This post hosts my top pieces of travel advice, either learned the hard way or by observing and talking to others. Most insights were gained during a four-month excursion between eight countries in Southeast Asia. Regardless, these are useful points for a cost-friendly international backpacking trip.

Your passport is absolutely the most important thing in the world while abroad. Be responsible and guard it like a tiger, especially in areas with scams and theft. There are always ways to access money or replace objects, but losing a passport can lodge an axe in your plans. Do not carry it on your person unless you need it for a specific reason; leave it locked in a locker or safe box at your hotel or hostel.

Try to scrap any social anxiety you may have. Talk to people on buses, in restaurants, and at your hostel or hotel. My eight-country Asian excursion began alone, but I was never without an acquaintance or accomplice for more than a day or two. I was often able to afford nicer accommodation by sharing a room with a small group or another solo traveler. I gained body guards and female companions for the dark alleyways at night, and we shared precious information about other countries, hostels, attractions, and restaurants.

I learned the most about traveling, culture, and life by talking to as many local and foreign strangers as possible. Remember that people are inherently good; just learn to spot the warning signs for bad intentions.

Before The Trip

-Take pictures and print copies of all travel documents: visas, passport, driver’s license, hotel reservations, insurance, credit cards, vaccination certificates, etc. I also email copies to my mother and myself.

-Get an ATM card for your checking account(s). If this card is lost or stolen, no one has access to your money without your pin number. If you go out in a city, take this card for cash and leave the others in a locked box at your hotel or hostel. Finding an ATM, even in remote places, is not as difficult as it may seem.

-Travel insurance is a must for long trips, especially when headed to places with health issues like dysentery or malaria (check the CDC to find information on warnings and necessary vaccinations). In the event of your death, travel insurance will be a savior for your family, as the cost of shipping a body across the globe is very, very expensive. I used World Nomads during my long trip, but another policy may be better for you. This guide provides advice for any travel insurance purchase.

-Look into cameras if you do not own one. I wanted a compact point-and-shoot with strong photo quality (according to my standards), so I went with a Canon PowerShot s95. CNET has a lot helpful user and specialist reviews, along with videos highlighting the best and worst qualities on any device.

-Sign up for Couchsurfing. Couchsurfing.org is a fantastic website to find locals with whom to stay for free. Even if you do not need accommodation, CS has groups that can provide advice and individuals to meet with in nearly any country. It is my favorite social network for travelers of all ages, incomes, and nationalities.

Couchsurfing cut the cost of my trip through Japan by a lot. Japanese hostels are expensive ($30 a night in Kyoto for one bed in an 8-person dorm), but there are a lot of CS hosts in every city. I stayed with Miko in Hiroshima, along with four Italians and a Frenchman. Frenchie and I became good friends (we still talk well over a year later) and reconnected in Osaka, where we had another…. unusual… CS experience. In the end, I saved at least $150 just by using CS for three nights in Japan.

To learn more about my Couchsurfing experiences, read Sleeping With Strangers.

Packing

-Buy a pack and stick with it. Find out carry-on weight allowances for your flights and try to keep your luggage below those restrictions. I intentionally bought a slightly smaller pack than desired because it forces me to take only the essentials. One or two of everything is truly enough, and you will probably pick up things along the way. Besides, a few weeks in an impoverished country makes clean clothes and good hygiene seem less pressing, if even possible. You will thank yourself for packing less, so learn to prioritize!

-Roll clothes instead of folding them. Rolling saves space and makes finding things easier, less messy, and less wrinkly. I now roll all my tops for drawers at home.

-Separate monetary cards into different bags. I kept reminding myself to do this, but forgot. My wallet with every credit, debit, and ATM card was stolen my last night in Taiwan. I had no way to get money, outside of Western Union, which is expensive and requires you to be in a place with a Western Union office. DO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE!

-Items to consider when packing or arriving in a new country:

compass

journal

water bottle

blanket/sleeping bag

head lamp

medical kit

one or two code/dial locks

quick-dry towel

soap

shampoo, face/body wipes

razor, lotion

toilet paper/tissues

tampons

sunscreen

insect repellent (vanilla and lemongrass are good alternatives to DEET)

tweezers, nail clippers

hat or bandana

sewing kit

ear plugs

waterproof resealable bags

day bag/purse (concealable under clothes depending on area theft — don’t fear the fanny pack)

camera and equipment

chargers and adapters

whistle

books/Kindle

condoms/birth control

compact pillow

poncho/rain coat

translation guide

stamps

bug net

cell phone, small computer

batteries.

