If you’re a senior this year or you have a child about to graduate, then you may be talking a lot about taking a trip to celebrate such a huge milestone in life. Whether it’s plans of a gap year or a simple trip to show how proud you are of your accomplishments or of your child’s, there will be a lot of planning to do. Of course, the idea of planning such a trip may send sheer terror down your spine due to the high price of travel. Luckily, there are some amazing ways you can cut back on the price of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, so the graduation celebration can easily become the highlight of graduation, rather than becoming a financial burden. So, get ready to let summer and wanderlust take over, because these ten tips will make planning your graduation trip less of a burden.
1. Choose Your Timing
When it comes to planning a trip, scheduling makes a pretty big difference in how much you’re going to pay and how much you’ll be able to enjoy your trip. For instance, if you’re planning a trip to the Southern Hemisphere during your summer vacation then you may want to keep in mind that you’ll be heading into winter, which will mean you may not be able to enjoy some of the items you’d planned on doing. Another thing to consider is the storm season. Many tropical places end up with full months in which it is almost impossible to do anything fun, so make sure to research your location well. Apart from that, there are actually cheaper periods of time in which you can travel. For instance, planning a trip to the Caribbean is best done in May, so head out right after graduation. This period of time is a bit of a down season for the area as they are just coming out of a stormy period. You may also want to avoid times in which tourism is particularly high. This can be hard to do, especially if you don’t plan on taking a gap year, but if you plan right you should be able to avoid many of the high prices, especially if you avoid popular tourist locations.
2. Stay in Hostels
Being young has many advantages when it comes to traveling. One of these advantages is staying in a hostel. Sure, these communal areas do still charge you, but you won’t spend near the amount you would if you were staying in a hotel. Hostels do have a few inconveniences, like shared rooms, short showers and they’re prone to bedbugs. Of course, not all hostels are this way, and if you do your research you may even be able to avoid the bad eggs entirely. Just, make sure to check your sleeping area before you rest to ensure you won’t have to experience bugs. The beauty of hostels is they will allow you to stay all over the world and meet new people without forking over your entire budget for one night. Many will even be able to steer you in the right direction as far as attractions and cheap food are concerned, which can help you save even more money.
3. Choose Your Flight Wisely
Airfare is, without a doubt, going to be the most expensive part of your trip. With some flights ranging more than $1k, you may find that this portion of the planning is probably going to make you feel the worst. However, there are some tricks you can use to get more for your money. For instance, if you don’t have a specific destination in mind then look on your favorite travel website and see what locations are offering the best deals. Sometimes, you may even be able to book a last minute travel deal that can really save you a bundle. Another thing is to consider being flexible when you plan on flying. Certain days of the week or times of the day may prove to save you a bit of money when booking. Also, you may want to choose a flight with a layover. If you can get several hours to a day for a layover, then it will allow you to investigate somewhere new without having to worry about the price of two trips. Some airlines, like Iceland Air, automatically detour in the country of origin, so you’ll be able to see somewhere exciting before heading to your initial trip.
4. Join a Travel Group
When it comes down to it, a travel group may be one of the safest ways for a young adult to travel, especially if it is their first time going solo or with friends, rather than an adult presence. The thing about a travel group is you’ll probably feel like the trip is going to be more expensive, because you pay the money upfront. However, this money tends to pay for your flight, boarding and the attractions that the group gets to see. All in all, you should be paying a bulk price, but make sure you add up the figures yourself before committing. A travel group will also ensure there won’t be any problems while traveling as you will be with a group of people the entire time. You will mostly see tourist attractions, rather than things off the beaten path, but it is still worth it if you simply want a taste of the country.
5. Take A Cruise
A cruise may sound like something you’d do with your family, rather than as a graduation trip, but you may be surprised as to how much a cruise has to offer the younger generation. Although the majority of your time will be spent on the boat itself, you will get access to foreign countries that you will have a chance to explore for a day or two. This is the most cost efficient way to see more of the world as you will never have to pay for a hotel and, depending on the cruise, you may not even have to worry about the price of food. Apart from being able to see the world, you’ll still have access to lots of amenities on the cruise that will help you kick back and relax. Of course, when you choose your cruise, make sure to see where it will be stopping in order to find the best value for you and your budget.
6. Plan Big
When it comes to a big trip, don’t let the details slip away from you. Sometimes, big trips will actually allow you to get more for your money. For instance, if you’re planning a trip to somewhere like Paris, don’t let that become the end of your journey. You can find cheap hotels in many European cities, plus there are hostels all over the place in Europe. Not to mention, there’s trains that can quickly transport you between different countries. So, if you’re planning to take on a major European city then add a few other big names to your agenda too. You’ll get way more money out of your trip and you’ll have memories to share with loved ones for years to come. Plus, you’ll have a better idea of the areas in Europe that you’d like to spend more time in, so when you save up for your next big trip you’ll be more than ready.
7. Stay Domestic
No one says you have to conquer the big pond in order to give in to your wanderlust. There’s lots of domestic cities and towns that may make being a new graduate feel extraordinary. Cities in this country are filled with exciting things to see. In fact, in most cases, people who live in the city often don’t get a taste of the full city throughout the duration of their residency. So, you may want to look around and see which city has a few international districts that you’d love to check out. New York City is obviously one of the more popular choices as it offers so much for the young student ready to take on the world. However, you may also want to consider cities like L.A. or San Diego. If you’re interested in the world’s culture, then Balboa Park in San Diego offers small cottages representing different nations and they perform cultural shows on certain weekends. Of course, many cities will have exciting things like this to offer, so know what you’re looking for when you plan your trip.
8. Find Savings
It may seem obvious to look for savings around every corner, but many people book their vacation in a hurry. If you want to be as frugal as possible, always look on a variety of different websites, so you can have options to choose from. Also, make sure you clear your cookies every time you search, so you won’t lose the good price that was offered the first time you look at the website. Another place to look for deals is on websites like Groupon or other social couponing sites. These sites can save you big money on restaurants and activities, especially if you plan on traveling with a group of people. Also, see if you can book your trip in a bundle, so you won’t have to stress about paying a fortune on each individual item.
9. Travel with Friends
Part of celebrating and exploring the world, is sharing the adventure with your peers. This is a great way to stay safe during your travels too as you’ll always have a couple of people to fall back on if you find yourself out of money or in need of assistance. Plus, it’s always nice to have a few people know where you are, in case the unthinkable happens. However, bringing friends along can also be a great way to save money. You may not be able to save much on your flight, but you should be able to get more for your money when it comes to hotel rooms and food. You can evenly split the costs of these items, so there will be less coming out of each of your pockets. You may even be able to get a few discounts on tours as you will be in a group.
10. Know What You Need
Knowing what you need for your travels is probably one of the best ways to save money. One of the most important things is to make sure your passport is up to date, as this could be really bad when it comes to entering a foreign country as you will have essentially wasted airfare and any nonrefundable deposits. Before you head out, make sure you have your hotel booked and other reservations confirmed, so you won’t wind up searching for a place to stay late at night. This can be a disaster in some cities, especially during the tourist season. You should also glance over what you’re going to need to get around foreign countries. For instance, download bus routes and check to see how much money public transit will run you. Also, look at the prices of food. With everything prepared, you should have smooth sailing.
Traveling the world in your youth is a great way to take a step into the next chapter of your life. Whether you’re the graduate or a parent, these helpful tips should allow you to make your adventure grand without being overwhelmed by debt. Now, you can enjoy your explorations and finding yourself without keeping money on your mind the entire trip.
