this may cover you for higher altitudes or diving for deeper water.

Secondly , other policies have the option to pay for each activity as an add-on which may be cheaper than upgrading a whole pack. If you are planning something deemed as potentially very hazardous you may need to get an individual quote from the provider. This may include technical climbing, alpine hiking, adventure races etc. 

5. When to buy your backpacking travel insurance – IMPORTANT!

As soon as you make a payment towards the trip.

If you’ve booked accommodation, tours or transport and your plans change then your insurance can cover it, even if you’ve not left the country yet. Many providers will actually require you to buy insurance within a certain window of making your first travel payment. 

6. How to make a travel insurance claim whilst you’re abroad

It’s very important to keep a copy of your insurance policy with you when you travel as each provider will have different claiming procedures . Keep a hard copy and one backed-up online just to be safe.

When making a claim for any policy you should…

• Get a police statement if it’s relevant – if you have items stolen or broken, have been assaulted and need medical treatment etc. then make sure you have a police statement to confirm it
• Contact your insurer  to see what they advise and to check what’s covered in your policy
• Try and collect evidence  this may be receipts for bought items, travel tours, transport or medical bills etc. to give to your insurance provider

Backpacker Travel Insurance Comparison – 17 Popular Options

There are hundreds of insurance options out there, many with similar policies but very different prices. Finding out which is the best can be tough work so we’ve put it all into one place for you to compare. 

We looked at the 17 most popular options to see how they faired against each other. For the best options, you’ll also find a more detailed breakdown at the bottom so you can decide which one is best for you. 

What we searched for

To find these policies we looked for the best-rated backpacker and long-term travel insurance options in the UK on public review sites like Trust Pilot and Feefo . We also collected suggestions from Google, travel agents, insurance comparison sites and user reviews. 

All details were taken directly from the provider’s official website, searching with exactly the same details for the same trip.

This is what we searched for:

• 12 months of cover
• Leaving Saturday 27th July 2019
• For one 28-year-old male
• From the UK
• Not already travelling
• Travelling as an individual
• On a single trip
• Travelling worldwide
• With no pre-existing medical conditions
• No cruise, winter sports or business trip options added 

No discount codes were added and if there were multiple choices from one provider the middle tier was chosen. 

Note this information was taken directly from insurers’ websites but may be subject to change. I have not personally used all of these services but have displayed their policies without bias or opinion in the table below. Some of the options may contain affiliate links, meaning if you purchase the insurance through a link on this page it will be of no extra cost to you but we will receive a small commission. This commission enables Veggie Vagabonds to run and grow!

The best travel insurance for backpackers… and some of the worst!

Below you’ll find all of the results, user reviews and policy wordings where possible. As mentioned above, make sure you read the policy wording before making a purchase so you can be sure what’s included.

There were other options which aren’t shown below due to them being either a) pretty rubbish or b) excessively expensive.

Backpacker insurance from the Post Office cost a whopping £1,038, £838 from Flexicover and Voyager, Leisure Guard and Sports Cover Direct also had very high prices. Interestingly, none of these providers offered competitive policies despite costing more than double their competitors… 

Keep reading below the table to see a detailed breakdown of some of the better options!

In some more detail…

World nomads, true traveller, world first & sta 🙁.

Despite these options being by far the most expensive (and often the most widely recommended) they really don’t offer competitive policies, particularly with STA travel insurance or World Nomads. Admittedly for my first long-term trip, I did go with STA gap year travel insurance, but this was 10 years ago before I was aware of other options. Take a look at other policies and save your money, no matter what other travel bloggers might be telling you!

If you have used one of these providers and had good experiences then we’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below

Alpha 100 Longstay – £180 🙂

Considering this is the cheapest option reviewed it is very competitive and you’re getting a very similar coverage to many providers double the price. Their options are easy to understand and you have the choice to pay more for a lower excess or less for a higher excess. 

The medical coverage includes dental treatment and there are good levels of baggage, legal and cancellations protection. I like that extra gadget coverage isn’t too expensive, as well as cheap additional activity coverage. On top of this, it’s also got cracking backpacking insurance reviews. 

Go Walkabout Traveller Plus – £251 🙂

An option I have personally used for a year in Latin America and thought was very professional. I didn’t need to make any major claims besides a few prescriptions but it was all reimbursed very easily. 

Go Walkabout has good levels of cover where it’s most needed without breaking the bank. £10 million medical cover is competitive whilst also having cover for dental services. There’s also up to £500 covered for personal money (higher than many more expensive competitors) and £500 for kidnap, hijack and detention situations. Again Go Walkabout has good reviews online which I can personally vouch for. 

Cover for you Gold £307 😀

Cover for You has no excess charges and £15 million medical cover, that’s the highest medical cover out of all the insurance policies reviewed (and £10 million more than World Nomads travel insurance!). £3,000 is higher than average for cancellation and curtailment and they offer to pay for funeral expenses abroad. There are higher tiers which are more comprehensive and they offer one return flight home. This is an option we also considered before leaving for our current cycle tour.

Holiday Safe Backpacker and Longstay Plus £381.64 😀

Yes, this is slightly more expensive than the others we’ve picked but we think it’s worth it. It’s actually the insurance policy we’re using right now, and I’ll tell you why we went for it…

The medical (£10 million) and legal (£2 million) cover are competitive with other more expensive policies but the possessions (£2,500) and cancellation (£3,000) are higher than average. 

The extra things which sold us are the return journey home, which could make it useful for gap year insurance or new travellers, and Interrailling ticket cover of up to £500. We’re not Interrailing but it’s a nice extra. There is also up to £2,500 for clothes which is especially important if you’re doing outdoor activities with technical clothing. 

It’s also recommended for backpackers with gadgets, as there is £1,000 gadget cover, being one of the only providers to have it included without upgrading. It covers phones, laptops and computers and you are given one return journey home per policy.

I don’t know if it works but if you go for this policy and use this link (at no extra cost to you) we’ll be entered into a prize draw to win… an Amazon voucher!!!

Got your insurance? Here’s some other things to think about

Visa – many countries require a visa to visit, find out if you need one here

Vaccinations  – your insurance won’t cover you if you don’t have the right vaccinations – you can check to see vaccine requirements here

Accommodation  – find cheap deals and a variety of accommodation at  Hostel World , Booking.com or Airbnb ( £35 off your first booking with this code) . You can also use TripAdvisor to see what other travellers think!

Do you know any other great backpackers travel insurance options or tips? Maybe you have some extra questions? Drop us a comment below!

A Guide to the Best Backpacker Travel Insurance

A pretty extensive guide with all the tips needed to help you find the best backpacker insurance. I think we can all agree that finding the right policy is seriously important AND it’s nice to know you can get a great deal without blowing the bank. 

If you’ve used other insurance providers and had a good experience then let us know and we can add them to this article. Alternately if you had a bad experience, tell us in the comments so we can warn other travellers to steer clear!

Keep exploring…

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There I thought I might find a few new options as we’re currently travelling without insurance… No such luck as your parameters are all different (and wrong for us). That’s always the issue with such recommendations or affiliate post: what fits for one won’t even apply to the next. We’re both 64 years of age (where some policies become very expensive), Australians (limited choices of offerings), travelling full-time (we have left already – years ago), and we don’t need cover for missed flights or lost/stolen technology (we’re travelling in a motorhome, driving instead of flying, and I can’t see the benefit of insuring our old computers, which are usually locked away safely). There simply isn’t a “one size fits all”. We absolutely don’t want to go back to WorldNomads; in 5 years we only had unpaid claims, none was accepted – waste of our time and money! I keep searching.

Hey Juergen, thanks for your comment! Sorry none of them are fitting, we searched based on the general readers for the blog to show a rough idea of what each company provided, but yes won’t be suited to everyone.

Frustrating they become more expensive but I think a few of the options are available for Australians. If they’re not directly I remember some of them having partner companies based in Australia.

We also don’t need cover for flights as we cycle but unfortunately could only find provides with this included. We also looked at getting everything individually (medical, legal, baggage etc) to avoid paying for unneeded flight cover but this worked out more expensive.

Does insurance change dramatically for RVs? We’ve never actually looked into it – though we do hope to get an RV at some point in the future.

Completely agree about World Nomads, I was surprised how little cover they offered considering their high fees. Hope you can find the right policy soon! Where are you currently travelling?

Thanks for the wonderful post!

It’s silly just putting up a load of prices and say “Choose the cheapest”. The reason why people like Nomads and TT have a lot of mentions everywhere is that they do pay claims quickly. Nomads were bought out a few years ago and they have gone a little bit downhill.

The only way to see about these companies is to go onto TrustPilot and just read their 1 star reviews. Holidaysafe has hundreds of 1 star reviews – most of them are about them not paying claims.

We haven’t actually said choose the cheapest, we’ve said that cheaper can sometimes be better. Something both Sarah and I can confirm, having used cheaper and more expensive insurance options.

We haven’t used World Nomads or TT but their coverage is far worse than cheaper companies we have used who have paid claims without any issues. It’s also frustrating to know that Nomads particularly are generally recommended online by bloggers who are trying to make money through affiliate sales and may not be giving completely honest opinions.

We’re yet to make a claim with Holidaysafe but will make sure to update the article if there are any issues.

Which insurance policies have you used in the past? Are there any others you would recommend?

It’s great food for thought which is what you are trying to achieve and sorry you got such unnecessarily unpleasant criticism from people who clearly know all the answers already; I don’t so it helped me! I’ll research further myself but you have saved me a lot of time by removing the first step of my research. Thanks Mark

Hey there Mark! Ahh, you’ve got to take the positive with the negative, ey 🙂 Glad it could be useful to you, are you planning a trip somewhere nice?

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What is the best Affordable Travel Insurance for Backpackers? The 3 Best Backpacker Travel Insurance Companies Compared

Here’s the complete guide to backpacker travel insurance, why you need it, and what it should cover. You’ll find a detailed comparison of the 3 best insurance companies that offer specific policies and travel insurance for backpackers to help you choose the most suitable policy for your trip.

So you’ve packed your bag, you’re ready to embrace the life of a backpacker, and are headed off on a new adventure!

However, before you leave, no matter where your chosen destination may be, there’s no better way to protect yourself on your trip than purchasing backpacker travel insurance.

The number of insurance providers out there can be overwhelming but no need to worry, this guide has you covered!

Disclaimer: This posts might contain affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for helping to support this website!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. What is backpacker travel insurance?

You might ask yourself, what exactly is backpacker travel insurance and how does it differ from regular travel insurance?

Backpacker travel insurance is a type of insurance specifically designed for people traveling long-term and/or on a budget and living the wanderlust dream.

Not only does it protect you from canceled flights, lost luggage, and emergency visits to the hospital whilst overseas, it’s more flexible than regular travel insurance and will usually cover a broader range of countries alongside more adventurous activities .

Long-term travelers will often have a lower budget and often look for cheap backpacker travel insurance deals to cover a more extended trip. Because of this, backpacker travel insurance tends to be less expensive and more affordable than traditional travel insurance.

2. Why do you need backpacker travel insurance?

Backpacking is a lifestyle of traveling that brings with it the unknown, excitement, and risks that you probably wouldn’t find yourself taking in your everyday life back at home.

It’s so essential that you have travel insurance to protect you in all unforeseen situations, including any accidents and emergencies you may find yourself involved in.

Covering yourself with a comprehensive travel insurance policy can save you from spending thousands of dollars on medical expenses.

Not only that, if you happen to miss an important flight or if some of your belongings are stolen, having insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that these things will all be covered.

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3. What to look for when buying travel insurance

There are a few essentials that all travel insurance policies should cover:

• medical emergencies and protection (medicine, emergency evacuation, hospital fees)
• stolen, lost or damaged belongings (including documents and luggage)
• flight delays and cancellations
• trip cancellations (plus curtailment cover so that you can get home quickly if there is a death in the family)
• access to a 24-hour helpline
• Repatriation for you to get home (if you become ill, it covers the flight back home)

Other factors to look out for that could be really beneficial for you when included in your policy are:

• being able to extend your policy if you choose to stay longer than you originally intended
• a very high limit for medical expenses
• cover for any legal expenses whilst overseas
• a policy that covers most countries in the world
• high personal liability insurance (in case you cause any damage to someone else’s property or injure them)

It’s really worth doing the research and choosing a policy that is going to be relevant for the type of traveling and adventuring that you choose to partake in.

Read the small print and make sure that the policy covers everything that you need it to!

It’s worth paying extra for the peace of mind of knowing if something were to happen, your travel insurance is there to serve you properly.

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4. What travel insurance for backpackers doesn’t cover

It’s also very useful to know and worth noting what many backpacker travel insurance policies do NOT cover.

This will differ slightly with each policy, however, there are a few common things that you won’t be able to get cover for.

Generally speaking, these are:

• any drug or alcohol-related incidents or accidents
• injuries or accidents sustained whilst participating in some extreme sports/high adrenaline activities which in some cases can include hill walking, so make sure that the policy you’re looking at covers you appropriately for the activities you will be doing
• Pre-existing medical conditions are sometimes not covered
• any stolen money
• traveling to areas that have been deemed dangerous (natural disaster zones, or places with armed conflicts
• any flights bought with airline miles
• medical tourism (facial/body aesthetic operations )
• breakdowns due to poor mental health

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5. Useful tips before heading off on your trip

Once you have organized and purchased your travel insurance, a smart tip is to make a note of the company’s helpline number along with the number of your policy. Keep it somewhere easy to find with your other travel documents.

On previous trips, I found myself printing out parts of my policy so that I had the important information close at hand alongside my passport.

Make an extra copy, or email a copy to your parents or friends at home just in case you happen to need assistance and end up in a sticky situation where you can’t advocate for yourself.

Another handy tip is to document EVERYTHING.

For example, if you’re planning on buying and taking some expensive kit with you i.e a camera, laptop, smartphone or any other pricey gadget, make sure to keep ALL of the receipts.

It’s helpful for the insurance company to see that you actually have proof of purchase for these items and in the event of any of these devices being stolen or damaged you may have an easier time claiming back your money.

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6. If you need to make a claim whilst abroad

If you find yourself in a position where you need to make a claim whilst on your travels, it’s helpful to organize all of your necessary documents with time to spare.

Include any/all receipts, emails, documentation of hospital or doctor appointments, any purchases, take photos and images of everything that you think is relevant and include them in your claim.

As I mentioned above, by saving ALL of the appropriate documents, you can better support your claim.

It’s also important to be aware that insurance companies can take some time to pay out and patience is a good thing to keep in mind. 

7. What are the best travel insurance providers for backpackers?

There are literally hundreds of companies out there offering cheap backpacker travel insurance.

Whilst budget is an important factor for most backpackers, especially for people looking for student backpacking travel insurance, it’s vital that you purchase a policy that provides you with the protection that suits the nature of your trip.

There’s getting a ‘good deal’ and then there’s buying travel insurance for backpacking that doesn’t give you any cover for any of the activities you want to do whilst away and the relevant countries that you plan on visiting.

If you need to make a claim, you could end up thousands of dollars out of pocket instead of just paying that little bit extra at the start.

To head off WITHOUT travel insurance could prove to be a big mistake and according to statistics , if you plan on traveling for a long period of time, something is bound to happen.

I am not being pessimistic when I say this, it’s from my own experience and the advice of many other seasoned travelers and backpackers.

Bags will be lost, belongings may be stolen or damaged, you may become unwell and require medical care. At the end of the day, it’s just not worth the gamble.

If you have zero clue about where to start when it comes to buying backpacker travel insurance, please know that you’re not alone and that this guide is here to help.

I’ve gathered and researched for you my pick of the three best companies offering backpacker insurance policies and laid it out plain and simple for you to understand in order to make the right decision for your trip.

The top two travel insurance companies who I believe offer the best backpacker travel insurance cover are:

• IATI Backpacker

1) SafetyWing

SafetyWing is my first recommended travel insurance company.

Their Nomad Insurance has been specially created for backpackers, digital nomads, and long-term travelers.

They haven’t been around very long in comparison to other companies, however, they are quickly becoming a firm favorite in the backpacking community.

Not only are their plans affordable, with cover starting at $2 per day for short trips, they also offer long-term annual travel insurance plans for frequent travelers which is ideal if you travel regularly.

Unlike most policies on offer by other companies, SafetyWing doesn’t require you to provide a home address or a list of the countries that you plan on visiting which gives you the ultimate freedom to change your mind about your next destination.

They also offer a completely comprehensive travel medical insurance policy for full-time travelers and remote workers which is called ‘ Remote Health ’.

This plan covers any healthcare or medical care that you may require when traveling on a trip or if living and working abroad. It covers everything from giving birth to treatment for all kinds of illnesses, it also covers you for repatriation or evacuation too.

If you need it, you can add on dental cover, just in case you needed some work on your teeth whilst away.

The Nomad Plan is an ideal choice of travel insurance for backpackers who are already abroad because you can buy it or renew a policy during your trip at any point making it perfect for those spontaneous trips and life changes.

2) IATI BAckpacker

I only recently discovered IATI but I’m already a fan! That’s why it’s my third recommended company offering backpacker travel insurance.

IATI offers seven (!!) levels of cover, depending on your needs and the preferred way in which you like to travel.

They offer a wide range of different coverage for short holidays, destinations with high medical costs, long-term travelers, adventure travelers, families, and students alike.

Their IATI Backpacker policy covers you highly for any medical expenses and also gives you a high amount of personal liability. They cover you for all sorts of sports and adventurous activities, including scuba diving, rock climbing, trekking at altitudes up to 5400 meters and bungee jumping.

They also cover dental expenses, repatriation, travel and accommodation of a relative if you have to stay in hospital for more than 5 days, theft, damaged or lost luggage, travel delays, search and rescue and much more.

They are one of the few companies that offer backpacking travel insurance and cover any claims brought against you if you are held liable for any injuries or damage you involuntarily caused to third parties.

3) Heymondo

Heymondo is one of the latest top travel insurance providers for backpackers and long-term travelers.

Their policies are accessible and easy to understand and they offer a range of different coverage for short trips , annual multi-trips and flexible long-term trips . You can easily personalize your insurance to your type of trip and budget.

Their travel insurance plans already cover numerous outdoor activities and you can add Adventure Sports that will cover extreme activities from white-water rafting and trekking up to 5,000 meters altitude to bungee jumping and rock climbing.

Another benefit they offer is the ability to edit or extend your policy on the go which could come in handy for someone living the life of a backpacker.

8. Cover during a Pandemic (Covid 19)

A global pandemic isn’t something that many, if any travel insurance companies, would have probably ever covered you for pre-2019.

However, nearly three years on, here we are, the world a changed place for the foreseeable, and Covid 19 continues to affect people across the world. After numerous lockdowns, it’s natural that some people may be feeling anxious about the thought of being able to travel again.

Although numerous countries’ borders still remain closed, there are plenty of countries that are ready to welcome tourists and travelers back, in order to help rebuild their damaged economies.

We have all learned to adapt the way we live our lives around Covid 19 and travel insurance providers have had to change and adapt their policy offerings to support this.

The three companies that I mention in this article each have different components within their policies that state what you are covered and not covered for when taking Covid 19 into consideration.

Therefore, it’s important that you read through all of the information carefully and find out exactly what applies to you and what your specific policy covers you before you leave on your trip. If you’re unsure about something, phone the helpline and discuss the specifics with someone.

