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Three locations to travel to that won’t drain your student budget

Preparation is key if you don’t want to spend your entire savings account on a trip.

 

Traveling is surely a hot topic in the summer. And after such a stressful year, with the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis, we all want to just take a break, students included. But as a student, you probably have to cover your own living costs, pay out debt, and still want to travel.

If you used an online essay writing service to find time to work, you might have managed to save enough money during the semester. Yet, even if you didn’t, you still can go out there and explore on a budget. And in this article, we will give you some practical tips on how to do just that.

The first tip to save money on traveling is to go local. Domestic travel is way more affordable considering the plane ticket costs. Besides, it’s safer and much less stressful. If you want to be extra safe – go by car. Get a few friends to go with you, this way, you’ll be able to split the gas prices. If you want to go alone, look up buses or trains. It will cost less than a plane and the road might be very beautiful, too.

Camping in the Grand Canyon
Camping is the best way to cut costs for your vacation. Sleeping in a tent will cost you a fraction of what a hotel or Airbnb would. And no place for rent could ever bring you as close to nature. You can stay in one of the Grand Canyon’s campgrounds but also, if you want to go all-in on the wilderness, request a backcountry permit to camp anywhere inside the canyon. You can do that online, at the National Park Service’s site.

One downside of this incredible location is that it attracts people from all over the world. And even now when some parts of the globe are still shut down due to the virus, local tourists still flock to see the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is the part where you’ll find the lightest and the most popular hiking trails, campsites and, respectively, the most people. If you want to avoid the crowd and aren’t afraid of a tougher hike, head straight to the North Rim. It’s an amazing place to stay in a tent.

A site at the North Rim will cost you about $20 per night. Add to that the food you’re planning to take with you, and the gas money and you’re good to go! Keep in mind, though, that there are no RV hookups on the Northern side. And if you want to go full-o wild & free, you can camp in the nearby Kaibab National Forest.

Laos
Asia is known for being a very affordable destination. Other than being low-cost, it can also boast gorgeous nature, rich culture and an abundance of sights to see. 

One of the least expensive countries to see in Asia is Laos. It’s perfect for backpackers on a tight budget. 

The lowest accommodation price we could find was 50 cents, although you don't have to aim that low. Hostels and guesthouses are very popular all around Laos, so you can be sure to find a cheap place to spend the night. A decent hostel bed will cost you about $5 per night, and a private room can get up to $15-10.

One of the benefits of Laos is that you don’t really need to exchange USD for the local currency called kip. US dollars are widely accepted and prices are dubbed in multiple currencies, including Thai baht.

According to travel blogs, cooking your own food makes no sense in Laos. You can spend about $15 on produce while buying the same dish in the street will cost you just $1. Considering that most nature attractions are available for free, you can count on spending $10-30 per day. Here are some of the free (or very inexpensive) sights to see:

● Buddha Park
● National History Museum (entry fee is $1.20)
● Sunset Aerobics on the Mekong River
● Haw Phra Kaew
● Lao Textile Museum (entry fee 3.40)

Photo by Ammie Ngo on Unsplash

Vietnam
Vietnam is one of those countries made for motorbikes. The industry is very well-developed there and the prices are very low. 

Pro tip: if you’re planning to spend your vacation on the go, you can buy a used bike. Then, once you’re finished with it, resell it for the same price! This way, you’ll only have to pay for the gas and possible repairs.

If you’re not into navigating the hectic traffic, traveling by bus, plane and even train is also an option.

Accommodation costs vary greatly. Depending on location and your budget, you can stay in a hostel bed for a dollar per night or rent an entire house for 20 bucks. But if you’re traveling with a group of friends, chipping in for a big villa is the best option. This is also perfect if you’re planning to stay for longer periods of time instead of moving around the country.

When it comes to food, avoid your hotel restaurants or any other places that cater to travelers, as usual. Eating local food can save you lots of money. Apart from your basic pho noodles, you can try cha ca, which is a fish dish, banh xeo (essentially a pork crepe), cao lau and many more things. Don’t get tempted to get a burger, it’s likely to be wildly overpriced.

Vietnam is a rather big country, so if you’re limited in time, you should carefully choose the cities to explore. Below you’ll find the list of some of the most beautiful locations.

● Halong, specifically, the Halong Bay
● Hue
● Phong Nha (check out the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park!)
● Ho Chi Minh
● Hoi An

Wrapping Up
If you want to travel on a budget, it’s possible, even if you want to go to a very expensive country. Yet, it’s best to train your money-saving skills in generally inexpensive countries. Whether you choose domestic travel or you want to fly far away for a vacation, use this guide, research travel blogs and prepare well. Preparation is key if you don’t want to spend your entire savings account on a trip.

Main photo by Gert Boers on Unsplash

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