It’s no secret that the vast majority of students live on a budget. Higher education is expensive, and no one wants to get into even more debt. However, it shouldn’t stop you from enjoying things like travel.
If you dream about going on a student trip, there are several ways to save money and make it affordable. And all those funds saved could go to more important things. For example, students can buy essential books or pay for dissertation writing services by EssayPro when needed. This is a great way to ensure you meet all the college deadlines before you head out on an adventure. In addition, academic writing platforms deliver writing, editing and proofreading services on demand. They will deal with any format, topic or subject. So, specialists are ready to assist if you are struggling with an essay or case study.
Such collaboration allows students to learn from the best. You can ask qualified writers to upgrade and polish your work. Or you can delegate the whole assignment to them. In any case, they deliver outstanding and unique papers that bring students the best grades. In the meantime, you can use these tips and tricks to plan an affordable student trip.
Set the Budget
Start by making a comprehensive plan. Decide where you want to go, what you want to see and how much you can comfortably spend. It will keep you within budgetary limits. Often additional disbursements come from the lack of proper planning.
The budget needs to be reasonable according to the specifics of the trip, accommodation and transportation.
Go Off Season
One of the significant ways to save money is to go off-season. Every popular destination has a high season when the majority of tourists come. Students may avoid it because the prices during such periods are the highest.
If you travel off-season, for example, a couple of weeks before or after, you can save significant money on logistics and accommodation.
Compare Prices
Before buying a plane ticket or booking a hotel, compare prices. There are plenty of aggregators online that allow doing that, such as:
- Skyscanner
- Booking.com
- WayAway
- Kayak.
This way, you’ll find the best deals available. Also, you can set notifications and alerts in case a cheaper option appears.
Consider Alternative Transportation
Planes are expensive. Indeed, there are some low-cost flights, but they are not available for every destination you want. To save money, students might consider alternative ways to travel. And other methods can be more environmentally friendly, which makes your trip ethical.
Look into trains, buses or car-sharing platforms. It might take longer, but you’ll get there for a fraction of the price. And it offers a slower pace of exploration as you get to see what surrounds you.
Research bikes or hiking options when exploring a new city or nearby areas. In Europe, you can often walk around the city easily.
Use Discounts
One of the many perks of college is that it comes with student discounts. They are available almost everywhere and for virtually anything. Researching various options might take time, but the result will be worth it. Here are some things to check:
- ISIC card – international student ID that allows you to use discounts in the majority of countries worldwide
- Student discounts for museums and tourists attractions
- Airfare and bus deals
- Car rentals
- Hotel and hostel deals.
Some attractions are available for free, which is always a plus.
Avoid Tourist Traps
If you are heading to a completely different place, know the basic prices and rules. It will help you avoid typical tourist traps. Those are designed to make people pay more for things.
Before going to another country:
- Look into the average prices for buses, taxis, lunches and services
- Keep this baseline in mind when paying for something
- Avoid restaurants located right beside tourist attractions. They are always overpriced.
Instead, go to a more remote place where many locals are. Locals know the best places, so follow them to enjoy a tasty meal for a reasonable price.
Pack Lightly
Overpacking is a common problem. More luggage comes with additional fees and a lot of inconveniences. Instead, try to stick to the basics. Write down a list of things you absolutely need. Add a few wants. But be reasonable with how many clothes you will wear.
If you have not worn these trousers for a year, you may not do it in a new place.
Eat In
Eating out three times a day is expensive. Consider cooking at home when possible or eating a hotel breakfast to cut these costs. You can also buy food at local markets. Usually, the products there are fresh, tasty and affordable. Also, you can take some snacks with you. Another tip for travelers going to Europe is to take a reusable water bottle. In the majority of European countries, tap water is drinkable. So you can drink free water easily.
Try Free Attractions
Any city in the world has free attractions, even Dubai. And some of them might be just what you are interested in. From museums and to art galleries – look for opportunities. In some cases, museums are free on a particular day. In other cases, you can see a lot of wonders in a natural park.
As for paid attractions, create a list of absolute musts. Then, make a budget for them, but only spend money on something you are sure about. You can always invest it in the best research paper writing services or your next trip.
In Summary
The best way to make your adventure affordable is to stay flexible and open to opportunities. Plan and look for student discounts. Search for accommodation early on to find the best affordable options. Do your research on prices, free attractions and tourist traps to avoid. And taking your college friends with you and traveling as a group is often cheaper and more fun.
