The Indie Travel Manifesto
The 24 principles that define what it means to travel independently
Adapt as you go rather than micromanage in advance.
Defining your values, exploring your beliefs, and crafting your own meaning for life.
Discovery over escape
Dynamic possibilities over static goals.
Emphasize listening more than talking.
First-hand experience over expert opinions.
Give back to the local economy.
Interactions over transactions.
Learn the economic, political and environmental context of my host culture.
Local information over received information.
Make meaningful connections and informed decisions.
Mental and spiritual growth as much as physical adventure.
Options over possessions.
Pack light and keep things simple.
Practice caution, but not paranoia.
Practice courtesy, patience, humility, and good humor.
Private transformation over social status and bragging rights.
Replacing broad expectations with nuanced realities.
Seeing yourself in the context of a rich and complex world.
Seek pleasure in simple moments and details.
Seek to understand, not judge or romanticize other cultures.
Share what you’ve learned with others.
Slow down and enjoy an experience.
The present moment over dreams of past and future.
Indie Travel Articles(80)
10 Ways to Use CouchSurfing: A Multi-Tool for the Indie Traveler
Everyone has heard of CouchSurfing by now, but is everyone making the most of it? Julie Dupuis shares tips that go beyond the usual slumber party.
5 Reasons to Add Overland Travel to Your Trip
Overland travel is the epitome of independent travel – only you make the rules! Rachel Denning writes from the road about the advantages of this distinctive form of exploration.
5 Ways Indie Travel Has Changed — And Stayed The Same — Since 1999
Rolf Potts shares ideas about how Vagabonding has shifted.
50 of the Best Smartphone Apps for Indie Travelers
From getting your visas to getting your vaccinations, finding an ATM to finding a toilet, booking a flight to booking a campsite, Greg Banecker breaks down 50 of the best smartphone travel apps that are sure to make your travels less stressful, more convenient, and above all, really, really cool.
6 Ways to Have an Indie Travel Experience in Guatemala
If you want to do the same old activities, but in new and interesting ways, head for Guatemala and discover something different. John Audrey Jones points in the right direction.
7 Reasons New Zealand is Perfect for Indie Travelers
New Zealand: Indie Travel Paradise? Whitney Cox shares why New Zealand’s an ideal destination for long-term indie travel–reason #1–it’s nearly impossible to get lost.
8 of the Best ‘Live Like a Local’ Experiences
From studying Islam in Turkey to helping out in the rice paddies in rural Indonesia or bedding down in a yak-hair tent with Tibetan nomads, here are 8 of the world’s best “live like a local” experiences.
All-Inclusive Resorts and Indie Travel: Is It Possible?
Have you ever been tempted by an all-inclusive vacation package but afraid you’d lose your independent traveler cred if you went on a trip like that? This article by JoAnna Haugen may help you see that while there are some drawbacks to vacation packages, there are some serious perks, too – even for indie travelers.
Backyard Adventure For the Budget Indie Traveler
Pursue exploration in your life more regularly – no plane tickets required.
Buses and Tacos: An Indie Travel Experience in Mexico
There is more to Mexican culture than beach resorts and cruise stops. For a real cultural experience, Pamela MacNaughtan suggests travelling through Mexico by bus and eating as many tacos as you can.
Can Families Travel Indie-Style On a Tour?
There are lots of travel myths floating around out there. Two of the biggest are that you can’t take a real indie trip as a family, and you can’t have an indie travel experience on a guided tour. Adam Seper is here to dispel those myths and show you how to do both.
Cheap Safari Tips: DIY at South Africa’s Kruger National Park
If you’ve assumed safaris are only for the rich, think again. Katie Hammel pulled it off herself on a low budget, so she shares her expert tips for how to do it yourself.
China for the Independent Traveler
China is an amazing country- but many traveler’s find it intimidating. Here’s your guide to backpacking in China- and why it’s easier than you think.
Create Your Own NGO: Give Back to the Local Economy
Leave a lasting positive footprint by creating your own NGO. Isabel Eva Bohrer shares how.
Cruising Doesn’t Really Suck
Indie travellers that scoff at the very thought of incorporating a cruise ship as an integral part of their next trip may be missing out.
Defining Your Own Values & Crafting Your Own Meaning for Life
Think along with Jenn Miller about how travel can be a contributor to the growth process of defining your own values and crafting your own meaning for life. We all learn and grow, sometimes the world is our best teacher.
Discovering the Value of Slow Travel – Why We Chose to Stay in Chiang Mai
Laurie Sales shares her family’s transition to slow travel.
Do you have too much stuff? Collecting experiences instead of things
Standing over my grandmother’s casket, she whispered to me one last time on her way out. Her parting lesson has become the central lesson of my life: Love people, not things. Collect memories, not stuff.
