A backpacker is someone who travels with all their belongings packed into a backpack, usually taking long trips on a tight budget. Instead of staying in fancy hotels, backpackers might sleep in hostels (inexpensive shared lodging), camp outdoors, or stay with local families. They often travel light, bringing only what they can carry on their backs: clothes, a sleeping bag, maybe a tent, and essential supplies.

The word comes from the large backpacks these travelers wear, which can hold everything they need for weeks or months. A student backpacking through Europe might hop between countries by train, staying in different cities and seeing famous landmarks without spending much money. Backpackers often cook their own meals, take buses instead of taxis, and look for free or cheap activities.

Backpacking emphasizes adventure and experience over comfort. While a typical tourist might take a week-long vacation with planned tours and nice restaurants, a backpacker might spend months exploring, meeting locals, and discovering places that aren't in guidebooks. The goal is to see and experience as much as possible while spending as little money as necessary, which makes backpacking popular with young people, students, and anyone who values adventure over luxury.