When people talk about long term travelers, they usually use the words “backpacker” and “digital nomad” interchangeably. The reality is that they are actually two distinct ways of traveling that are entirely different. Backpackers and digital nomads have very different budgets, goals, and ways they spend their time when traveling. So which lifestyle is right for you? Let’s break down the key differences in backpacker vs digital nomad lifestyles.
Side Note: These are generalizations, and I am in no way trying to say either travel styles are better or worse than the other. There are absolutely both digital nomads and backpackers that break these stereotypes (I’ve met digital nomads who sleep in hostels). This post is just meant to be resourceful for anyone who is new to the long term travel lifestyle, and wants an idea of what to expect from whichever travel style they choose.
What is a Backpacker?
A backpacker can be a broad term for anyone who travels, usually with a backpack as the name suggests. This is an indication of their humble ways of traveling, often at a fast pace to see as much as they can, for as long as their saved money allows them to.
Therefore, the backpacker’s travel goal is usually to see as much as possible, while spending the least amount of money.
What is a Digital Nomad?
A key component of what makes a digital nomad is the fact that they work while they travel. This usually means that they won’t travel the same way a backpacker would, since their motivation is both work and travel, instead of solely travel.
Backpacker vs Digital Nomad
Accommodation
A backpacker’s go-to accommodation of choice is usually a hostel. They are cheaper than hotels, perfect for short term stays, and are ideal for meeting other long term travelers. Some extreme budget backpackers may even opt to sleep outside by traveling with a sleeping bag or tent.
A digital nomad usually won’t stay in a hostel, because they need a comfortable work space. Sure, some hostels have really nice lobbies these days, but you can never ensure the noise level or amount of privacy. The accommodation of choice for digital nomads are likely monthly rentals. These are more affordable than hotels, and come with amenities needed for longer stays, like kitchens.
Comfort Level
Backpackers tend to be more easygoing with their comfort level, since their goals are usually to spend the least amount of money possible. Backpackers don’t mind sharing their space in dorm rooms in hostels. Likewise, they are more likely to choose the cheapest options when possible even at the expense of comfort. They may hitchhike more, walk instead of paying for transport, and eat the cheapest food options available.
Digital nomads tend to care at least a bit more about overall comfort. You try tackling a work week after a weekend of sleeping in a loud hostel, or after being cramped into a 10+ hour long local bus ride. A digital nomad may choose the more convenient option, to make their work life easier. Whether that means flying or taking an Uber instead of the cheapest bus, or going to a restaurant sometimes instead of cooking.
Backpack or Suitcase
This may actually be a personal thing, but I’ll include it regardless. Ahh, the age old argument of backpack vs. suitcase. Some travelers even look down on those that travel with a suitcase, as if there is some elitism to being a traveler at all.
Most backpackers travel with a backpack. This is because it’s easiest for them to get around. All they have to do is pick up their life on their backs and off they go.
A person with a suitcase can be more limited by car transport. This is especially true for longer distances since it’s not always practical to bring your suitcase onto a bus, or walk with it. However, as a digital nomad, I think suitcases are more convenient. There’s just something much nicer about having your clothes nicely folded in your luggage versus stuffed into a backpack. Plus, since we settle into places longer and actually unpack our bags, it makes that easier.
As digital nomads we are likely to use paid transportation to get around instead of walking anyway since we travel with expensive electronics and work equipment. You don’t want to get mugged with all of that. Sure, many digital nomads travel with a backpack too, but if there are any long term travelers with a suitcase, they are more likely to be a digital nomad.
Travel Pace
Backpackers tend to move from place to place much faster than digital nomads. One reason why is that their money is running out with each day on the road. They want to see as much as they can as fast as possible. Also, they have unlimited free time, so they will “see” a place faster than a digital nomad.
For digital nomads, an apartment rental is usually monthly, so we spend at least a month in each city. Digital nomads also find joy in really feeling like they “live” in a place. They tend to find excitement in the everyday things, such as finding cool cafes to work from, building a local community of friends, going to a gym, etc. Therefore, digital nomads are usually happier to slow down and spend more time in each place.
Budgeting
The biggest difference between backpackers and digital nomads is probably how we use our money. A backpacker’s trip is only as long as they can stretch their savings. Because of this, they must be budget oriented about almost everything they do. They are less likely to eat at restaurants or spend frivolously on paid activities. They usually look for free activities, or the cheapest ways to do everything.
