How You Can Travel for Cheap as a Graduate Student

By Alexis Sanchez on September 19, 2019

So, as a current graduate student, you always have to think about how to eat, travel, and spend while on a budget! I know when I first started grad school, I needed all the tips on how you can travel for cheap as a graduate student with all the sudden expenses I had. It is difficult to try planning anything outside of the city I’m in, let alone traveling to multiple countries in Europe (Hello Germany or Italy or anywhere over there!) or taking in the sights and riding the rides at Walt Disney World. You have to consider how much money it takes to get there, how much money it is to eat and drink there, and how much money it is to go.

After thinking about all the money money money, what’s there left to even think about? It would be helpful to have a guide on how to travel for cheap so you don’t just want to go to the same place you go to every other weekend that makes you feel like you’re actually doing something for you outside of school. This is a good method to help you save money, but also a good way to save money for a future trip to look forward to. Here’s how you can travel for cheap as a graduate student!

via Pixabay

Tip #1: Always Look Out for Deals

The first rule when you travel for cheap is looking out for deals. This means yes, sign up for Universal Studios and Walt Disney World mailing lists and be prepared to get all the emails, but skim for emails detailing special deals and events happening that will help you travel for cheap as a graduate student. There are always some deals happening (Walt Disney World has had multiple Buy 2 days and Get 2 days free deals since the summer and Universal Studios currently has the deal right now!), especially if you’re a resident of the amusement park (hint, hint).

For traveling outside of the country, definitely check out all of the different traveling agents that arrange entire itineraries (including travel, room and board, and tours) for an amount that you can pay for through a payment plan! This helps you because you don’t have to pay it all off right now, but you still get to go on your dream trip and feel like you get to travel for cheap. I’ve heard great deals with payment plans can be found from Go Ahead Tours, especially when you go with a group of friends! They give you a personalized quote and are super friendly. So, go ahead and pack your bags for your next trip to Ireland and wherever you want to go next!

Tip #2: Have 2 Trips for the Price of 1

Grad school always comes with requirements and new opportunities and sometimes that includes traveling elsewhere for conferences and internships. It’s always difficult to travel for cheap as a graduate student when traveling for conferences. I’ve been to conferences in Atlanta, GA and Chicago, Il and your time at the conference isn’t your whole time there, so why not take advantage of being in a new place! Book your room with friends and don’t forget to pencil in your own sight-seeing, trying their food staple, or just walking around a different city. You never know the cute coffee shop you might stumble upon or the national hallmarks you might pass that you’ve only ever seen in pictures.

via Pixabay

Tip #3: Keep Saving and Keep Planning

Times might be tight on your wallet and keep you from going on that trip this time, but don’t give up. Save up a little each month (or when you can) and keep planning that trip that keeps you excited for a little vacation from all the work you have to do. You can also do mini-trips to local little shops and eateries to still help you feel like you still get to travel for cheap. You deserve it, fellow grad student friends!

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