Below I've included my own travel tips, along with other people's advice I have accumulated over the years. Take it from me — these suggestions can save you anywhere from a few bucks to hundreds of dollars!
- Look into travel agencies that provide student services. Places like STA Travel and Contiki offer good deals on trips to certain places. Sometimes their "deals" end up being more expensive, though, so make sure you research beforehand. Their prices vary and, depending on the time of year, can end up sparing you a few good bucks.
- Rent a less-impressive car. Don't rent cars at airports; they usually charge extra fees or require you to pay for other costs. Go to a private rental company that will target your specific car needs. Also, opt for a smaller used car rather than a large new car. Used cars are cheaper, and as far as sizing goes, sometimes if you show up at the right time, you can get an upgrade for no extra charge.
- Buy bottled water! When you get on the plane or to the hotel, you'll suddenly find yourself thirsty for no apparent reason. No need to ask for that small cup of water or shell out too much for a bottle at a kiosk; instead, pack some Arrowhead in your suitcase. Buy a 12-pack of the stuff before you get under way. You'll be glad that at least for the first couple of days of your trip, you have something to quench your thirst.
- Stay at friends' friends' houses, or look into other housing references you have received. Either way, you get what I mean. Some hostels can be scary and too dirty, so nobody can blame you for opting out of staying at such places. See if a family member knows of someone who is living in the city/country and wouldn't mind you crashing there for a bit. I stayed in a studio in Queens, NY, once for free, thanks to a friend of mine who knew a family who owned the property. I lived 20 minutes from the city, but because it was a subway hop away, the location was really convenient! No one else was staying there, and we got it all to ourselves, so it doesn't hurt to check out your options!
- Subways, metro systems, and even buses are your friends. Taxis and car services charge you a lot and sometimes try to scam you, especially if you are intoxicated or from out of town. Now, not all taxi drivers do this, but overall, it is cheaper to take public transportation. Tour buses also have good deals and can allow you to explore some of the more interesting aspects of the city. If you get a subway or metro pass for a certain amount of time, you usually save money. Plus, you can spend more time sightseeing rather than trying to wave down a cab.
- Don't forget to bring some cash! Money is important, and having it on a trip is even more important. People usually advise vacationers to take traveler's checks, but unless you're going overseas for a long time, stick to having some cash on you. After listening to a lot of older people around me, I decided to take traveler's checks with me to Europe. Needless to say, a lot of places wouldn't accept them, so I had to keep running to the bank to convert them to cash. I would stick to cash and credit cards, and maybe one or two traveler's checks to ease your parents' worries and satisfy their traditional notions.
