Semana Santa in Spain means spring break for all of the study abroad kiddos. 12 days of vacation sounds wonderful until you consider the price. For me, the price was a big factor in deciding where I would go. (Granada during Easter? Forget about it!) With the help of a few friends, we planned a spring break trip that would be as inexpensive as possible.
First of all, the flights were the big ticket items of spring break. Flying to island destinations isn't exactly affordable. Instead of flying directly to Santorini, our island of choice, we flew into Athens and spent a few days there, and on the way back from Santorini, we spent a few more days in Athens. Surprise: Athens isn't a cheap destination either. In order to cut the cost, we flew into Bologna and then to Athens, cutting the cost by hundreds of dollars. Although a little odd, our spring break trip ended up being Barcelona to Bologna to Athens to Santorini back to Athens to Bologna to Barcelona. Don't ask me how taking more flights turns out to be cheaper, but with this plan, we saved hundreds in plane ticket fees. We were all a little worried that we would be exhausted from all the traveling, but so far, so good.
Hostels and airbnbs are vital to a cheap trip. However, we did splurge two extra euros for the hostels with free breakfast. Guaranteed to be all-you-can-eat, the hostel breakfasts will definitely fill you up until lunchtime. If you're worried about going hungry, you can always snag an apple to put in your bag. Plus, you are most likely not going to find a breakfast in the city for less than two euros. In my opinion, "breakfast included" are some of the best words any traveler can hear.
Tourist locations are obviously the reason for your spring break travels, and unfortunately, popular locations cost money. BUT, the price is usually flexible. Most places let you in for a discount if you bring your student ID, but some places are stricter. To play it safe, bring a picture of your visa and passport, and you're sure to get in for a reduced rate. My spring break group accidentally stumbled upon a good deal in Athens because nearly every tourist location (the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, etc.) are free with ID!!
Finally, there's transportation. Unfortunately, transportation costs are unavoidable. However, do your research! You most definitely do not need to take a taxi to and from the airport (unless you're traveling in the middle of the night. In that case, it's better to spend the extra money to arrive safely). Most cities offer an airport bus for a cheap price. Usually, this is the best option, but also look into metro options. If all else fails, call your hostel to find out the cheapest way to get there. If you're lucky, they can arrange private transportation for you for a cheaper fare. For transportation within the city, find out if the city is walkable. Athens, for example, is small enough to walk everywhere. To save time, you can take the metro, but we enjoyed our 20 minute walks everywhere because we could see more of the city. Tip for transportation: don't assume that the first transportation method you read about online is the cheapest. I can almost guarantee there is a much cheaper way to get from point A to point B if you just spend an extra ten minutes by bus or walking.
Although more expensive than any weekend trips, spring break does not have to break the bank. Avoid super touristy locations for meals and do your research. You can save yourself a fortune AND have a good time!
