Spring break doesn’t have to cost a small fortune to be fun. The number one destination for spring breakers is the beach. Waterfront hotels can be quite costly during peak periods. Something I’ve noticed in every beach town I’ve ever visited is the modestly priced lodging just across the street from the waterfront. For the slight inconvenience of crossing the street to get to the beach, savings can range from 25% to 75%. Lower priced rooms could also make a single private room within reach of those who prefer their own space.
Another low cost option for spring break is to lease a sailboat for the week and split the cost between 5-8 people. Not only do you get some great savings on lodging, but you can have the adventure of sailing and staying in a different port of call each night. Of course it will require that someone in the group have their sailing certification for most leasing companies. I have a friend who does this every summer in the British Virgin Islands. He invites several friends who help offset the costs.
A cruise can be an inexpensive alternative for those who know where to look for the bargains. There are some travel agencies who specialize in last minute cruises or sell under-booked cruises. The nice thing is that once you get on the boat, all your food is paid for. There are also agencies that specialize in booking passengers on cargo ships that have extra crew cabin space.
For college students, some of the airlines now have special stand-by tickets. It may take a day of waiting for a seat to open up on a number of flights, but the savings can be significant. Off brand airlines that fly out of smaller lesser known airports also offer some great savings. My daughter in college and her out of state boyfriend use this method quite often.
Greyhound Bus Lines has a special for $89 one way for up to 2000 miles. They also have e-fares for as low as $13 in select markets. I can remember buying a ticket special from Greyhound back in the 70’s and traveling from Florida to California for under a hundred dollars. There’s one drawback, I’ve been to every gas station along I-10 in Texas.
If you want to go international on a shoestring, you can do volunteer work for a non-profit group such as a medical group or a religious group. I went on one such trip and spent half of a summer in the mountains of Guatemala. It’s a great way to experience another culture and help others at the same time. Some advance planning is required for this option. Since you are doing nonprofit volunteer work, you can even organize some fund raising events to help pay for expenses.
Don’t stay home from spring break just because you’re short on cash. With a little imagination and planning, you can have a trip you will remember and value for years to come.