All three travel insurance companies state that they will NOT provide you with any cover if you decide to travel against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office including any travel restrictions enforced by the government in relation to Covid 19. This would be, for example, if your country were to be in lockdown. As I said before, I know it’s a brand new world…

Heymondo states that their insurance plans cover all emergencies related to Covid. These include trip delays or interruptions, emergency medical expenses and cancellation charges.

If you were to contract Covid and become sick and require emergency medical care, any expenses in this instance would be covered by your policy just like any other illness.

Their trip cancellation even covers you if you test positive or if a close relative gets seriously ill or dies due to COVID-19 and you’ll be able to get a reimbursement for your pre-paid, non-refundable expenses related to your trip.

SafetyWing now offers coverage for Covid 19 under their Nomad insurance policy, which means you would be covered if you become sick and need medical care.

You would receive $50 per day for up to 10 days if you were to test positive for Covid if your policy was at least 28 days or longer. They will now cover you for lockdowns as well as quarantine coverage which is a more comprehensive type of Covid cover than other plans.

And with their Annual Nomad Plan , you can cancel it at any time. If you were to enter a country that went into ‘lockdown’ due to Covid, you’re not tied into a plan when you can’t actually travel.

All IATI ‘s policy plans offer coverage for coronavirus during the trip. This coverage includes diagnostic tests (PCR) prescribed by health professionals in case of symptoms compatible with the disease, medical assistance, medical transport, hospitalization, quarantine and repatriation.

A 10-day quarantine in a hotel is contemplated with the convalescence coverage included in all their plans.

9. The 3 best backpacker travel insurance companies compared

So I’ve briefly mentioned a little about my top three choices for backpacker travel insurance. Now let’s go into more detail about what each of these companies actually offers you and compare these backpacker travel insurance policies.

I want to help you get the best insurance deal that will cover you fully for your exciting adventures abroad.

1) Safety Wing

Safety Wing uses a monthly payment scheme that is subscription-based meaning that if you need to, you can stop or pause your cover when not using it.

It’s flexible because you can organize coverage for a specific date, monthly or annually until the end of your trip with their auto-renewal service. This is ideal if you’re not totally certain about the length of time you will be traveling for.

Safety Wing lists what activities and adventures are not covered on their website in a really clear and simple way which is really refreshing in comparison to trawling through the fine print of some other companies’ policies.

However, unlike World Nomads, Safety Wing does NOT cover any electronics . I would suggest that if you choose their backpacker insurance cover, insure your tech through a secondary insurance company such as a Gadget Cover .

Safety Wing also does NOT provide cover for any pre-existing medical conditions with the exception of cover for Acute Onset of a Pre-existing Condition – see here for more details on this .

Their Nomad Insurance Policy includes:

• $250,000 in emergency medical coverage
• $100,000 in medical evacuation
• $5,000 for trip interruption

Their policy also includes:

• coverage up to the age of 69 years old
• coverage from 5 days – 1 year
• great value for money at $42 USD per month
• cover for a huge list of activities and sports but NOT many adventurous activities such as paragliding, white water rafting or skiing off piste for eg. See the full list here .
• covers travel anywhere in the world (except for Cuba, Iran, Syria and North Korea)
• They offer home country coverage, including the USA
• You can include up to 2 kids under age 10 per family at no extra cost
• 24/7 assistance

Safety Wing – Is this the best travel insurance for long-term travelers?

2) IATI BAckpacker insurance

IATI offers seven different types of insurance plans, depending on your budget, type of travel and the duration of your trip.

The IATI Backpacker Insurance is specially designed for backpackers who are setting off to see the world without knowing exactly which countries they will visit or how long the trip will take. You can also purchase this travel insurance if your trip has already started.

However, it’s important to know that if you’re not a Spanish citizen (this insurance company is located in Spain), you can only take out insurance for trips up to 4 months.

Their monthly policies start at €127 covering nearly all destinations in the world. They offer 24/7 customer care.

This policy combines high medical coverage of €500,000 with and other specific upgrades such as adventure sport, search and rescue, and computer equipment in your luggage. You can also take out a new policy when you arrive if you decide to extend your trip.

The IATI Backpacker Plan includes:

• €500,000 in emergency medical coverage
• 100% coverage in medical evacuation and repatriation (including natural disasters)
• €1,500 for stolen or lost baggage
• up to €500 in trip delays
• €15,000 in search and rescue expenses
• €60,000 in personal civil liability
• €2,000 in cancellation costs, provided that you cancel before the trip starts and for one of the reasons set out in the policy

This policy also includes:

• emergency medical and dental coverage
• personal injury in motor vehicle accidents
• travel/accommodation of a relative in case you need to stay more than 5 days in hospital
• coverage up to age of 69 years old
• convalescense in a hotel
• sending medication abroad
• stolen passports & tech gear
• delayed departure and delivery of luggage, and missed connections
• extended trip costs if you’re stuck somewhere due to bad weather, natural disaster, political problems
• cover for a huge list of activities and sports. See the full list here.
• covers travel anywhere in the world

3) HeyMondo Travel Insurance

Heymondo offers three different types of insurance plans with policies starting at 65 EURO per month for European Citizens and 116 USD per month for USA Citizens.

Heymondo also offers an app service which comes with a 24/7 medical chat, free worldwide emergency assistance calls, extra lodging expenses due to medical quarantine, coverage of non-refundable expenses in case of serious illness and simple claims management options.

The Heymondo Medical Plan includes:

• $500,000 in emergency medical and dental expenses
• $500,000 in medical evacuation and repatriation

The Heymondo Top includes:

• Up to $1,700 for lost or stolen baggage.
• Up to $450 for travel disruption and $3500 for cancellation and interruption due to serious illness

Their policies also include:

• Natural disasters
• Medical transportation
• Personal liability
• Compensation for death or permanent disability as a result of an accident that takes place during the trip.
• Cover for over 140 countries
• You can add-on cover for expensive belongings and adventure sports.

The Heymondo Premium includes:

• Up to $2,500 for lost or stolen baggage.
• Up to $1500 for travel disruption and $7000 for cancellation and interruption due to serious illness
• Search and rescue
• Natural disaster
• Rental car access
• You can add-on cover for expensive belongings, adventure sports and cruises.

10. Which is now the best backpacker travel insurance?

You must think properly about all the things you’d like your policy to cover you for when comparing travel insurance.

Shop around and do some research first and then be sure to read through the terms and conditions carefully before purchasing your policy.

However, I wholeheartedly want to say that it is equally just as important that we keep our minds open to traveling and keep dreaming and planning epic adventures.

Backpacking can be absolutely life-changing and provide you with so much joy and give you a new thirst for life, meeting new people, exploring new places, and pushing the boundaries of your comfort zones. 

Regarding the BEST backpacker travel insurance, my top pick depends on the duration of my trip and the type of activities I plan on doing.

Every summer, I travel for 3 to 4 months to Central Asia to guide my adventure tours and to go trekking in the mountains.

These activities sometimes include heights over 4000 meters, so I take out IATI Backpacker Insurance . This insurance policy covers everything I need and so much more for “only” €127 per month.

If something happens to me in the mountains or I get stuck due to natural disasters, pandemics or political issues (nowadays we never know what’s coming…), at least I know I’m fully covered with the IAT I B a c k p a c k e r P l a n .

If I’m going on a trip longer than 4 months or on a shorter trip that doesn’t include me doing extreme activities or hiking above 4000 meter, I take out the Nomad Insurance Policy by Safety Wing .

Their plans are very affordable, and their unique subscription service also offers you a modern and ultimately a more flexible way to insure yourself whilst away compared to other types of cover on the market.

With rates starting at $42 per month (28 days) and covering you for most of the basics , they are a fantastic option for anyone working with a tight budget. Not only do they offer great travel insurance for backpackers, but they are also a good option for any digital nomads out there too.

I hope this guide helped you understand what backpacker travel insurance is and what to look out for when purchasing one. 

Even if you choose not to go with any of the companies mentioned in this article, please don’t travel without insurance.

Make sure that you’re covered, even if you don’t end up needing to claim whilst away, knowing that you’re covered (just in case) is totally worth it!

You might also want to read:

The Ultimate List of 23 Countries with Digital Nomad Visas (for remote workers)

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4 Realistic and Best Ways to Find Free Accommodation for Travellers

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2 thoughts on “what is the best affordable travel insurance for backpackers the 3 best backpacker travel insurance companies compared”.

I read your long post and realised than none of your three companies would insure me as a 64 year old long time backpacker. Shocking? Back to World Nomads I suppose as they insure backpackers till 70. What will I do then though?

Hey Linda, I’m sorry to hear that they all put an age limit for long-term travelers… I double-checked and indeed, they only insure long term until a certain age…

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What’s the Best Backpacker Travel Insurance?

Explore the world with peace of mind; select backpacker insurance that prioritizes comprehensive medical coverage and flexibility for spontaneous travel plans.

When I was a backpacker, my low-budget lifestyle often took me off the beaten path, and rarely did I follow a fixed itinerary. Anything could happen, and that was the whole point.

In that same vein, it’s important that backpacker travel insurance coverage fits a lower budget yet is flexible enough to work with changing plans.

Within my fourteen years of travel, I’ve cashed in a travel insurance policy more than a few times. And while the industry has certainly changed in that time, general policy and coverage needs haven’t.

Based on years of travel, first-hand experience, extensive industry knowledge and deep research, I believe the following five companies offer the best insurance for backpackers because they are both flexible and affordable.

• Best Backpacker Travel Insurance Overall: Heymondo
• Best Long-Term Backpacker Travel Insurance: Safety Wing
• Most User-Friendly Backpacker Travel Insurance: Faye
• Best International Backpacker Travel Insurance: Tin Leg
• Best Medical Coverage: Seven Corners

Heymondo : Best Backpacker Travel Insurance Overall

The word “insurance” can be intimidating, and it’s easy to assume that buying insurance for your trip will be a frustrating process that will leave your head (and wallet) aching.

Fortunately, there are more and more companies out there trying to create a more user-friendly approach to travel insurance. Heymondo is a modern travel insurance provider that has a straightforward process to buy a plan, and their insurance policies are very affordable.

Plus, their coverage is great. The lowest level plan pays up to $100,000 for emergency medical bills and $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage. That’s better than most companies’ upper-tier plans which cost much more!

In addition to emergency evacuation and medical costs, you also get protection for trip cancellations, missed flights, lost baggage, electronic equipment, and more. Heymondo also includes several benefits that many travel insurance companies don’t cover (or charge you extra for) like coverage for adventure sports and pre-existing conditions.

I also love that Heymondo has an easy-to-use app that lets you manage your plan and submit claims straight from your phone. It’s much easier to deal with than waiting for hours to speak to an agent on the phone. I’m a big fan of anything that streamlines and simplifies my travel experience.

Heymondo also has a medical-only plan that doesn’t include coverage for canceled trips, baggage loss, flight delays, or the other trip protection benefits. This plan is extremely affordable and is a great way to get the most important protection for your health if you don’t need or want anything else.

Heymondo doesn’t offer a ton of customization options, but their base plans are great and much less expensive than most competitors. That’s awesome for us backpackers who are pinching pennies to save up for our next flight!

• Pros & Cons
• Great standard coverage for medical and trip protection
• Very affordable rates
• Included protection for adventure sports and pre-existing conditions
• Plans for trips of up to six months
• Skiing and snowboarding aren’t covered activities (even with the adventure sports add-on)
• No Cancel For Any Reason coverage
• Will only cover travelers up to 68 years old

Safety Wing : Best Long-Term Backpacker Travel Insurance

As one of the newest names in the insurance biz, Safety Wing is an excellent option for long-term travel insurance. Safety Wing is a bit different from most backpacker insurance providers in that they don’t offer policies for single trips. Instead, they have “nomad insurance” that has no fixed start and end dates. It uses a monthly subscription model, meaning you can travel as long as you want and still have insurance for medical emergencies.

SafetyWing’s plans range from emergency medical coverage while traveling outside your home country to full-blown health insurance for remote workers and digital nomads. Their goal is to create a global financial safety net by providing affordable insurance for anyone around the world. That also makes for great backpacking travel insurance.

Plus Safety Wing is one of the most affordable companies on this list. They have budget-friendly options that still offer good coverage for medical expenses, travel delays, and more.

All of this makes Safety Wing a fantastic insurance policy for anyone looking to travel for an extended period of time. Their coverage for medical expenses is fantastic, and they also include good protection for trip delay, lost luggage, and more.

So is this a perfect option for everyone? Well, no. Safety Wing doesn’t offer single-trip policies, so it really works best for folks traveling long-term. Also, medical protection limits drop if you’re over 65, and adventure sports and pre-existing medical conditions aren’t covered. Lastly, there is no coverage for canceled trips.

Click here to read our full Safety Wing review , or check out our Safety Wing vs World Nomads comparison.

• Flexible travel insurance for long-term travel
• Your plan automatically renews until you decide to cancel
• Trip delay coverage and trip interruption coverage are included
• Offers medical insurance that has you fully covered, even in your home country
• Just a single standard plan to purchase (no customization)
• No trip cancellation coverage
• No protection for electronics
• Doesn’t offer coverage for single trips
• No home country insurance for US residents

Faye : Most User-Friendly Backpacker Travel Insurance

When you’re out backpacking around the world, you probably don’t want to spend any extra time waiting on phone calls or filing claims. Unfortunately, many travel insurance providers aren’t known for being easy to deal with.

It doesn’t have to be that way though.

Faye is a newer insurance company on the market that offers a refreshing take on backpacker insurance policies with an app-based interface that makes it much easier to manage your plan or file claims. Sick of dealing with stuffy, difficult-to-navigate insurance? Faye might be a good option.

In addition to their easy user interface, I also love that Faye has a lot more customization options than other insurance providers. Going skydiving? You can add adventure sports coverage. Renting a car? They can insure that and will pay for rental car damage. Worried about taking care of your pet if your return home is delayed? They have an option that will pay for kennelling until you make it back.

There’s a lot to love, but (there’s always a but, isn’t there) Faye definitely isn’t the cheapest option on this list. They have great protection for medical costs, canceled flights, and more, but budget travelers will be able to get a better bang for your buck with Heymondo or SafetyWing .

• Super easy app-based system
• Included coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Covers flight cancellations
• Lots of add-ons to customize your policy, including Cancel For Any Reason
• Telemedicine feature gives you access to thousands of medical providers wherever you are
• Limited lost/damaged item coverage
• Not the cheapest option

Tin Leg : Best International Backpacker Travel Insurance

If you’re traveling overseas, it’s especially important to be able to rely on having your travel insurance cover anything unexpected. Tin Leg is a highly-respected travel insurance company that has a good reputation for offering high-value policies, and paying out claims when you need them.

When it comes to international travel, Tin Leg has some of the best backpacker insurance policies out there. They offer a great balance of comprehensive coverage and affordable prices.

With Tin Leg, you get all the coverage you expect. Flight delays, baggage protection, and canceled trips are all covered, though you have to cancel for a “covered reason,” like natural disasters or severe illness. This doesn’t include civil unrest, severe weather, or changing your mind. Fortunately, they offer an optional upgrade to Cancel for Any Reason coverage.

Unlike many other travel insurance providers, Tin Leg has a wide range of plans to fit your needs (9, in fact).

My top pick is their Luxury Plan, which is actually quite affordable despite the name. This plan offers great emergency medical protection and trip insurance at an impressive price.

Looking to save your pennies? Tin Leg’s Basic Plan is awesome for low-budget travelers.

They also offer an Adventure Plan, which includes high medical limits plus included coverage for extreme sports and adventure activities. This is perfect backpacking insurance for many of the adventurous travelers out there.

Tin Leg is one of the best overall backpacker insurance companies on the market. They are flexible, offer good coverage, and (most important for many of us) are very affordable.

• Lots of plans to choose from
• Travel freely for a year on an annual plan
• Great trip cancellation coverage (including optional cancel for any reason)
• Fast and reliable service
• Optional add-ons, like car rental coverage
• Lower emergency medical limits compared to other plans

Seven Corners : Best Medical Coverage

Insurance for medical emergencies is the most important thing you can have while traveling abroad. Sure, losing money on a canceled trip or missed flight is frustrating, but bills for a medical emergency can add up to much, much larger sums. We’re talking tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is why the best travel insurance companies have high emergency medical coverage limits.

Seven Corners offers two plans to choose from: Trip Protection Basic and Trip Protection Choice, and both have great medical emergency coverage.

With the Choice plan, you get up to $500,000 for medical care and $1,000,000 in emergency evacuation coverage. Those limits are some of the best in the business, and offer a lot of peace of mind on your travels.

However, you can forgo trip cancellation coverage and just purchase a travel medical policy instead. These customizable medical plans allow you to choose your maximum limit as well as the deductible. And, you’re covered for medical and dental treatments, emergency evacuation, and even personal liability.

• Customizable group plans are available
• Good medical cover limits
• Seven Corners has consistently positive reviews
• Solid trip cancellation and trip interruption protection
• Must pay more for pre-existing medical condition coverage
• No cancel for any reason coverage with Seven Corners

Why Backpackers Need Travel Insurance

When it comes to planning your once-in-a-lifetime backpacking trip, travel insurance may be the last thing on your mind. Honestly, isn’t it more fun to spend time picking out the right backpack or booking the coolest hostel?

Well, your health and safety is also something to consider. That’s why travel insurance is the single most important thing to bring on your trip. It protects you against any unforeseen accidents or emergencies that you may encounter on your journey.

• Broken leg from a scooter crash? Your backpacker insurance policy covers your medical bills.
• Stolen camera on the train? Backpacker insurance reimburses the cost of your belongings.
• Tropical thunderstorms cancel your flight to Thailand? You’ll be reimbursed and scheduled on the next flight out.

It’s easy to see why travel insurance is worth it how insurance can protect you in a variety of unfortunate situations. It can also save you thousands of dollars in medical expenses. For this reason alone, travel insurance is absolutely worth it .

What to Look for in Backpacker Insurance

From digital nomads to adventure seekers, everyone traveling abroad needs good insurance to cover unexpected events on their backpacking trip. However, there is not a recommendation for a single plan that’s good for everyone.There are several key factors to consider when looking at backpacker insurance.

Some travel insurance providers offer specific benefits that cater to adventurous backpackers and long-term travelers, while others specialize in medical protection for folks with a pre-existing condition. Maybe good baggage cover and cancellation cover are important to you, or maybe you just want low-cost travel insurance policies that cover the basics for your backpacking trip.

Take the time to look for a plan that fits your travel plans.

Flexibility is Key

Backpackers, digital nomads, and long-term travelers often don’t stick to a fixed itinerary for their backpacking trips. Just like your plans, your backpacker insurance should be flexible.

Let’s look at an example.

You decide at the last minute to go skiing in Germany and Austria, two countries that weren’t originally on your itinerary. Or perhaps you spontaneously decide to extend your vacation by a few months.

In these situations, you’ll be thankful to have insurance that you can adjust on the go. You might look for backpacker insurance that is paid in installments, or that can be updated and changed midway through your trip.

This flexibility is great, and it lets you travel on your own terms.

Coverage for Medical Expenses

Your health is your most important asset, and it’s important to take care of it, especially when you’re traveling. The most important thing to look for in good travel insurance is solid coverage for medical emergencies. If you get sick or injured while traveling, you don’t want to be stuck with hefty hospital bills.

