How to Choose Where to Stay
How to Choose Where to Stay In an effort to offset the cost of a pricey city, rather than just turning up, realizing that all the cheap places in town are full, and having to stay somewhere that’s out of your price range, do your research and contact the hotels you’re interested in staying at in advance. And do your research on CheapOair, where you’ll find lots of search results of hotels within your price range.
The additional bonus of research from a budgeting point of view is that the more hotels, B&B’s and hostels you research and book before you leave; the easier it is to budget while you’re actually on vacation. Take your booking confirmation out and add up EXACTLY how much you’ll owe when you get there, and how much you’ll have left to spend.
From a financial point of view, it’s important that you also check out which hotels and hostels provide sheets and towels because some don’t. Perks, such as free internet access, and complementary breakfast are common and can come in handy, too. It may not sound like much, but a bowl of cereal and a glass of orange juice, or a couple of slices of toast and jam and a coffee can really set you up for the day, and save you quite a few bucks.
Sightseeing
Another way, in which you can find your money quickly disappearing on your travels, is through sightseeing. Monuments, art galleries, museums and tours can be quite pricey. We’re obviously not suggesting that you shouldn’t sightsee and enjoy as much culture as you can on your travels because you should. Planning what you see in advance can help you budget your trip.
For example, ask yourself if you really want to pay “X” amount of dollars to see a collection of obscure Byzantine artworks. If not, don’t bother, and save your money for the things you really do want to see and do. You’re not obliged to visit every attraction in the city you visit.
Another good tip is to track down small museums, galleries and historical sites, the ones tucked away on a side street where you have to ring a bell, or call out for a curator to come scuttling out. They’re often equally interesting, and quite often, free.
Some Things to Consider When Traveling
Getting around as inexpensively as possible, especially for students is to find out the cheapest forms of transportation at your chosen destination BEFORE your arrival.
Don’t forget your student ID card, this can save you a lot of money and alleviate the some of the expenses associated with travel and daily transport. Additionally, you’ll benefit from a host of savings and student discounts available all around the globe. In the long run, the savings can be huge.
In addition to a student card, a rail card can really reduce your travel expenses if you’re traveling in one geographical area, like the United States, say, or Europe. Apart from giving you freedom to travel around your chosen area, this is also a great savings.
Another important thing you must remember to do is research, research, research. It’s not just flights that have fluctuating costs day-to-day and week-to-week, buses and trains do, too. Additionally, by doing your homework, you’ll find lots of deals and special offers for all sorts of forms of transportation.
Stay Healthy
Traveling with care also means taking care of you. Make your health a priority at all times. A few wise steps can go a long way:
Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date.
Consult with a doctor who specializes in travel medicine to ensure you get the appropriate shots and vaccinations before you travel.
If you are currently on medication remember to bring along an extra supply.
If you wear glasses, be sure to bring an extra pair.
If you take medication according to a strict time schedule, i.e., insulin, find out from your doctor how to adjust your schedule.
Bring a basic first aid kit with medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
There is one thing in common about student travelers, no matter where you come from, students’ budgets are limited. If you don’t manage your money well, you’ll have a propensity to over-spend. To avoid ending up in trouble during your vacation and racking up unnecessary debt, plan and budget your trip carefully before you take off for your adventure.