Camping outdoors is fun enough, but the thrill of camping on international grounds is an experience on a whole new level.
The thrill of meeting new people, creating amazing memories, being out of your comfort zone, and exploring new places can be an amazing feeling indeed. However, there are a few things you need to take into account – the budget, gear, durable backpacks, equipment, etc.
If you feel like you’re ready for this adventure then you’ve come to the right place. We’re providing 5 smart tips for international camping. Let’s get straight to it!
1. Keep a Lookout For Free Camping
For those who are traveling on a budget, there are many countries that allow you to camp for free. Countries like Germany, Japan, and Sweden are just some of the places where you can camp for free.
What you need to keep in mind is that there are no bathrooms, shower zones or electrical hookups. You need to go into full camping mode to savor the camping experience.
In many countries, you’ll find signs that indicate pole sites. This means you can camp at these places for free. Luckily for you, these signs are spread across countries like the Netherlands and Australia.
Some may allow you to build your own fire and some may not. There is also the time limit you need to take into account as well. It’s best to do your research thoroughly and find out which condition suits your trip ideas the best.
2. Smart Packing
Camping on an international level requires you to do some smart thinking. That’s why when it comes to packing, you need to make sure your packing is on a high level.
Whether you fly to your desired country or take the train, packing light will be convenient. Pack only the necessities and buy the rest of your gear and equipment after you arrive.
Most airplanes won’t let you carry things like propane, which you will need for cooking. However, you can carry a cooking stove with you. So, think ahead!
When it comes to electrical appliances, sockets might be different in different countries. It’s best to buy an adaptor just to be safe.
3. Cultural Differences and Regulations
It’s true for any sort of traveling that you should be prepared for the cultural differences you might face. Not just cultural differences, but their rules and regulations too.
When it comes to camping, most countries more or less follow the same rules. You might get lucky and find out you’re familiar with all of them. However, you must also be aware of some additional rules that might be legal or about etiquette.
Try to gather as much information as you can about the camping rules of the country you’re visiting. It doesn’t hurt to be prepared and be ready for whatever the trip throws at you.
Important Regulations to Lookout For
Let’s take a look at some important regulations that you might not be aware of and need to look out for:
Language Barriers
It’s pretty obvious you will face this problem when you’re traveling abroad and you don’t know the language. You can choose to plan for this in advance and not let it be a hindrance. Look up some phrases that will help you communicate easily or buy a book that may help you to translate better.
Backcountry Camping Regulations
There are some countries that don’t really allow backcountry camping, but there are a few that do. However, they don’t allow you to have a fire. You can camp out in the wilderness, but you can’t have a fire going.
It’s best to know which country allows what before you head out there for a camping trip.
Wilderness Regulations
Littering is always a bad idea and when it comes to other countries there might be laws that are severe. You could get a fine for littering or dumping campsite waste.
Countries like New Zealand don’t allow any sort of littering anywhere at all. Be sure to never litter wherever you are!
4. Upgrade Your Health Insurance
It’s possible that you already have full health coverage insurance from where you are. However, it’s safe to say that the same plan won’t apply in other countries.
In times like these, you should look into getting traveler’s health insurance instead. The traveler’s plan is often low-priced and most insurance companies have them as a refund plan.
This means you might have to pay out of your pocket first and receive the payment later once you’re back from traveling. Doesn’t really sound like a good plan, does it?
Before you accept a plan like this, check out other insurance plans that might be more suitable for you. Insurance varies from one company to another, so it’s best to do your research first and choose a plan that will benefit you to the fullest.
5. Necessary Precautions
Safety is very important when you’re traveling abroad, especially for camping trips. This is our final tip for when you’re traveling to another country for camping.
Before you leave for your trip one of the important things you can do is leave your itinerary with someone. They could be a family member or a close friend of yours.
Try to be as specific as you can about when you’ll arrive and where you will be at certain times. You can also set up check-in times with your family or a close friend as well.
This is an important step because it will help them to track you down in case they don’t hear from you.
Anything can happen during these trips, so it’s best to take some necessary precautions and let someone know about your whereabouts just in case.
Final Thoughts
Camping in a foreign country doesn’t always have to be super expensive and hard. With our 5 smart tips, you can turn your adventure into a well-planned, full of knowledge, and fun experience!
Follow the regulations and keep yourself safe by sharing your traveling itinerary with a close friend or family and you should be good to go. Happy camping!
