As a young adult, you’re ready to spread your wings and fly. Now’s the time to explore the world and see places you’ve never been. But if you’re a student, you might not have the resources to make your wanderlust a reality. Traveling, even as a college student, doesn’t need to cost a fortune. There are ways to travel, even internationally on a budget.
Money Matters
Whether you want to take a gap year or simply travel over the holidays, you have the money to do so. The first thing you need to do is review your finances. If you’ve been saving, then you might already have enough. However, even if you have money put away, you need to account for any what-ifs. If you’re currently paying on student loans, you may want to refinance with a private lender. Refinancing your current loans may lower your monthly payment and give you the extra money you need to travel.
Think Like a Local
Once you’ve fine-tuned your budget, you need to plan your travels. However, there’s a right way and wrong way to plan our trip. Regardless of where you want to go, you need to avoid tourist traps. For example, if you were a native Italian, you would know better than to visit the Colosseum during peak season. Instead, you would go when it’s off-season to avoid crowds. Wherever you’re choosing to go, research when it’s the busiest season. If you have your heart set on a particular time of year, plan to sightsee in off-hours.
Save on Airfare
As a student, you can save big bucks on airfare. There are plenty of sites dedicated to helping students save on traveling. All you need to do is show proof of attendance to receive discount pricing.
Become a Travel Hacker
In addition to signing up for discounts, you need to learn travel hacks. The top ones to master are scoring discounts on travel, lodging, and entry into attractions. After you master that you can work on learning how to choose a destination for last minute vacations that don’t break the bank. Groupon is an excellent source for students to find deals on travel.
Travel Light
Wherever you go, you need to travel light. Scoring a great discount on flights only to have it eaten up by baggage fees is never a good idea. Pack only what you need and buy other necessities when you arrive at your destination. How you pack makes a difference too. Instead of just throwing things in a suitcase, take the time to roll them properly, this is a genius packing tip to maximize space. This method will also help you avoid more than one piece of luggage.
Have an Open Mind
Probably the most important part of being able to travel as a student is your mindset. For example, if you have your heart set on flying across the country but can’t yet afford it, you could take a modified road trip instead. Things don’t always work as planned, so having a backup plan can keep you from being disappointed and losing a lot of money
