Logan Voss
With the spring semester in full swing, many students are looking to escape the stress of midterms and the inevitable finals they’ll take at the end of the year. Thankfully, college students have spring break to look forward too.
This wonderful week off provides an excellent opportunity to get away and relieve some stress from all the trials and tribulations the spring semester has put you through so far. For those in colder climates, it’s also a great way to escape the terrible winter weather and get some sun.
However, there’s always one problem: how are you going to afford this awesome getaway? Check out our favorite spring break budget tips for college students looking for an affordable way to travel.
Set a Budget
Our first tip is perhaps the most important one—you need to set a budget. Since money is already tight, it’s critical to plan the majority of your trip in advance. Take time to research different factors like transportation, food, and activities to form a rough estimate of how much you’ll be spending.
This budget will help you plan for how much you need to save before the big week. We recommend saving more than your estimated amount since you probably will end up spending more during the trip. Start putting aside money as early as possible, and take advantage of as many student discounts as you can. Get creative with your planning—there’s probably a cheaper alternative to your trip to Mexico.
Go with Friends
Spring break only comes around once a year, so make sure you’re spending it with people you care for. Don’t be afraid to include all your friends—those at college as well as your high school friends. In addition to having a great time with your favorite people, the trip also becomes a lot cheaper the more people you have to chip in on it.
Use Airbnb
One of our favorite spring break budget tips is to stay in an Airbnb instead of a hotel room. Airbnb’s have become a great alternative to booking a hotel. If you’re unfamiliar with this company, Airbnb is a great alternative to booking a hotel; instead of reserving a room, you can book any space; from an apartment to an entire house. It’s not really different than staying in a hotel suite and can be far more appealing.
Travel by Car
Another benefit of going with a group is that it provides the opportunity to travel by vehicle. This is typically much more affordable than booking a flight since prices go up during spring break season. However, if you’re worried about your car not being able to make it or not having enough space for everyone, consider renting a bus. Payment services such as Venmo also make it easy to split the expense up between each member of the group.