Typically you can find necessities at your destination, but the quality may not be the same. Remember rules for flying with liquids (3.4 fl oz or less) and other objects (e.g., carrying perishables across borders) if you want to avoid airport headaches and checking baggage. These requirements can vary between countries. For extensive packing checklists, click here and here.

-I went over four months without a cellphone. My iPod with internet access was more than enough. In fact, traveling without a cell phone was one of the best things I have ever done. (My mother does not share this sentiment.) I felt a freedom I had never known because I forced myself to go do exciting things rather than look at my phone. Most hostels have Wi-Fi and computers: do no expect lightning speed connections.

-I opted out of malaria medication, mostly because I could not afford the good stuff. I never got malaria. I have heard that treating it is easier than dealing with the short and long-term side effects of many malaria meds, unless you want to pay for the good stuff, like Malarone. Try to talk to people who have recently traveled to the areas you plan to visit and check the CDC travel website.

While Traveling

-Eat weird food — you may enjoy it. If it is not an absolute pleasure, impress your friends with the disgusting details. Market food is cheaper and often more delicious than sit-down restaurants.

-Never assume your fool-proof plan won’t make a fool of you. I heard story upon story of locals taking advantage of travelers crossing from Thailand into Cambodia. Many travelers said they were upset to see that the $35 visa purchased in Bangkok was only $20 at the border, so my travel partners and I knew to wait. We could not have known that, after loading a bus to Siem Reap, we would be dropped off at a restaurant 15 miles in who-knows-what direction of the border and told we could either find our own way into and through Cambodia or pay $45 for their visa.

If you are in an area with a lot of tourism, expect some traps and exploitation. This does not mean that every person is there to take advantage of you; the opposite is typically true, but be prepared for scams. Losing your mind and blowing up will only ruin your day. Remember: shit happens.

-Have a sturdy, discrete bag that can be comfortably kept underneath clothing. Thieves are tricky and more capable than you could believe, especially in crowded areas and on buses with sleeping passengers. I nearly had my purse stolen in Ho Chi Minh when two young men on a motorcycle tried to rip it off as they rode past. Fortunately, I bought that specific purse knowing a moto-bandit attack was on the horizon, and those bastards rode away empty-handed.

-Write in your journal every day. I keep a daily planner, not for future planning, but for writing down what happened on specific days. I kept receipts, entrance cards, plane tickets, and other paper items in the folds.

-Hostels are great places to meet other long- or short-term city dwellers. Many hostels have restaurants, guided tours, discounted attraction tickets, and common areas with travelers from around the world. Expect varying quality and experiences. Be prepared to sleep in places with scary electric wiring, dark entrances, and a high probability of bed bugs. Sometimes these things do not matter if it means a mattress and bathroom after an 18-hour bus ride ends in a pitch-black town at 4 a.m. Consider sleeping in a shack or outside with a bug net. Sometimes the most basic or frightening environments make you appreciate just how great life is back home. To be honest, these accommodations often made a simple life without electricity and luxury seem very attractive. The locals are happy with few concerns as they stare across their lush local landscapes. I’d take that life.

-If you are single, always wear a condom. You never know what you may pick up for life. “Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit’ll come back with ya” (The Hangover, 2009).

-Do not try to plan everything, and definitely do not get upset when things go off-path/ Try to embrace the unexpected. Some of the greatest parts of my trips came after arriving in a new city or country with no place to stay and no predetermined destinations. Letting go and getting lost should be a part of every vacation, even if only for one day.

-You may regret making a reservation at one place for your entire vacation. When I flew into Bali, I booked a nice room for my first night, then walked around and found a much cheaper guesthouse in a better location for the duration of my stay. Websites can make any place look amazing; sometimes a better option awaits.

-If a flight is delayed or rescheduled in a way that affects your trip, talk to the customer service in a calm manner. I extended a trip in the Philippines after an inter-island flight was delayed an entire day (taking away two days of vacation) by simply stating my story and calmly asking for help. Yelling will work against you.

-Various places have weird rules about alcohol consumption, accessing money at certain hours, etc. Do research ahead of time and ask around to avoid hiccups that may interfere with plans.

-Watch your drink. I have heard many stories from both men and women about being roofie-related incidents. Remain aware of your surroundings and what you order. I went to a club in Bali that served free cocktails for two hours each night: these were basically fruity liver poison. The first night I had one and felt a little loopy walking back to my hotel room. The second night, I blacked out after two and was sexually abused by a man I had befriended at my hotel. I heard similar stories about that club when speaking to other travelers.

What a positive note to end on. Hopefully this list helps those heading out on big trips. Please feel free to share other advice in the comments.