Top 10 Budget Travel Tips for College Student (2024)

The summer holidays are around the corner, and you’re wondering where you can travel to. As a student, you should make use of your summer breaks to see the world. Even if the trip is not academics oriented, you learn a lot by going to new places.

Travelling can be a challenge for many college students because most of their money goes to paying tuition fees and buying semester supplies. However, you can still find affordable ways to travel that ensure you don’t overextend yourself.

You could always plan trips with a group of friends to cut costs. Besides, traveling with the people closest to you makes the experience more surreal. It’s always a good thing to share beautiful moments with the people you care about.

If you love the beach, you have a wide selection of holiday destinations to choose from. You get to take a break from your college routine and relax.

Even as you are on holiday, don’t forget to work on your college papers. Being in touch with your academic performance at all times ensures that you maintain an above-average performance.

  • Understand you’re a Traveler not a Tourist

Even though in both cases, you visit new places with the intention of exploring, there is a big difference between a traveler and a tourist. As a traveler, you spend way less than a tourist.

You need to really think about what you’re spending your money on because you don’t have much to go around. You need to be strategic about the times you visit different places so that you enjoy free hours and free admission days.

Even though it’s always a good idea to come back home for a souvenir, understand that you cannot afford to buy one for everybody.

  • Choose Affordable Flights

Using the airport during holiday seasons is a bad idea because flights are expensive. You’re better off traveling during off-peak seasons because even the queues are much shorter. The best part is, even hotels cut down accommodation rates when people are hardly traveling.

  • Be Flexible with Your Destinations

The place you want to visit this coming summer break is not set on stone. If the rates are too high, feel free to try out other options. When you’re flexible with your destinations, you’ll hardly get disappointed. After all, there is no knowing what experiences a place holds until you visit.

  • You’ve got to be Accommodation Savvy

Did you know there are hotels that allow you to stay for free if you helped out with cleaning and other customer service responsibilities? Wouldn’t it be amazing if you didn’t have to pay for your accommodation throughout your visit? Well, being accommodation savvy ensures you the extra money to seek worthy experiences. That said, ensure you don’t go for a hotel that puts your health at risk in the name of saving money.

  • Join a Volunteering Program

As an empath who loves positively impacting people’s lives, you should consider signing up for a volunteering program. These noble courses allow you to travel abroad and work with less fortunate communities. Such opportunities are excellent for learning about different cultures.

  • Plan in Advance

If you’d like to travel when schools close, it’s advisable to start saving for your trip as soon as schools open. This way, by the time schools, close, you have enough money to make your dream come true. Planning in advance gives you the luxury of choosing which destination you want to visit.

  • Travel as a Group

When you travel as a group, you get to cut down on costs significantly. Make sure you check on all friends to ensure each one is saving up for the trip. This way, you don’t get freeloaders who make surviving through the entire trip difficult.

  • Sign up for Price Alerts

Visit reputable travel sites and sign up for price alerts, so that good deals don’t pass you by. As a student with such a busy schedule, you can easily forget to check on prices for different trip options.

You need to travel because visiting new places allows you to network and interact with the world.

  • Save Money on Food

The place you eat determines how fast the money you have will run out. Instead of eating at expensive restaurants, find affordable cafés that allow you to interact with locals. Local cafés might not be posh, but their customer services are excellent.

  • Look out for Hidden Fees

Each time you sign up for a package, make sure you look out for hidden fees. They usually accumulate and end up making your trip more expensive than you had anticipated. Carefully read the terms and conditions and inquire in case you need something clarified.

Conclusion

As a student, you need to find ways to travel on a budget. Traveling with friends ensures that you cut costs. Make sure you don’t settle for an unhygienic hotel in the name of cutting costs.

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Top 10 Budget Travel Tips for College Student (2024)

FAQs

How to travel on a budget as a college student? ›

Instead of hotels, consider booking a hostel. Hostels are well-known in the student travel world. They're inexpensive because they're basic and because you'll probably share a room with two to 15 strangers. For more privacy, rent a room in someone's house through Airbnb or Vrbo.

What is the 50/30/20 rule for college students? ›

What is a good college budget? A good college budget prioritizes needs and savings over wants. A good template to follow when budgeting is the 50-30-20 ratio—50% of your income covers needs, 30% goes toward wants and 20% is for savings. This format can guide you in creating your next spending plan.

