You will actually find details of flights, tours and accommodation on our other pages as well as information on health and safety. However, being a backpacker means being on a budget, so there are a few more tips on this page to hopefully make your trip a success.

It is important to learn as much as you can about the areas you are visiting as there are sometimes some rules and customs that are different to what you are used to. You must respect these rules, even if you do not want to. Also find out about the culture, if there are any dangerous places, how expensive it will be and what the weather will be like so you can be prepared.

You must make sure you have a valid passport that will last the duration of your stay, as well as an appropriate visa if you are wishing to stay longer than 90 days. It may be wise to check that a member of your family also has a valid passport in case they have to fly out in an emergency.

A good tip is to photocopy your passport, tickets and visa etc so that if they are lost or stolen, you have proof and do not end up stranded anywhere.

A very important point is to remember to take out insurance. Some students trying to save money think they will not need it, but America is the one place you definitely should have it as the healthcare is extortionate otherwise. STA Travel offer a good package as well as Endsleigh.

A couple of safety points to bear in mind - do not leave luggage unattended in airports as rucksacks are a prime target for drug smugglers. Also, avoid wearing jewellery or anything of sentimental value. Only take what you are prepared to lose as you could be disappointed at some stage either by loss or theft. Have a money belt so that if your bag is snatched, you still have something left.

A good saving tip is to invest in one of the many discount cards on offer. There are general ones that show you are a student and entitle you to cheaper admission to attractions and there are some hostel ones that allow you cheaper accommodation. Look at the ISIC card supplied by the International Student Travel Confederation.Their web site provides students with advice and useful links too.

Although there is an inland travel page on our site, Green Tortoise Adventure Travel was not mentioned as it is aimed more at backpackers. It has sleeper coaches and is a very sociable way to travel if you are wanting to meet other people in a similar situation to you.

If you are wanting to find out more about a particular place or general tips for travellers, www.lonelyplanet.com and www.roughguides.com are two useful sites to bear in mind.

Below is a compilation of student travel agencies hostels which we recommend: