As a full-time college student, travel may seem very daunting, and expensive. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! College is a great time to explore new destinations. You have school, but you are most likely not tied down to anything else, like a full-time job. Spring, summer, and winter breaks are a great time to spread your wings and explore new parts of your home country, and even abroad!
Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive, either. There are so many alternatives for you to choose from that will help keep your costs low, such as student trips or discounts. Trust me, take advantage of the time you have right now! You won’t regret it, and it will make you a well-rounded and experienced person in the end. (plus it’s just fun)
Take advantage of student organized trips!
Students have SO many opportunities available. You just have to take advantage of them!
Check out the trips that your specific school has organized for students. Usually, there are many different trips that are offered by schools, such as service trips, week-long spring break trips to the beach, hiking and camping trips, and even trips abroad! You should take advantage of these opportunities because it will allow you to meet other students, cash in on the group discounts, and go on an already planned trip! School organized trips are very stress-free in my opinion.
There are many organizations and companies that also offer pre-planned trips for students at a discounted price. They also range from service trips to vacations, domestic to international. When I studied abroad, there were so many students that took advantage of organized trips to nearby countries. They are the best because they organize the experiences and tours for a single fee. You can meet new people and see new places while feeling safe and stress-free, especially if you are a solo-traveler!
Here are some of my favorite companies that offer trips for students:
Check out student discounts for travel inspiration
Look for student discounts. Many places will offer discounts to students for park passes, hostels, hotel stays, Groupons, and other experiences. Student discounts are your friend! A simple google search will take you a long way.
WWOOF
WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and “is a worldwide movement to link visitors (WWOOFers) with organic farmers, promote a cultural and educational exchange, and build a global community conscious of ecological farming and sustainability practices.”
Basically, you can apply to go and stay with a family on their farm for a week! In return for your labor, you will get free room and board, the opportunity to learn about a new culture, and an amazing week-long experience. Whether you are interested in studying the environment or not, I think participating in WWOOF during college is one of the most amazing experiences that you can have.
Set up notifications for flight prices and destinations
Don’t pay more than you should for flights! If you set up notifications on your computer or phone, you will know when certain flights to certain destinations become available at a more reasonable price. And, if you are feeling risky, you might even find yourself with the opportunity of visiting a new place one day that you may never have thought of going.
Omio is one of my favorite sites that use to find cheap flights. They mainly cover the US, Canada, and Europe. Aside from flights, they offer information about busses and other modes of transportation. Their site is completely user friendly, and they even have an app.
Brainstorm travel plans with friends!
When you travel with friends, the costs for traveling will decrease immensely! You will be able to share hotel and hostel rooms, split gas and other travel expenses, and even get group discounts. Different people have different travel experience. It is great to have people with knowledge you may not have otherwise. From a safety perspective, it is great to have a group of people that will have your back in any situation! If you aren’t too keen on traveling alone, traveling with friends can be a great experience all around for everyone.
Hostels
I personally have experience with hostels in Europe, and I must say, I highly recommend! Hostels can be what you make it, and they allow you to see some really amazing cities at a much cheaper price! Hostelworld is the website that I use to check ratings, bookings, and reviews.
As I said before, traveling in a group can be highly advantageous, especially when staying in a hostel. Hostels are set up where there are about four to six beds to a room, bunkbed style, with lockers either under the beds or elsewhere in the room. When you book with friends, you don’t have to share with strangers! But, if you are traveling alone, hostels can be a super fun experience to meet new people. Many hostels have hosted events, like bar crawls or walking tours of the city. Many places even have organized meals each day.
I think hostels are very safe (always check reviews!) and a great experience for any young traveler on a budget. I would definitely recommend this as an option. During my personal study abroad experience, I stayed in at least 5 hostels throughout different parts of Europe!
Camping
Of course, camping has to be one of the easiest and cheapest options. Find a campground near your city, and pitch a tent! Camping can be a great way to get away for the night and see nature. Many national parks have campgrounds equipped with showers and other amenities.
