Should I get travel insurance for my solo backpacking trip?

Yes. Although travel insurance is mostly not required to travel to many countries now, it is still strongly recommended. Having a travel insurance plan with adequate coverage will allow you to claim for medical and hospitalisation expenses, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation and more, so it’ll definitely prepare you better for such unexpected situations.

Can I get waivers for credit card foreign transaction fees?

Yes, there are many credit cards that offer discounts or waivers of foreign transaction fees, but you’ll have to call in or email or log into your account with your credit card issuing bank to request for it.

Is it possible to claim if my flight gets cancelled for my solo backpacking trip?

Yes and no. The actual amount you’ll get to claim for flight cancellation really depends on when you submit your trip cancellation request and the departure date of your trip. Your claim will possibly be accepted by most travel insurance companies if the submission of your request and the valid reason for cancellation is done within 30 days of your departure.

Will I need an IDP when driving overseas?

Most of the time, yes, you will most likely need an IDP. However, this depends on the driving regulations of the country you’re travelling to. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is usually required for foreigners to drive in certain countries. In these countries, it is considered illegal to drive without an original IDP, so if you forget to apply for one, car rental companies there won’t rent cars to you.

What is a multi-currency account?

A multi-currency account is one of the many types of accounts that banks offer. With a multi-currency account, you’ll be able to convert your currency without having to pay dynamic currency conversion fees.

Best Solo Backpacker Travel Insurance 2025

10 Travel Hacks Every Solo Backpacker Will Need

#1: Get adequate travel insurance coverage

Having a travel insurance plan with adequate coverage will allow you claim for in-patient hospitalisation expenses overseas including medical, surgical, nursing or hospital charges, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, so it’ll definitely prepare you better for such unexpected situations. Here are some considerations when picking a plan for your solo backpacking trip:

Prioritise a travel insurance plan with extensive medical coverage. It should cover hospitalisation, doctor visits, prescription medications, and emergency medical evacuation. Ensure the coverage extends to pre-existing medical conditions if you have any.
Check that the policy covers the entire duration of your trip and the destinations you plan to visit. Some policies may have restrictions or exclusions for certain regions or countries, so check the geographic coverage carefully.
Opt for a policy that covers trip cancellation or interruption due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, injury, or natural disasters. This will protect your financial investment in case your trip gets disrupted.
If you have the budget for it, get an add-on personal liability coverage to protect you in case you cause accidental injury to someone else or damage their property.
Look for coverage that compensates you in case your baggage or personal belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip. This can be crucial for backpackers who often carry valuable gear and equipment.
Ensure that your policy provides 24/7 emergency assistance services. This includes access to a helpline for emergencies, coordination of medical services, and assistance with travel arrangements if needed.

#2: Bring along extra credit cards

MoneySmart tip: You can clock air miles, get cashback, free flights, hotel stays, dining rewards, or other benefits by bringing extra credit cards on your trip. Currently, the UOB PRVI VISA Miles Card offers 50,000 air miles upon sign-up, the most generous in our list to date. To find out more, tap on MoneySmart's Best Credit Card for Overseas Spending to compare different credit cards and their perks while you pick the right ones for your backpacking trip.

#3: Use a Multi-currency Account (MCA)

multi-currency account, you’ll be able to convert your currency without having to pay dynamic currency conversion fees. For instance, you’re carrying SGD as a traveller, and an MCA can allow you to deposit that amount of SGD into your MCA so that you don’t have to carry so much cash around.

Tip #4: Apply for your overseas driving permit

MoneySmart tip: If you are going to a rural part of a country and will be renting a car, ensure that your travel insurance provides rental car excess cover. Renowned travel insurance providers like FWD and Income Insurance (formerly known as NTUC Income) do provide decent rental vehicle excess coverage, but do check and compare plans before getting one as some providers offer this benefit as part of their plans or as a separate add-on feature which you have to top up money for.

Tip #5: Pack a few power adapters

As different regions have different types of adaptors, do check international standards before your trip so that you’ll know which device you should purchase to fit your charging cords.

Tip #6: Prepare a mini personal first-aid kit

Simple medication like paracetamol, diarrhoea pills, and anti-allergy medicine can even help treat uncomplicated illnesses during your trip and help you save on expensive overseas medical bills.

Tip #7: Have an offline map at hand

Having an offline map like Google Maps or Maps.me downloaded onto your mobile phone can really save you time and hassle when you happen to be travelling somewhere with no internet connection, or if you are unfortunate enough to have both your phone and portable wifi devices to be out of battery.

Tip #8: Pack light

Organising the things you pack in your carry-on backpack is particularly important for solo backpacker travellers because everything has to be compact to minimise or have no check-in baggage. Moreover, having a smaller backpack will help you avoid attracting attention from pickpockets and save you the trouble of claiming for stolen/damaged baggage.

Tip #9: Tap on translation tools

When you don’t speak the native language at the destination you’re visiting, it’s a must to have Google Translate, SayHi Translate, iTranslate Language Translator and Dictionary Linguee, in your library of apps as it will help you communicate with locals who aren't proficient in English.

Tip #10: Save all the local emergency hotlines

Having all the important local emergency numbers in your mobile i.e. local police hotline, reputable local hospital hotline, your travel insurance company’s emergency hotline, etc., will definitely equip you with quick, easy access to help when you need it while travelling alone in a foreign country.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get travel insurance for my solo backpacking trip?: Yes. Although travel insurance is mostly not required to travel to many countries now, it is still strongly recommended. Having a travel insurance plan with adequate coverage will allow you to claim for medical and hospitalisation expenses, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation and more, so it’ll definitely prepare you better for such unexpected situations.
Can I get waivers for credit card foreign transaction fees?: Yes, there are many credit cards that offer discounts or waivers of foreign transaction fees, but you’ll have to call in or email or log into your account with your credit card issuing bank to request for it.
Is it possible to claim if my flight gets cancelled for my solo backpacking trip?: Yes and no. The actual amount you’ll get to claim for flight cancellation really depends on when you submit your trip cancellation request and the departure date of your trip. Your claim will possibly be accepted by most travel insurance companies if the submission of your request and the valid reason for cancellation is done within 30 days of your departure.
Will I need an IDP when driving overseas?: Most of the time, yes, you will most likely need an IDP. However, this depends on the driving regulations of the country you’re travelling to. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is usually required for foreigners to drive in certain countries. In these countries, it is considered illegal to drive without an original IDP, so if you forget to apply for one, car rental companies there won’t rent cars to you.
What is a multi-currency account?: A multi-currency account is one of the many types of accounts that banks offer. With a multi-currency account, you’ll be able to convert your currency without having to pay dynamic currency conversion fees.