Students Travel Budget Guide

Finances are integral to your study abroad program, class excursion, or holiday tour. Though some schools offer financial aid to traveling students, personal budgets are useful. The detail included in your budget affects both your safety and travel experience. Yet, compiling a comprehensive personal budget is strenuous. It is easy for one to get lost in planning and forget about some essential costs. Here are a few pointers to help when budgeting.

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Analyze how you spend money when in school

Basic living expenses, tuition fees, books, and boarding are the essential college costs. Your upcoming trip demands that you cut unnecessary expenses when in school. For example, if you have subscribed to many streaming services, select one that you enjoy. Consider choosing between Netflix, HBO, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. Also, if you shop for clothes every other weekend, consider making it a monthly activity. Keep adjusting your expenses until you meet your requirements. If life without these items becomes unbearable, consider getting a job. But, you have little time completing your school projects and assignments. To have a work-life balance, look for already written college essays online. This way, you raise money for your trip, meet homework deadlines, and have a social life.

Remember that you are a TRAVELER, NOT A TOURIST

On average, tourists spend more money than travelers. The primary reason is that they are more interested in the quality of the journey experience. That’s why tourists stay at five-star hotels, buy expensive gifts, and get chauffeured. But as a traveler, your aim is traveling for cheap prices in several destinations to learn. So, students who are on a budget must operate like a local. The Invisible Tourist characterizes travelers as individuals who:

  • Use guesthouses or hostels instead of 4 or 5-star hotels
  • Have backpacks NOT suitcases
  • Eat where locals do and NOT in fancy restaurants
  • Guide themselves
  • Blend in and appear as locals

Be Flexible with Your Dates

Timing is an essential strategy for students. It is cheaper to fly to any destination when others are not. Yet, these times vary by date, route, and season. For most airlines, flights are low at mid-week and expensive during the weekends. Monday mornings and Thursday evenings are rush hours for business travelers. But, weekends are popular for families, couples and individuals on a getaway. So, Tuesday and Wednesdays are the best times for budget travel to a destination of your choice. Remember, the key is timing. Focus on the “dead times.”

Select Your Target Thoroughly

With an array of destinations to select from, it is easy to get confused. Start by considering the purpose of your journey and the length of your stay. Go ahead and list down potential places that can fulfill your purpose by doing some research. As you progress, continue eliminating some of the options by investigating various factors. For example, safety is a fundamental aspect of traveling. Focus on destinations that are reputable as safe. Then, start considering the prices of the remaining places including

  • How far is the destination from home?
  • What is the cost of the airplane tickets to the place?
  • Does the area have excellent but affordable accommodation?
  • Are there any cost-effective places to eat? Can you afford them?
  • What is the banking and currency of your selected destination?

Such a thorough investigation of all locations can be tiresome. Sometimes, a student planning to travel can become stressed. Such stress levels can affect the way they complete tasks. For example, they can submit an essay with several mistakes. So, professional writers online can correct an essay and make it perfect for you in minutes. You do not have to do everything on your own. Ask for help.

Use Students Discounts

Different companies, airlines, and services offer discounts for international students. But, you need an ISIC Card to enjoy most of these discounts. The benefits of this card are widespread. It extends to providing medical insurance coverage for all international students. Remember that the ISIC Card is only a supplement to your standard health insurance. Please do not stop your regular insurance because you have the card. But on other services, ISIC is the answer to how to travel the world on a budget. Here are some of its benefits in the US. Note that these discounts vary by region or country. Visit the ISIC website to learn more about its discounts in your selected country.

  • 20% discount on Itadaki Japanese food
  • 10% off for gym and fitness
  • 5% off a guided tour
  • 10% discount for groceries

Choose Alternative Ways of traveling

Choosing an alternative means for traveling is vital to how you budget in college. Even before leaving, don’t waste resources on unnecessary trips. Ask a parent or friend to drive you to school. When you leave, remember that air transport, taxis, and recreational vehicles are expensive. While Air is necessary to travel overseas, recreational vehicles and taxis are not. So, choose a safe but affordable means of transport. Many countries have a decent public means of transport such as trains. They are valuable when visiting different places in one country.

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Search for a Cheap Place to Sleep

Technological advances have made it possible to book accommodations online. You do not have to visit the place to identify authentic, safe, and affordable places to stay. The type of housing you choose depends on the length of your stay and purpose of visit. For example, a student who is on a field trip for a week is okay with choosing a hotel or guest house. But, a student on a study abroad program needs a house with enough space and excellent facilities. The prices of accommodations also vary by destination. Ensure you find cheap places to travel for college students so that you get lower prices for a house. If you are in a group, consider using Airbnb or VRBO. This way, you can split the cost with friends and still have some privacy and access to all facilities.

Become a Volunteer

You can use this opportunity to impart positive social change in the community. By volunteering, you help others while minimizing housing costs. Several students who move abroad take part in relief programs. In the process, they get free accommodation and a guide from locals who know the area better. But, if you are studying abroad while volunteering, you can experience burnout. When this happens, look for cheap writing online to help you with your homework. In this way, you help others, explore the new environment and achieve your academic goals

Although you now know how to draft a travel budget, adhering to its guidelines is imperative. It takes discipline and foresight to avoid making impulse purchases. So, why not start practicing now? Begin by doing away with the small items you do not need and work your way up to significant cuts. Take control of your spending today.