Most travel insurance will provide cover for up to specified benefit limits. I like to look for an insurance policy that provides at least $100,000 in medical care and $250,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation cover. More is always better in this case.

Of course, no one expects to get severely ill or injured on their backpacking trips, but the worst can (and does) happen. Good medical coverage is an absolute essential. That way you know that if anything goes wrong, you’ll be taken care of and not have to foot the bill.

Coverage for Extreme Sports and Adventures Activities

Let’s face it; backpackers love their extreme (and sometimes reckless) activities. Did you know that most travel insurance won’t provide medical cover if you’re injured in what they deem extreme sports or other risky activities?

That’s why you should look for backpacker insurance that provides protection for whatever adventure you may encounter on your trip. From scuba diving in Indonesia to rock climbing in Morocco, you’ll want coverage for all those fun and exhilarating moments.

However, many traditional travel insurance companies don’t offer protection for these events. So if you plan on doing any extreme sports, make sure your backpacker insurance provides activity coverage.

Some quick safety advice: never participate in an activity that isn’t covered by your insurance, or you may end up paying potential hospital bills with your own money.

An Affordable Price Point

Finally, good backpacking travel insurance should be affordable. Flights, hostels, and food costs quickly add up. This can make price a big factor when choosing a plan.

Even if you’re hoping to keep your trip low-cost, you should still invest in travel insurance. Fortunately, there are several backpacker insurance companies that offer comprehensive insurance that won’t break the bank.

Final Thoughts on the Best Travel Insurance Companies for Backpackers

Besides your passport, backpacker insurance is one of the most important things to take with you on your trip. It’s there to protect you against unexpected incidents from bike accidents and food poisoning to stolen luggage and misplaced smartphones. It can save you serious money on hospital bills, legal expenses, and lost stuff.

One of my top travel tips for anyone is to buy good insurance.

And you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to protect, well, your arms and legs! There are plenty of companies and policies that offer decent coverage for just a few dollars a day.

With affordable and comprehensive coverage, World Nomads is our backpacker insurance provider of choice. However, you may find that there are other companies that are better suited for your trip.

Check out different policies, compare companies, and shop around for good deals. But at the end of the day, just make sure you purchase insurance from somewhere. Because if you can’t afford travel insurance, you really can’t afford to travel!

Travel Insurance FAQs

Which insurance is best for travel.

AXA Assistance USA offers impressive comprehensive plans at affordable prices.

What is the best travel insurance with COVID?

John Hancock is the travel insurance company that offers the best insurance for COVID expenses.

What are the 3 things travel insurance covers?

Travel insurance insures emergency healthcare, trip expenses, and personal belongings.

Is it better to buy travel insurance early or late?

It is best to buy travel insurance as soon as possible after you book your trip.

What's the best travel insurance for backpackers?

Heymondo is our top choice for the best travel insurance for backpackers.

Jeremy Scott Foster

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Why You Need A Good Backpacker Travel Insurance

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that for any qualifying purchase you make through one of my links, I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. For more information, check out my disclosure .

A good backpacker travel insurance is essential whether you are planning to go on a short term trip or considering long term traveling.

This post is for all those travelers who are wondering whether they need to get insurance for their trip. I could go straight to be point and just say that yes, you do. But I thought I’d instead break down all the reasons why you do, even when your budget is limited.

You see, traveling, and even backpacking, is a lot of fun. I have done my great deal of it. But sure enough, whether I go backpacking or on a more comfortable trip, I always make sure to get a good insurance before stepping out the door.

Yet, I have noticed that there is a dangerous trend in the travelers’ community (and especially among backpackers on a budget), whereby many believe that getting a good backpacking insurance isn’t necessary, and that you are not a real backpacker if you do.

Heymondo is my travel insurance of choice and what I recommend using.

The reasoning is that a backpacker insurance is too costly and likely to be a waste of money; that in most countries prescriptions (including antibiotics) are easily available at the pharmacy; that if something happens you can just go to the emergency room; and anyways the odds of something happening are very low.

This line of reasoning is simply irresponsible. This post will explain what a backpacker travel insurance is for, and the reasons why you need it.

Get a quote for one of the best travel insurance plans around here .

Table of Contents

What Is A Backpacker Travel Insurance For?

A backpacker insurance is an essential item for a trip overseas, one you realize you need when you have to use it. It’s not an actual object, but the kind of thing you buy hoping you’ll never really need to use it.

It pretty much means hoping for good luck while at the same time knowing that, should something happen – whether you get robbed; you have a family emergency and need to fly home; you get sick and need to be hospitalized; or you have an accident while walking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – you have a net of protection and don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars to get help.

Nowadays, many companies offer travel insurance, and picking the right one is easier said than done. You need to research and ask questions before deciding which one to buy.

I now use Heymondo and find it to be an excellent travel insurance.

Whichever backpacker travel insurance cover you decide to get, make it a point to read and understand all the conditions of the policy before buying it. I suggest calling the company, browsing the site, and even enquiring with a reliable travel agent who, selling several insurance policies along with tour packages, is bound to be knowledgeable on the subject. A while back Allianz denied my claim for some medical expenses in Peru as they claimed it was a business trip – go and explain them that you are a travel blogger!

What to look for in a travel insurance

The main characteristics of a good backpacker insurance aren’t much different from those of a regular travel insurance. These are the things which – as a minimum – you should be looking for.

MEDICAL INSURANCE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND REPATRIATION –  It covers you for things such as accidents, and you will get hospital and doctors’ visits during your trip. It means that you can access a doctor if you break your leg, and even if that traveler’s diarrhea doesn’t go away on its own. Medical repatriation means that if there is no good hospital to assist you nearby, the costs of transferring you to a major one will be covered by the insurance.

PERSONAL ACCIDENT – In the unfortunate case you lose a limb or are left disabled or blind, your insurance will pay you a set amount.

PERSONAL LIABILITY – If, by accident, you cause injury to someone, or cause damage or loss to someone’s property, your backpacker insurance will cover the costs.

BAGGAGE AND PROPERTY INSURANCE –  Your backpacker travel insurance will cover you in case of theft, loss or damage to your luggage (ie if the airline doesn’t deliver your backpack); and even loss or damage to any gear such as smartphone, laptop, camera etc. Keep in mind that most insurance companies will put a limit to the number of items you can insure. If you travel with a lot of electronic gear you need an insurance that covers more than one item.

TRIP CANCELLATION – A classic of insurance policies, it refers to unexpected interruptions and sudden changes to your travel plans caused by factors such as flights being cancelled or other reasons that stop you from traveling.

When purchasing your insurance, think about the kind of activities you plan on doing during our trip. For example, if you plan to do lots of hiking and adventure sports, you may have to pay a little extra for a sports travel insurance, or for a trekking insurance. If you plan on renting a car every now and then, you may want to get an insurance that also covers for “collision damage waiver excess.”

Make sure that your travel insurance has an emergency number that can be contacted 24/7.

Have you decided to buy a good travel insurance? Click here !

Are There Things A Backpacker Travel Insurance Won’t Cover?

There certainly are. As already said, most insurances won’t cover things such as extreme sports – for those, you need to look for a specific plan. But there are other things you should not expect to be covered by your insurance. Here they are.

INCIDENTS CAUSED BY USE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL – If you really want to do drugs stay at home where you can be taken care of if anything happens. Similarly, don’t go around getting trashed with alcohol during your trip because incidents caused by abuse of alcohol won’t be covered.

INCIDENTS CAUSED BY RECKLESS DRIVING – Chances are that if you are driving you will be covered by car insurance too. That’s a bonus, because your travel insurance won’t cover you for anything remotely dangerous you may have done while on the wheel.

PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS – Your insurance won’t cover you for chronic diseases or for conditions you had before buying the insurance.

PREGNANCY – Chances are that if you are pregnant you may have to pick a specific plan.

STOLEN CASH – Unless you are on a more comprehensive plan, this isn’t generally included. I realized this was the case when my entire bag, with my wallet and €100 in cash, was stolen in Rome .

VISA ISSUES – If you need to get a visa to enter a specific country but for whatever reason you are refused one and have to cancel your trip, chances are your insurance won’t cover you for that.

CIVIL UNREST THAT DOESN’T REQUIRE EVACUATION – If a government hasn’t started procedures to evacuate its nationals visiting a country that’s going through civil unrest, your insurance won’t cover you for that.

KNOWINGLY TRAVELING TO DANGEROUS PLACES – You won’t be covered if you decide to travel to a place where a natural disaster has just occurred, or where war is raging. You can figure out why.

BREAKING UP – If you cancel a trip you were meant to take with your (now former) partner, your insurance won’t cover you for that.

MEDICAL TOURISM – You can’t claim things such as a nose job or even dentistry you got overseas on your travel insurance.

Now that you know what backpacker insurance is and what it will or will not cover let me explain why you need it.

Already know you want to buy travel insurance? Well done! Just click here .

12 Reasons To Get A Good Backpacker Travel Insurance

You may get sick during your backpacking trip.

I have yet to meet a backpacker that never got sick on the road. Sure enough, I got my good deal of food poisoning (I get food poisoning every time I am in Mexico ), throat infections and the like, and every time I am thankful for having an insurance to sort out a doctor’s appointment, get all the tests done, and the necessary prescriptions. More recently, I needed to see the doctor in Peru as my ear hurt after a flight and sure enough I was glad I could claim the money back – the visit costed me more than €150!

You may need prescription medications

Would you go to a pharmacy in your home country and expect to get prescription medications without an actual prescription? I bet you wouldn’t. So why would you do it while traveling? If you have a good insurance, you can call it and have a doctor’s appointment set up so that you can get prescription medications. The insurance will go above and beyond to locate the nearest pharmacy – and all medical expenses will be covered.

Get your travel insurance here .

You may injure yourself

If you enjoy hiking as much as I do, a good backpacker insurance company that covers for hiking, or even a sport or trekking insurance is necessary. While hiking isn’t dangerous per se, accidents may occur. I was hiking the Jordan Trail when I accidentally wounded myself going through some thick bushes, and my insurance sent me to the nearest clinic to be medicated.

Your precious gear may get stolen

While not all backpackers carry a laptop or a camera, they all carry a smartphone or a tablet. Chances are that you may leave your tablet locked away in your room when you go out; but someone may snatch your phone out of your pocket – yes, even if it is zipped up! In fact, someone may even steal your locked away tablet.

Though you may have saved all your documents and photos in the cloud, what about the actual phone or laptop? A good insurance will cover for it and help you replace it.

Make sure to read all the small print if you want to insure your gear. Allianz refused to reimburse me for the theft of a bag that was not locked in a car or room or lost by the airline.

Get an excellent travel insurance here .

Or you may be the one losing things

Moving from place to place while traveling means you will inevitably lose things. It is not the end of the world if you drop a sock, a headlamp or a book – they can be easily replaced. But what if you lose your passport ? Now, that is a nightmare! A good travel insurance usually includes passport loss coverage, which means that you will get help sorting out a new one.

The airline may lose your backpack

You are just starting your trip. You check in your bags, board your plane, and 12 or more hours later find yourself in a different continent. Pity your bags didn’t make it there: the airline lost your luggage . It’s one of the most annoying things that can happen to travelers.

Chances are that your stuff will be delivered in a day or two (or nine, as it happened to my sister once). But you will still need some clean clothes and toiletries to get by meantime. A good backpacker insurance will cover the costs of replacing your bags and all the items in it.

You may want to join a guided trip

There are places you simply won’t be able to visit independently – think Salar de Uyuni, Antartica, etc. When you join a guided group trip, and even more so one that has a high level of adventurous activities, the operator will require to purchase a good travel insurance. That’s when your backpacker travel insurance will come in handy.

Or go to countries where it is required

Did you know that there are some countries that will deny you entry unless you show proof of having medical and travel insurance? Make sure to double check whether you can enter the country (or countries) that you are planning to visit, and to get your insurance accordingly.

You may miss your flight

No matter how hard you try to leave nice and early for a flight, you may get stuck in traffic. If that happens, your insurance may be able to cover the costs of the new flight you may need to purchase, and help you get a refund for the missed flight.

In fact, your flight may get cancelled

… and airlines duck out when it happens. Airlines don’t refund tickets when flights are cancelled due to things such as natural disasters, strikes or terrorism attacks. Thankfully a good travel insurance helps sort things out.

You can claim compensation for flight delay or cancellation. Various companies help travelers get their money back in case of a cancellation, and even in case of a long delay, and it’s much much easier to go through them than dealing directly with the airline, having to spend hours on the phone or emailing back and forth to just obtain what is – quite simply – within your rights as a traveler.

Just because it hasn’t happened yet, it doesn’t mean it won’t

This is a simple enough principle to understand, yet some still struggle with it so you won’t mind if I share an example.

If your backpacking trip is taking you across Central America, you may wonder whether you need proof of onward travel when crossing borders . Some that have done a similar trip will say it is a legal requirement; others will tell you that although it is a legal requirement, nobody ever checks. The fact that checks are random and don’t happen frequently doesn’t mean that the police officers at the border can’t or won’t check. I was asked to show proof of onward travel when I crossed from Nicaragua to Costa Rica, and from Costa Rica to Panama – and I was sure glad to have it. 

The same principle applies to anything else when you travel: just because it’s never happened to you or anyone you know before, it doesn’t mean it never will. And that’s why you need to have a good insurance.

The costs to benefits ratio is – actually – great

Why pay for something that you are hoping you will never use? Because it is not that expensive, and once you think about the cover that even the most basic backpacker travel insurance will provide, then it’s not bad value at all. After all, it’s better to pay a policy that costs a mere $2 USD per day (yes, that cheap!) than having to pay thousands in case something happens.

Your good luck costs just $2 USD a day – totally worth it. And if you don’t have that extra $2 USD per day, then maybe you shouldn’t be traveling altogether. Work for a little longer, save a little more and postpone your trip when you can make sure you can fully afford it in a more responsible, sensible manner – travel insurance included.

So, Which One Is The Best Backpacker Travel Insurance?

There are hundreds of good insurance companies out there. And some that are simply not cooperative (I may have hinted at one here and there in this post). However, researching which is best for your trip may take you weeks. And let’s face it, shopping for travel insurance isn’t exactly fun. I thought I’d outline the best travel insurance companies for your – so that you can make an informed decision.

I have recently discovered Heymondo and I now swear by it – they have been nothing short of efficient for me and they have a truly comprehensive coverage that works perfectly for the kind of trips I take! Heymondo has all the best perks that any good travel insurance should have (ie refund for expenses incurred because of trip cancellation or delays; refund for damaged or lost luggage), and more. Let me go into a bit more details:

Heymondo covers travelers from any country in the world – call it equal opportunities!

It also includes full coverage in case you get COVID-19 during your trip. This includes any medical fees incurred due to COVID-19, medically prescribed PCR tests, medical transportation and repatriation, and any expense you may incur into during your trip in case you need top pay for quarantine accommodation. It will also cover in case you need to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Heymondo will also insure you against trip cancellation. That means you can get a refund for the accommodation and transportation costs of your trip if you are forced to cancel (make sure to check the applicable conditions in your policy . these usually include sudden illness, death of a relative, loss of employment etc.).

Another great this about Heymondo is that they cover for long, short-term and annual multi-trip travel – in other words, whether you are spending a few months traveling, or just a weekend away, or are a frequent traveler that plans on taking multiple trips throughout the course of a year, you will find a coverage plans perfect for your needs.

I also love the fact that Heymondo offers the possibility to add coverage for adventure sports, and to protect your electronics – both are extremely important for me as I often go on trips where I hike at an elevation and because of what I do, I always travel with a lot of electronics.

Finally, you will also be able to count on Heymondo assistance app, 24 hour medical chat, and free emergency assistance calls – we all know how expensive it can be calling your insurance company from certain countries, so this is definitely a bonus!

Need the cherry on the cake? You don’t need to file a claim for medical expenses with Heymondo – that’s because they will actually pay any medical expenses for you, when you need it (you obviously have to contact them when you require medical assistance).

Get a quote for your Heymondo insurance here .

GREAT NEWS! Heymondo is offering all my readers a 5% discount for any insurance, and that will include COVID-19 coverage.

I like SafetyWing, a good insurance perfect for people who move around a lot, going from one country to another, carry their job with them and often they don’t know their itinerary in advance.

SafetyWing is a very affordable insurance (it starts at $40 per 4 weeks). It is a combination between a medical insurance for travelers, and an old school travel insurance. SafetyWing doesn’t cover electronics (so it’s better for those who don’t carry too many valuables with them) and extreme adventure sports.

It works like a subscription: you pick a start date and can cancel whenever you want. There is no maximum duration for your trip (so it’s perfect even if you don’t have a return date set) and you can set up monthly auto-renewal so that you can be sure your coverage won’t expire. And instead of paying it all at once for a year (if you are traveling that long) you just pay every month – so you don’t have to shell out a huge chunk of money in one go.

The actual final monthly cost of SafetyWing depends on a number of factors – ie your age and the countries you will be visiting (it’s going to be more expensive if you plan to visit the US). Each quote is personal, so I recommend visiting their website to get a quote for your personal backpacker travel insurance.

One thing I shall point out about claims to SafetyWing is that it works on a $250 USD minimum deductible system. In other words, if you have expenses for less than that, you can still file a claim but you will be credited the money back once you reach the minimum threshold of $250. I filed a claim for medical expenses in October, for around $125 USD. After two full months I received a notice that the claim had been accepted, and I got a credit note (I know, it is awkward).

World Nomads

World Nomads is one of the most popular backpacker travel insurance companies, prized for its excellent customer service and for plans that are comprehensive for both long and short term travelers, and for the most adventurous ones. Activities such as hiking, kayaking and even adventure sports such as rafting, climbing and bungee jumping are included. 

For the most classic travelers, World Nomads covers all the basics – emergency medical coverage, including dental expenses; trip cancellations; flight delays; baggage protection; emergency evacuation for medical or other purposes. 

It’s one of the most comprehensive yet also expensive insurance plans around.

World First

This is one of the most budget friendly options in terms of travel insurance, so perfect if your budget is very limited – but it’s also suitable for business trips. It covers a bunch of activities – including more adventurous ones – and medical conditions; and a bunch of other classics classics such as flight delays, baggage loss, gear loss or theft and more.

They are one of the few companies that may cover you even in case of a pre-existing medical condition – so if that’s your case, make sure to check them out.

To compare the prices and policies of up to 20 insurance companies, make sure to check out Insure My Trip. It’s perfect for older travelers too.

What You Should Do After Buying Your Insurance

Once you finally buy a good travel insurance, there are a few things you should do before you set off for the trip of a lifetime. Here is a quick overview:

• Make a note of your policy number, your insurance emergency contact number and its e-mail.
• Download a copy of the policy: keep one for yourself, easily accessible even if you don’t have internet; and share a copy with a family member or your best friend. Keep a copy in the cloud too – just in case!
• Set up a reminder a couple of weeks before your insurance is meant to expire – the good news is that most year long policies have auto-renewals, so you don’t have to worry about it expiring. 
• Take photos of any expensive gear – make sure to also include the serial number; and store it in your cloud or Google Drive. Just in case you need to make a claim.

