Backpacking Six Ancient Gateways

Published: 2026-09-11

Historic crossroads offer two drastically different experiences: the gritty, exhilarating street-level scramble or the curated five-star heritage retreat. This comparative blueprint breaks down both ends of the spectrum, complete with border transit solutions for each destination.

United Kingdom

• The Backpacker Route: Ride regional rail using off-peak passes, stay in converted pub rooms, and grab hot salt-beef bagels in East London before hiking Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.
• Border Solution: Prevent delayed rail connections and missed reservations by processing your entry via the UK eTA Application Service weeks in advance.

Turkey

• The Backpacker Route: Grab fresh grilled mackerel sandwiches (balık ekmek) beneath the Galata Bridge, take commuter ferries across the Bosphorus, and hike through Cappadocia’s Pigeon Valley.
• Border Solution: Skip lengthy customs desk queues upon touching down in Istanbul by organizing your documents through the Turkey e-Visa ahead of flight check-in. 

Egypt

• The Backpacker Route: Navigate Cairo’s metro system, feast on steaming bowls of street-side koshary, and catch the overnight sleeper train south to Luxor's open-air archaeological sites.
• Border Solution: Avoid foreign exchange hassles and arrival bottlenecks at Cairo International by submitting through the Egypt e-Visa Online digitally. 

Morocco

• The Backpacker Route: Sleep in traditional traveler hostels inside the pedestrian-only Fes medina, dine on spiced chickpea soup (harira), and take local shared taxis over the High Atlas.
• Border Solution: Clear immigration smoothly in Marrakech or Casablanca: Apply Morocco Visa Online before flight departure. 

Saudi Arabia

• The Backpacker Route: Hop on high-speed electric trains between cities, eat aromatic spiced chicken kabsa at neighborhood canteen stalls, and wander the coral-stone streets of Old Jeddah.
• Border Solution: Ensure fast processing through modern airport biometric scanners by securing your entry on the Saudi Tourist eVisa Portal prior to travel. 

Togo

• The Backpacker Route: Ride shared motorbikes through coastal Lomé, bargain for vibrant wax-print fabrics at the Grand Marché, and take wooden pirogues to quiet lakeside villages.
• Border Solution: Land at Lomé-Tokoin ready to clear customs instantly by applying for your Togo Travel Authorization beforehand.