Many people start to travel independently throughout their college career. It’s a great learning experience and also a great way to get to know more about yourself. Traveling helps you understand your personal limits, whether that’s with spontaneity, money or food. However, it’s not something that comes easy overnight. There are some good practices that come along with traveling on your own or with others.
Do: Plan Early
If you know you have a break coming up during school that you’d like to travel for, there’s no sense in waiting until the last minute to book flights or decide what excursions you want to do while you’re there! Definitely look for flights earlier than later so that you can find the best deal! If you’re traveling at a peak time, like spring break, look for places to stay early too so that they don’t get booked up!
Don’t: Spend a Lot of Money
Do some research and make sure you’re not overpaying for flights and that you are buying them at the best time. Search engines like Google Flights or Hipmunk help compare prices and show you what dates are best to buy! Apps like Flights by Student Universe offer discounts if you’re a student. But note, that these prices might not be cheaper than other websites, so it’s a good idea to keep digging.
Instead of buying into big hotel corporations, see what you can find locally. Airbnb is a great way to put yourself into the community, meet locals who have awesome suggestions and save money! There’s guaranteed to be an Airbnb for every price point and they’re completely safe. Be sure to check out different hostels that may be available in that area as well!
Do: Put Yourself First
Traveling can be stressful. You’re in a new place, trying to figure out where you are and where you need to go. Not to mention, airports are bustling and loud. It may seem like a good idea to travel with a friend, but make sure you’re able to spend copious amounts of time in stressful situations together. Otherwise, consider traveling solo.
Don’t: Get Discouraged.
There are bound to be a few mishaps here and there when you travel, especially if you’re traveling with other people. It’s easy to blame others before you blame yourself. Remember that you’re only in your destination for a short amount of time and it’s better to make the best of a situation than let it ruin your whole trip! Stay positive and the rest will follow.