Final Thoughts On Getting A Backpacker Travel Insurance

I suppose you get the idea of how important I think having a good backpacker insurance is. I’ve had to use my travel insurance a bunch of times, and it really helped me. What you need to understand is that life is unpredictable, and even when we want to be optimistic and keep a positive attitude, we can’t foresee the future.

I always hope that I won’t have to make use of my travel insurance, and I sincerely hope you don’t have to use it either. But in case it is necessary, it’s good to have it. It helps me face unexpected emergencies, and it is a responsible thing to get as an adult.

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Claudia Tavani

Claudia was born and raised in Italy, but she also lived in New York, Denver, and London. She's a professional travel blogger and certified travel designer who loves planning trips, sharing travel hacks, and packing lists so that you don't have to. Owner of My Adventures Across The World, solo traveler, cat mom to Minnie. Claudia has been featured by the Lonely Planet and the Huffington Post. She has visited more than 80 countries.

2 thoughts on “Why You Need A Good Backpacker Travel Insurance”

Hi Claudia..nice article. You should google Sophie Wilson… my friends girlfriend. She was backpacking in Thailand December 2018 when she dived into a shallow pool at a pool party in a hostel and hit her head, breaking her neck. She was paralysed and her insurance refused to pay out because it said there were warning signs saying No diving. She found herself seriously ill in hospital and her family facing a bill for treatment and repatriation of over £120000. They had to set up a crowd funding page and raised most of it. They surd the insurance company for the money and actually won but it caused a lot of stress. She is still in hospital in the UK and full recovery is unlikely. Shows how important it is to have it but how difficult claims can be because companies will try not to pay out if they can avoid it.

Oh dear, what a sad sad story. And thanks for your comment. You are right, claims aren’t always that straightforward. I hope Sophie manages to recover fully.

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Home » Budget Travel » best travel insurance

Are These The Best Travel Insurance Companies? UPDATED For 2024

Our big, beautiful world is truly vast and fascinating. Nothing can replace exploring and experiencing it first-hand and deciding to travel, was certainly one of the best decisions that I ever made. However, when we are preparing for a trip, it can be all too easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget about the boring, but seriously important little details such as checking that our passport is in date, and getting travel insurance.

But, not purchasing travel insurance can  sometimes, sadly prove to be one of the biggest mistakes a person can make. No one is immune from unfortunate accidents when traveling the world and the worst can and does happen out there. I have personally had to claim on mine several times over the years and I never take a trip without it.

If you are reading this, then you probably already know why you need travel insurance so in this post we are simply going to help you try and find the  best travel insurance  for you.

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

Quick Answers – Are These The Best Travel Insurance Providers?

• > Starts at $42 for 28 days
• > Primarily for medical expenses
• > Subscription-based payment system

World Nomads

• > 2 Plans available
• > Can cover over 140 countries
• > Easy to purchase and customize

• > 24/7 worldwide assistance
• > streamlined app for easy claims
• > plans cover people from all over the world

• > Excellen value
• > Instant payouts via e-Wallet
• > Excellent customer service

Insure My Equipment

• > From $350/500 a year
• > Travel insurance for expensive equipment
• > Works with other cheap travel insurance

RentalCover.com

• > Only $7 – $20 a day!
• > Affordable & easy to claim
• > Cover any rental vehicle

Insure My Trip

• > For travelers over 65 years of age
• > Allows you to compare quotes

Columbus Direct Insurance

• > Travel Insurance for residence of the UK
• > Offer some kickass deals

Gadget Cover

• > UK-specific travel insurance
• > Cover your pricey and precious electronics

Best Travel Insurance: Company Breakdowns

More of the best travel insurances, why do you even need travel insurance, travel insurance and covid, top tips for buying and using travel insurance, faq about the best travel insurance, final thoughts on the best travel insurance.

Choosing the  best travel insurance for yourself  is a matter of individual need. Each policy is different and will be more or less catered to different travelers. This in-depth review highlights some travel insurance companies that I personally used and will hopefully help you to make an informed choice regarding what type of insurance you need to cover your specific adventure.

Below I will break down the top travel insurance policies, what they cover, how much they cost, and everything else you need to know to be prepared for your next trip. I have organized each of the best travel insurance reviews by category to try and make finding the right cover for your unique, personal needs that little bit more easy and straightforward. For example, will you need medical evacua tion coverage or gadget insurance?

Each company will be examined and broken down by the following details:

• General Overview of the travel insurance
• What may the travel insurance cover ?
• What are the cons of travel insurance?
• How much does the travel insurance cost?

#1 SafetyWing – Excellent Medical Insurance for Travelers

SafetyWing is a budget, easy-to-use and overall good travel insurance that is meant to be used primarily for medical expenses. With affordable rates, a very convenient payment system, and some notable perks, SafetyWing is a great choice for those who need flexible medical insurance while traveling. It is cover intended for long term travelers who don’t really need much in the way of trip interruption or cancellation cover which makes it ideal for Digital Nomads , and slow travel budget backpackers.

SafetyWing uses a subscription-based payment system , wherein travelers pay for insurance on a monthly basis, as opposed to all at once in the beginning. This method of payment can be easier on a backpacker’s wallet, especially when you consider that rates can be as low $42/month.

Of special note is the fact that SafetyWing may even offer you some medical coverage in your home country ! This means you can visit home for the holidays, a breather, a family reunion, whatever, and may still receive medical support. This sort of provider coverage is unheard of in travel insurance and makes SafetyWing really stand out from the rest. I can personally vouch for how user friendly Safety Wing are, the policy can be set up within minutes, cancelled just as easily and I found their online support to both fast and thorough in their responses.

Convenient monthly subscription model.

Can cover medical expenses when overseas.

Evacuation repatriation, and trip interruption.

Limited medical coverage in home country – 15 days out of 90 for Americans and 30 days out of 90 for everyone else.

Limited travel insurance perks stuff like baggage, disaster-relief, and travel delays.

No coverage for personal electronics e.g. computers, phones, cameras, etc.

How Much Does a SafetyWing Policy Cost?

SafetyWing can cost as little as $42 for 28 days! Compared to some private medical insurance policies, which can cost hundreds of dollars, SafetyWing has definitely earned its spot as a cheap travel insurance.

SafetyWing’s monthly premium varies depending on a set of factors, most notably the age of the applicant. You will also have higher premiums if you visit the USA (probably due to the shitty American healthcare system). Each quote is made on a case-by-case basis though, so we suggest that you go and make your own at the official SafetyWing website . We’d still consider SafetyWing to be one of the best holiday insurances as well as one of the cheapest.

In some cases, you will need to make a co-payment at treatment e.g. $50 when being admitted to Urgent Care. Be sure to consult the policy packet for more details on this.

Need help deciding between Safety Wing or Hey Mondo ? Check out our helpful guide.

#2 World Nomads – The Travel Insurance for Backpackers

We’ll go ahead and save you some precious time and energy: World Nomads travel insurance  has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

World Nomads provides travel insurance in over 100 countries and if you leave home without travel insurance or your policy runs out, you can easily buy or extend while on the road – and that’s a big bonus!

World Nomads Travel Insurance Plans

World Nomads keeps it pretty simple. There are two plans to choose from: the  Standard Plan  and the  Explorer Plan . Depending on your country of residence, age, and travel destination(s), the prices will vary accordingly.

For the full list of what is covered under each insurance plan  click here .

How Much does World Nomads Travel Insurance Cost?

Good news! Each World Nomads insurance policy is customizable for each person. You can choose the exact dates and countries you want coverage for, and bam, you’re insured! Easy. Price is determined by your age, intended destination(s), length of trip, and what type of plan you go with.

#3 My Global Shield – Bargain Cover

My Global Shield is a travel insurance product that focuses on the specific needs of long-duration, frequent, and special-purpose international travelers.

My Global Shield provides insurance coverage tailored for international travelers, students, immigrants, and others. They offer a range of comprehensive options including visa traveler medical insurance, visa health insurance, visitors insurance, international travel medical insurance, trip insurance, and study abroad insurance??.

Some specific coverage details include medical coverage for accidents or illnesses while outside one’s home country, travel coverage for travel delays, lost checked luggage, emergency response, natural disasters, and personal liability. The medical coverage extends to hospital room and board, intensive care unit costs up to the overall policy limit, and local ambulance services. 

Their policy prices are very reasonable but in terms of downsides, they don’t seem to offer a multi-country “backpacker” cover at this time.

Competitive prices on cover

Plans available for short or long trips

COVID-19 coverage included

Serves travelers from most countries in the world

Not offering multi-country/backpacker policies

Some high risk activities not covered

How Much does My Global Shield Insurance Cost?

Prices vary depending on where you are going and when as well as the travellers age, health and all kind of factors. However My Global Shield do offer some good, competitive rates of cover including a 4 week premium cover that starts at $23.52.

#4 Faye – The Next Generation of Travel Insurance

Faye Travel Insurance provides whole-trip travel coverage and care that brings out the best in each journey with industry-leading technology that enables smarter and smoother assistance with faster  claims resolutions. Their app based travel insurance covers your health, your trip and your gear all via an app that provides real-time proactive solutions, quick reimbursements and 24/7 customer support.

If you ever do need to make a claim, then you simply log in to the app and the claim will be assessed super quickly from anywhere in the world!

Best of all, if the claim is successful then the funds will be immediately credited to the smart wallet on your phone or device and ready for you to spend.

In summary, we have tried and tested a lot of different insurance policies and we have never found anything one like this. The only downside we have found so far is that they can only offer cover to residents of 43 US States although there are plans to go nationwide in the future.

100% Digital Travel Insurance

Get a quote in 60 seconds

24/7 customer support

Quick claims processing – potential payouts within hours

Pre-existing condition & COVID-19 coverage included

Available in the US only

Not the cheapest provider

#5 Heymondo – Effective and Efficient

Heymondo are up-to-date when it comes to combining travel insurance with technology for a quick and easy experience. What truly sets them apart is their assistance app offering a 24-hour medical chat, free emergency assistance calls and incident management. How reassuring is that?! They also have a complication-free way to make a claim straight from your phone. No deductibles are also an added bonus.

Medical expenses are covered up to $10,000,000 USD so try not to damage yourself anything over that amount… If you’d like travel insurance that operates with that little extra swiftness and ease, give these guys a go.

24/7 help-line for medical chats, free emergency assistance calls and incident management

plans available for long, short-term and annual multi-trip travel

COVID-19 coverage included in each plan

Serves travelers from any country in the world

Baggage/personal property, travel disruption are NOT covered in the medical insurance plan

You’ll have to pay extra for more “extreme” activities such as white-water rafting, deep water sports, high altitude trekking, mountain biking, horse-riding etc…

How Much does Heymondo Travel Insurance Cost?

Each Heymondo insurance policy is customizable by date, countries you want coverage for, length of trip, and what type of plan you go with.

Here’s an example price quote for a person taking a 4-week trip to Europe from the USA.

There you have it. Heymondo offers coverage up to higher amounts compared to other insurance companies, but may be a little more expensive. It may not be the best for adventure activities, as you have to pay more for those, but overall, we find Heymondo to be great value for money with the premium plan being our top pick (you get a lot more for a little extra money).

The price above INCLUDES our exclusive 5% off pricing for Broke Backpacker readers.

#6 World First – Good Cheap(ish) Travel Insurance

World First is provides excellent budget travel insurance for UK residents (and they only cover UK residents). Whether you are going on a short trip or a  multi-month odyssey, World First offers a decent policy coverage starting at just a few bucks a day.

I appreciate how many different aspects of a trip they cover. Similar to World Nomads, World First offers coverage for a medical emergency, trip delay, lost or stolen cash and gear, legal advice, and dental treatment.

As is the case with budget travel insurance, the coverage benefits are somewhat limited (and I will cover that in the cons).

If you are looking to buy cheap travel insurance to buy yourself some travel protection, or you just need to appease your mother by obtaining insurance, buying World First travel insurance is a great choice.

Sometimes the best travel insurance for you, is the cheapest travel insurance.

Can be tailored to your own needs, budget, and intended activities.

The “Platinum” policy option can cover personal belongings up to £4000.

Maximum excess charge is just £50.

Poor dental coverage.

The reimbursement in case of death is minimal.

Only available for UK residents. Sorry…

How Much Does A World First Insurance Policy Cost?

The example below is for a 2-month trip to the USA for someone 25 years of age.

For a little over £1.16 a day you can have decent travel insurance. That’s awesome! For what you get in return, World First is an excellent coverage option and certainly one of the best travel insurance providers for budget backpackers.

Once again, Travel Insurance Terms and Conditions do vary from time to time and depending on the individual. Make sure you read the policy T & C’s very carefully.

#7 Insure My Equipment – Best Travel Insurance for Covering Electronics

Insuremyequipment.com is a website providing comprehensive travel insurance for expensive equipment (like camera gear). You can get specific pieces of gear insured so you know exactly what will be covered. I have had separate cover for my MacBook for years now and was very glad that I had it when the Mother board blew back in 2018…

Ok so an Insure My Equipment  policy works well in combination with another cheap travel insurance that covers medical expenses. That way you can have the best of both worlds; Completely protect your expensive electronics as well as yourself.

Insure My Equipment policies are excellent for professionals and backpackers with more than $3000-$4000 worth of camera equipment.

Offers the option to insure equipment that is rented or owned For owned equipment, there is a $750,000 maxlimit.

Easy to set up and clear about what is covered.

Good customer feedback.

No medical or trip protection benefits.

Not ideal for the average backpacker: Insure My Equipment specialize in protecting high-end gear.

How Much Does an Insure My Equipment Policy Cost?

Each policy offered by Insure My Equipment is tailored to the items and coverage you need.

The best way to find out travel insurance prices for your gear is to build a custom quote on their website. That way, you can find out what the insurance costs are in relation to your own equipment.

For insuring several high-end cameras lenses, a laptop, and other electronic bits, you are looking at between $350/500 a year.

Remember, Travel Insurance Terms and Conditions do vary from time to time and depending on the individual. Make sure you read the policy T & C’s very carefully.

#8 RentalCover.com – Vehicle Insurance for Travelers

Ever had a small accident on the road that turned into an expensive and nightmarish holiday? So have we. We know the pain of interrupting your travels to deal with your rental company, the repair mechanics, and your bank all at once whilst staying in a dodgy motel because you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere. There goes your holiday (sigh).

That’s why if you plan on renting a vehicle , we suggest you arm yourself with car rental insurance for your travels! You’ll avoid being stuck in a very unpleasant situation and will not only save time but also heaps of money, and most importantly, frustration.

Our top pick for rental car insurance for travel is RentalCover.com . Heard of them before? They’re super affordable and easy to purchase and claim from – what you see is what you get, so you can sit back and relax knowing that they’ve got your back.

RentalCover.com is a global independent rental insurance provider that may be able to cover any rental vehicle (cars, 4x4s, motorhomes, minibuses, etc.) from any rental company, anywhere around the world. That’s not all. On top of this, RentalCover.com may be able to cover everything excluded by rental companies. This includes, but isn’t limited to:

All these benefits make RentalCover.com our top pick for car insurance for backpackers on the market.

Policies around $10 – $15 a day.

Valid claims usually paid within  3 business days .

Policies all have  zero excess . If you’re in trouble, they refund you – end of the story.

Customizable policies to cater to every traveler.

Unfortunately, some rental companies don’t yet recognize them and insist you buy THEIR cover.

Only insures the car, not you and not the rest of your trip.

How Much Does RentalCover.com Policy Cost?

RentalCover.com policies cost only $7 – $20 a day on average depending on the destination, the vehicle type, and the driver’s age. Their price is a lot cheaper than the ones we’ve seen at the rental desk, which usually charge you around $15 – $30 a day. Also, as everything’s covered, you’ll get every penny back on what you’ve spent on repairs.

#8 Generali Global Assistance – Insurance for Travelers With Preexisting Conditions

One day you’re young and fit, the next you’re worrying about whether you can even get travel insurance to cover your newly acquired health condition. Plus, it’s not just older travelers either that might have to worry, those who have a long-standing injury, complications from illnesses or conditions that make other companies wary too.

So if you do fall under those unfortunate categories, then fear not, because Generali Global Assistance has your back. Sure, it’s not going to be the cheapest insurance on the market, but when you’re dealing with preexisting conditions things get complicated and expensive fast. With Generali Global Assistance you know once you pay out, you’re covered.

Generali Global Assistance prides itself on its 24-7 support to make sure whatever and whenever something does arise, they’re always there to support you through it. They have an award-winning team that includes concierge services for a variety of traveling needs on top of claims.

Whilst they do offer three levels of cover, premium, preferred and standard, it is only premium that offers coverage for pre-existing conditions. The plus side is that if you do opt for that then it comes with a whole host of additional benefits including cover for rental cars and some of the highest rates for both trip interruption coverage and baggage loss coverage that I’ve seen, including sports equipment.

Policies around $17-$22 a day for premium

You can qualify for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions if you buy the policy prior to or within 24 hours of making your final trip payment.

Interruption coverage of up to 175% of your trip costs (Premium)

High level of baggage loss coverage at $2,000 per person (Premium)

They are one of the more expensive providers on the market.

Only their premium policy offers coverage for pre-existing conditions

How Much Does Generali Global Assistance Policy Cost?

Generali Global Assistance policies cost around $17-$22 a day on average for premium coverage. Whilst this is expensive compared to other standard insurance on the market, you do get a lot more for your money and crucially, you’ll get the best pre-existing condition coverage out there.

We’ve gone over all of the main travel insurance companies of 2022 already, but there are a few more unique ones that need to be mentioned as well. For a more specific travel insurance, choose from these ones:

#9 Insure My Trip – Travel Insurance for Older Travelers

For travelers over 65 years of age, Insure My Trip is one of the travel insurance companies on the market.  Their website allows you to compare quotes and prices from various policies so that you can easily find the one that works for you. If for some reason you are unhappy with a plan you have purchased, you may be able to get a refund.

Overall, consider a specialized senior travel insurance to enjoy your travels fully.

#10 Columbus Direct Insurance – Travel Insurance for Ozzies and Kiwis

These guys offer some kickass deals on backpacker travel insurance for residents of the UK. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, be sure to read the terms and conditions thoroughly before taking up the insurance.

#11 Gadget Cover – Electronics Travel Insurance for UK Residents

Well, that didn’t last long. We’re back with another UK-specific travel insurance specifically for protecting your gadgets and electronics.  Cover your pricey and precious electronics while on the road. Particularly suited for people who take numerous trips per year, returning to the UK often. Gadget Cover’s Total Transparency Manifesto  makes understanding their policies plain and simple.

To us travelling with a proper insurance seems like a no-brainer, but we had to learn the hard way as well. You might be thinking:

• Why do I even need travel insurance?
• Am I wasting my time thinking about travel insurance?
• Is it important anyway?
• Where did I leave my goddamn keys?

We can answer three of those questions.

Let’s be honest. None of us wants  to pay for travel insurance. That said, nobody wants to lose a ton of money in general… and that can easily happen when you are on any given backpacking adventure.

Buying travel insurance is an investment and a safety net to guard against the unplanned craziness of traveling. Maybe you won’t use it on your first trip, or your second, or third, but you will eventually need it, and you’ll want to be ready.

Whilst hunting for the best travel insurance can be a pain in the ass, don’t worry, we have done all of the hard work for you (including learning lessons the hard way).

