Road culture of international long-term budget travelers

Abstract

This paper describes the subculture of the contemporary international budget traveler. From personal observations, interviews and mail questionnaires, it portrays individuals who have been a part of “road culture” for a year or more. It argues that such travelers are neither “heroes” nor “deviants” and that earlier depictions of them as hedonistic, anarchistic ‘drifters” is no longer accurate. The average traveler prefers to travel alone, is educated, European, middle class, single, obsessively concerned with budgeting his/her money, and at a juncture in life. Many are recent college graduates, delaying the transition into the responsibilities associated with adulthood in western society, or taking a leave between jobs. Their status is achieved on the road by experiencing hardship and nontouristic experiences, and by “getting the best value.”