Spring break is here! After a grueling and agonizingly endless winter, the clouds have parted, and the birds have sung; spring is here. 

Popular and highly anticipated among university students, spring break is an essential aspect of the college experience. The first true relief students receive after the inter-semester break in December, and more than two months of dreadful weather, not including soul-sucking lectures and crummy exams, spring break is like the light at the end of the tunnel. 

It offers a breath of fresh air, the chance for students to exhale a little bit and relax, travel with their friends, and laugh, knowing there’s nothing to wake up early for the next day. Nothing for the next week, in fact. 

Spring break has grown to have quite a reputation as the years progress. Simple trips to the shore with friends began to slowly shift to a few days in Florida or Myrtle Beach, to a stay at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, or to an island in the Caribbean. The pressure to do something extravagant mounted, and the need to out-do ourselves and each other’s last spring break trip created a great deal of financial stress. What once was just a few days to unplug and relax turned into a competition of who can go on the most lavish vacation.

Spring Break Without Breaking the Bank

Miami, Florida, used to be the It spot for spring break. Every year, thousands of students across the country would flock to the southern coastal state for a week, and they would lay claim to the city, razing anything that got in their drunken way.

However, their fun came at a cost. And Miami- and other cities around it- are not around to cater to a couple thousand college students and stand witness to their destruction. So local enforcement said ‘no more’ and closed the doors. Which led university goers to have to find somewhere else. Most likely somewhere more expensive. It seems that affordable spring break trips weren’t quite top of mind. New cities like Cancun and Punta Cana came out of the woodwork, with all-inclusive resorts becoming flashy and attractive to students who didn’t want to worry about planning everything. Puerto Rico was another island that saw an uptick in spring breakers, as it’s cheap and close enough that the airfare isn’t abhorrently expensive. 

But some people don’t have pockets deep enough for a plane ride, or have other financial responsibilities that take priority over seven sun and fun filled days. 

Spring break was not meant to break the bank. Affordable spring break trips are still very much alive and very much possible. Regardless of your budget or what you find enjoyment in, there is something for you. 

Tools for your Arsenal

We all deserve to have fun and let loose after high-stress times. And in an era when everything is increasingly expensive and less accessible, we shouldn’t have to refrain from enjoying ourselves and our time off simply because we cannot afford to fly to an island or stay in a tropical location. Vacation on a budget is just as fun. 

Airbnb has a feature allowing you to search homes in specific destinations within your budget. If you have an idea of where you want to spend your time, Airbnb can help you decide where to lay your head. 

They also have an ‘Experiences’ tab. Based on where you’ve booked your stay, cities will host classes with professionals in their respective fields or private history tours. If you’re in Paris, you have the opportunity to learn how to bake French pastries! If you’re in Rome, your stay comes with a class on how to make pasta and tiramisu from scratch. Chicago even has a multitude of walking tours, and culture and food experiences. 

Regardless of where you go, there’s something for you. 

If you’re not sure where to go, you can hit the ‘Anywhere’ button under the ‘Where’ tab, and it’ll help you find places in your budget. You might end up visiting a place you never gave a second thought to, like Maine!  

Airbnb is also a great resource to check out if you wanna stay local. Spring break doesn’t mean you have to go far; a staycation can be just as nice. Finding a nice spot in the city, away from your day-to-day housing and routine, can still provide that sense of change and restoration you so desire. Airbnb has flexible price points, too, meeting everyone where they’re at. You won’t feel stretched too thin, which is never what we want to happen during a break. 

Skyscanner is another great resource to look into. Much like Airbnb, Skyscanner has a feature titled ‘Explore everywhere.’ After inputting your home airport, you’re able to select the ‘Explore everywhere’ options and see the possible destinations from your outgoing port. The feature filters for continent, country, and prices, giving you all the options at your fingertips. 

You can choose by specific dates, weekends, or even see the pricepoint by month. Flying to another state or city might be cheaper than you thought in March. 

Being a student and having a student email address is also very beneficial in booking trips. Oftentimes, airlines or hotel websites, like UniDays, Student Universe, and Airbnb, will offer discounts up to 20 percent for students using their .edu email address. Before booking, take an extra minute or so to see if the party you’re booking through honors any student discounts!

You can also explore other modes of transportation; Flying isn’t the end all be all. In fact, going on a road trip might be more memorable for you and your friends, and easier on your wallet too. Websites like ‘mindtrip’ and ‘AdventureGenie’ can help you put together an itinerary and show you the best spots to stop on your journey. 

An affordable spring break trip doesn’t have to be difficult to plan. Getting your friends together and planning on a budget can be fun and reduce financial stress for all involved! 

Are you excited for spring break? Let us know your plans in the comments below!