Escaping Cusco’s Crowds Through Workaway
Cliff Moore shares his top travel hack – using Workaway to escape tourist hotspots and find meaningful connection.
Fall in Love With the World
Jenn Miller shares why it’s so important to give in to being open and vulnerable on our travels: So we can fall in love with the world, engaging and learning on our travels, as opposed to merely escaping and observing.
Fighting Fears
We all have fears that we battle in the dark of night. The question is, how do we get beyond them? How do we separate the rational from the irrational and refuse to be controlled by them?
Finding Authenticity Amongst the Over-Rated
Home of the Taj Mahal, Agra is the Indian city travelers love to hate. Sara Clarke explains why it’s one of her favorite travel destinations and how she found a bit of the “real India” in one of the country’s most touristy cities.
Finding Pleasure in Simple Moments
It’s entirely possible to take a year and travel the globe and completely miss the point. I know people who have. You probably do, too. The Indie Travel Manifesto encourages us to find pleasure in simple moments. This seems a good goal, to me, regardless of whether you travel back and forth to your village to buy milk and a baguette or whether you get your “big trip” off the ground this year. Let’s take the time to cultivate pleasure in simple moments, at home and abroad.
Finding the Authentic Italian Food Experience – A Guide
Nearly everyone talks about Italian food – what many don’t know is that there is no ‘Italian food’ as such.
First Hand Experiences
Indie travel is all about having first hand experiences… so what happens when a seasoned traveler decides there’s one she doesn’t want to have?
Four Seasons in Buenos Aires: How to Travel Like a Local All Year Round
From sweltering summer days to chilled winter nights, this is your year-round guide to immersing yourself in Latin America’s coolest capital.
Going Abroad in Your Own Country
Kristen Kuchar sets out to discover if she can really have an Indie travel experience in her own country.
How To Eat Like A Local In Sri Lanka
Totally different to Indian fare, Sri Lankan food is unique, delicious and shockingly underrated. Travel blogger and self-confessed foodie Natalie Lyall-Grant explores this little-known cuisine and shows you how to explore Sri Lanka’s customs and culture using your tastebuds.
How the Indie Manifesto Informs My Travels
How the principles of the Indie Travel Manifesto shape one traveler's approach to every trip — and what the Indie Travel Challenge revealed about practicing them in real life.
How to Be an Indie Traveler Anywhere You Go
You can be an indie traveler anywhere you go – even at home. In fact, indie travel isn’t all about traveling. We know. It sounds weird. It looks weird. But hear us out.
How to Enjoy a Resort Trip if You’re Not Really a Resort Person
Just because you’re more of an indie traveler doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the often excellent deals on vacation packages to resorts. As Robin Locker explains, it just means you’ve got to plan on making your resort stay a little different than the usual vacation-goer might.
How to Find an Authentic Safari
Beth Norton grew up in Zimbabwe and was “going bush” before going on a safari became a packaged trend. She talks about the different types of safari and how to find an authentic one. This piece is a must for those headed to Africa in hopes of seeing the big five!
How to See Vancouver Like a Local
An up to the minute guide on how to live like a local in Vancouver, reported by Sarah Swinglehurst.
How to Travel (Like A Local) in Guatemala
Jenn Miller explains why overland travel is the way to see the “real” Guatemala and how to use chicken buses, collectivos, fletes, and even boats to travel deeper in the Central American country.
How to Travel Like a Local in Bavaria
Many people go to Munich, but not many explore the greater region of Bavaria. Claire Hart explains not only why Bavaria deserves more attention, but also how to fit in with the Bavarians when you go.
How to Travel Like a Local in Indonesia
From getting muddy in the rice paddies to visiting a medicine man, Zoë Smith offers some advice on ditching the tourist trail and traveling like a local in Indonesia.
How to be an Independent Backpacker in Madagascar
In little-explored Madagascar, only the adventurous minority choose buses and a backpack over private cars and a tour group. Jessie Beck explains how to make independent backpacking throughout the island easier.
Independent Island Hopping
The first thing that probably comes to mind when you imagine a vacation in the Caribbean is a white sand beach with warm turquoise water and swaying palm trees. The second thing is probably an all-inclusive resort with expensive yachts and retired expats. For independent travelers, the latter is mostly a deterrent for a beach vacation on a Caribbean island. With some small considerations and thoughtful planning, you can turn what you might think to be a standard Caribbean vacation into an advent
Independent Travel Tips for Tokyo
Japan isn’t nearly as expensive as it used to be. Despite the lower prices, it can still be quite confusing and enigmatic. Everything is the same but different – which is also part of what makes Tokyo such a fun and interesting place to visit.
