The Best Spring Break Trips For Every Budget

Any break longer than a weekend is pure gold to college students. On any given day, my roommates and I probably know exactly how many hours until homework and tests take a vacation. But there's something about spring break that carries so many expectations for a good time, yet we never seem to have enough prep time or money to make it what we want. That's where HC comes in. Armed with options for every budget and money-saving tips and tricks, you'll be able to create your perfect plans without all that last-minute stress. Best of all, you'll be able to save up for each of these awesome trips in just a couple of months. Read on to start planning.

Budget: $0 to $200

Lend a Hand: Instead of giving your money to airlines and hotels, try giving your time to a volunteer organization for a week. VolunteerMatch is a great place to start. Just type in your zip code and any keywords for the type of work you're looking for, and the site gives you a list of opportunities. If you have a specific organization in mind, call at least a month before break to talk about any openings for volunteers. Habitat for Humanity has local branches all across the country, and you don't have to be a savvy builder to get involved. Projects range from making phone calls to painting, and there's absolutely no required experience. Whether it's beach cleanup or animal care, you'll head back to school with some good karma and a story to share. Don't

Spend, Find a Friend: Sometimes finding the perfect vacation doesn't take much more effort than calling up a friend. College is great for meeting people who live anywhere from an hour away from your hometown to the other side of the country—or even the world. Kristie Demers, HC Campus Correspondent for North Carolina State University, saved some serious money by spending her break at a friend's beach house. She brought $75 on the trip, spent about $20 on gas, $20 on food, $20 on alcohol, and $5 on other little trinkets and had some leftover in the end. “It was the best spring break so far because we had to rough it out,” she says. “We enjoyed each other without paying for entertainment like cruises or covers for clubs.” Looking to go a bit farther but still sticking to a budget? Megabus is a great source for cheap travel between almost 50 cities in the US and Canada, and occasionally offers $1 rates. Spend a few days exploring a new city with a friend who already lives there and you won't have to worry about high travel costs OR hotel rates.