For digital nomads, the situation is entirely different. Since we make money while traveling, we don’t need to be on a constant race to the bottom when it comes to spending. We can afford to splurge on special meals, go shopping for gifts and souvenirs, and say yes to any paid activities we like. Sure, you still want to mind your budget since it’s always easy to over spend while traveling, but we generally have a much more relaxed view towards spending.
Time Management
Another huge factor that influences the way we travel is how much time we have. Backpackers have an expiration date on their trip, which is usually marked by the day their bank account hits zero. Therefore, they need to fit as many destinations and experiences into their window of time as possible. They are usually traveling at a fast pace, not spending a lot of time in any destination, and always riding a wave of constantly “doing” things.
On the other end, digital nomads can travel for as long as they want, as long as they maintain their source of income. This financial freedom means we can afford to slow down, take days off “traveling” to relax by a pool, read a book, or heck, even binge a Netflix series. We also find time to enjoy the more typical activities of everyday life that backpackers probably won’t waste their trip on, like going to the cinema or working out.
Length of Trip
This ties into the point above. A backpacking trip only lasts as long as the money does. There are always ways to squeeze out more time, by really spending as little money as possible. Even then, this can only last so long. A backpacking trip can typically last a few months, or for those who did an amazing job saving money prior to the trip, one or two years.
As for digital nomads, it’s not unheard of to meet remote workers who have been at this lifestyle for a decade or more. Your trip only ends when you want it to. Otherwise your trip can really go on for as long as you have an income source.
Travel Necessities
Digital nomads tend to travel with more. For one, they need to travel with all their electronics and work equipment. In turn, this sometimes means a bigger or more secure bag to keep their expensive gear protected. Since we spend more time in each city, we may want to blend in more with locals, which means dressing more like we would back home. For me that means jeans, some clothes for going out on weekends, and enough cute outfits for me to not get bored.
Backpackers rely more on minimalism, and only travel with easy to transport items that can be carried on their back. As a result, they usually travel with as little as possible. They are less concerned with fashion choices than getting the maximum utility out of every single thing they pack. Extreme backpackers may even need to travel with more outdoor gear, such as sleeping bags or tents depending on their degree of backpacking.
Level of Planning
Backpackers don’t need to plan out their trip as much, as they can afford to be 100% spontaneous. This is very liberating in many ways, because you never know where you may end up. You can literally follow your heart anywhere you wish.
Digital nomads are limited by their need for wifi and a space to work. This means, they’ll always have to check the wifi situation before going somewhere. If they want to go somewhere off the grid, they must time it during non-working days, since they can’t work without wifi.
This can be a disadvantage for the digital nomad who wants to travel to certain destinations but can’t because of the wifi. For example, a digital nomad who wants to go to Ethiopia basically can’t, unless they take time off work completely, due to the lack of wifi.
Age Group
Backpackers can be all ages, but the younger long term travelers are almost always backpackers (unless their parents fund their trip). Digital nomads are usually a bit older and at least in the mid to late 20s but quite commonly in their 30s and beyond too. They have a job, so they usually tend to be in a later stage in life and their careers.
Also, I think after a certain age many travelers tend to crave more comfort. In my early 20s, I could survive for months in a hostel, drinking the cheapest beer and hitchhiking. But now I crave comfort and more options. I think at my age I wouldn’t survive the backpacking lifestyle for very long (I’m in my late 20s).
How We Spend Our Free Time
Backpackers have endless free time. For most, this is amazing and the best way to travel since you aren’t limited by any responsibilities during your trip. For some (like me), this can sometimes become boring, because you don’t appreciate the free time you have because you have so much of it. That’s why backpackers usually blast through destinations so fast. They tend to move faster because they get bored faster.
Digital nomads have to balance both work and travel, and their responsibilities and fun. I’d say, we appreciate our free time more although there is less of it. As a digital nomad, you tend to make your travel days more special, and you’ll make huge efforts to make the free time you do have really count.
Social Life
Backpackers stay in hostels, so they are constantly meeting people that come and go. They travel fast, so they rarely interact with their new friends for longer than a few days before moving on to the next destination. The result is a lot of connections, but mostly short lived. The positive is that you’re never alone and can be social whenever you want. The downside is that this can actually become sad, when you are constantly saying goodbye and have no sense of community.
Digital nomads tend to stay put longer. This makes it easier to build more long term friendships for the duration of the stay and beyond. They do need to make more of an effort to socialize, since they don’t have the convenience of the built in socializing that comes with staying in hostels. However, the quality of the connections made are much deeper, generally because you spend more time with people you meet and actually have things in common.
