With winter break just around the corner, it’s likely you will find yourself caught up in the bustle of holiday travel. Maybe you’re even starting to daydream about this year’s spring break excursion, or looking to go abroad this summer. Sometimes, planning out itineraries turns into a nightmare of costly proportions. Here are four helpful tips to get you off the ground or on the road for the least amount of money possible – because really, why should taking some time off from the stressors of school become stressful in itself?
1. Exciting news is in store for all collegiettes a plane ride or two away from home. Jet Blue is coming to Charleston this February! With this new carrier comes direct flights to Boston (a first for CHS!) and New York City, not to mention the low fairs the company is known for.
2. Spirit Airlines, flying out of the nearby Myrtle Beach Airport, is the cheapest way to go when it comes to flying in and out of South Carolina. With fares under $100 round trip to many major east coast hubs, their prices can’t be beat. Just make sure your travel plans don’t call for lugging your entire winter wadrobe. Carry on bags will run travelers $25 a piece, while checked bags ring in at upwards of $50. It’s best to leave your stuffed suitcases at home and pack light.
3. STA is an online travel agency with a mission to help college students and young adults plan travel across the globe for the least amount of money possible. Simply visit their website (www.sta.com) to and verify your college-student status to find incredibly cheap fares! This service works especially well if you are flexible with your arrival and departure dates, and they will even display a graph showing what days of the week you can find the cheapest flights. STA also specializes in international travel for students, with great deals on foreign flights, train passes and hostels. If you’re thinking of studying abroad in the near future, make sure to check this site out!
4. Don’t forget to monitor fares for upcoming trips you want to take! Create accounts with websites such as travelzoo.com, Hotwire, Expedia, and Orbitz to receive email announcements of any flash sales they may be having for specific routes. I’ve found flights for as little as $50 one way from emails advertising exclusive one-day only sales, so make sure to be attentive to your inbox and act quickly. In addition, companies such as Southwest and JetBlue have turned to Twitter when promoting low fares and sales, making them worthy accounts to start following. Traveling home or traveling across the globe will put less stress on both you and your bank account if you rememeber to plan early and be flexible.