With longer days and warmer weather comes a treasured United States tradition: spring break! Typically taking place in March and April, spring break is a week-long vacation designed to help college, high school and elementary students — and sometimes their parents — rest and recharge before the academic push of the last few months of the school year.
In the US, spring break makes March and April two of the busiest travel months of the year, with more than 150 million people heading out for spring vacations. But while spring break is typically characterized by beach vacation destinations, the sky-high airfare and increase in the cost of daily goods are making it hard to keep spring break budgets in check.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little bit of a spring break adventure. Here are a few ideas for spring break on a budget.
Book early.
When it comes to spring break, the early traveler gets the deal — and those who wait will almost certainly pay more. Make sure you’re securing plane or train tickets, hotel rooms and other reservations well ahead of schedule to ensure you get the best possible rates.
Do your research.
Spring break on a budget will take some digging to find the best deals. Take the time to comparison shop on third-party travel sites — especially when it comes to hotels, resorts, condos and short-term home rentals — and you might find some special spring break sales. Additionally, many travel partners offer vacation bundles where you can score a discount if you book flights and stays through the same source. Spend a little extra time planning and you could find serious savings.
Cut easy costs.
Pack snacks instead of buying them at the airport. Carry on to avoid checked bag fees. Scoop up breakfast foods at a grocery store instead of going to a restaurant every morning. Avoid toll roads. Find free activities rather than paying large fees for a museum or a trampoline park. The easiest way to save is to avoid the unnecessary extra travel fees that can really add up. Stay vigilant and you’ll easily stay inside your designated budget.
Take a road trip.
Just because airfares will break the budget doesn’t mean you have to stay home. Hop in the car and hit the open road to explore nearby cities, towns or natural landscapes. Plan ahead and book an inexpensive night or two at a hotel or vacation rental, or make it a day trip and end up back in your own bed at night. Either way, traveling by car offers the freedom that a scheduled flight doesn’t — take advantage of the chance to be spontaneous.
Go camping.
Throw a tent and some supplies in the trunk and make the great outdoors your final destination with a camping trip. Many state and national parks allow reservations for a fee, while other campgrounds are available for spur-of-the-moment spots. The fresh air, starry nights and sense of adventure will provide more of a recharge than a busy beach ever could.
Plan a staycation.
Can’t travel this year? Create a staycation and rediscover your home city or town. Map out a schedule for the week and plan hikes, museum visits, movies, meals, activities — everything that you’re always too busy to do or see during the daily routine. It’s a great way to stay busy, learn more about your home, and possibly realize new reasons to love where you live.
With a little creative thinking and a lot of preparation, you can have a spring break vacation that is not only fun and memorable, but also fits into your budget.