What should my budget be as a college student? ›

Many people use the 50/30/20 rule, which calls for putting 50% of your total after-tax income toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings and other financial goals. This step takes the longest, but getting your finances under control is definitely worth the effort.

What is a good budget for Travelling? ›

Your budget for a vacation will, of course, vary depending on many factors. Many people set aside 5%-10% of their net yearly income for leisure travel, but your savings will depend on the type of vacation you're planning.

How do you travel while enrolled full time in college? ›

You may be able to travel more often than you thought just by learning about the resources that are already available.
  1. Use Study Abroad Programs. ...
  2. Look into Research Grants. ...
  3. Make a FundMyTravel Page. ...
  4. Switch to Online Courses. ...
  5. Major in a Travel-Related Career. ...
  6. Join an Outdoor Club. ...
  7. Research Internships Abroad.
Feb 16, 2018

What is the 80 20 rule for college students? ›

The 80-20 rule states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. Sleep, eat, school, homework, volunteer; rinse and repeat. In my early years at university, I was under the impression that any time not spent on work was me being lazy and not trying hard enough.

What is the 80 20 rule in college? ›

This means they should consider the information the professor provides in class via lectures and study guides as roughly 20% of the content needed to be successful on exams or projects. They must generate the other 80% by synthesizing, grounding, and expounding upon the class information.

How much money should a 21 year old college student have saved? ›

However, a good rule of thumb for a 21-year-old is to have $6,000 in a savings account for emergencies and long-term financial goals. And that requires you to learn how to start budgeting and saving money. If you're nowhere near that amount, don't panic.

How much money does the average college student have in their bank account? ›

Average savings by education level
EducationMedian bank account balanceMean bank account balance
No high school diploma$900$9,130
High school diploma$3,030$23,380
Some college$5,200$33,410
Bachelor's degree$23,370$116,010
Feb 29, 2024

How much money should I give my college student a month? ›

As a parent, you may be considering giving your child a college allowance to help them with extra costs. But how much spending money for college does your child need? While $250 per month may be the average, your child may have additional expenses.

How much money does a college student need per month? ›

Living costs vary widely across California, but many students pay over $2,000 per month for housing, food, and transportation.

How to create a travel budget? ›

If you're arranging your trip yourself, take the time to think about each of the following expenses and budget for them, if applicable:
  1. Transportation.
  2. Accommodation.
  3. Food.
  4. Tourist activities.
  5. Travel insurance.
  6. Vaccinations/medication.
  7. Visas/passport renewal.
  8. Clothing and equipment (e.g., suitcases, swimsuits, tents)
Dec 1, 2022

How to afford more travel? ›

Here are 22 ways to get more travel in your life.
  1. Take shorter trips more often. ...
  2. Take advantage of long weekends and holidays... ...
  3. 3. ... ...
  4. 4. ... ...
  5. Go where—and when—the deals dictate. ...
  6. Prioritize inexpensive destinations. ...
  7. Work remotely when possible. ...
  8. Examine your prioritizes and eliminate expenses.

How much should I budget for meals on vacation? ›

Each trip day, vacationers spend about $27 at restaurants, and about $6 on food they prepare themselves. On international trips, people spend just a little bit more on average, about $35 per day; with nearly 90% of those funds devoted to restaurant meals.

How do college students afford spring break? ›

Set up a spring break savings account as soon as you know you want to take a trip, and put money aside from summer jobs and internships, holiday gifts or birthday presents. If your schedule allows, take on a part-time job, pick up additional hours or find a temporary job to bring in some extra income.

How do you travel on a budget in your 20s? ›

11 Ways On How To Travel On A Budget In Your 20s
  1. Ditch The Check-In Baggage. ...
  2. Be Flexible With Travel Dates And Locations. ...
  3. Work On The Road. ...
  4. Go On Free Walking Tours. ...
  5. Eating Out At Lunch Instead Of Dinner. ...
  6. Shop At Local Markets. ...
  7. Offer Your Skills In Exchange For Accommodation And Food.

Do colleges pay for travel? ›

Travel reimbursem*nt policies can vary widely from school to school. Some schools may offer full reimbursem*nt for travel expenses, while others may only offer partial reimbursem*nt. Some schools may only reimburse travel expenses for certain types of activities, such as official campus visits or academic conferences.

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