7 answers
Gloria’s Answer
I would recommend that you visit as many places as you can in the area around your college. I understand the instinct to want to travel to someplace far away. I would tell you to slow down. Make sure to take advantage of what is close by since it has a number of benefits - you can drive and that means that you can take more people with the same cost to travel. You can also share the costs of things like hotels or camping. Travelling locally can teach you about travelling all over the world. Get used to checking in and out of hotels, renting car once you are of age, and using mass transit to get around different cities. You should use apps like TripAdvisor to get lists of recommended places to see, sometimes they might be unexpected. When you travel to cities, learn about options that will save you money - like City Passes, Hop-on/Hop-off tours, etc.
Gloria
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Finding Affordable Travel Destinations for College Students
As a college student on a limited budget, there are indeed several places you can travel to for cheap. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you find affordable travel destinations:
1. Southeast Asia: Southeast Asia is known for its affordability, making it a popular destination for budget travelers. Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia offer a mix of beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and low-cost accommodations and food options. You can explore stunning beaches, vibrant cities, ancient temples, and lush jungles without breaking the bank.
2. Eastern Europe: Eastern European countries such as Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania are often more affordable compared to their Western counterparts. You can visit historic cities like Prague and Budapest, enjoy delicious local cuisine, and experience the unique culture of this region at a fraction of the cost of other European destinations.
3. Central America: Countries in Central America like Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Belize offer a diverse range of experiences for budget travelers. From exploring ancient Mayan ruins to relaxing on pristine beaches to trekking through lush rainforests, Central America provides plenty of affordable adventures for college students.
4. Mexico: Mexico is not only geographically close to the United States but also offers a wide range of budget-friendly travel options. You can visit vibrant cities like Mexico City, relax on the beaches of Cancun or Tulum, explore ancient ruins like Chichen Itza, and indulge in delicious street food without spending a fortune.
5. Domestic Travel: If international travel is not an option due to budget constraints or other reasons, consider exploring destinations within the United States. You can take road trips to national parks like Yellowstone or Yosemite, visit vibrant cities like New Orleans or Austin, or relax on the beaches of Florida or California without breaking the bank.
When planning your trip on a budget as a college student:
Look for student discounts on transportation and accommodations.
Consider staying in hostels or budget guesthouses.
Opt for local street food or affordable eateries.
Use public transportation or walk instead of relying on taxis.
Plan your itinerary in advance to take advantage of any deals or discounts available.
By being flexible with your travel dates and destinations and keeping an eye out for deals and discounts, you can explore the world even as a college student on a limited budget.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a renowned travel guide publisher known for providing detailed information on various destinations worldwide. Their guides often include budget travel tips and recommendations for affordable accommodations and activities.
Nomadic Matt: Nomadic Matt is a popular travel blogger who focuses on budget travel tips and advice. His website offers valuable insights into traveling affordably while still having enriching experiences around the world.
StudentUniverse: StudentUniverse is a travel booking site that specializes in offering discounted rates for students and young travelers. They provide exclusive deals on flights, accommodations, tours, and more tailored to the needs of college students looking to travel affordably.
These sources were consulted to gather reliable information on affordable travel destinations suitable for college students with limited budgets.
God Bless You,
JC.
Josh’s Answer
1) Sign up for cheap airfare alerts. There are a bunch of sites that do this (AirfareWatchdog, Bestfares.com, Fare Compare, etc.), which can help you easily find big flight discounts.
2) Get a travel rewards credit card. Some good starter options are the Bank of America Travel Rewards card and the Capital One Venture card, but you should do some research to figure out which one is best for you. This way, you can start earning points to be able to travel for free.
3) Subscribe to ThePointsGuy's email newsletter and read his Beginner's Guide article on his website (https://thepointsguy.com/guide/beginners). You can learn about ways to game the points/miles system and get updates when travel credit cards with huge sign-up bonuses become available (see if your parents will agree to use your card for purchases they would already be making in order to hit the minimum spend limit).
Ian’s Answer
Devetra,
There are loads of places to travel inexpensively at any point in your life. There is always a trade off when looking at places to visit however. Some of the places that I have visited that were cheap to get to (low ticket prices), were quite expensive in terms of food and lodging. Other places that I have visited had expensive tickets but were very inexpensive once on the ground.
For inexpensive travel ideas I think Lonely Planets guide books are the best. They offer things to do and places to see that are more directed to backpackers than many other books.
I have had great experiences in South America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe.
Rachel’s Answer
Hey Devetra,
Traveling can be fun and inexpensive, but you have to know how to shop for deals. My suggestion is to make a list of places you want to go. Then start scouting for deals on places like Groupon and living social. Consider going places off season to see them, so that you can avoid crowds and get a better price. If you are air traveling, be flexible with your dates so that you can fly stand by, and if you plan to drive, carpool with friends so that you all can split gas prices. Decide what you want to do/see and then pick your destinations. If there's a big trip you wanna do, then save up and wait.
Enjoy the world!
Charlie’s Answer
Yes. Some flights to places in Florida can be had for less than $100. Certain countries like Thailand or Costa Rica are very cheap as well, providing you can get there. A westerner can live like a King in China too.
Blake’s Answer
Yes, there are less expensive alternatives. I would first recommend picking some place that you can drive to in your car. Then I would suggest seeing well in advance what hotels you can get a discount on.
Thanks,
Blake