Traveling on a Budget
Monday, April 15, 2024
Summer break is just around the corner, and we know that means many of you will be spending your days traveling and exploring new places! This is the prime time to do so, but it can also be difficult on a college student's budget.
Tips for making your summer travels affordable:
- Plan a trip to visit friends.
- Some of the friends you have made while in college likely live in some pretty cool places! Take advantage of the opportunity to visit them over break and experience a new city or town. Plus, staying with friends or someone you know while traveling helps you to save money on hotels or other temporary housing.
- Speaking of temporary housing…consider options besides a hotel.
- Hotel prices in vacation towns can be through the roof! Airbnb and other home-sharing apps offer affordable stays, especially if you’re traveling with a big group. If you’re traveling internationally, another affordable option is hostels.
- Be flexible with your travel dates.
- If you have any flexibility with your travel dates, you can often save several dollars by leaving or returning just a day earlier or later than planned. In general, it's more expensive to fly on Fridays and Sundays and cheaper on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Choose budget-friendly destinations!
- Do research about the areas that interest you. Some places are way more affordable than you might think! However, with strategic planning, you can make any trip budget-friendly.
- Travel to cities where you don’t need a rental car.
- This is a part of strategically planning your trip. Not only are rental cars pricey in general, but they’re even more expensive if you’re under 25 years old. There are several cities that offer great public transportation systems which are far more affordable and a unique traveling experience.
- Don’t forget your student ID!
- Your student ID can score you a discount at several locations! Many museums offer entry fee discounts. You may also be able to find discounts for rail passes, city attractions, hostels and more!
No matter where you travel, travel responsibly. Consider safe travel methods, housing locations and the type of social events you will be experiencing! We want you to enjoy your break from school while also staying safe.