Things that happened to The Broke Backpacker team on the road…

• My backpack was stolen with all worldly possessions inside.
• Needed stitches in the head after crashing a motorbike in Thailand.
• Strikes in Bucharest meant getting stuck in traffic for hours and missing a flight.
• Spending two weeks in a hospital in Costa Rica after nearly dying in the jungle.
• Needed to go on an IV in Pakistan after being sick for days.
• Dengue fever in Thailand and grounded for a week in a clinic; there was no hospital nearby.

We want to point out that this all happened over nearly a decade of traveling the world. Most of the time, when you travel, nothing goes wrong. But it only takes one poor decision, a misjudged bend in the road, one sneaky-bastard thief, or plain bad luck to change everything.

A question we often get asked is whether you can buy travel insurance after departure . The answer is yes!

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

What Makes a Good Travel Insurance Policy?

When trying to decide what the best travel insurance company is for you, you need to first assess your own needs. Every type of trip and traveler requires a different level of travel insurance. What may be the best travel insurance for you might not be best for the next person.

You’ll need to start asking some questions about your planned destination and what you may be doing whilst your backpacking there.

• Do you have high-end electronics you need to protect?
• Are you traveling to a dangerous country with the potential for civil unrest, political strife, or armed conflict?
• Do you plan on undertaking risky activities abroad like skiing, mountaineering, or rock climbing?
• Are you traveling long-term and just need basic protection?

Once all of these questions are answered, you can start looking for the right travel insurance for your travel needs. And let us tell you, simply going for the cheapest one might not cut it for everyone…

When COVID-19 first rocked the world in 2020, most travel insurers were quick to invoke their cancellation clauses and pull all cover relating to either illness, cancellation or disruption caused by the pesky pandemic.

These days, most insurance providers are offering some form of COVID insurance coverage included within their policies, but some are more useful than others. Whilst many now cover hospitalisation caused by COVID infections, fewer are offering any kind of cover for disruption or cancellation such as being refused boarding on a flight for displaying symptoms, or having to cancel your trip because of a positive test.

Whilst the pandemic has largely subsided, COVID is still able to severely disrupt travel plans. Therefore do consider paying close attention to the finer details of any insurers COVID-19 cover.

There are some tips and tricks when purchasing a travel insurance. To make sure that you won’t have to go through all the hassle we went through, we’ve listed our insider knowledge below.

How to Make a Claim on your Travel Insurance Policy

This is the best piece of advice we can give you: if you need to make a claim, get all your documents in order as soon as possible.

If you have been robbed you will need a police report. In general, getting a police report tends to vastly speed up payment on your claim. Most insurance companies require a report.

Keeping receipts of all the valuables you take traveling is a really good idea – the insurance company will want to see that you actually bought the items in the first place before they payout.

You need to be patient when it comes to actually getting paid as even the best insurance companies sometimes drag their feet. If the first offer that the travel insurance company makes you is ridiculously low then dispute it – the second offer is usually a lot better.

Point being, the more documentation you have regarding the items you are traveling with, the better. It’s not a bad idea to have a date-marked picture of all of your stuff before setting off on a trip.

If you do have expensive electronics, register the items with the company. That way, you can easily look up the exact model you had before you broke/lost it. If registering the equipment isn’t an option, write down the serial numbers or barcodes and stash that information somewhere safe. Jotting down the serial numbers of your phone, laptop, and camera might seem tedious and a bit overkill, but you should only have to do it once. If the time comes when you actually need that information on hand, you’ll sure be happy to have it.

Declaring Pre-Existing Conditions

First off, read all of the fine print of any travel insurance policy you buy. Almost all insurance companies will not issue payment for medical treatment you receive as a result of a pre-existing condition. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, then you should seek out recommended travel insurance that will cover you with full knowledge of that condition.

If you make a claim with a travel insurance company and they uncover your medical history (which they inevitably will), they will most-likely declare your insurance void and you will be stuck with the bill.

Insurance companies will usually do anything to avoid paying you. Having a secret pre-existing medical condition that you fail to report is a sure way to get your policy nullified. Be honest. Read the fine print. Do your homework on what is covered and what is not (especially with regard to pre-existing conditions).

Do everything in your power to ensure you get paid by the insurance company when you need to be.

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, you do. Whether it’s a short trip or a long one, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You never know what could happen.

What is the best travel insurance for long-term travellers?

Long term travellers might have a harder time finding the right insurance. Luckily, Alpha Travel Insurance offers the best coverage for being on the roads for a long time.

What is the most reliable travel insurance for backpackers?

We can only speak from experience and we’re more than happy with the services of World Nomads travel insurance.

How do you make a travel insurance claim?

If you need to make a claim, the most important thing you need to do is have all of your documents ready BEFORE you reach out to them. That means police reports, receipts, personal information, etc.

Shopping reviews for the best travel insurance is nobody’s idea of a good time. That said, it does pay to research prices and policies and find the right company that will cover all of your needs whilst not breaking the bank.

Travel insurance is just one of those things that we would never travel without. Whichever company you end up traveling with, get to know the policy intimately. Read it yourself very carefully. We can’t emphasize that enough! The more you know your insurance policy, the more you will know about how and when to use it. Make sure you read the policy T & C’s very carefully.

As I have said before, my favorite go-to travel insurance is  World Nomads . They are affordable and may be able to insure backpackers for 100+ countries. For many travelers, World Nomads is a great company to go with.

We sincerely hope that you stay safe whilst having amazing adventures over the course of your traveling career! Happy travels… see you down the road. If you’re insured.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Aiden Freeborn

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Thank you for sharing your insights on the best travel insurance.

I was wondering if you had any recommendations for companies that also include coverage in your home country. My husband and I have quit our jobs and are planning internationally for 6-8 months; Since we are no longer covered by our employers, we are trying to figure out how to get primary health coverage at home in addition to travel coverage – any suggestions?

Sorry, but we are not familiar with personal health insurance policies in specific countries. We can only offer advice for travel insurance. cheers

I was going to register the domain insuremycrap.com

You beat us! :p

You didn’t mentioned but the First Allied has $250 Excess. From the policy:

Section C: Medical Expenses Conditions

1. From each claim shall be deducted USD 250 being the amount of the Excess under this insurance.

Yes, you are correct. Thanks for the additional info.

Three years ago I bought travel Ins for first time ever in case luggage was lost. After buying airline ticket, bought travel ins on same website. I got sick abroad. AIG paid urgent care, tests, hospitalization 4 days, medicines, upgraded my airline ticket from coach to first class, provided nurse to travel with me from abroad to Los Angeles, wheelchair at airports, car pick up at both ends of trip, faxes, calls, portion airline ticket coach I did not use,.. Took 2 months to process full claim but I got excellent service for $50 travel insurance.

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• Travel insurance
• Backpackers

Backpacker travel insurance

Find a great deal on backpacker insurance by comparing quotes, get backpacker travel insurance from £22.50*, get cover in minutes for trips lasting up to 18 months, help protect yourself against unexpected costs while travelling to multiple countries, get cover for adventure activities like scuba diving and skiing.

*The cheapest policy for a European backpacker trip based on 1 adult aged 30, with no previous medical conditions travelling for 1 month. Based on Confused.com data, correct as of April 2024.

What is backpacker travel insurance?

Backpacker travel insurance is designed to cover you for an extended trip to multiple countries. Single trip  and annual travel insurance  generally cover you for up to 31 days per trip. But backpacker insurance can cover you for one trip lasting up to 18 months.

Backpacker insurance is available for individuals or groups. Whether you're taking a gap year or simply taking a break to explore the world, a backpacker travel insurance policy makes sure you're covered.

Do I need backpacker insurance?

If you plan on travelling for more than 31 days and want to visit multiple countries on your trip, you should consider backpacker insurance. This includes going interrailing around Europe. Backpacking is associated with higher risk than regular travel, as you might be away longer and taking part in more dangerous activities. Standard travel insurance  doesn't normally include enough cover for these types of trips.

Check the entry requirements of the countries you're travelling to, though. Some, like Cuba , require proof of an active travel insurance policy or you'll be refused entry.

How do I compare backpacker travel insurance quotes?

Tell us about yourself

Tell us about yourself and whether you're travelling solo or with a group.

Tell us about your cover

Let us know if there's any additional cover you need, or if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.

Compare quotes

Compare backpacker insurance quotes from up to 43 1  trusted UK providers. Choose the policy that best suits your needs.

1 Correct as of March 2024

How much does backpackers travel insurance cost?

The price of your holiday insurance  will depend on several factors, including how long you're planning on travelling for:

2 The cheapest backpacker policies based on 1 adult aged 30, with no previous medical conditions travelling in Europe. Correct as of April 2024.

What impacts the price of backpacker insurance?

• What countries you're visiting:  Some countries charge more for medical care. Others are further away and include longer or multiple flights that risk being delayed or cancelled. Your insurance price reflects this.
• How long you're travelling for:  The longer you're away, the higher your chance of becoming ill or injured. This increases the chance of you claiming on your insurance, increasing the price.
• Additional cover:  Including extras like gadget insurance would increase the amount of cover you get. So, it costs more.
• Pre-existing medical conditions:  These can mean you're more likely to need medical care during your trip. So, while you should still be able to get cover for most conditions, it typically costs more.
• Your age:  Travel insurance companies sometimes impose an upper age limit, or offer specialist policies for those over a certain age. This is because the older you are, the more at risk you are of illness or injury.

What does backpacker insurance cover?

Your policy should cover:.

• Medical treatment and repatriation  in case you become ill or injured overseas.
• Loss, damage or theft or your personal belongings  such as money, luggage or travel documents.
• Delays and cancellations  if your flights or travel arrangements are disrupted or your trip is cut short.
• Returning home  for short periods is normally covered by backpackers policies.
• Working and volunteering abroad  is often covered, so you're covered for things like injuries or damage that occur while you're working.

It won't normally cover:

• Travelling against government advice.  If you travel against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), you're not covered by new or active travel insurance policies.
• Incidents that occur under the influence  or drugs or alcohol.
• Injury following reckless activity.  If you're injured from reckless or illegal behaviour, you aren't covered by your travel insurance.
• Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions.  Any pre-existing medical conditions should be declared when buying a policy. Otherwise, treatment for them or issues associated with them is unlikely to be covered.

What our travel insurance expert says

Free eSIM with up to 2GB of roaming data when you buy travel insurance**

With roaming charges making an unwelcome return, eSIMs are a convenient option when travelling. eSIMs are non-physical and are embedded into most newer smartphones; meaning you won’t have to put anything physical into your device, it should already be there.

Simply buy your travel insurance, claim your free eSIM, and install it onto your device at the tap of a button. Your eSIM with 2GB of roaming data will kick in on a local mobile network when you get to your destination.

Choosing the right backpacker insurance policy

When you get a quote for backpackers insurance, you can tailor the policies to suit your needs. It's worth considering the following when filling out the quote form:

Couples travel insurance

If you're travelling with a partner that you live with, a couples backpacking policy might be cheaper than taking out individual ones.

Group travel insurance

Winter sports travel insurance

If you're planning on taking part in any winter sports activities, like skiing, while you're backpacking, you might need additional cover. These activities are considered high-risk, so are often excluded from standard insurance.

Adventure travel insurance

If activities like skydiving or scuba diving are on your backpacking itinerary, a standard travel insurance policy might not offer enough cover. So, you may need to add adventure sports cover to your policy.

Can I get backpacker travel insurance if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, as long as you declare any pre-existing medical conditions , you should still be able to find cover.

However, some insurers may not cover travellers with multiple conditions or certain serious conditions. Others might only offer insurance at a much higher price.

If you can't find suitable cover, the Money and Pension Service (MaPS) has a directory of insurers willing to cover customers with pre-existing medical conditions.

Travel insurance for popular backpacking destinations

Australia is one of the most popular destinations for Brits heading off on a backpacking adventure.

The USA's vast national parks, city breaks, road tripping opportunities and beaches means there's something for everyone.

Often voted one of the best destinations for backpackers, Thailand is always a popular choice for Brits.

Schengen Area

If you're planning on interrailing, you might be heading to countries within the Schengen Area.

We compare 43 trusted travel insurance companies 1 to find you our best deals

Why compare backpackers insurance quotes with Confused.com?

We're regulated by the financial conduct authority (fca).

All of the travel insurance companies we work with are also regulated by the FCA. This means you can be certain that we do things the right way for you, following strict guidelines.

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This means we're not owned by any insurance company, so the prices you see are the best available based on your information, not who they're from.

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We promise to look after your personal details. You can read more about our security and privacy policy here .

UK-based customer support

If you need help, visit our contact page  to get in touch with our Cardiff-based team.

Compare backpacker travel insurance quotes

What are the different types of travel insurance, activity travel insurance.

will cover you if you’re planning an action-filled sports trip.

European travel insurance

it will cover you for any holidays that you've got planned in Europe this year.

Long stay travel insurance

is the perfect policy for those who plan to travel for an extended period.

Annual travel insurance

is the perfect option if you plan on traveling more than once a year.

Over 50's travel insurance

allows you to easily get a quote for travellers over the age of 50.

Pre-existing medical travel insurance

policies may cover treatment for specific medical conditions.

Single trip travel insurance

is an affordable way to make sure you're covered on your next holiday.

Worldwide travel insurance

will cover you for travel to multiple locations around the world.

How do I claim on my travel insurance when I'm abroad?

You should keep a note of your policy number and any contact information for your insurer when travelling.

If you need to claim for medical expenses, it's important to contact your insurance company as soon as you can. Ideally, this would be before agreeing to any treatment to make sure you're covered. Keep copies of all medical forms and bills to give to your insurer.

If you're the victim of a crime, most insurers require a police report within 24 hours. The police will provide you with a crime reference number that you should give to your insurer.

If your luggage has been lost and you need to replace any items, you may have to pay for replacements upfront and claim the cost back. Keep receipts for anything you buy as your insurer will need to see them to validate your claim.

Need more help?

Do you have any extra advice for backpackers.

Here’s what you should think about before going travelling:

• Check visa requirements for the countries you plan to visit.  Some countries require visas on arrival, so ensure you have the necessary documents before departing.
• Remember to get any necessary vaccinations,  including Covid-19 vaccinations. Check with your GP for any additional jabs you might need like yellow fever or rabies. You might need to get some well in advance of your trip, so plan accordingly.
• Tell your bank  you're going overseas to avoid any issues with flagged transactions that could result in your card being blocked.
• Contact your mobile phone provider  to check for any potential overseas charges. Be cautious when using free Wi-Fi abroad, especially for confidential or banking transactions.
• Show respect for different countries  and their customers by researching them before your trip.
• Learn common phrases  in the country's national language, such as "please" and "thank you".

Travel insurance guides

Travelling to the USA? Then don’t forget ESTA

For any holidays or trip to the USA you'll need as ESTA. We take you through what it is and how to apply for one.

ETIAS: What is it and when does it start?

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS is a new form you need to get before you travel to Europe and the Schengen area in 2025.

Emergency travel documents

Losing your passport or having it stolen is a nightmare scenario. As well as enabling you to travel freely, your passport is also a recognised proof of identity.

EHIC and GHIC cards

An EHIC or GHIC card can provide vital peace of mind if you need medical treatment when you’re overseas. Get the lowdown on how they work and what’s changed since we left the EU with our guide.

How much will being overweight on baggage or luggage cost you?

Adding a few extra items to your baggage can end up costing you a lot of money. Here’s our top tips to avoid those charges!

Page last reviewed: 25 April 2024

Reviewed by:  Alvaro Iturmendi

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• Backpacker Travel Insurance

Backpacker travel insurance

For travellers aged 18 – 60

Covers one trip of up to 18 months

Return home for up to 7 days on 3 occasions

Make sure you’re properly prepared for your adventure overseas

You've worked out where you're going, sorted out the passport and visas, and taken your vaccinations. Now you're ready to take on the world. Add backpacker cover to our economy travel insurance, and you’ll be good to go.

Medical Assistance Plus: 24/7 holiday health support

Have peace of mind when you travel knowing health professionals are just one click away.

Medical Assistance Plus, powered by Air Doctor, comes free with all our travel insurance policies (1). It gives you access to outpatient medical support while you’re away.

Through the service you can book an in-person or video consultation with a doctor. You can also get prescriptions delivered to your nearest pharmacy.

We’ll send you an SMS reminder about the service the day before you travel (for single-trip and backpacker cover) or the day before your policy begins (for annual multi-trip cover).

What’s covered?

Here’s a summary of the cover our backpacker policies provide. For full details check our policy documents.

An accident abroad

Few countries have total universal healthcare like the UK’s NHS. Most countries outside of the EU don’t have mutual healthcare agreements with the UK. This means the cost of getting treatment can be very expensive. Travel insurance is there to protect you and help when you’re at your most vulnerable

Lost valuables

Some holiday mishaps are down to sheer bad luck. Getting pickpocketed on a busy street. Your airline mislaying your bags. Or someone picking up the wrong rucksack at the bus stop. You just can’t plan for losing your valuables. But you can plan to get help with the replacement costs by getting a backpacker travel insurance quote with us

Sporting activities included

If you’re off travelling the world with a backpack, we’re willing to bet you can be tempted by the odd adventure sport or two. We cover over 100 sports and activities free of charge, but there are some we don’t cover at all. Check your policy wording for the full list and our terms and conditions, as some aren’t covered for personal injury or personal liability

How much cover do you get?

Our backpacker travel insurance comes with our economy cover. Here are some of the cover highlights.

Policy wording

Upgrade your cover with ease

Need cover for your policy that's not included as standard? Just pay a little more to add these upgrades – optional or mandatory depending on the trip type.

This optional extra helps protect you from the impact of airspace disruption, natural catastrophes, terrorist acts or Covid-19 (5)

If you’re happy with the cover offered, but worried about excess fees, you can opt for an excess waiver. For an additional premium, you can add it to any Post Office level of cover for zero excess fees (5)

Insure all your devices with our easy-to-add gadget cover. It’s perfect to protect all your smartphones, tablets, laptops and consoles (5)

Specialist cover is mandatory for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. There’s greater risk of emergency costs. Make sure you’re protected on the pistes (5)

If you're going on a cruise, specialist cover is both important and mandatory. It covers missed departure due to breakdown, falling ill on board, being confined to your cabin, lost baggage and more (5)

Trip extensions are available up to 45 or 60 days, increasing from the standard 31 days (5)

All medical conditions considered

Living with a medical condition shouldn’t stop you seeing the world. And, with the right travel insurance in place, you can enjoy peace of mind on your adventures – just in case something unfortunate happens.

At Post Office, we cover most pre-existing conditions. Contact us for a quote to see if we can cover you. It’s important to declare upfront all your medical conditions and any medication you're taking.

If we can't help and yours is a serious pre-existing medical condition, check the  Money and Pensions Scheme (MaPS) directory. It lists companies that may be able to help you. Or call 0800 138 7777 .

Ready to get a quote?

Let’s find the protection that’s right for your travels. Get a quote for Post Office Travel Insurance

Common questions

What is backpacker insurance.

Backpacker insurance is designed for those of us who like to travel the world – and we’ve taken a lot into account. So, you can return home for up to seven days as many as three times. And there are over 100 sports and activities included, so it’s designed with you in mind.

Am I eligible for backpacker travel insurance?

