Spring Break Guide

Spring break is coming, and I’m sure you cannot wait to have some time off school! This is a time for you and your friends/family to take a much needed breather from the craziness of school and work, and hopefully have the chance to take a fun trip like many others do. Unfortunately, a lot of people have to cancel their spring break trips because they did not plan accordingly! Hey, being a broke college student is hard and some of us are far from home, I get it. But my friends, traveling for this spring break just got a lot easier, because I have put together a travel guide to have the best spring break ever! Use this step by step process to help plan a safe, yet memorable vacation:

 

Tip 1: Decide Destination

To start, determine whether or not you are taking a road trip or flying. Are you thinking about going overseas, or just exploring the U.S? Have you thought about what you want to explore while you’re there? Inform yourself about where you’re going, what you’d like to see, or things you would love to try. It will really help you budget your money better for the trip. If you decide on a road trip make sure to travel safe, with someone rather than alone, that way you can switch off the driving. Plan your route out ahead, and bring a physical map in case of no cell service.

Tip 2: Have a Plan

If you decide to leave the country, order your passport immediately, figure out which days you want to fly, and which airlines will give you the best deal. Passports take almost 2 months to process, so plan accordingly! Traveling during the week is also cheaper than on the weekends (especially Tuesday’s), so decide if your destination is worth spending only a week there. Around this area, the Boston Logan International Airport is often cheaper to fly out of than the Albany International Airport. Also, be cautious about airlines that are a ‘steal’ compared to their competitors. Frontier and Spirit are usually the cheaper airlines because their flying price does not include luggage (hidden costs add up!)

 

Tip 3: Other Arrangements

Do your research to see how safe your destination is. This includes sleeping arrangements, because sometimes it can be difficult to find the right place. If you’re traveling on a budget, motels and cheap hotels are usually always available. Just be aware that quality hotels are going to be pricier. If you want to spend the night somewhere that will remind you of home, then maybe an Airbnb is more up your alley. Airbnb’s have become increasingly popular, are sometimes cheaper than a hotel room, and promote safe sleep for travelers.

 

Before traveling out of the United States, there are just a few more things to keep in mind. You definitely need to learn some basics about the country you’re visiting to respect things in their culture and the traditions they follow, and to be able to find your way around of course. For example, in Asia, it is a tradition to sit down and eat with the family at every meal. If you’re sleeping arrangements are with an Asian family, then be aware that it is disrespectful to say no to a meal, or when offered help. Asians also typically cook with more grease and higher calorie foods. Just watch what you’re eating in another country; I know it looks fabulous but food in other countries is cooked differently with different ingredients. Give your body some time to adjust to the different foods and cooking styles.

 

You can find the link for the U.S Department of State below, which discusses safety precautions for international travel. There are a few websites also listed that allow you to compare airfare tickets. For more information in traveling abroad, or if you’re looking for more travel help, there are some great traveling links below. Hopefully this guide will help you have a wonderful spring break!

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

https://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/best-places-travel-march#valencia

https://www.skyscanner.com/

https://www.skyscanner.com/tips-and-inspiration/spring-break-costs

https://www.cheapoair.com/

https://www.hopper.com/

https://www.kayak.com/

https://www.airfarewatchdog.com/

http://www.safespringbreak.org/safety-tips/#onthego

https://www.claimcompass.eu/blog/place-to-stay-when-traveling/

https://www.claimcompass.eu/blog/buy-cheap-flight-tickets/

 

 

Photo belongs to Travelpulse.com