In light of the current economic situation, many University students find that limited budgets coupled with relatively high travel costs have significantly restricted or entirely eliminated their Spring Break travel plans.
Some students, however, are still determined to get away for a week of fun in the sun. Luckily, there are several options available for money-conscious students looking to plan a last-minute trip at a relatively low price.
Mario Evangelist, director of sales at Student Travel Services, said there are a variety of last minute specials available for students hoping to book trips.
“What was really good for business ... is that airfare really dropped around the holidays, as people realized they couldn’t afford to travel and the airlines in turn lowered their prices,” Evangelist said. “That really helped us have a nice little boost.”
Evangelist said although he has not noticed an overall drop in the number of college students booking Spring Break trips through STS, “some destinations are up in numbers while some of the more costly ones are down.” He also noted that STS has experienced a significantly higher rate of cancellation for more expensive trips.
To counter high travel costs, there are many ways students can cut back on expenses, like opting to travel within the country. Doing so decreases the cost of airfare, which is often one of the largest expenditures associated with planning a trip.
That was certainly the case for first-year College student Shannan Fitzgerald, who plans to spend her Spring Break at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. with two friends. “We looked at other places but we just couldn’t afford the hotels and airfare,” Fitzgerald said.
First-year College student Aveni Patel, who is travelling with Fitzgerald, said the group set a budget for its trip. “We decided we could only pay $300 each,” she said, adding that the three are opting to drive down to Florida rather than pay airline costs.
With its warm weather, plentiful beaches and active nightlife, it is understandable why Florida is an attractive destination for students seeking a less-expensive alternative to traveling out of the country. Florida’s Panama City is the second most popular Spring Break destination for college students booking trips through Student City, a travel agency that plans low-budget Spring Breaks for about 25,000 college students each year, said Mark Signore, Student City’s outside regional sales manager.
Panama City also is relatively affordable, Signore said. “A Panama City trip can be done in $300 to $600, especially if you drive down on your own.”
In addition to its financial accessibility, Panama City boasts more than 20 miles of white-sanded beaches, as well as numerous bars and nightclubs, which may explain why thousands of college students travel there each year.
“Buses run to Panama City from all over the U.S.,” Signore said. “That destination has just blown up. You’re really seeing the hype.”
One possible drawback of traveling to Panama City, Signore noted, is the uncertainty of the weather, as spring daytime temperatures can range anywhere from 75 to 50 degrees, meaning that a week of great beach weather is not necessarily a guarantee. Instead, students looking to ensure warm weather and tan lines can head further south to Miami.
Miami’s South Beach is a notorious nightclub hot spot, and low-budget travellers can book a round-trip flight to Miami for less than $300. South Beach also provides a culturally unique experience, as it is located in the historic Art Deco district of Miami and boasts a refreshing blend of trendy restaurants and artsy sidewalk cafes.
This chic atmosphere, however, comes at a price, and such expenses can quickly add up, Evangelist noted. “Florida is cheap, especially if you drive there,” He said. “But then you’re on your own for hotels, food, drinks and cover charges.”
Sometimes these expenses are so high, Evangelist said, that they can undo the budget benefits of travelling within the country.
“At the end of the trip, you realize you basically spent as much as you would have if you’d bought an all-inclusive package to somewhere out of the country,” Evangelist said. Furthermore, traveling outside of the country may allow students who are not yet 21 years old to partake in alcohol consumption during Spring Break. Fourth-year College student Katie Southwick said her group of friends planned a trip to Puerto Rico because one of them is not 21 years old.
“It’s our fourth year, and we just felt like we wanted to do something really fun and memorable,” she said.
Although the group did not set a specific budget, it chose Puerto Rico because it was one of the cheapest options. It was one of the only destinations outside of the United States for which airfare was less than $300, Southwick said.
“We looked at Mexico, at Acapulco and Cancun but we found them to be too expensive,” fourth-year College student Eleanor Kirk said.
Jamaica is another fun, relatively inexpensive destination for those looking to leave the country for Spring Break, Evangelist said.
“Jamaica has made a real comeback in recent years,” he said. The cost of such a trip is dependent on the place of a traveller’s departure, but trips to Jamaica are going for anywhere from $600 to $800.
“Jamaica is really the best value,” he added. “Your money really goes far there.”
Abundant beaches, cheap food and drinks, live concerts, all-night partying and guaranteed warm temperatures are all attractive trade-offs for those willing to pay a little more to fly to the island country.
The Bahamas also are popular for college students during Spring Break.
“My best advice, if you’re looking for something cheap, is the Bahamas,” Signore said. “Grab a couple buddies and take a road trip down. It’ll be a great time and with the cost of the party cruise ship included, it can be done for under $500.”
At this time of year, the Bahamas are bustling with crowds of young, fun-loving students. The bars, restaurants and shops on Grand Bahamas Island cater to Spring Breakers, and there is no shortage of live music and dancing. The beaches, although often crowded, are spacious and dotted with palm trees, and the water is warm enough for swimming.
For students who decide to stay in the country during Spring Break, service trips also present a financially feasible option. Third-year College student Seth Coogan said he is going to Massachusetts on a mission trip. “There were lots of trip options,” he said. “The one I chose was purposely one of the less expensive ones.”
First-year College student Matt Hunt also said he plans to go on a mission trip, but to South Carolina.
“It’s the cheapest break on Grounds, and that definitely factored into my decision,” Hunt said.
Even if it means forgoing typical Spring Break locations in favor of more economical options, it is entirely possible to plan a fun, last-minute Spring Break trip without completely breaking the bank. Whatever one’s budget, a number of different Spring Break activities are still available to students, even in times of economic uncertainty.
Of course, some students may still abandon their adventuresome Spring Break plans altogether and just enjoy a week without classes. Saving money also travels a long way. Third-year College student Joey Blacketer said he is going home to work for the week.
“Money was a big part of this decision,” he said.
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