Indie Travel Guide to the Yukon Territory
There’s more to the Yukon Territory than just wilderness. See for yourself the wonders of being somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
Indie Travel in Bosnia for $45 Per Day
Bosnia and Herzegovina was once in the forefront of people’s minds for quite tragic reasons, however they have put that in the past, and now travelers are beginning to realize that this country has tons of potential. Its incredible mountain landscapes make for great outdoor adventures, and its ancient cultures have created some of the most impressive temples and architecture in Europe.
Indie Travel in Canada for $60 Per Day
Home to glitzy modern cities, arctic tundra, boreal forests, rocky mountains, glaciers, prairies, oil sands, and over 100,000 lakes, Pamela MacNaughtan reveals how you can discover the wonders of Canada on a budget.
Indie Travel in Cuba for $75 a Day
For many, Cuba is an enigma, but Amber Hoffman unravels the mystery of traveling to this unique Caribbean destination, and provides a budget you can follow to get the most from your trip.
Indie Travel in Egypt for $35 Per Day
Even the most disengaged student was impressed when the history lesson turned to the Ancient Pyramids, and getting a chance to visit them is on many travelers’ bucket lists. But there’s much more to Egypt than the pyramids, and Paris Marx is here to offer a guide to getting the most out of your trip to this amazing and unique country.
Indie Travel in Guatemala for $25 Per Day
The secret is out: in the past few years, indie travelers have started to discover the magical country of Guatemala. There is so much happening in Guatemala, from active volcanoes to beautiful Central American art, that even the shortest trip will lead to new discoveries, and will have you planning a return before you have even left.
Indie Travel in Hong Kong for $60 Per Day
Some call it the world city of Asia, and Hong Kong has something for everyone. In the morning you can get lost in the city, taking in its international culture, and in the afternoon you can hike in the forest or lounge on the beach. And you can do it all for under $60 a day.
Indie Travel in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for $50 a day
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan may not be on your top places to visit, but if you are an intrepid and adventurous traveler you just may want to consider adding them!
Indie Travel in Malawi for $25 Per Day
Often referred to as ‘the warm heart of Africa,” Malawi lives up to its nickname in all respects. From stunning to supremely friendly locals, combined with its low daily budget and relative ease of travel, Malawi is a great place to start off your African love affair.
Indie Travel in Malaysia for $10 Per Day
Anthropologist and extreme budget-traveler Stephen Le recently explored Malaysia’s wildlife, culture, and cuisine on $10 USD a day. Find out how!
Indie Travel in Mozambique for $45 Per Day
Mozambique has some of the most beautiful beaches, best diving and off-the-beaten-path adventures that Africa has to offer.
Indie Travel in Myanmar for $45 Per Day
Myanmar, with its beautiful mountains, pristine lakes, temples, and outdoor activities galore, is a country that can be easily explored without punching a hole in the wallet. Learn how Chelsea Perino experienced all that Myanmar had to offer on a $45 a day budget.
Indie Travel in Panama for $30 Per Day
As opposed to other increasingly popular destinations like Costa Rica or Mexico, Panama is Central America’s best-kept tropical secret. Panama has not fully appeared on the backpacker circuit yet and offers visitors a vibrant local culture, turquoise seas, abundant wildlife, and mystical highlands ripe for exploration.
Indie Travel in Portugal for $50 Per Day
Portugal often gets the short end of the stick when it come to travel in Western Europe, which is great for the indie traveler. Jessica Benavides Canepa shows you how you can explore this amazing country for under $50 per day.
Indie Travel in Spain for $55 Per Day
A land of passion, food, art, and music, where the population is dedicated to living the good life and appreciating every moment of it, you will never be disappointed whether you are visiting the bustling metropolitans of Barcelona or Madrid, or escaping to the high mountains for a little R&R.
Indie Travel in Vietnam for $30 Per Day
Traveling around Vietnam can be extremely cheap. Extremely expensive. Or anywhere in between. Budget, bare-bones backpackers can probably get around on $10-$15USD per day or less. If you want to pamper yourself by staying in 5-star hotels and eating at the finest restaurants, you can blow through $150USD per day. Then there’s everything in between.
Indie Travel in the Czech Republic for $45 Per Day
In these days of mass tourism, the Czech Republic can be more expensive than its reputation suggests, but it doesn’t have to be. John Guzdek gives you a guide to exploring and indulging yourself for just $45 per day.
Indie Traveler Interview: Rick Steves
We asked some of our favorite indie travelers to give us their thoughts on travel and how indie travel helps them better understand themselves and the world around them. Here’s what Rick Steves, travel guidebook writer and Europe travel expert, had to say.
Indie Traveler Interview: Tony Wheeler
We asked some of our favorite indie travelers to give us their thoughts on travel and how indie travel helps them better understand themselves and the world around them. Here’s what Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet, had to say.
Is Bigger Better? The Pros and Cons of Small-Ship Cruising for Independent Travelers
Independent travelers often turn their noses up at the idea of cruising, but for those who want to enjoy some of the benefits of a cruise without succumbing to the mass tourism pitfalls associated with megacruises, a small-ship cruise is an excellent compromise.
