Budget Travel Tips For College Students
The first and most important tip for traveling on a budget is to actually create a budget. Then you have to stick to the budget you’ve created.
Bring as much with you as possible. It is generally much cheaper to buy things at home than it is to buy them in tourist areas. Pack clothes sparingly and be sure to bring other necessities such as toiletries, snack food, and water bottles with you. Also be sure to bring along cold medicines, pain relievers, and any prescriptions. Any money spent on items such as this is money that can’t be spent on experiencing the place you are visiting.
Bring snack foods and some groceries with you. This is especially convenient if traveling by car (fill a cooler with sodas, water, and juices rather than buying them at convenience stores). Eat your own food (bring it with your or stop at a grocery store) as often as possible and avoid eating in expensive restaurants—even fast food can add up in a relatively short amount of time.
Keep some money in each of your bags rather than having it all in one place. It’s also recommended to keep some form of ID separately in case something happens to your wallet or a piece of luggage. If you have your money spread around, you may be poor but won’t be destitute should something happen.
If you are traveling by air, book early as this tends to save the most money while guaranteeing you a spot on the plane. Depending on where you are traveling, be sure to pack clothing that is appropriate for your destination and the weather you will be experiencing there.
If there are certain places or things you absolutely want to see, plan for those in your budget and keep the money separate for those things. Just be sure that you have enough money to get home and for other necessities such as food and lodging while you are traveling.
Study your options. For many ‘back packing’ is the way to go in spite of the risks. For others, there are tours, which arrange all aspects of your travel including transportation, food, lodging, and sight seeing. These tours are very often the most inexpensive way to travel when you consider that all of the details have been attended to and the only money needed is for snacks and souvenirs.
You might try working for your vacation. Many spots such as the Disney parks and some state and national parks allow for you to work while spending your vacation there, especially if you’re a student.
If traveling abroad, it might be worth your while to invest in a travel pass. This will allow you to explore several countries at one price.
Consider sharing your accommodations. Lodging for many is the single largest expense. If you are going with a group get as many people as are allowed in the room to share in order to save money. Hostels are another great way to save money. Remember you will probably spend very little time actually in the room so it doesn’t have to be the Ritz, just a safe place to sleep at night.
Don’t let a little thing like money keep you from a vacation. With a little creative budgeting you can enjoy the destinations of your dreams.
