Planning Your Student Vacation

If you're a student who's hoping to take a much-deserved vacation, plan your your trip well in advance to save yourself time and money. Carefully consider your budget as you research your destination, accommodations, method of travel, currency exchange, food, sightseeing options and local transportation.

Destination, Currency and Method of Travel

While some destinations are costly, others offer reasonable deals to the student traveler. Study currency exchange rates to help set a realistic budget. You’ll also need to decide on how to get to your vacation spot. If traveling domestically, flying, driving or taking the train are all excellent options. For international locales you’ll need to figure out flight itineraries and connections, where to get cheap flights, fares, taxes, customs fees and baggage requirements.

Accommodations

Research ideas for accommodations well in advance. Can you afford a nice hotel or would you prefer staying someplace that caters to students? If you're traveling overseas, youth hostels are an inexpensive and safe alternative. Wherever you decide to stay, make advance reservations, get a confirmation number and pay all deposits as required.

Food

Think about what and where you'll be eating. Are you planning on dining out or will you be buying food and preparing it yourself? Arrange meal options ahead of time if you have dietary restrictions. Plenty of travel websites offer meal suggestions and restaurant reviews.

Things to See and Do

Unless your ultimate goal is to relax and do nothing, consider what you want to see and do. Study a map of your vacation spot and group your daily activities close to each other. Review hours of operation, ticket prices and transportation options so you don’t waste your time.

Transportation While There

Determine how you'll get around once you're there. If renting a car, research the company's rates, pick-up times and insurance requirements. Check to see if the company you're renting from has any age restrictions or credit limit policies. Keep in mind that many major metropolitan areas have ample and affordable public transportation. Websites and travel guides are a good source for information regarding subways, trains, and ferries.

A Word About Safety

Whether you're going on vacation to a place you've never ventured to before, or to a spot you've visited many times previously, safety should be at the forefront of your plan. Consider traveling with others and make certain to leave behind your full itinerary with friends or family.