backpacker

IPA/ˈbækpækə(r)/
KK[bˈækpˌækɚ]IPA/ˈbækpækər/

backpacker — noun

  • backpackersingular
  • backpackersplural

1. a person who visits different countries or cities while spending as little money

1.nounB1
Definition

a person who visits different countries or cities while spending as little money as possible, carrying their clothes and other items in a backpack and staying at cheap places such as hostels or guesthouses

Example

The hostel was full of young backpackers from Europe and Asia.

As a backpacker, Mei-Lin spent three months travelling through Southeast Asia on a tight budget.

travelling through Southeast Asia

Common collocations
  • young backpacker
  • backpacker hostel
  • backpacker route
  • backpacker trail
  • backpacker culture
  • seasoned backpacker
Synonyms
  • traveller

    broader term; a traveller may spend any amount of money

  • budget traveller

    same meaning, more explicit about spending

  • globetrotter

    more romantic or adventurous tone; less common in everyday speech

Antonyms
  • luxury traveller

    someone who spends a lot on accommodation and transport

  • package tourist

    someone who buys a pre-arranged tour, the opposite of independent budget travel

Usage Note

Usually describes young or independent travellers on a limited budget. The focus is on the travel style — moving between cities or countries — rather than on wilderness hiking.

Common Mistakes

I'm a backpacker staying at the Ritz-Carlton.
I'm a backpacker staying at the local hostel.
backpackers use cheap accommodation, not luxury hotels.
A backpacker goes hiking in the mountains every weekend.
A backpacker travels between cities on a budget.
this sense refers to budget travel, not day hiking.

2. a person who walks through natural areas such as mountains or forests for severa

2.nounB1
Definition

a person who walks through natural areas such as mountains or forests for several days, carrying all the necessary food, clothes, and shelter in a backpack and sleeping outdoors

Example

The trail was popular with backpackers carrying tents and cooking equipment.

carrying tents and cooking equipment

Experienced backpackers know how to pack light for a week-long hike.

Common collocations
  • experienced backpacker
  • long-distance backpacker
  • backpacker trail
  • backpacker camp
  • backpacking gear
  • backpacker permit
Synonyms
  • hiker

    may also describe someone on a short day walk without camping gear

  • camper

    focuses on the overnight stay; a camper may drive to a campsite rather than hike

  • trekker

    suggests a longer, more strenuous walk, often in remote areas

Antonyms
  • day-tripper

    someone who returns home the same day and does not carry camping gear

  • car camper

    someone who drives to a campsite rather than carrying everything on foot

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1 (BUDGET TRAVEL), this sense emphasises physical hiking and overnight camping in natural environments. Subject is typically followed by details about equipment (tent, stove, sleeping bag) or trail conditions.

Common Mistakes

I saw a backpacker sightseeing at the museum.
I saw a backpacker hiking the mountain trail with a tent on their back.
this sense is about hiking and camping, not city sightseeing.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Traveller is the broadest term — anyone on a journey, regardless of budget or style. A backpacker is a specific type of traveller who carries everything in a backpack and keeps costs low. Budget traveller overlaps almost completely with backpacker but does not require the person to actually carry a backpack. Globetrotter suggests a romantic, carefree image of someone exploring the world widely, whereas backpacker is more practical and down-to-earth. Tourist often contrasts with backpacker: tourists may travel with organised tours and stay in hotels, while backpackers travel independently and stay in cheap hostels. For example: 'The hostel is full of backpackers, but the hotel next door is full of tourists on a guided tour.'

traveller ↗budget travellerglobetrotter ↗tourist ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • backpacker hostel
  • backpacker trail
  • backpacker route
  • backpacker community

Etymology

English

Backpacker is formed from the noun 'backpack' (a pack carried on the back) plus the suffix '-er' (meaning a person who does something). The word 'backpack' itself appeared in the early 1900s, combining 'back' and 'pack'. 'Backpacker' became common in the 1960s and 1970s when budget travel and independent trips grew popular among young people, especially along routes like the Hippie Trail through Asia.