To be eligible for Post Office Backpacker Insurance you must:

• Be aged between 18 and 60 years
• Reside in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
• Be registered with a GP in one of these places

Conditions and exclusions apply. For full details of what's included with your cover, check the policy wording .

Will I need extra cover with backpacker insurance?

While we’ve included a lot of adventure sports as standard on Post Office Backpacker Insurance, you’ll still need extra cover for winter sports . You can add this to your policy for an additional premium.

You can also add excess waiver cover . With this added cover, you won’t need to pay any part of any claims that you make.

Before you buy travel insurance, you should thoroughly check our policy terms and conditions. This way you’ll be sure that any adventure sports or activities you want to take part in are fully covered. A good example is if you’re planning to do any voluntary manual work while you’re away. Please be aware that if you need to make a claim, the excess will increase to £250, and purchasing the optional excess waiver won’t remove this excess.

What’s covered with backpacker insurance?

Post Office Backpacker Insurance is similar to other forms of travel insurance. It’ll cover you for medical emergency, the cancellation or cutting short of your trip, and loss of your belongings. It’s available with our economy level insurance. It’s a good idea to check our policy documents to make sure it has all the cover you need for your trip.

Is there a discount for students?

Yes, there is. We’ve partnered with Student Beans to offer a student discount. Log in with your Student Beans account to claim your discount code . Or, if you don’t have one, you’ll need to register for a Student Beans account to verify you’re a student.

When getting a quote for Post Office Travel Insurance please enter your discount code into the promotion code box. The discount will be taken off your quote total.

Do you offer a discount for graduates?

Yes, we do. We’ve partnered with Grad Beans to offer a discount to students. To claim it, you’ll need to either register for a Grad Beans account (to verify your graduate status) or log in with your existing account . You’ll be given a unique code, which you’ll need to enter in the promotion code box that appears when getting your travel insurance quote. The discount will be taken off your quote total.

• Read more travel insurance FAQs

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For emergency medical assistance, to make a claim, manage your account online, find answers to common questions about our cover or get in touch:  

Visit our travel insurance support page

Register your policy

If you haven’t yet registered your Post Office Travel Insurance policy, enter your details and create a log in so you can access it any time 

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Travel insurance policy types

Backpacker cover.

• Cover for a one-off trip up to 18 months
• Option to return home for up to 7 days on 3 occasions.
• For people aged 18 – 60 wanting to travel the world for a gap year or career break

Single-trip cover

• Cover for a one-off trip in the UK or abroad
• Perfect for one-off trips or longer holidays of up to 365 days (3)
• No age limit

Annual multi-trip cover

• Cover for multiple-trips for a 12-month period
• 31-day trip limit, with extensions available up to 45 and 60 days
• Available for everyone aged up to 75 years

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Policy documents

To access your policy documents, select your cover level then tell us the date you bought your cover.

Policy numbers starting with TC

Policies are underwritten by Collinson Insurance:

• Policy wording - purchased on or after the 28 March 2024
• Policy wording - purchased on or after 31 August 2023
• Policy wording – purchased on or after 17 August 2022
• Policy wording – purchased on or after 31 March 2022

About our travel insurance

Post Office® Travel Insurance is arranged by Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited.

Post Office Limited is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited are registered in England and Wales. Registered numbers 2154540 and 08459718 respectively. Registered Office: 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER. Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trademarks of Post Office Limited.

These details can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting the Financial Conduct Authority website and searching by Firm Reference Number (FRN).

(1) This service is not available for trips taken in the UK, only for international travel. The service allows up to 3 separate medical events per person, per policy and for each medical event up to 3 appointments per person listed on the policy. All appointment charges are covered by your travel insurance policy. You will not need to pay any excess fees for this service.

For any online appointments or where the appointment was held at your accommodation, where a prescription is issued, you will need to pay for any medication and claim upon your return home. No excess will be applied for any prescription charges. If your appointment takes place at a clinic and they have a dispensing chemist, you will not need to pay for your prescription and all charges will be covered by your policy at the point of appointment. If there is no dispensing chemist at the clinic, you will either be given a prescription, or the prescription will be sent to a chemist by the treating doctor, and you will need to pay for any medication and claim upon your return home.

If your medical situation needs to be handed over from an outpatient case to an inpatient case and requires hospital admission, you will be handed over to our emergency medical assistance team in the UK. For any inpatient cases, no excess will be applicable.

(3) For economy, standard and premier policies, the single-trip policy will cover you for one trip up to:

• 365 days for those aged up to and including 70 years
• 90 days for those aged between 71 and 75
• 31 days for those aged 76 years and above

(5) Terms and conditions apply.

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The Guide to Single Trip Travel Insurance

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Table of Contents

How single trip travel insurance works

How to choose between travel insurance companies, best plans for single trip travel insurance, other tips for travel insurance for a single trip, travel cards that come with complimentary travel insurance, single travel insurance for a trip recapped.

There are many types of travel insurance, including plans that’ll reimburse you for emergency medical expenses or unexpected travel delays. Along with coverage types, there are also different durations of travel insurance.

Single trip travel insurance will cover you during one vacation, while multitrip or annual travel insurance can last for multiple outings. Let’s take a look at single trip travel insurance, what kind of coverage you can expect and how to choose a plan that works for you.

Purchasing a travel insurance plan is fairly simple, as is making a claim. It generally goes like this:

You gather a few quotes from travel insurance companies.

You pick a plan that suits your needs and customize it to your liking.

You purchase your plan and include a date for it to start.

You go on your trip.

If something happens (such as a flight delay), keep the proof.

You make a claim with your travel insurance company.

The travel insurance company reimburses you. 

There are a few variations in how this can work (for instance, some travel insurance plans can pay a medical provider directly), but for the most part, this is how the process will go. This is the case whether you have one-trip travel insurance or multitrip travel insurance.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

There are several travel insurance companies out there, which can make choosing a plan difficult.

NerdWallet analysis found that some travel insurance providers rise above the rest in terms of breadth and depth of coverage, cost, customizability, and overall customer satisfaction. Jump to see our findings on the bets plans for single trip travel insurance.

However, before choosing a company and purchasing a plan, consider these questions:

How much am I willing to pay?

Do I want trip protection, emergency medical coverage or both?

Do I already have coverage somewhere?

How much customizability does my plan need?

Do I need coverage for preexisting conditions?

Will I be doing any sort of adventure activities?

Once you’ve answered these questions, do your due diligence and get quotes from multiple sources. Different providers will offer differing levels of coverage at varying prices, so it’s in your best interest to generate as many quotes as possible and read the fine print.

To make it simple, travel insurance aggregators such as Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will provide you with multiple quotes at a time.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

We considered a wide variety of factors when it comes to selecting the best insurance for your trip. These factors include cost, customizability, coverage maximums, whether preexisting conditions are included and the type of coverage the policy offers.

World Nomads

World Nomads is great for active travelers because of its standard coverage of adventure activities. With just two plans from which to choose, it’s also simple to decide which one you’d like.

Covers 200-plus activities as standard. 

Simple plan options.

Emergency medical coverage included.

Only two choices for policies.

Riskier activities are covered only by the more expensive Explorer plan. 

Fixed-rate reimbursement for trip protection.

» Learn more: Read our full review of World Nomads

With eight plans on offer, Tin Leg has a policy for every type of traveler. Along with standard trip protections, Tin Leg also offers Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-ons.

Plenty of plans from which to choose. 

Preexisting conditions included in most plans. 

Primary and secondary medical coverage options. 

Cheapest plan doesn’t cover preexisting medical conditions.

Rental car coverage add-on available only on Luxury plan. 

» Learn more: Is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance worth it?

Seven Corners

Seven Corners is an excellent option for those who really want to customize their plans. Whether you’re looking for medical-only insurance or a more comprehensive policy, Seven Corners has options available.

Preexisting condition coverage available.

Medical-only plans on offer.

Covers missed tours and cruise connections. 

Inexpensive plan offers secondary medical insurance.

Event ticket registration coverage only for expensive plan. 

» Learn more: Is Seven Corners coverage worth the cost?

Our last company on the list is unique in that it covers those who use travel rewards, like purchasing flights or hotels with points and miles . This is fairly uncommon among travel insurance providers and can be really helpful when things go awry during award travel.

Plan options include accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) travel life insurance. 

Covers up to $300 in frequent traveler reward costs. 

Worldwide travel assistance included on every policy.

Cancel For Any Reason insurance available only on most expensive plan. 

Just $35,000 in emergency medical for basic plan (low compared to similar policies at other companies).

» Learn more: Our full TravelSafe review

If you’re interested in getting travel insurance, do yourself a favor and consider these tips before making any purchases:

Consult your medical insurance provider to see whether it offers coverage out of country .

Consider an annual plan to save money if you make multiple trips per year.

Check your credit card for complimentary travel insurance . Many offer this benefit, and if its limits are satisfactory, you can book your travels with it and avoid buying a separate policy out-of-pocket altogether. More on this in the next section.

If you're looking to get coverage for a one-off trip, among your best options is to simply pay for your travel with a card that includes travel insurance as a benefit.

Most travel cards will include coverage for things like trip interruption , trip delays and lost luggage .

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

If you’re in the market for single trip travel insurance, there are plenty of options available to you. Before purchasing a plan, grab quotes from multiple companies because the types of coverage and costs are going to vary.

Beyond this, be sure to check whether your credit card offers complimentary travel insurance and reach out to your medical insurance provider to see what type of coverage it offers overseas.

American Express insurance disclosures

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

85,000 Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Tips For Backpacking – How To Travel on a Budget

By: Author Ruben Arribas

Posted on June 5, 2024

Categories Travel Advice

We will write a full guide with our best tips for backpacking and how to travel on a budget.

Backpacking is a great way to explore the world on a budget. Here are some tips to help you travel efficiently, save money, and make the most of your backpacking adventure.

Read here  How to plan along trip on a budget  and  travel with bicycle without money !

Read here  Best eSim for International Travel  and  Best Travel Insurance Comparison

Table of Contents

Tips For Backpacking – Planning Your Trip

Set a budget.

Determine how much you can spend overall and break it down into daily expenses. Include costs for accommodation, food, transportation, activities, and emergencies.

Choose Budget-Friendly Destinations

Look for countries where the cost of living is lower. Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and parts of South America are popular among budget travelers.

Plan Your Route

Map out your destinations to minimize travel costs and time. Use tools like Rome2rio to compare transportation options.

Get A Travel Insurance

Purchase travel insurance that covers health, accidents, theft, and cancellations. Compare policies to find the best deal.

Two of our favorite travel insurance:  Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance . You can get for  $135 USD  your  Heymondo   Travel Insurance  with Heymondo discount code  valid for 90 days. Read our full comparison of  Genki vs Safetywing Travel Insurance Review  and the comparison  Heymondo vs Genki

Packing Light

Use a durable, comfortable backpack. Bring versatile clothing that can be layered. Pack essential toiletries in travel-sized containers.

Essentials:

First-aid kit Reusable water bottle Portable charger Lightweight sleeping bag or liner Travel towel

Smartphone with travel apps Lightweight laptop or tablet (optional) Universal power adapter

Read here how to pack for traveling

Get Cheap Accommodation

Stay in hostels to save money and meet other travelers. Use apps like Hostelworld or Booking.com to find affordable options.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION

Camp in designated areas to save on accommodation costs. Bring a lightweight tent and sleeping bag.

Work Exchange

Participate in work exchange programs (e.g., Workaway, HelpX) for free accommodation in exchange for a few hours of work.

Couchsurfing

Use Couchsurfing to stay with locals for free and experience the culture firsthand.

Budget Hotels and Guesthouses

Look for budget hotels and guesthouses, especially in off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Budget On Transportation

Use flight comparison websites like Skyscanner or Google Flights to find cheap flights. Consider budget airlines for shorter distances.

Trains and Buses

Travel by train or bus to save money and enjoy scenic routes. Look for passes (e.g., Eurail Pass) that offer unlimited travel within a certain period.

Local Transportation

Use public transportation, walk, or rent a bicycle to explore cities.

Carpooling and Ridesharing

Use apps like BlaBlaCar to share rides with locals and other travelers.

Food and Drink

Cook your own meals.

Stay at hostels or accommodations with kitchen facilities. Shop at local markets for fresh, affordable ingredients.

Street Food

Eat street food for cheap and authentic local cuisine.

Local Restaurants

Avoid touristy areas and eat where the locals eat for better prices and experiences.

Carry a reusable water bottle and use water purification tablets or a portable filter to save on bottled water.

Activities and Sightseeing

Free attractions.

Look for free museums, parks, and cultural sites. Take free walking tours to learn about the city from locals.

Discount Passes

Purchase city passes or attraction passes that offer discounts on multiple sites.

Hiking and Nature

Explore natural attractions like national parks, beaches, and hiking trails, which are often free or low-cost.

Local Events

Check out local festivals, markets, and events for free entertainment.

Money Management

Use a travel-friendly bank card.

Use a bank card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Withdraw larger amounts of cash to minimize ATM fees, but keep it secure.

Track Your Spending

Use budgeting apps to keep track of your expenses and stay within your budget.

Safety Tips

Stay informed.

Keep up with local news and travel advisories. Register with your embassy if traveling to higher-risk areas.

Secure Your Belongings

Use a money belt or hidden pouch to carry valuables. Lock your backpack with a small padlock.

Health Precautions

Get necessary vaccinations before you travel. Carry a basic first-aid kit and any required medications.

Cultural Respect

Learn basic phrases.

Learn a few words in the local language to show respect and enhance your experience.

Dress Appropriately

Respect local dress codes, especially in religious or conservative areas.

Be aware of cultural norms and practices. Observe and follow local customs to avoid offending anyone.

About the Author : Ruben , co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.

• Best overall
• Best for exotic trips
• Best for trip interruption
• Best for medical-only coverage
• Best for family coverage
• Best for long trips
• Why You Should Trust Us

Best International Travel Insurance for June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

If you're planning your next vacation or trip out of the country, be sure to factor in travel insurance. Unexpected medical emergencies when traveling can drain your bank account, especially when you're traveling internationally. The best travel insurance companies for international travel can step in to provide you with peace of mind and financial protection while you're abroad.

Best International Travel Insurance

• Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Best for exotic travel: World Nomads Travel Insurance
• Best for trip interruption coverage: C&F Travel Insured

Best for medical-only coverage: GeoBlue Travel Insurance

• Best for families: Travelex Travel Insurance
• Best for long-term travel: Seven Corners Travel Insurance

How we rate the best international travel insurance »

Compare the Best International Travel Insurance Companies

As a general rule, the most important coverage to have in a foreign country is travel medical insurance , as most US health insurance policies don't cover you while you're abroad. Without travel medical coverage, a medical emergency in a foreign country can cost you. You'll want trip cancellation and interruption coverage if your trip is particularly expensive. And if you're traveling for an extended period of time, you'll want to ensure that your policy is extendable. 

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance companies for international travel.

Best overall: Allianz

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Concierge included with some plans
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors' policies
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans don't include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
• Single and multi-trip plans available
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
• Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans

Allianz Travel Insurance  offers the ultimate customizable coverage for international trips, whether you're a frequent jetsetter or an occasional traveler. You can choose from an a la carte of single or multi-trip plans, as well as add-ons, including rental car damage, cancel for any reason (CFAR) , adventure sport, and business travel coverage. And with affordable pricing compared to competitors, Allianz is a budget-friendly choice for your international travel insurance needs. 

The icing on the cake is Allyz TravelSmart, Allianz's highly-rated mobile app, which has an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars on the Google Play store across over 2,600 reviews and 4.8 out of five stars from over 22,000 reviews on the Apple app store. So, you can rest easy knowing that you can access your policy and file claims anywhere in the world without a hassle.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Best for exotic trips: World Nomads

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

World Nomads Travel Insurance  offers coverage for over 150 specific activities, so you can focus on the adventure without worrying about gaps in your coverage. 

You can select its budget-friendly standard plan, starting at $79. Or if you're an adrenaline junkie seeking more thrills, you can opt for the World Nomads' Explorer plan for $120, which includes extra sports like skydiving, scuba diving, and heli-skiing. And World Nomads offers 24/7 assistance, so you can confidently travel abroad, knowing that help is just a phone call away. 

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Best for trip interruption: C&F Travel Insured

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
• C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

C&F Travel Insured offers 100% coverage for trip cancellation, up to 150% for trip interruption, and reimbursement for up to 75% of your non-refundable travel costs with select plans. This means you don't have to worry about losing your hard-earned money on non-refundable travel costs if your trip ends prematurely. 

Travel Insured also stands out for its extensive "reasons for cancellation" coverage. Unlike many insurers, the company covers hurricane warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Read our C&F Travel Insured review here.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. A subsidary of Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers strong medical plans as long as you have a regular health insurance plan, but it doesn't have to be through Blue Cross
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers long-term and multi-trip travel protection
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Multiple complaints about claims not being paid or being denied
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Does not provide some of the more comprehensive coverage like CFAR insurance
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers who do get claims paid may need to file multiple claim forms

GeoBlue Travel Insurance offers policies that covers emergency medical treatments when you're abroad. While GeoBlue lacks trip cancellation coverage, that allows it to charge lower premiums than the other companies on this list. 

GeoBlue plans can cover medical expenses up to $1 million with several multi-trip annual plans available. It offers coinsurance plans for trips within the U.S. and 100% coverage for international trips. It also has a network of clinics in 180 countries, streamlining the claims process. It's worth noting that coverage for pre-existing conditions comes with additional costs. 

Read our GeoBlue Travel Insurance review here.

Best for family coverage: Travelex Travel Insurance

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Travelex Travel Insurance offers coverage for your whole crew, perfect for when you're planning a family trip. Its family plan insures all your children 17 and under at no additional cost. The travel insurance provider also offers add-ons like adventure sports and car rental collision coverage to protect your family under any circumstance. Got pets? With Travelex's Travel Select plan, you can also get coverage for your furry friend's emergency medical and transportation expenses. 

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review here.

Best for long trips: Seven Corners

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Prices are higher than many competitors
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews around claims processing are mixed
• Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available

Seven Corners Travel Insurance offers specialized coverage that the standard short-term travel insurance policy won't provide, which is helpful if you're embarking on a long-term trip. You can choose from several plans, including the Annual Multi-Trip plan, which provides medical coverage for multiple international trips for up to 364 days. This policy also offers COVID-19 medical and evacuation coverage up to $1 million. 

You also get the added benefit of incidental expense coverage. This policy will cover remote health-related services and information, treatment of injury or illness, and live consultations via telecommunication. 

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here.

How to Find the Right International Travel Insurance Company 

Different travelers and trips require different types of insurance coverage. So, consider these tips if you're in the market to insure your trip. 

Determine your needs 

Your needs for travel insurance will depend on the type of trip you're taking. You'll need to consider your destination and what you'll be doing there, either business, leisure, or adventure traveling. Policies covering adventure sports and activities will cost more. Longer, more expensive trips will also cost more. 

Research the reputation of the company 

When researching a company, you'll want to closely review the description of services. You'll want to see how claims are handled, any exceptions, and limitations.

You'll also want to look at the company's customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, BBB, and Squaremouth, as this will provide insight on the quality of customer service and the claims process. You should also take note of whether companies respond to customer reviews.

