The struggle to pay for a college education is real, but our travel game is still strong. With winter break fast approaching, here are some travel tips that will help you stay within your “I-only-eat-ramen-noodles-and-Taco-Bell” college student budget while traveling this holiday season.
1. Plan and book in advance.
When preparing for your next big getaway, you can often get discounted ticket rates by booking plane or train tickets a month or two in advance. This also gives you a chance to compare rates and find the best deals, i.e. some airlines offer cheaper seats if you fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Keep in mind that, although flying is quicker, taking a train or coach is usually more affordable; it's also a great way to see your travel country. Nothing beats a train ride through the Italian countryside or the Swiss Alps!
2. Travel with friends.
Someone somewhere said something about how adventures only matter if you experience them with another person. Traveling with friends allows you to not only share the experience but to also share the expense. After walking around the cobblestone streets of some bustling European city all day, there's nothing better than splitting the cost of a taxi back to the hostel with your travel buddy. Also, booking tickets (for a train, hostel, museum, etc.) in bulk can sometimes result in discounted rates.
3. Don't stay in a hotel.
Hotels can easily cost you $100 a night, but staying in hostels or rented homes can be as cheap as $10. My go-to site when I travel is Airbnb.com, which allows you to search from thousands of homes in cities all over the world. You can stay in a one bedroom flat in Paris, France, or an entire villa in Madrid, Spain — all of which have been verified by the site. You can also check out the guest reviews to see if a particular Airbnb listing is the right one for you. However, if staying in a stranger's house isn't for you, try a hostel. When hostel hunting, most folks use the popular Hostelworld.com. I also like to use Google Maps to find hostels near train/bus stations, and then checking those hostels with Google reviews. Super bonus: most Airbnb homes come with extra perks like laundry facilities while most hostels offer complimentary breakfast.
4. Find free attractions in your travel city.
In every major city, there is at least one free tourist attraction. Do some Googling before your trip and find those free spots in your destination city. Monuments, parks, and landmarks are a great place to start. Washington, D.C. is practically an outdoor museum; you could spend all day walking around D.C. visiting Arlington, the Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, etc., without spending a dime. In the United Kingdom, all national museums offer free admission for the public. Take a week in London to visit the Tate, the Victoria and Albert, the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum, all without paying a single pound.
5. Travel light to avoid additional expenses.
Most airlines today charge to check your first bag for all domestic flights. Traveling light allows you to avoid that extra fee while also making it easier to store your luggage in lockers at train stations and museums so you can enjoy your city without lugging around bags.
6. Don't go out to eat.
Avoid spending a bunch of cash on dining out by shopping at local markets. Stock up on snacks for train rides, pack picnic lunches and cook your meals in the hostel kitchen. Not only is this a great way to lower your spending costs, but its also a fun way to meet people. One of my favorite experiences in Prague last spring was having a traditional Iranian breakfast of shakshuka (eggs and some veggies in a spicy tomato sauce) at the hostel with a group of young guys traveling home from a football tournament in Germany.
7. Prioritize what's important to you.
You won't be able to avoid spending money everywhere you go. So, it's important to plan ahead and figure out what you're willing to spend money on. Would you rather save up and splurge on concert tickets in Tokyo or snorkeling in Australia?
8. Never shop at the airport/train station.
Buying souvenirs and gifts for family and friends is a travel must. Postcards are a traditional and inexpensive way to go. Buttons and bumper stickers are nice and cheap. Avoid the tourist trap of purchasing these must-haves at the airport/train station. Instead, buy your souvenirs in town away from big tourist attractions. Its also good to keep in mind exchange rates; do your shopping in countries where you can get the most for your dollar.
Stick with these tips. Plan well. And go see the world.
Bon voyage!
