Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor
It may only be week three, but with all the rain in the forecast, the only thing my mind can go to is spring break. While it still is a while away, now is the best time to start planning your trips.
You may be thinking that as a college student, on a college student budget, there is no way you can afford to travel anywhere. However, with some proper planning and research, it’s actually a lot cheaper than you’d think. Here are some tips on how to prepare yourself for a trip that won’t break the bank.
- Start planning ahead of time
The best time to plan when prices are usually the lowest is about three months before you’re trying to travel. So if you’re planning a trip for spring break, now is the time to do it.
- Utilize apps such as Kayak
They help you search for flights to and from wherever you’re trying to go, and it also will denote certain days that have better deals. For instance, it’ll tell you whether you should purchase your tickets then or wait. You can also look at Google Flights, which will give you the price for every single day for any destination at the best price.
- Use social media
Follow accounts on Twitter such as @airfarewatchdog and @theflightdeal, as they will tweet when there is glitches or good deals regularly.
- Break your trip down into shorter legs
Rather than flying straight from home to your destination, you may find it cheaper to make stops and connect from one airport to the next. It’s important to do your research and check all of your options.
- Think about where you are staying
There are a lot of cheaper ways to lodge than staying in a hotel. Airbnb offers international stay for a lot less, and often will have full kitchens so you can even cook for yourself instead of eating out every night- which obviously will get expensive. You can also look into hostels if you are open to a shared space with others.
6. Pick the right destination
When planning your trip, think about where might be a cheaper place to go. The location will play a huge part in the price. You can still fly internationally and do so on a budget, but some places are far more expensive than others.
- Pack light
Bringing that extra suitcase will cost you more than you’d think. Save yourself the hassle of bringing a checked bag, and just bring the necessities.
- When you’re there, live cheap
Do things that cost you very little or nothing at all, and try to limit how much money you’re spending on different activities. Rather, go for a walk around the city, a hike, a walk on the beach or listen to some live street music. There are ways to enjoy your time traveling at very little cost.
Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu
