Whether it’s winter break, spring break, or summer, chances are you want to get away from campus or your parents’ home for a while. Nothing would be more relaxing than a luxurious cruise or ski trip, but the problem with travel? It’s expensive! With transportation costs fluctuating all the time, depending on world events and energy prices, getting around can be quite a challenge when you’re living on a limited college students’ income. Never fear: exploring new places doesn’t have to be a distant dream. The following guide can help you out when it comes to frugal travel.
Discount Travel Sites
There are several discount travel sites specifically targeted at students. One good site is http://www.studentuniverse.com, with low prices offered on both flights and accommodations. When you are seeking to purchase flight tickets or book a hotel room, they require you to input your school email address and click the confirmation link from this email, certifying that you are, in fact, a student. Once confirmed, you get access to all of their fantastic discounts, many of which are even less than the usual discount sites, such as Priceline, Hotwire, Expedia, and Kayak.
Another valuable student travel site is http://www.smartertravel.com/student-travel. Not only do they have links to the best discounts offered to university students, but there are several informative articles with travel advice, ranging from the topic of discounts themselves to tourist traps and more. For Canadian students, there is http://www.travelcuts.com offering great deals on travel expenses to those with the proper student identification.
Health Insurance for Student Travellers
If you’re going abroad, take note that some countries require specific health coverage for tourists coming in, so before you go, it’s very important to compare health insurance policies (which are generally cheaper for college students than regular travelers). A good site to check out is http://www.travelguard.com/travelinsurance/student.asp, which not only offers plans for comparison based on the duration of your trip and destination but information that may be helpful to those currently in the midst of planning their itinerary. There are also websites giving tips on specific regions, so check out the relevant advice – try http://healthinsurancecomparison.com.au for advice on visiting Australia, and so on.
Things to keep in mind: before paying anything, make sure that your health insurance policy is acceptable by your destination country’s governmental regulations. It’s also important that you know exactly what’s covered and what’s not. As a student, you are likely to get more favorable rates on such policies, and if you are going through a study abroad program, then you can probably contact your university for help in regards to insurance matters.
Cheap Accommodations
An excellent choice for students traveling on limited funding is either http://www.couchsurfing.org or http://www.hostels.com. Couch surfing is generally free, and even though it means sleeping on someone’s floor in some instances, this can be a huge budget saver that’s been growing in popularity among frugal solo travelers over the years. Hostels, on the other hand, have long been known as a great way to find cheap accommodations without the frills and added costs of staying in a hotel. There are hostels located all over the world, and depending on the location, you oughtn’t have to pay more than $15-40 per night for a bed.
Ultimately, the true cost of your travels will depend on what comforts you’re willing to go without and where you choose to go. The internet is a fabulous tool for those trying to minimize their vacation costs, so with proper research and budgeting, the trip of your dreams may be just a few clicks away.
Citations:
This article is by Kelly Kehoe, a blogger who shares tips on health insurance comparison and car insurance comparison for students and travellers of all ages.
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Very useful tips given! They will be very helpful for students who are studying abroad. There are so many other things which can make a student’s stay in foreign country cheaper and better.