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Travel Insurance for Backpacking

If something unexpected happens to Canadians, we’ve got your back – pack or no pack.

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At a glance:

  • Backpacking can come with risks—injuries, stolen gear, or trip interruptions—travel insurance can help cover the unexpected.
  • World Nomads offers plans with coverage for emergency medical expenses, baggage loss, trip cancellations, and 250+ adventure activities.
  • Coverage varies by plan and corresponding activity level purchased. The maximum elevation covered is 6,000 meters.
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team is available in dozens of languages.

Just you, your pack, and the open road. Backpacking is a rite of passage for nomads chasing big experiences on a small budget.

Whether you're out to find your crew or yourself, travel insurance can help if things go off track.

World Nomads Travel Insurance covers backpackers exploring Thailand, South America, Europe and beyond.

Why you may want to consider travel insurance to protect your backpacking trip

Backpacking is all about freedom and spontaneity—but that flexibility also comes with risk. From sprained ankles on rocky trails to food poisoning in rural villages or stolen gear on overnight buses, the unexpected can derail your trip fast. That’s where travel insurance for backpackers can help—covering emergency medical expenses, trip interruptions, evacuations from high-altitude regions, and lost or stolen passports. If you have to cancel your trip before departure due to a covered reason—like sudden illness or injury—trip cancellation coverage may help reimburse your prepaid non-refundable expenses. Whether you're trekking through South America or hopping between hidden towns in Southeast Asia, having the right coverage gives you the confidence to go wherever the trail takes you.

How can I protect my backpacking trip with travel insurance?

Backpacking looks different for every traveller—maybe you're hostel-hopping across Europe and want protection in case your gear gets stolen, or you’re trekking through the Andes where emergency medical expense coverage could be very helpful. That’s why World Nomads offers flexible travel insurance plans for backpackers, with coverage designed to match your style of adventure. From safeguarding your belongings to covering accidents at high altitudes, we’ve got your back.

  1. Standard & Explorer Plans
    Hikes and Backpack trips covered up to 3,000 meters

  2. Optional Extra
    Hikes and Backpack trips covered up to 6,000 meters

Plus, our plans include coverage for 250+ other activities you might do along the way, so you can explore confidently, wherever your backpack leads you. Get a quote and compare the plans to see which level of coverage is right for you.

What travel insurance benefits could cover you and your backpacking trip?

World Nomads offers coverage (up to the plan maximum benefit amount) for:

  • Emergency medical expenses:if you get hurt while backpacking and need medical attention, our emergency medical coverage for injury or sickness may provide reimbursement for the treatment you need.
  • Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation: If your injuries are severe, acute, or life-threatening our plans may cover evacuation and transportation to a medical facility best suited for your care, subject to approval from the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team.
  • Baggage and personal effects protection: Our gear coverage may help with reimbursement of the cost to repair or replace damaged, lost or stolen items, including airline checked bags.
  • Trip cancellation: if you need to cancel your trip due to a covered reason such as an unexpected illness, we may be able to reimburse your pre-paid, unused, non-refundable expenses like flights, tours and accommodations.

What doesn't backpacker insurance cover?

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Here are a few things we don’t cover:

  • Any alcohol related sickness, death or injury or the abuse of medication, drugs, alcohol or any other toxic substance.
  • Travel within your home province
  • Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items.
  • Wear and tear from everyday use of sporting equipment. Gear that is in use is not covered.
  • Backpacking over 6,000 metres.

Nomads tip: Get a quote and choose your plan first, then the system will prompt you to add the activities you plan to do. Make sure you list them all; you won’t be able to make changes once on your trip.

Get a backpacking travel insurance quote

Simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Get a quote
A woman hiking in front of a snow capped mountain

Top travel insurance tips for backpackers

Here are some pointers to help keep you covered while backpacking.

  • For you, does backpacking = hiking or mountain climbing? Make sure you select the right plan and level of coverage for your activity. Our article on covered sports and activities should help you decide what to pick.
  • Going wherever the breeze blows? If you want to cross the border, check with our customer service team first as your plan may not apply in all countries.
  • Travelling long-term: You can buy more travel insurance while abroad (waiting periods may apply) even if you don’t have a return ticket.
  • Stay healthy: hiking requires a certain amount of strength and stamina, and in some cases (like the Inca Trail or trekking in Nepal), the ability to handle altitude. It’s best to be sure you are physically capable of it. Consider going to the doctor before your trip to make sure you had all the necessary medications.
  • Keep your receipts and paperwork:any claim you make will need supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases and a loss or theft report. Keep these with you in printed or digital form if you need to make a claim.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for backpacking. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team

  • What does backpacking travel insurance cover?
    Backpacking travel insurance plans can help cover emergency medical expenses, trip cancellations, stolen gear, emergency evacuations, and more. World Nomads offers flexible plans that include coverage for 250+ activities you might encounter on the road.
  • Do I need travel insurance for a backpacking trip?
    Only you can decide your travel insurance needs however our plans were created with backpackers – and their unique circumstances - in mind. Whether you're trekking in high altitudes or navigating unfamiliar cities, the right travel insurance coverage can protect you from unexpected bills due to injuries, illness, theft, and trip disruptions.
  • Is emergency evacuation included in backpacking travel insurance?

    Yes, our plans include emergency medical evacuation if you’re seriously injured or ill while backpacking. World Nomads requires approval from the attending physician and the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. It’s critical you call the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team prior to arranging evacuation. Be sure your plan covers the maximum altitude you’ll be hiking in, as well.

    • The Standard and Explorer plans cover hikes up to 3,000 meters
    • An additional activity level can be added to raise the maximum elevation to 6,000 meters. You can do this while getting a travel insurance

Need destination inspiration?

When you buy a World Nomads travel insurance plan, rest assured that your coverage has been crafted by passionate travellers who have lugged backpacks, battled bedbugs, and fought with food poisoning along the way as well. For trip ideas and tips, check out our article on backpacking dos and don’ts, as well as some of our favorite backpacking trips:

Climbing Kilimanjaro: What to Know and How to Prepare

6 Backpacking Tips for Staying Safe in Thailand

2 Week Thailand Itinerary: Get Your Day-by-Day Travel Guide

How Traveling Cheaply Can Also Be Good for the Planet

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $5,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Work emergency?
  • Weather delay?
  • Travel companion sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $10 million
  • Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?
  • Need a hospital?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Ambulance transfers
  • Medevac flights
  • Medical escort services

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • Stolen I.D.s
  • Checked-in sports equipment
  • Damaged luggage

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
  • Return to Your Trip Destination
  • Return of Remains
  • Travel Accident
  • Flight Accident
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
  • Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
  • Travel Documents Theft or Damage
  • Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
  • Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
  • LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Adventure Travel Hotline
  • 24/7 Security
  • Travel Medical Assistance
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)

Contact the team