By Telijah Patterson
Campus News
If you are anything like me, you can’t wait for the freedom of summer. Soft waves, white sand, sun, and fun are the thoughts that keep you afloat the last few weeks of classes. Like me though, your thoughts may also be dampened by that nagging voice in your head that you’re too broke to make travel happen, so spending your summer working or doing an internship is much closer to your reality. Well, I’m here to slap that nagging voice back in its place because travel doesn’t have to be expensive. There are ways to do it on the cheap.
One of the biggest expenses you accrue in travel is lodging. Hotels and resorts are not the only options out there. Airbnb, an online marketplace where you can rent a room or an entire home in the region to which you are travelling, is a great alternative for people who want a more local flavor. There are often lodging options available that are cheaper than hotels and resorts near some of the same great tourist attractions. When I went to Mexico, I was able to rent out a luxury apartment through Airbnb for less than $50 a night! What a deal!
If you would like to practice a new language as you travel, TalkTalkbnb is an even better option. Instead of being an online marketplace, you can secure free accommodations and all you have to do is commit to practicing the language with your host. You can return the favor by hosting travellers at your home, but there’s no pressure because it is not required. If language isn’t your thing though and you want to give your brain a rest, there is always Couchsurfing, which is similar to TalkTalkbnb without the required language practicing component!
Lastly, think about staying in a hostel. Hostels are budget friendly shared living spaces. Travellers stay in dorms, so it’s a great option for the lone traveler who likes to socialize. If you aren’t that social, there are also usually private rooms you can book as well. Hostels are extremely popular in Europe and many places in Latin America. Unfortunately, many are skeptical, but websites like hostels.com not only help you to book, but also lead you to customer reviews, ratings, and picture of the places at which you plan to lodge.
The next biggest expense is transportation. The best way to get cheap tickets regardless of the transportation mode is to travel off season. Summer tends to be peak season everywhere, but if you want to travel internationally choose a location in the southern hemisphere, where it is not summer. After all, visiting a cooler place might be a welcome escape from the summer heat waves. Travelling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are often cheaper because they are off peak as well.
If you are travelling domestically, it is best to shop around. Land travel is often cheaper than air travel, but it also takes a longer amount of time. Another alternative, often overlooked form of transportation, is taking the train. Amtrak trains are routed through some of the most beautiful parts of the country from the majestic wilderness of the Northwest, the vineyards and coastal plains of California, the open deserts of the Southwest, and right through the American heartland. They even offer student discount and special deals during the summer. Although, the travel time is comparable to a bus, trains come with more leg room and even sleeping compartments (at a higher price, of course). A few summers ago I took the train from Arizona to Colorado and the sights were unforgettable!
One other major expenses while travelling will be food. The same rules apply on the road as they do at home. Eating in or preparing your own meals is always cheaper. Some inexpensive and hassle free foods to buy for travel are cheese sticks, instant oatmeal, fruit, crackers, trail mix, bagels, hard boiled eggs, cut veggies (carrots, bell peppers, cucumber, celery), and of course don’t forget a reusable bottle for water!
These are a few things that I do to keep my travel cheap. With good planning and a keen eye for a good deal, traveling on the cheap can really be worth your while!
Telijah Patterson is a full-time student at LaGuardia Community College majoring in International Studies.
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