Kenya for the Indie Traveler
From wildlife to beachcombing to one of the world’s epic train rides, Shelley Seale shares some of the best times to be had in Kenya.
Lanzarote for Independent Travelers
There were 2 reasons why Nicolas went to Lanzarote. The first one was al little voice in his head that did not want to believe that there wouldn’t be anything to do for an independent traveler on Lanzarote. The second reason was also a – maybe a little louder – voice that told him to get out of freezing and rainy Belgium and get a tan instead of a cold.
Maybe Organized Tours Aren’t So Bad After All?
As an self proclaimed indie traveler, I should have an open mind about all types of travel, yet I’ve always been kinda snotty about organized tours. Then I met Laura, who got me to re-think my stance.
Paris for the Indie Traveler
Paris is probably the most cliched and expensive holiday destination of all time, but Revati Victor shows you how to discover this city’s secrets Indie style, all the while getting the most out of your budget.
Pico Iyer on Indie Travel
We asked some of our favorite indie travelers to give us their thoughts on travel and how indie travel helps them better understand themselves and the world around them. Here’s what legendary travel writer Pico Iyer had to say.
Seeing Ourselves In The Context Of A Rich World
Jennifer Miller has been a student with the world as her classroom and humanity as her teacher since she was a child. In her continuing series, following the Indie Travel Manifesto, she examines the lessons she’s learning regarding her place in the context of a very rich world, indeed.
Shades of Gray – Living as a Local in Cape Town, South Africa
Authenticity doesn’t come without its challenges. Shannon Whitehead finds out first-hand while tackling Cape Town’s taxi system.
Slow Down!
With your map unrolled on the dining room table, it’s tempting to keep adding dots to your itinerary. After all, you don’t want to miss anything! Grab a glass of wine and sit down with Jenn Miller as she explains why they’ve learned to travel slower, and see the benefits of a less hectic pace for long-term travel.
Slow Travel in the Loire Valley
Contrary to popular belief, indie travel isn’t one long vacation and slowing down from time to time can help re-energize your travels. With leisurely sights, award-winning food and wine and natural beauty, Jo Fitzsimons explains why the Loire Valley in France is the perfect place to slow down.
The End of a Dream: Couchsurfing’s Fall
A veteran host and surfer explains how privatization, rapid membership growth, and safety issues make Couchsurfing no longer a slam dunk for independent travelers.
The Freedom of Travel vs. The Paralysis of Stuff
On the heels of Black Friday, Jenn Miller discusses why she’d rather have options than possessions and questions the sanity of following the American Dream just because that’s the way it’s always been done. Are you itching for something different? Read on.
The Indie Travel Manifesto
Explore what it means to be an Indie Traveler.
The Role of Pain in Travel
Travel often has an element of suffering intrinsic to the process, but what about pain as a catalyst for travel? What about the value of suffering physically for the greater journey, both internally and externally? Should we, as indie travelers, be seeking to make the journey more comfortable, or intentionally making it more difficult? How much notice should we take of the pain and discomfort of a journey? What is its proper place, mentally and physically, in an adventure?
Top 101 Books for Independent Travel
Travelers love to read, so we talked and debated, asked our readers, and came up with the Top 101 Books for Travelers.
Travel Math: 7 Equations for the Indie Traveler
Since mathematics is all about avoiding the gray areas, we thought we’d put some of our favorite travel truisms into equation form to demonstrate how easy it is to stop having stupid travel arguments and focus instead on what really matters – the traveling.
Travel is Not a Contest (& Other Reasons to Embrace Slow Travel)
Planning to cram three countries and five cities into your two week vacation? Stop right there. Jennifer Miller shares five very good reasons to resist the urge to “see it all” in favor of developing a depth of experience that just might change your life.
Why Croatia is the Ultimate Indie Travel Destination for Families
A relaxing, independently-planned family vacation is often just a question of finding the right destination. For Jane Graham and her family, that destination was Croatia and its islands – here’s why.
Why Glamping In Colombia Is Your Next Indie Travel Adventure
Escape city travel and support local business by glamping in San Gil, Colombia.
Why I Hate the Term “Authentic Travel”
Travel is often referred to as being authentic, but Sarah-Jane Williams describes why she hates this description with a passion!
Why Raise an Indie Traveler?
As an indie traveler, you’re a cultural ambassador. So why not start that process with kids as early as possible?
Why and How to Embrace Long-term Slow Travel
A vacation is good, a summer’s travel is better, a RTW journey is a classic, a gap year can be epic, but why stop there? People all around the world are embracing a life of Longterm Slow Travel; Jenn Miller, in her fifth year of full-time travel, introduces you to a few of her friends, introduces you to the how and the why, and gives you ten good reasons you should just keep going.