Now that the spring semester has rolled in, many students are either jetting off to study abroad or they’re returning from the fall semester abroad. Our four years in college are the best times to travel. We have access to multiple breaks throughout the school year with a good four months off for summer vacation. As students, we should take advantage of the amount of time we’re off to travel. However, I know many of us are on a budget and may not have the ability to shell out a ton of money for a two-week getaway or a semester abroad. I’m here to share with you some of my tips to travel on a budget.
1. Look into Off-Season Locations
Consider going to off-season locations that you can visit on winter/spring break. Some of the top tourist destinations such as London, Paris, and Rome are significantly cheaper to travel to between September-March. Between the months of June-August, tourist season is at its highest where airfare and accommodation prices skyrocket. This is why September-March are the perfect times to travel when popular cities are less crowded, and costs are cut significantly.
2. Stay Away from Travel Agencies
Book your vacations outside of travel agencies. This way, you can find the best hotel/hostel/Airbnb deals. Additionally, you’re more likely to find deals on tours and have the ability to design your entire trip. However, the downside of this is taking time out of your work-week to book your airfare and accommodation, while also making a day to day itinerary.
3. Avoid Destination Hot Spots
Go to destinations that aren’t already on the radar for hot spots. For example, if you’re a big Game of Thrones fan, countries in Eastern Europe such as Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia are cheap to travel to. They’re all beautiful countries that are known to not be as expensive to visit, which makes them the perfect places for traveling! From the deep turquoise Plitvice Lakes to beautiful historic architecture, you’re not going to see high amounts of tourists compared to countries in Western Europe like London and Paris.
4. Stay in the US
Travel to different states within the United States. Traveling doesn’t have to mean flying internationally. It can also mean checking out a different state that you haven’t visited, such as California or Florida. I know the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe in Nevada is a place I’d like to visit. Additionally, airfare will be cheaper when traveling within the United States (although it depends on how far you’re going) versus flying internationally.
5. Take Short Getaways
Try taking shorter trips throughout the year. This way you don’t spend all of your money on one big trip.
According to US News, “…Short getaways, such as a trip to the beach or to the mountains over a long weekend, are in many ways preferable to longer vacations. “From an emotional and well-being perspective, smaller vacations pack a bigger punch than longer ones,” Taking multiple shorter trips throughout the year is also proven to boost your productivity.
I’m a firm believer that these four years we spend in college are the best times to travel. After we graduate there isn’t a guarantee we’ll have a ton of vacation time once we get into the workforce. We are given multiple breaks throughout the year and we should all take advantage of it. Traveling is one of the best investments you can give yourself because you gain knowledge about different cultures, cuisines, and the ability to see beautiful places while meeting new people.