Rollaboard Travel - Tips on Traveling Light

Traveling can be almost impossible when you are a student on a budget. From the cost of getting to your destination to the expenses along the way, the price of traveling adds up fast. To help cut back on the cost of traveling I have come up with some money saving tips for students on a budget.

Student Travel Rates

Many different airlines offer student airfare discounts that are listed on sites specified to offer student travel. There are also student rates on cruise, railway and bus routes. Contact the company directly if you want to check for student rates in your area on different forms of transportation. This could save you quite a bit of money.

Accommodations

While hotels and motels sometimes have student rates available that is not usually the case. Your best bet for saving money on accommodations when you travel as a student is to stay in hostels. They have bunk bed rooms that are very inexpensive and some even offer private rooms for a bit more. You can typically find hostels that offer free breakfast or a reduced dinner rate if you want to save on food.

Food & Drink

While you are traveling the breakfast and dinner options at a hostel are great but if your accommodation does not include food then you will want to eat out wisely. Try and purchase easy and non-perishable foods to snack on in the morning with a cup of coffee or hot tea from a local café. Then throughout the day you can snack and buy readymade food instead of paying for sit down service.

Student Discounts

Wherever you go on your trip you should always ask if the businesses offer student discounts. This may seem silly or repetitive but there are many companies who do not advertise student discounts but have them available. Do not be afraid to ask even if it is for a movie or visitor attraction.

Share Cab Fares

If you meet other students or people on a budget in your travels then try and arrange to go to town at the same time. Sharing cab fares can cut a huge chunk out of your budget when traveling. This is a win-win situation for both parties and gives you more money for the attractions along the way.

Group Discounts

If other students from your school happen to be going to the same destination then you should check if there are any group discounts. This does not mean you have to spend your whole trip together you just would book your airfare, hotel rooms and make tour reservations together. These types of group discounts can save you quite a bit of money.

Be Flexible

The wonderful thing about being flexible is that it can save you a bunch of money or get you a free airfare pass. Last minute airfare deals for students are a great way to save along with being bumped for a later flight. When an airline bumps you for a later flight they typically offer free accommodations and give travel vouchers for you next flight.

Pack Lite

While this is an obvious way to travel as a student, packing lite allows you to jump on a train for a side trip or take a bus to another city for some fun. Packing lite allows for more flexibility and less baggage to drag around between hostels or other accommodations. Also if you travel packed in a backpack then you can easily sight see along the way.

Water Bottle

One huge expense when traveling is good clean water to drink. If you bring along a reusable water bottle and carabiner to hook it onto your backpack you can save quite a bit of money. Bottled water can cost anywhere from a dollar to five dollars depending on where you travel so bringing a water bottle is great savings.

Calling Cards

To keep in touch back home no matter where you travel it is important to purchase a calling card. They cost a lot less than roaming internationally on your cell phone. Also many cell phones will not work outside of the continent so having a calling card on hand to call home is nice for keeping in touch. The internet is also nice but in case of emergency it is important to have a calling card with you for getting in touch with family or friends.

Travel Safe

As a student there are many offers available you just have to look and ask around. Make sure you look into the saving opportunities listed above to see how much money you can really save. There are lots of corners to cut in traveling as a student all it takes is a few phone calls or e-mails. Good luck in your travels and have a wonderful vacation.