Compare prices

You can get quotes through a company's website or travel insurance aggregators like InsureMyTrip and VisitorsCoverage. You'll need to be prepared to provide the following information about your trip:

• Trip destination(s)
• Travel dates
• Number of travelers
• Traveler(s) age/birthday
• State of residence
• Total trip cost

For companies that offer travel medical insurance, you'll also want to play around with the deductible options, as they can affect your policy premium. 

Understanding International Travel Insurance Coverage Options

Travel insurance can be confusing, but we're here to simplify it for you. We'll break down the industry's jargon to help you understand what travel insurance covers to help you decide what your policy needs. Bear in mind that exclusions and limitations for your age and destination may apply. 

Finding the Best Price for International Travel Insurance

Your policy cost will depend on several factors, such as the length of your trip, destination, coverage limits, and age. Typically, a comprehensive policy includes travel cancellation coverage costs between 5% and 10% of your total trip cost.

If you're planning an international trip that costs $4,500, you can expect to pay anywhere from $225 to $450 for your policy. Comparing quotes from multiple providers can help you find a budget-friendly travel insurance policy that meets your needs.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed International Travel Insurance Companies

We ranked and assigned superlatives to the best travel insurance companies based on our insurance rating methodology . It focuses on several key factors, including: 

• Policy types: We analyzed company offerings such as coverage levels, exclusions, and policy upgrades, taking note of providers that offer a range of travel-related issues beyond the standard coverages. 
• Affordability: We recognize that cheap premiums don't necessarily equate to sufficient coverage. So, we seek providers that offer competitive rates with comprehensive policies and quality customer service. We also call out any discounts or special offers available. 
• Flexibility: Travel insurance isn't one-size-fits-all. We highlight providers that offer a wide array of coverage options, including single-trip, multi-trip, and long-term policies.
• Claims handling: The claims process should be pain-free for policyholders. We seek providers that offer a streamlined process via online claims filing and a track record of handling claims fairly and efficiently. 
• Quality customer service: Good customer service is as important as affordability and flexibility. We highlight companies that offer 24/7 assistance and have a strong record of customer service responsiveness. 

We consult user feedback and reviews to determine how each company fares in each category. We also check the provider's financial rating and volume of complaints via third-party rating agencies. 

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

International Travel Insurance FAQs

The best insurance policy depends on your individual situation, including your destination and budget. However, popular options include Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, and Travel Guard. 

You should pay attention to any limitations regarding covered cancellations, pre-existing conditions, and adventure activities. For example, if you're worried you may have to cancel a trip for work reasons, ensure that you've worked at your company long enough to qualify for cancellation coverage, as that is a condition with some insurers. You should also see if your destination has any travel advisories, as that can affect your policy. 

Typically, your regular health insurance won't cover you out of the country, so you'll want to make sure your travel insurance has adequate medical emergency coverage. Depending on your travel plans, you may want to purchase add-ons, such as adventure sports coverage, if you're planning on doing anything adventurous like bungee jumping.

Travel insurance is worth the price for international travel because they're generally more expensive, so you have more to lose. Additionally, your regular health insurance won't cover you in other countries, so without travel insurance, you'll end up paying out of pocket for any emergency medical care you receive out of the US.

You should purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after making payment on your trip. This makes you eligible for add-ons like coverage for pre-existing conditions and CFAR. It also mitigates the chance of any losses in the days leading up to your trip. 

• Main content

Europe Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

From beautiful Paris to smoke-filled coffeeshops in Amsterdam, Oktoberfest to La Tomatina, Europe is a massive, diverse continent with an unlimited assortment of things to see and do. You won’t have any problem filling your time, whether you’re backpacking Europe for a few months on a budget or just spending a few weeks there on a well-earned vacation.

The continent boasts wonderful beaches, historical architecture, amazing wine, and tons of world-class festivals. Every country is incredibly different from the next too, providing limitless variety in what you do during your trip.

I first backpacked Europe in 2006 and was hooked immediately. I’ve been visiting every year since, have run tours around the continent, and even wrote a book on traveling in Europe . It’s a destination I love and never get tired of exploring.

This guide will give you an overview of Europe and the tips and tricks you need to start planning your trip. I’ve also written extensive travel guides to each country on the continent (linked below in this post) so you can get more in-depth information for your specific itinerary too!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Europe

Click Here for Country Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in europe.

1. Tour the Greek Islands

These islands are the mecca of summer beach fun and each is unique in its own great way. There’s Ios (beach party central with archeological ruins and awesome boat tours); Kos (ancient ruins and nature); Crete (Bronze Age ruins of Knossos, hiking, beaches, and wine), Santorini (iconic blue water, white buildings, and local wineries); Mykonos , (the upscale party island with beautiful beaches, villages, and sunsets), Naxos (best island in the Cyclades). Plus, Milos, Corfu, Lemnos, Zakynthos, and so many more! With hundreds of islands in the country, you can always find what you are looking for!

2. Ride the rails

Europe is famous for its international rail system. Rail passes like the Eurail Pass have been around forever and still make it very easy to get from country to country on a relatively small budget (and with lots of flexibility). Europe has some of the fastest trains in the world that travel up to an incredible 217 mph (350 kph). The whole continent is connected by trains and there’s a growing push for even more connections and long-distance, high-speed trains in order to reduce flying and help combat climate change. There’s nothing more quintessential than riding the trains in Europe and I encourage you to take as many trains as possible. It’s one of the best ways to see the continent.

3. Get lost in Paris

The “City of Lights” is everything people say it is. I fell in love with it the first time I stepped foot in Paris . The city is just magical. You have a ton of museums, cafes, jazz clubs, famous art, and beautiful architecture. I love just strolling around the streets of the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) or Montmartre neighborhood as it makes for a breathtaking day. Another one of my favorite things to do here is just sit in the Jardin des Champs-Élysées park and picnic like the Parisians. For something a bit different, check out the famous Catacombs and Paris Sewer Museum. With so much to offer in the way of culture, history, and gastronomy, it would take years to see everything here but you can still get a good feel of the city in a few days.

4. Go city hopping

There are so many amazing cities in Europe that we’d need a top 100 to list them all. Here are some of my personal favorites and must-see cities: London is rich in history, culture, and the famous Big Ben clock; Edinburgh is a vibrant medieval city with cozy pubs and a famous castle with a huge New Year’s Eve Party; Amsterdam has cozy coffee shops and canopied tree-covered canals; Berlin has a wild party scene, street art, and the Berlin Wall; Barcelona has tapas, beach, and unique Gaudi architecture; coastal Lisbon has colorful tiles, old tramcars, cobblestone streets and plenty of fresh seafood; Prague has a beautiful intact Old Town, incredible architecture and eclectic bars; Tallinn Estonia has beautiful medieval buildings with colorful roofs. Florence  is a mecca for Italian Renaissance architecture, art history, and gelato; Stockholm mixes medieval architecture and modern art and design. Crisscross the continent, take in the culture, and enjoy all the historic cities!

5. Hit the Alps

Whether you go skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer, the Alps hold some of the most breathtaking views in all the world. You don’t even need to be an expert hiker because there are mountain trails for all levels and crystal-clear Alpine lakes. Check out the spectacular Eibsee trail loop in Bavaria at the foot of Die Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest mountain, for the clearest, multi-colored, sparkling lake you’ve ever seen. Or the Männlichen Kleine Scheidegg Panorama trail in Switzerland’s stunning green and snow-capped Alps. Or visit Italy’s Dolomites in South Tyrol for the scenic Seceda trail. The Alps have trails for every fitness level and in every season.

Other Things to See and Do in Europe

1. tour amsterdam.

I love Amsterdam so much that I lived here for a short period of time in 2006. Here cobblestone and brick streets weave around lovely canals as people ride their bikes to and fro. My favorite things to enjoy here are Amsterdam’s vibrant art and music scene and there are also a ton of interesting museums here like the Anne Frank House, FOAM, the history museum, and the hemp museum. Be sure you get out of the center into Jordaan and Oost with their wonderful outdoor cafes and fewer tourists. Also, a visit to Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without a canal cruise to visit the many islands and there are many to choose from that include snacks and drinks, sunset cruises, live guided tours, and more.

2. Hang out in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that goes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It truly could give NYC a run for the “city that never sleeps” title. Be prepared for late-night dinners and parties until dawn. Besides a great food and nightlife scene, there is a wonderful beach, tons of Gaudi architecture (including the fairytale-like Parc Güell, as well as the iconic Sagrada Familia , which has been under construction for over 100 years!), incredible food tours, one of the best history museums in the country, and lots of outdoor spaces. What I love about Barcelona is that when you’re ready to chill, you can wander around Parc de la Ciutadella and marvel at the majestic fountains, plant life, and buildings created from an ornate military fortress.

3. Visit Berlin

Hip and trendy Berlin is an energetic destination. It is one of Europe’s most affordable capital cities, with a vibrant music and art scene and a growing foodie movement. Be sure to spend some time learning about the city’s darker history via the many excellent museums, memorials, and landmarks. The East Side Gallery, a section of the Berlin Wall that’s now painted with murals, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe are two especially powerful reminders of Germany’s past. For all periods of German history, don’t miss the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum) – it’s one of the best history museums in the world. Once you’ve had your fill of history, relax in Berlin’s many green spaces, from Tempelhof Field, the site of a former airfield and popular local hangout spot, to Tiergarten, a tree-covered former hunting ground for 17th-century aristocrats.

4. Drink beer at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a must for anyone going to Germany at the end of September. While not a budget option since beers now cost 15 € a maß, I love the energy and friendly camaraderie this event inspires. For two weeks, millions of people from all over the world gather for lots of beer, excitement, music, and wild fun. Watching thousands of people sing together, raising quart-sized beer mugs for endless toasts, and enjoying the general party atmosphere makes you feel good about the world. (Or maybe that’s just the beer?) Just be sure to book your accommodation well in advance and be prepared to pay top prices for them. If you don’t have an outfit, don’t worry, there are plenty of shops even at the main train station where you can buy a Bavarian dirndl dress and men’s lederhosen.

5. Experience London

Get a taste of English culture in diverse London . The museums here are some of the best in the world (most are free) and include the Tate, the British Museum, the City Museum, the National Gallery, the Historical Museum. There’s no shortage of iconic sights here as well, with Big Ben, the House of Parliament, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and of course, Buckingham Palace. I love London’s diversity because of the countless international eateries with great food and wonderful pub culture, perfect for after a long day seeing the sights. Head to Brick Lane on the weekends for some amazing food and craft markets. I prefer Paris to London, but there is something sophisticated and fun about London. Just watch those pints — London is not a cheap destination!

6. Get outdoors in Scandinavia

My favorite region in Europe is Scandinavia. The quality of life here is high, the people are beautiful and friendly, and the cities are clean and historic. Cycling the cities, taking canal tours, hiking the vast forested areas, archipelago hopping, enjoying fika (a Swedish coffee break), and warming up in saunas are just a few of the popular activities that await you here. True, this area of Europe is not cheap, but there are plenty of ways to reduce your expenses. Don’t let the high prices scare you away. Highlights for me include Copenhagen , Stockholm , Gotland, Norway’s fjords, and Lapland in Finland .

7. Get enchanted in Prague

Prague has an amazing history and is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities I’ve ever seen. Highlights include the 9th-century Prague Castle, the magnificent Charles Bridge (built in the 14th century and one of the oldest standing bridges in the world), the 10th-century old square with its iconic astronomical clock, and the winding Jewish Quarter. Even if you only have a few days there don’t miss the free walking tour which is one of my favorites in Europe and the best way to learn about the Old Town and the tragic history of the city that went from thriving Bohemian capital of art, music, and literature to part of the Iron Curtain after WWII. Some of my favorite gems here include the fantastic black light theater shows in 4D and the one-of-a-kind medieval dinner show in an old tavern complete with musicians and jugglers not to mention hearty food and drinks. During the weekends it heaves with people enjoying the bars, cheap beer, and delicious food so try to visit during the week (and in the spring or fall) to beat the crowds.

8. Relax on the French Riviera

Here, you can pretend to live the high life for a little bit. Have fun in the sun, relax on the beach, swim in azure blue water, hobnob with the rich and famous, and sail on (or gaze at) gigantic yachts. As for cities, Nice is nice with its palm-tree-lined promenade, old town, and many art museums. If you want to go see how the rich and famous live, spend an afternoon checking out Cannes to soak up some glamorous vibes on La Croisette where they hold the famous Cannes Film Festival. The kingdom of Monaco with its tiny streets, beautiful buildings, and world-famous casino is just a skip away too.

9. Enjoy the great outdoors in Interlaken

Located in the beautiful mountains of Switzerland, Interlaken is a gorgeous place to unwind with fantastic hiking, delicious hot chocolate, and plenty of outdoor sports. The area is full of natural attractions to explore, including the St. Beatus Caves (complete with a legendary dragon), the cascading 500-meter-high (1,640 feet) Giessbach Waterfalls, the Jungfraujoch mountain railway (which leads to the highest train station on the continent), and a plethora of lakes (hence the town’s name). It’s a good alternative to all the cities and museums. Interlaken is also a popular party destination for backpackers and other young travelers. By far, my favorite scenic and visually stunning trail was the Oberberghorn panoramic hike, where you can wander the green mountain ridge ogling the amazing views and the turquoise-blue Brienzersee.

10. Experience history in Rome

In this thriving historical city, you can’t walk two feet without stumbling over a ruin, making Rome a history buff’s dream. Its tiny streets are perfect for wandering as you explore the Colosseum, see the Forum and Palatine Hill, visit the Pantheon, spend time in Vatican City, admire the Spanish Steps, and toss coins into the famous Trevi Fountain. The skip-the-line tickets can definitely be worth it so you don’t waste time waiting outside attractions. Rome also has amazing food (it’s Italy, after all) and nightlife. Visit the Trastevere area for a taste of “local” Rome and chill bars. It’s my favorite area in the city because you feel like you’re in a small village in the middle of a big city.

11. Hike around the Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is my favorite part of Italy. These five beautiful cliffside towns are perched near warm waters and beautiful olive and grape groves. There are wondrous and strenuous hikes in these hills; for a real challenge, take trail #8. Or just walk the coastline for something less difficult. Many activities here revolve around the coastline: kayaking, swimming, having a beach picnic or visiting the Technical Naval Museum. If you happen to be here in December or January, don’t miss the Nativity Manarola, the world’s biggest lighted nativity scene.

12. Tour Krakow

Krakow looks like it stepped out of a medieval postcard. It’s a hip, trendy, and youthful city that’s the center of education in Poland, meaning there are a lot of university students here. Most travelers come to party here (the vodka is cheap) but try to enjoy the city’s history and food besides just the bars. Walk the Royal Road through the Old Town to the 13th-century Wawel Castle, tour Schindler’s Factory (where Schindler saved over 1,200 Jews during World War II), and visit the sobering Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. You can also take a fascinating day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Wieliczka Salt Mine, a 13th-century mine with cavernous chambers, statues, chapels, chandeliers, and cathedrals all carved out of salt.

13. Visit the ruin bars in Budapest

The coolest nightlife in all of Europe is found in Budapest . Built in abandoned buildings, ruin bars feature funky art installations, repurposed furniture, and quirky decor. They are amazing, fun, and great places to meet locals, as people of all ages flock here. Open since 2001, Szimpla Kert is the original ruin bar and one of my favorites, along with Instant-Fogas Complex, which takes up an entire building and is actually many different bars in one. Don’t skip the ruin bars — they’re one of the most unique things about the city!

14. Explore Cornwall

The best part of England is outside London, yet unfortunately, not a lot of travelers leave London. Head west to the area of Cornwall for cheaper prices, welcoming locals, natural beauty, great hiking, rolling hills, plenty of medieval castles, and picturesque small towns. If you like biking, the Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow is worth the trip and you even pass by a local vineyard. It’s an easy way to spend a day (and it’s pretty flat so it’s not too hard to do.) Plus, I had the best fish and chips in Cornwall! Overall, it’s what you think of as “traditional England.”

15. Walk the Camino

El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) is an ancient pilgrimage route that stretches from France all the way across northern Spain. It is a 500 mile (800 km) trail that winds through incredible terrain, ending in Santiago de Compostela at the cathedral where St. James is supposedly buried. As a pilgrim, you get a “pilgrim’s passport” which allows you to stay in affordable pilgrim-only hostels, making this a surprisingly budget-friendly adventure. While it usually takes over a month to complete, you can just walk a section if you don’t have the time. To receive a “Compostela” (certificate of completion), you just need to walk the last 62 miles (100 km), which generally takes 4-5 days.

16. Throw tomatoes during La Tomatina

By far my favorite festival, the largest food fight in the world happens during the last Wednesday of August in Bunol, Spain. What started in 1945 as a local brawl has turned into a massive event drawing tens of thousands of people from all over the world. For about an hour, everyone throws tomatoes at each other, leaving streets ankle-deep in tomato juice. Afterward, everyone walks down to the river, cleans off, and then heads to the town square for sangria and music.

17. Find Dracula in Romania

Not a lot of people visit Romania but this underrated country in Eastern Europe has undiscovered yet picturesque medieval towns like Brasov (home to “Dracula’s castle”), Sighisoara, and Sibiu; gorgeous beaches on the Black Sea; and incredible hiking in the Fagaras Mountains — all at dirt-cheap prices. Other major sights include frescoed Byzantine monasteries, the steepled wooden churches of Transylvania, the hip university town Cluj-Napoca, the post-communist capital of Bucharest, and the Danube Delta, a huge nature reserve.

18. Drink whisky in Islay

Whisky has a long history on Islay , an island off Scotland’s west coast. It’s been made there since the 16th-century — first in backyards and then, starting in the 19th-century, in large distilleries. Over the years, whisky from the island came to be considered a specialty and was used to flavor a lot of other blends on the mainland. There are currently nine working distilleries on the island, all located along the island’s shores, with Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin being the most famous. Most distilleries here make single-malt Scotch, meaning that only one type of grain (barley) is used. My visit here was amazing and, even if you don’t like whisky, there are tons of good hikes and walks throughout this magnificent island.

19. Explore Iceland

Iceland is a magical country with majestic waterfalls, hidden hot springs around every corner, and sweeping vistas unlike anywhere else in the world. After my first visit, the country quickly became one of my favorite countries. With whale watching in the summer, the northern lights in the winter, and geothermal baths for soaking in year-round, there really is no bad time to visit! While Iceland’s main draw is the epic natural landscapes, it’s worth spending a couple of days in Reykjavik with its café culture, artsy feel, and brightly colored wooden row houses.

20. Sail the Croatian coast

With calm winds, short distances, a coastline littered with over 1,000 islands, and countless historical sites, Croatia is one of the world’s best sailing destinations. If you can, go during the shoulder season when you can find some great deals. Plan to stay at least a couple of days on one of the islands, with the most popular being Brac, Hvar, Krk, Cres, and Lošinj. However, don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path and explore some of the lesser-known islands such as Silba, Vis, and Lastovo. If you want to splash out and spend a week partying on a yacht, check out The Yacht Week, which hosts week-long parties, complete with DJs, from May-September. You can book a full boat to share with friends or just a cabin if you’re traveling solo. Prices start at 5,250 HRK per person and go up to 9,300 HRK.

