By: Manuela Hernandez

   Traveling is too expensive for most college students. With the holidays coming around, many college students go back home but others want to take a much-needed vacation before returning to their studies. There are so many students who claim to want to see the world, but many do not know where to start. Some have never traveled before or think they cannot afford it.

   Saving money is where it starts. If traveling is a priority, then it is possible. Most college students have plenty of expenses, such as tuition, rent, food and other bills. So how are students supposed to travel when they can barely pay the bills they currently have? The first steps to traveling are planning and budgeting. If you know you want to travel, then you may have to cut back on expenses. Eating out every night or buying that cup of coffee every day before class adds up in the long run.

   Applications such as Skiplagged or Skyscanner are becoming popular because of their flight offers and low charges for small bags. If you know you are only traveling for a weekend and are able to pack everything in a backpack, then you are set.

   One of the most popular forms of lodge searching is with the Airbnb application. An Airbnb is usually a home that people rent out for vacationers looking for accommodation. Mapy Prieto decided she wanted a spontaneous trip to take some stress away from college. She found an Airbnb for under $100 that accommodated four people. She said that when it came to eating, they decided to go to the local grocery store for food instead of eating out for every meal.

   For some students, the issue is not knowing where to go. If you go onto Google Flights, you can explore different destinations during the time they are most affordable. Destinations range from cities in the United States to cities in Europe. To many college students, Europe seems like a destination that will cost you thousands of dollars. Although it is more expensive than most places, balling on a budget is possible. During low-demand season roundtrip tickets are available for as low as $400. Also low-fare airlines in Europe, such as Vueling, sell tickets for as low as $9. It is just about being flexible with times and dates.

   College student Alfonso Garcia said that ever since he opened up a credit card with an airline he has been rewarded for being a frequent flyer. He also said that sometimes the airline gives double miles. Another great benefit to this credit card is being able to shop in other countries without being charged the foreign transaction fee.

   If you know the time you would like to travel around, it is important to plan around six months in advance. Planning ahead can save you money. Patricia Granada said she shared a Google document with her friends so they could organize their trip. In this document they mapped out all of the destinations they wanted to visit in Italy, and the cost of traveling. Granada also said that traveling by train was cheaper and that the scenery on the train ride was worth the long trip.

   Hostels all around the world are also becoming a very popular form of accommodation. They generally have lower prices than hotels. When traveling you probably do not want to spend your time at the hotel, so the money you save can be spent on excursions, food or souvenirs. Staying in a hostel is a unique experience where you can meet people from all over the world. You cannot always be promised the most comfortable place, but it can be worth the experience.

   A popular destination for college students is Costa Rica. Alfonso Garcia traveled there with his sister this past summer. He said that he spent the majority of his money on adventurous excursions such as hanging bridges and zip lining through the Monteverde Park. He says that the hostel he stayed at was a little farther from the tourist attractions, but the hospitality offered was incomparable.

   Garcia said, “Every morning I would wake up to a gorgeous view of a volcano and homemade breakfast, nothing beats that.” He said that if you want to save money, then you can just explore the many beaches this country has to offer.

   A unique destination is to the sandy beaches of Indonesia. With a strong cultural heritage and amazing street food Indonesia is a notable destination. Shelby Brynes and a group of friends spent a couple weeks of their summer exploring Indonesia. Brynes said that she would spend only $8 a day for a place to stay and as low as $1 for street food.

   Byrnes said, “Experiencing the culture of these beautiful people was so fulfilling and the scenery was incredible.” 

   Financially, college students are always in a pinch. The cliché of ramen noodle dinners and overuse of coupons still rings true. It also doesn’t help when wanderlust starts to creep in. Hopefully, these few tips will help fulfill that lust of travel, while simultaneously not spending an exorbitant amount. From staying in hostels to finding cheap airline tickets, there are many ways to ball on a budget.