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Types of Backpacker: 10 Traveller Stereotypes
Back in 2011, we wrote a tongue-in-cheek article about the different types of travellers that we saw on the road in Southeast Asia. Since then, the concept of the ‘backpacker’ has changed A LOT. So we asked you – what types of traveller exist in Southeast Asia today? Here are some fun stereotypes of backpackers in 2025. Remember, this is just a light-hearted bit of fun — don’t be offended if you recognise yourself in the list! 😂
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Types of Traveller
1. The Know-It-All Retiree 👴🏻
We’ve all met this guy in the hostel bar, telling everyone ‘what’s what’. Meet the well-heeled ‘more mature’ traveller, who’s done it all, seen it all and got the (slightly smelly) T-shirt! Every sentence starts with “back in my day”… and ends with “backpackers just aren’t the same as they used to be.” Well – to be fair to this old crusty – it is true! This type of traveller wants everything as cheap as chips and they don’t mind staying in scruffy dorm rooms as long as it’s an opportunity to impart their wisdom upon the younger “less adventurous”, “phone addicted” generation!
2. The Nomadic Family 🧑🧑🧒🧒
This type of traveller is more and more common in Southeast Asia these days. Usually travelling in couples, they are of the millennial generation, in their late 30s, early 40s, on the banana pancake trail for the second-time round. They are the ‘tubers’ and ‘full moon party ravers’ who are now trying to relive their amazing experience of backpacking Southeast Asia with their children in tow — except it’s not quite the same. With one kid being sick, another covered in mosquito bites and the third having a tantrum over the spicy food, that freedom that they once felt has slipped away along with their hopes and dreams of ‘showing our children the world’. “We should have stayed in Bridlington,” says Dad.
3. The Bucketlister 📸
Whether they’re creating a bucket list or following one, this type of traveller cares more about life on the screen than in the real world. “Hi, so I just arrived at the pool!”… “Check out this awesome bowl of muesli!” Many a tranquil scene is ruined by the overly-enthusiastic voice of one of these travellers recording a video for their eight loyal followers. In all seriousness, the trend of bucket list travel (popularised on social media platforms such as Instagram) has been negatively affecting tourism in Southeast Asia in recent years and has contributed to overtourism in certain destinations that are frequently posted about online. Look the other direction on that idyllic beach-swing shot and there’s often a queue of travellers waiting to take the perfect photo!
4. The Digital Nomad 💻
Whether they’re a cryptocurrency expert, a dropshipper or a blogger (remember them?), digital nomads can be found in locations such as Chiang Mai and Koh Phangan in Thailand, Canggu in Bali, or any of the other popular digital nomad hotspots in Southeast Asia. With the rise of location-independent workers, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more co-working spaces, cafés and tailor-made hostels have sprung up to cater to this type of long-term nomad. The must-have accessories for the DN are: a Macbook Pro, noise-cancelling headphones, a VPN subscription, a matcha latte and an old dog-eared copy of the Four Hour Work Week — aaahhhh where it all began….
5. The Fitness Fanatic 🏋️♂️
A replacement for the old ‘hardcorer’, this type of traveller is spending six months in a gritty Muay Thai gym working on personal development and their (oh so amazing) abs… They are following the ketovore diet, no wait, they’re vegan, no wait they’re doing intermittent fasting, no wait they’re following the breatharian diet — because food and water is for the weak, right? You’ll have to get up early to spot this type of traveller — they’ve run 10km before you’ve even got your flip flops on. Key locations include: at the gym (of course), posing at the beach or in your local ice bath à la Wim Hof. A subscriber to Arnold’s Pump Club Podcast (100% AI generated, apparently), they’ll give you health and fitness tips if you like, and also if you don’t like.
6. The Spiritual Seeker 🧘🏾♀️
I still haven’t found what I’m looking for! There’s one type of traveller that never changes with the ages and that’s the traveller that’s hopping from place to place in search of themselves. Since the 60s and 70s, people from the West have gone East in search of enlightenment, peace and, let’s be honest, drugs. More confused and disorientated than ever due to the sheer number of retreats and holistic treatments marketed at this person… Vipassana, reiki, Ayuhuasca, kambo frog medicine, ashtanga, ayurveda, fasting, sound healing… Could somebody, anybody, please give this poor lost soul some directions!?
7. The Empty Nesters 🪹
The kids have flown the nest and it’s time to travel like it’s 1999 — spending the kids’ inheritance as they go! This 50 or 60-something traveller often journeys in pairs — and is the most energetic, enthusiastic character that you’ll meet on the road. A little too enthusiastic, some would say… Volcano hiking? Surfing? Diving? Paragliding? The Empty Nesters have got their second wind and they’ll run circles around the younger generation of backpackers (see below) who just can’t keep up with them. They’re in every Whatsapp and Facebook group and on every social media platform they can get their hands on. Tik Tok? Why the hell not!
8. The High-Expectations Gen Zer 👩🏼🦰
Today’s backpackers just aren’t the adventurous folks they used to be! Glued to their mobile phones 24/7 and barely leaving the hostel, these social-media-savvy travellers are the least social of all. They say they want adventure but aren’t prepared to put in any effort to make things happen. Unwilling to speak to a real person unless absolutely necessary, they would rather Google “where is the toilet?” than actually ask someone. They have a dietary requirement for every day of the week and they won’t apologise for it. They want ‘authentic travel experiences’, but only stay at hostels that have infinity pools and juice bars (alcohol? Urgh, no thanks!). This type of traveller expects to have their (gluten-free) cake and eat it too.
9. The Eco Traveller ♻️
Sustainable travel is the only way of life for this eco warrior who travels solely by foot or bicycle. After walking to Southeast Asia from Europe with nothing but a 20-litre backpack, they spend their days ‘teaching’ other travellers how to be more responsible. They are the first to get stuck in with beach clean ups and avoid overtouristed destinations like the plague. Offer them anything made of plastic at your peril!
10. The Flashpacker 2.0 🧳
The new Flashpacker prioritises comfort and style more than ever. Long-term travellers, they are keen to be nomadic but less keen to rough it. They’re more likely to be toting two suitcases than a well-worn backpack. They travel slow and are happy to stay in one place for months at a time (it’s an effort carting all those bags around after all!). They value affordability but comfort is always the top priority — just thinking about a dorm room makes their well-pedicured toes curl!
So there you have it! What type of traveller are you? Let us know in the comments!
Nikki Scott | Founder & Editor
Nikki is the founding editor of South East Asia Backpacker and The Backpacker Network. In her early twenties, she left her home in the North of England on a solo backpacking adventure and never returned! After six months on the road, she founded a print magazine that became legendary on the Banana Pancake Trail. The rest is history.