21. Explore the Balkans

While the Balkans have become more popular with backpackers in recent years, it’s still largely overlooked by most budget travelers, despite being an extremely budget-friendly region. The Balkan peninsula is home to great (and again, overlooked) wine, beautiful medieval towns like Kotor and Mostar, stunning mountainous landscapes, beautiful pebble beaches, coffee culture, fresh, hearty yet inexpensive food, and museums covering the area’s history, including the most recent turbulent events of the early 1990s. I especially loved my time in Albania . Don’t miss the beautiful beaches in Ksamil, nicknamed the “Maldives of Europe’ as well as the mountain village of Gjirokastër, which was occupied by Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The Balkans have so much to offer for every budget and every country has its unique cultural flavor.

22. Take a wine tour in the Loire Valley

Located in central France, the picturesque Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and stretches 280 kilometers (174 miles) along the Loire River. One of the major wine-producing regions of France, the area is home to some of the best wines in the world, with over 1,000 vineyards open to the public. Even those who don’t drink wine will enjoy the beautiful small towns, great food, and the region’s over 300 impressive chateaux. I loved the medieval Chenonceau Castle and Chateau Villandry and the small villages like Saint-Florent-le-Vieil. Spring and Autumn are my favorite times to visit because you can go biking and do outdoor activities when it’s not too hot and there are fewer people. It’s an area not to be missed.

23. See Fado in Portugal

Fado is an important musical tradition in Portugal , originating in Lisbon and stretching back some 200 years. The word “fado” likely stems from the Latin word for fate, and it’s very haunting, poetic, and emotional music. Most of the songs follow themes of loss and mourning, and the music was popular with the working class (especially sailors). Performances normally take place in restaurants during dinner. In Lisbon, head to Clube de Fado, Tasca do Chico, Parreirinha de Alfama, or Senhor Vinho.

24. Tour green Slovenia

Slovenia is one of Europe’s least-visited destinations, which is mind-blowing to me because it’s an amazing place to visit. Slovenia offers all the beauty of Western Europe but at a fraction of the cost and with a fraction of the crowds. Perfect for outdoor adventure lovers, Slovenia offers rugged mountains, untouched landscapes, fantastic ski resorts, plentiful wine, sprawling cave systems, incredible food, and postcard-perfect lakes, such as the famous Lake Bled with its castle on an island. I loved Piran, Slovenia’s often overlooked coastal Venetian-style harbor town that was actually founded 3000 years ago. Stroll around its beautiful windy cobble-stoned streets, beautiful plazas, and take advantage of the many affordable restaurants right on the water. Make sure to also spend a few days in the country’s capital, Ljubljana, known as one of the continent’s greenest and most livable cities. Take a river cruise to see the city and enjoy the friendliness of the locals.

  For more information on specific countries in Europe, check out the guides below:

• Albania Travel Guide
• Austria Travel Guide
• Belgium Travel Guide
• Belarus Travel Guide
• Bosnia & Herzegovina Travel Guide
• Bulgaria Travel Guide
• Czechia Travel Guide
• Croatia Travel Guide
• Denmark Travel Guide
• England Travel Guide
• Estonia Travel Guide
• Finland Travel Guide
• France Travel Guide
• Germany Travel Guide
• Greece Travel Guide
• Hungary Travel Guide
• Iceland Travel Guide
• Ireland Travel Guide
• Italy Travel Guide
• Latvia Travel Guide
• Lithuania Travel Guide
• Malta Travel Guide
• Moldova Travel Guide
• Montenegro Travel Guide
• Netherlands Travel Guide
• Norway Travel Guide
• Portugal Travel Guide
• Poland Travel Guide
• Romania Travel Guide
• Scotland Travel Guide
• Slovakia Travel Guide
• Slovenia Travel Guide
• Spain Travel Guide
• Sweden Travel Guide
• Switzerland Travel Guide
• Ukraine Travel Guide

Europe Travel Costs

Accommodation – Accommodation prices vary greatly by region. In Western Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 25-45 EUR per night, depending on the room’s size and the popularity of the hostel. I stayed in a 6-bed dorm in Berlin for 20 EUR, while the same one would have cost me around 45 EUR in Paris. A room in Paris costs on the higher end and a room in cheaper Athens costs on the lower end.

In Eastern Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 10-15 EUR per night depending on the size of the dorm room and the popularity of the hostel. The further east you go, the cheaper it gets. Expect to pay around 30-60 EUR per night for a private room that sleeps two.

In Scandinavia, hostel dorm beds cost around 25-45 EUR, while private rooms are 65-80 EUR. Budget hotels start around 85 EUR.

Most accommodations offer free linens, free Wi-Fi, and a lot offer free breakfast, but it’s important to check specific websites for exact amenities.

Campsites cost between 10-15 EUR per night for a basic plot for two without electricity.

Food – Food traditions in Europe run deep, stretching back centuries to become integral parts of each country’s culture. From baguettes in France to tapas in Spain, from hearty Eastern European stews and goulash to the fresh vegetables and olive oils of the Mediterranean, European cuisine varies as much as the countries themselves. Food prices differ greatly across the continent, so check individual country guides for specifics.

But no matter where you are, even in the more expensive countries, finding places to eat within your budget is easier than you might think. Throughout Western Europe, you can find small shops, street food stalls, or food trucks where you can get sandwiches, gyros, kebabs, slices of pizza, or sausages for between 3-7 EUR. These shops are most often found in train stations, bus stations, and main pedestrian areas, and offer cheap food alternatives that can have you eating on 12-17 EUR per day. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 7-10 EUR for a combo meal.

Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Vietnamese eateries abound in Germany, while Indian food is incredible and everywhere in the United Kingdom. Meals at these restaurants usually cost between 8-12 EUR.

Restaurant meals in casual, traditional eateries generally cost around 13-25 EUR for a main dish and drink. Food is much cheaper in the east than in the west, and in the west, northern regions like Scandinavia and the UK are more expensive than southern countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

In Eastern Europe, even if you are eating out for all your meals, you can still get by on a food budget of as little as 15 EUR per day.

For drinks, a pint of beer is 2-5 EUR, a glass of wine is 2-7 EUR, a cappuccino is 2-5 EUR, and cocktails range from 6-14 EUR.

If you eat out, do so at lunch and get the prix-fixe menu (two-course or three-course set menu). Restaurants offer this set menu during lunch, and with prices between 10-20 EUR, it’s a way better deal than the regular dinner menu. You can also get affordable lunches at outdoor markets. So many European cities have huge fresh food markets throughout town.

You can cook your own food for around 45-65 EUR per week. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, seasonal produce, bread, and some meat. You can save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, Aldi, and Penny Market.

If you want to save big money on meals, head to one of the markets, pick up some cheese, wine, bread, meats, or anything else, and go to the park for a picnic. (Or grab a sandwich for later!) You’ll find the locals doing the same thing, and it’s one of the cheaper ways to get a true taste of local food.

Backpacking Europe Suggested Budgets

Prices for travel in Europe vary greatly depending on how far north, east, south, or west you travel. If you stick to the budget accommodations, food, and tours listed here and use all my tips on saving money, you need about 65-110 EUR per day in Western Europe, 40-50 EUR in Eastern Europe, and about 85-130 EUR in Scandinavia.

Those numbers reflect a traveler who stays in hostels, cooks some meals and eats out cheaply, enjoys a few drinks, and sticks to free and cheap activities like hiking, walking tours, and enjoying nature. This is your typical backpacker budget. You aren’t going to have a fancy time, but you aren’t going to want for anything either.

However, by getting tourist cards and rail passes, avoiding flights, occasionally Couchsurfing or camping, cooking all your meals, and not drinking, you can travel a lot cheaper. On this budget, you could do Western Europe on 35-45 EUR per day, Eastern Europe on 20-25 EUR, and Scandinavia on 50-65 EUR. That would require you to take a train or a bus or hitchhike everywhere, skip most museums, and limit how often you go out.

Generally, the suggested daily budget for Europe is 80-120 EUR. You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Europe Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Individual country guides have more specific information on how to save money in them but here are some general tips on cutting your costs while you explore Europe:

• Picnic – This continent has a lot of little shops where you can buy pre-made sandwiches or ingredients to make your own. Many supermarkets have delis as well where you can get food to go. Buy some food, eat outside, and watch the city and its people go by. It’s a much more enjoyable and cheaper way to eat.
• Eat local and cheap – Not into picnicking? Eat at local sandwich shops, pizza parlors, Maoz, Wok to Walks, and outdoor street vendors. Avoiding restaurants and eating at a lot of the local “grab n’ go” places gives you a taste of the local cuisine at a much cheaper price. If you’re really on a budget, use your creative cooking skills to prepare meals at the hostel as well.
• Stay with a local – Hostels can add up really quickly. If you don’t have any friends with whom you can stay, consider using Couchsurfing , which connects you with locals who let you stay with them for free. Plus, they tend to also have meetups to meet other locals and travelers. It’s a great way to save on accommodation and meet a local who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Camp in a garden – A very good camping service specific to Europe is Campspace , which allows you to pitch a tent in someone’s backyard for free or for a small fee (around 10-20 EUR). All of the garden owners have profiles that tell you what services and facilities they offer. Also, many countries allow wild camping (like Sweden), which can save you a fortune if you have a tent.
• Take the bus – Budget bus companies like Flixbus can take you across the continent for cheap. I personally feel it’s best for day travel as sitting up for an overnight bus isn’t really ideal for sleeping. It isn’t glamorous, but with tickets starting at 5 EUR, you really can’t complain!
• Get a Rail Pass – Eurail Passes have saved me hundreds of dollars. If you are traveling far distances and through many countries, they are a great deal.
• Take the free city tours – One of the great things about Europe is that you can find free walking tours in all the major cities. They can be a great way to see the city attractions, take in some history, and learn your bearings without spending any money. Just make sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Plan accordingly – Plan your trip around Europe so you avoid doubling back. Transportation is a big expense so proper planning can save you a lot of money (and time). Go in a straight line or a loop. Booking your accommodation ahead helps you save as well since cheap, good places unsurprisingly get reserved first. One thing I’ve learned is that waiting until the last minute means you get stuck with expensive places or cheap places no one wants.
• Fly cheap – If you know where you are going and a train won’t do, try to book flights early. You can often get round trip fares for as little as 5 EUR from many of the European discount airlines like Ryanair or Wizz. Many capital cities have smaller airports farther from the city with ‘inconvenient’ times but cheaper fares. Keep in mind you might need to factor in an early morning Uber or taxi if the busses aren’t running and you have an early flight!
• Drink less – Those 5 EUR beers add up. Hit happy hours or pick and choose when you party. Hostel bars are a good place to get cheap drinks or buy your alcohol at the supermarket. Plus, in Europe, it’s legal to drink outside in parks, plazas, by the lakes or rivers. You’ll find you can save a lot of money by not going to bars and clubs. Partying your way across the continent will destroy your bank balance in no time.
• Get a city tourist card – Many local tourism offices sell a tourism card for all their attractions, tours, and restaurants. This card gives you free entry and substantial discounts on all the attractions and tours in a city, free local public transportation (a huge plus), and discounts at a few restaurants and shopping malls. They save a ton of money. If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, get one of these cards.
• Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar to catch rides with locals between cities (or countries) by paying a small fee. It’s like Airbnb but for rides. I used this service in Switzerland and, not only did I save a lot of money, but I got to meet interesting people and learn about local culture and life. Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe, though sometimes rides cancel at the last minute (which is why you need to be flexible). Check their ratings first and try to use rides where the person has done many trips.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water is safe to drink in most of Europe, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
• Get a HostelPass – HostelPass is a discount membership for hostels in Europe. Members get 10-20% off select hostels around Europe, as well as perks like free breakfast or free drinks. There are discounts on tours and activities too. It’s a great way to save money if you’re bouncing around Europe as they have hostels in 18 countries around the continent.

Where to Stay in Europe

Europe has a ton of budget accommodation options. The individual country and city guides have tons of recommendations but here’s a short list of some of my favorite budget hostels and hotels around Europe:

• The Flying Pig (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
• Hotel 54 (Barcelona, Spain)
• Generator Hostel (Copenhagen, Denmark)
• Harcourt Hotel (Dublin, Ireland)
• Castle Rock (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• Ios Palm Pansion (Ios, Greece)
• Greg and Tom’s Party Hostel (Krakow, Poland)
• Largo da Sé Guest House (Lisbon, Portugal)
• Sophie’s Hostel (Prague, Czech Republic)
• The Yellow (Rome, Italy)
• City Backpackers (Stockholm, Sweden)

How to Get Around Europe

Public transportation – Transportation around most European cities is by tram, subway, or bus. Prices are typically around 2 EUR for a one-way ticket in Western Europe and closer to 1 EUR in Eastern Europe. Most large cities also have day passes available that offer unlimited public transportation. These passes are usually 5-12 EUR per day.

In large cities with international airports, there is usually a bus or train available that ferries travelers from the downtown core to the airport. Expect to pay around 5-15 EUR to get to/from the airport.

Bus – Buses are not quite as comfortable as Europe’s trains, although certain lines do have great amenities (like roomy seats and Wi-Fi). While buses are not the most efficient way to travel around the continent, they’re certainly dependable, reliable, and cheap. You can find last-minute rides for as little as 5 EUR. A route from Berlin to Munich is about 25 EUR, while Paris to Bordeaux can be as low as 10 EUR. Longer routes, like Amsterdam to Copenhagen, start at around 47 EUR.

Each country has its own national bus service, but some lines also take you long distances internationally. Megabus and Flixbus (which now owns Eurolines) are the most popular companies.

Train – Train travel is a great way to see Europe. Intercity train prices vary wildly from country to country, depending on whether you take the slow train or a high-speed train and how far in advance you book. For example, a high-speed train from Berlin to Munich costs around 38-60 EUR, Bordeaux to Paris is about 50-85 EUR, and Madrid to Barcelona ranges from 45-85 EUR. Non-high-speed trains and other intercity lines are a lot cheaper, generally costing about 40-50% of the price of high-speed trains. Eastern Europe inter-country trains usually cost between 45-100 EUR when the ticket is booked last minute. Short train rides of 2-3 hours within countries cost about 27 EUR.

To find routes and prices for trains around Europe, use Trainline .

You may also want to consider getting a Eurail Pass , which allows travelers to explore Europe by providing a set number of stops in a specific time period. These passes are continent-wide, country-specific, or regional. It can potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Ridesharing/Car sharing – If your schedule is flexible, use a ridesharing service and catch rides with locals between cities (or countries). Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe. BlaBlaCar is the most popular.

If you’d rather rent a car yourself and find passengers to share a ride with, use Discover Cars to find the best car rental prices.

Flying – Budget airlines are so prolific that competition helps keep fares low. You can often find tickets where the fare is just 5 EUR round-trip! Companies like EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz, and Vueling offer mind-blowingly cheap flights throughout Europe. Book at least a month early to scoop up great deals.

Make sure that the airport they fly into isn’t too far out of your way (transportation from the secondary airport sometimes negates the savings from using the budget airline itself).

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay to check your baggage on these cheap flights. It costs about 25-39 EUR for one checked bag. If you wait to pay for your luggage at the gate, you end up paying almost double. Travel carry-on only to avoid this added cost.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Europe is very safe, but it’s not for everyone. Hitching is quite common around the continent and I’ve met a number of travelers who have done it (I, myself, traveled this way in Bulgaria and Iceland). Some countries are very supportive (Romania, Iceland, Germany) while others may be a bit more time-consuming (Italy, Spain). HitchWiki is the best website for hitchhiking info.

Here are my suggested articles for how to get around Europe:

• 7 Cheap Ways to Travel Across Europe
• Are Eurail Passes a Giant Scam or Do They Save You Money?
• The Ultimate Guide to Finding Cheap Flights

When to Go to Europe

There’s no wrong time to visit Europe. Peak season is summer, when Europe gets crowded and August is the time most European families are at the beach so everything becomes more crowded and expensive. But the overall atmosphere and weather are great during this time, so it’s still worth visiting during peak season (just book your accommodation in advance — especially in August). Keep in mind it’s much hotter in summer so if you like AC, be sure to check that your hostel or hotel has it before you book. You can expect the most crowds in Western Europe. For this reason, I feel summer is a great time to visit the Balkans and the Baltics because many people head to the beaches in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece.

Shoulder season is spring and fall (April-May and September-October). It’s still warm during this time but there aren’t as many crowds and prices are cheaper. This is my favorite time to visit hotspot places like Spain, Croatia and Greece, where it’s still hot enough to swim in the sea but you have way more room on the beach. It’s also a good time to go hiking in the Alps in Germany, northern Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland because it’s cooler during the day so you’re much less sweaty on the mountain without shade. The weather is good, the crowds are smaller, and the prices lower.

Winter is from November to February but in much of Central Europe, it’s wet and cold until March or April. It gets cold, even as far south as it gets (like Greece). On the other hand, the Christmas season has Christmas markets and festivals galore! Even if it’s cold, this is a cultural tradition you can’t miss and why I love Europe in December. There is hot mulled wine, sweets, and plenty of hot snacks, which vary by country. One of my favorites is Prague because the Old Town Square is lit up with a gigantic tree with aromas of crispy cinnamon pastries and mulled wine. Berlin takes their Christmas markets very seriously, so there are around 80 different markets with special themes.

Winter is fantastic in Europe for skiing and snowboarding but it doesn’t have to break the bank if you plan carefully. While Switzerland and France are probably the most famous, they are also expensive, but there are plenty of budget winter options.

How to Stay Safe in Europe

Europe is very safe for backpacking and solo traveling, even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent crimes against tourists are very rare. In fact, some of the safest countries in the world are in Europe. (I wrote a whole article about how Europe is safe to visit right now .)

That said, there are scams and petty crimes you should watch out for, especially around popular tourist landmarks. The most important thing to be aware of is pickpockets in crowds and on public transportation. Zip your bags and don’t put your mobile phone in a jacket pocket where someone could quickly take it. This should be obvious but don’t flash your money to let everyone know you have a huge wad of cash.

When choosing a hostel, look for ones with lockers. It’s always a good idea to carry around a padlock or combination lock. Most hostels are safe and travelers respect each other and I’ve rarely seen things happen to people’s valuables. Nevertheless, I always think that prevention is better.

As anywhere, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). When at the bar, always keep an eye on your drink. Avoid walking home alone at night if you’re intoxicated.

For female travelers in particular, it’s always a good idea to have a bit of extra money on you just in case you need to take an Uber or taxi back by yourself so you don’t take unnecessary risks to save money. If you’re using apps to date people while traveling, please use common sense and meet in public places. Since I’m not a female traveler, please check out the numerous female bloggers who have first hand knowledge of this.

If you’re worried about scams, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you rent a vehicle, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Be aware that the UK drives on the left and that most rental cars in Europe will have manual transmissions unless you request otherwise.

When hiking, always bring water, sunscreen, and bandaids or foot plasters. There is nothing worse than being halfway up the mountain with a blister and nothing you can do about it!

Likewise, when at the coast, don’t forget not only to wear sunscreen! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people get burnt to a crisp the first day. Be sure to check the weather before you depart and dress accordingly.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary to loved ones so they know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Europe Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go. Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!

Europe Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Europe travel and continue planning your trip:

The 7 Best Hotels in London

10 Scotland Road Trip Tips You Need to Know Before You Go

The Perfect 7-Day Croatia Itinerary

The 6 Best Hotels in Copenhagen

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

The 7 Best Hotels in Madrid

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