Backpacker vs Digital Nomad: Which is Better?
So which lifestyle wins in the epic battle of backpacker vs digital nomad? The answer is: neither. I’ve been both a backpacker and digital nomad, and both come with positive aspects. It just depends on your own personal goals and what you’ll want out of your trip. Plus, not everyone has a job they can do remotely. So it also boils down to whether you even have the option to be a digital nomad. However, I could be wrong, but I predict that in the future more and more jobs will go remote or at least have the option to do so. So if you are curious to try out the digital nomad life, your time is coming.
Personally for me, I don’t see myself giving up the digital nomad lifestyle. I love slow travel and feeling like I really live in a new destination. I also love having the financial freedom to do whatever I want, like splurging on sushi or going on a dive trip. My partner is more of a backpacker, and in many ways our travel styles don’t mix. However, I am jealous that he never has to plan, can be more spontaneous, and doesn’t need to deal with booking Airbnbs.
And that wraps up this breakdown of backpacker vs digital nomad life! And over to you? What’s your travel style, and what are the pros and cons? Let’s discuss it below!
Linda (LD Holland) says
After looking at this post, it is clear that we are neither a backpacker or digital nomad. We are not working when we travel – other than this blog of course! We would wander more like a digital nomad – slowly, wanting good connectivity and a comfortable spot to stay. And I would never want to backpack with my failures at packing light!
bye:myself says
It’s so cool reading about your experience. I personally like both – the backpacker lifestyle on shorter trips – up to let’s say six weeks – and the digital nomad lifestyle, i.e. making myself more or less at home, when I’m somewhere for a couple of months. As a matter of fact, I was a digital nomad before there was digital, i.e. I’ve been working in the most remote place on my publications and communication took place by telefax. 😀
Lorry says
I have never been a backpacker, but I do admire those who do. I could see myself being a digital nomad for a short stint though. Great article!
My Travel Trouvailles says
So many great points! I truly admire the backpacker lifestyle. Love your comparison between backpacker abs digital nomad.
Liz says
This is such a great post! I love how you say you love slow travel. That’s definitely something I need to practice more!
Nicole says
Great article. I’m similar to you and even when ‘backpacking’ I prefer my suitcase. The times I use just my backpack are for adventure trips like multi day treks.
Carol Colborn says
Yes, I am definitely not a backpacker. I am a digital nomad although I do not work (travel write) for money but as an engaging hobby. Thus, we stay at timeshares.
Melissa says
Great comparison of the two. While I would love to go backpacking some day, for now I am more of a digital nomad. I bring my work with me everywhere, but I also try to see as much as possible on each trip. I can definitely relate to picking the more convenient option in order to better get some work done (plus dealing with a kid!).
PJ says
Very well said! It’s interesting to see the discrete little differences between the two! I think I lean more towards the digital nomad, even though I’m not making any money online (yet 🤞🏻), but I try to work on the road when I get the chance I.e. teaching English! You defined the two beautifully, great job!
Sportskanone says
I would say, that real backpacking is not to be confused with the commercialized soft and easy one of today. And I don’t mean a cultural thing like Alpine technical climbing vs. Saxon freeclimbing.
It also nearly lost the real touch, because nowadays it’s often times across developed routes with money in the bag. This means some have more, some less money, but all have money and put that first. The difference is, that such people don’t choose individual ways or build a group experience with their own undertaking in group/teamwork, and only then use money, which some have, some not. Even 15 years ago, it was often times just with a bag and a map, and required own planning and real independence and responsibility. It was backpacking and adventure, not a question about money or having pictures about yourself in such an environment.
You as a traveler kind of understood the differences in culture and respect, where as today people also think it is normal, that you got adulterated alcohol, but don’t question why you don’t get that at home. And believe it is kind of part of an “all inclusive” package, where also the tropical climate is integrated, but cheaper than somewhere else.
Today, backpacking is more about either a cheaper method of traveling, mostly in 2nd or 3rd world countries or about a simulation to live poorly in India with just 5$ a day. But even those don’t create something, they put money first but just very little.
While being on a boat working and being already an digital nomad, I literally saw the worst in 2019. A group of NBA stuff wearing Blacks from the US, who spoke Spanish, didn’t went swimming in the paradise and witnessing sting rays, no, but made photos only of themselves in the water. They were not the only ones doing only that, but the most close ones to me/us. They did not even go exploring the Island, but you could see that they don’t really know, what they are doing.