Comments on: Traveling Without a Guidebook

By: Road tripping Northern Thailand

Road tripping Northern Thailand — Tue, 04 May 2010 10:57:26 +0000

[...] I booked my tickets and we brainstormed a few activities to do, trying to fit in as much as we could in as little time as possible. There’s always plenty to do in Thailand but our trip this time took on a purpose a bit different from the norm: we were going to motorbike from Chiang Mai to Pai – some 762 hairpin turns through the Mae Hong Son loop – one of the most scenic regions in the country. View Larger Map We also did something else completely different for the two of us – we left the guidebook at home. (read Jeff’s take on this here) [...]

By: Dina VagabondQuest

Dina VagabondQuest — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:53:28 +0000

I used to use guide books, mostly from Lonely Planet, before my backpack trip. During the time, we did a lot of car trip and weight wasn’t a problem. Spain was my husband and I first backpacking destination, and we carried Spain Lonely Planet with us. It was heavy! When we left Spain, we left the book behind. Then until now, we never use guide book anymore.

I usually browse in the internet to find out about the location we are in. Even Wikipedia and Wikitravel are great starts. Many travel blogs gave me great ideas. Not only the places, but the history and story behind it. Since I usually have an easy internet access, it’s really easy to say good bye to a guide book. We gather information from the internet, read brochures that available everywhere, ask local’s opinion, and wander ourselves too.

By: Best of the RSS – What’s on the web this week | AirTreks Travel Blog

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:03:34 +0000

[...] If you’re one to blindly rely on your dogeared copy of Lonely Planet South East Asia this may be the article for you. Jeffrey Patch of Have Pack, Will Travel has put together several useful and interesting tips on how to get by on the road without it. [...]

By: flip

flip — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:19:44 +0000

i tried this too when i traveled to china, nepal and india and i really enjoyed it alot. having no travel guidebook enabled me to ask around more frequently and meet new people. :-)

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:47:23 +0000

Are you guys still up near Pai? We had a fantastic recommendation from an old work colleague of my partner. Go to Cave Lodge near Sappong. It’s fantastic! The area around there is really interesting. I always find that you get some great recommendations from fellow travellers.

By: marta

marta — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:13:54 +0000

maybe we are among a minority but we have been traveling in many countries without a travel guide or even any itinerary in mind. although sometimes having a guide might have avoid us some hassles or wasting some times, we found it very easy just go with the flow, following advices provided by the locals or fellow travelers and maybe from time to time stopping by a library or local tourist offices. the few guides we bought we also resold it after leaving a place but we met travelers that would send them home instead, which would cost them more than buying a new one but they would have all their notes and memories written down

By: Jeffery Patch

Jeffery Patch — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:50:52 +0000

Hi Collin,

Thanks to the internet, I learned that AYA Service in Chiang Mai is (apparently) the only company that allows one-way rentals. They have a big office in Pai where they do most of their business and run shuttle service between the two cities every hour.

The bikes were only 140 baht per day. They will deliver your luggage on one of their shuttles as well. The website claims it costs 500baht but when we asked they said it was free. Your mileage may vary! :)

By: Victor | UPrinting

Victor | UPrinting — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:47:21 +0000

I do not travel with any guidebooks, however I do plan an itinerary and try to research all the places that I’ll visit. I often ask the locals for direction and places where I can find cheap but delicious foods. So far the best dishes that I’ve ate are the ones available on the streets.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:05:05 +0000

Great post Jeffery, as much as i enjoy the ease that a guidebook brings it’s always refreshing to break loose and just see where it takes you. That’s also when you often find the real gems that isn’t overrun by tourists. And the hotel/restaurant point is so true – as soon as a place is listed in one of the big guide books i think they rest on their laurels as they’ll always get people coming even if standards drop.

Love the blog, i’ll be a regular visit from now on!

By: Collin Ferry

Collin Ferry — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:58:51 +0000

Guidebooks are definitely useful, but I too like to forgo their use when I can. They are helpful in providing you with information about where you are about to be – I use them as a foundation for arriving somewhere and then branch out away from the guidebook.

I like the idea of renting motorbikes, can you rent them in one city and return them in another? What was the basic cost for the rentals for what you guys are using them for? Sounds like fun, good post, I’d like my own bag of crickets too. (I’ll be in Thailand in May)