Time for Spring Break! Travel Tips to Save You Time, Money, and Effort Chris Caggiano March 1, 2023 Beach Vacations, Destinations, Travel Tips If you are, like so many people, tired of the long, cold winter, you’re probably ready to head somewhere fun and warm for spring break. Make the most of this respite by taking the time to research the best deals while avoiding the crowds. Smart research and planning will also help you to choose the best destination, travel safely, and minimize hassle. Here are a few tips to get you started on making this spring break your best one yet. Save Money While there is no doubt that prices tend to skyrocket during busy travel times such as spring break, you can mitigate these costs with a few smart strategies. First, setting a spending limit for yourself and stick with it. Flights are typically one of the most expensive parts of any vacation, making it important that you shop around before buying. Staying flexible is one of the best ways to stay on budget, both in your destination and your travel dates. Most travel sites will allow you to set pricing alerts to help you stay on the lookout for deals. And don’t forget to watch out for hidden fees, which can quickly add to the total cost of your trip. Making wise choices about lodging can also save you a significant amount of money. Rather than going for a costly resort, consider a vacation rental so you have a kitchen to prepare meals, both of which can save you a bundle. Hostels and glamping options are also good ideas if cutting costs is your goal. And keep in mind that “hostel” in other countries doesn’t necessarily mean sleeping on a cot in a room with two dozen other people. Some foreign hostels can be downright luxurious. Pack Smart You will minimize the hassle of your trip if you are diligent about packing light. Savvy travelers understand the importance of wearing the heaviest parts of their travel wardrobe so that they do not need to pack it in their luggage. Not only will packing light make for an easier trip, it will also save you money if you’re traveling by air because you will not have to pay for checked luggage. Choosing one neutral color scheme for the trip will give you more flexibility to mix and match different wardrobe items. Plan right and you’ll never have to wear the same exact outfit twice. Other great accessories to put on your packing list include a portable power bank for your smartphone, packing cubes for your luggage, a waterproof phone pouch, a mini fold-up backpack for day trips, and a secure travel case for valuables. Choose the Right Destination It is tempting to want to go to the most popular tourist spots during spring break. Who doesn’t want to be sitting on the beach in Cancun or Miami Beach at this time of the year? However, by avoiding the typical spring break hot spots, you will enjoy a better price on your trip as well as smaller crowds. This year, think creatively and pick a place that is off the beaten path. Need some inspiration? Train your mind to think of destinations that are not exactly in a high tourist area but provide some of the same benefits. For example, instead of choosing saucy Miami Beach for your trip, consider the quieter and less crowded Amelia Island. Or rather than heading to the Bahamas or Bermuda, go for the less-traveled Dominican Republic. No matter what you’re trying to experience on spring break, there’s almost always a less expensive option. One tool that can really help you here is the “Explore” feature on our CheapOair main site. Just click on the Explore tab at the top of the page, enter when you’d like to travel, and you’ll see a map that shows you deals for various destinations around the world. Click on one of the green boxes and you go to the flight listing page for that particular route. It’s as simple as that. Travel Safely Spring break is a great time to to bone up on safe travel tips. Traveling during the rush may necessitate that you take another level of precaution, particularly if you are visiting a highly trafficked area. Remember that COVID is still with us, and even though airlines have stopped requiring masks, it still might be a good idea to mask up in the airport, on the plane, and in any crowded public place that you visit during your travels. Also, in terms of personal safety, remember that traveling in a group is always advisable. This will naturally make you less of a target for scams and pickpockets. Be sure to secure your money tightly in a fanny pack under your shirt or simply use your phone’s cash apps. You can also request a hotel room not on ground level to reduce the chance of a break-in. Lastly, be sure to pay heed to any weather warnings, particularly about rough surf or waves if you’re traveling to the beach. Avoid Lines Nothing puts a damper on the start of a vacation faster than long lines at the airport. While you can never entirely avoid lines, there are things that you can do to Get through security lines faster and minimize the time that you spend standing around. Flying earlier in the day will usually help you to avoid the rush. Frequent travelers may want to consider signing up for the GlobalEntry program in order to gain speedier access to the security stations. Choosing shoes that easily slip off will help to expedite the security process. All of these tips will make this a more seamless travel experience, helping you to concentrate on making lasting memories. Download These Helpful Apps You will find a number of helpful travel apps in today’s digital world. Be sure to download and get familiar with a few of these apps so that you are kept informed of the latest travel tips and tricks. For instance, the CheapOair app is a great tool when you’re trying to land the best deals in the air. Traveling to an international destination? The Duolingo app is invaluable if you want to pick up key phrases in a new language. Foodies will appreciate all of the information and pictures on the HappyCow app, giving you the tools that you need to choose the best restaurants for our personal tastes. Those traveling in a large group will love the service of the PlanChat app, keeping all plans and bills together in one place. Do you have any smart spring break tips to add to out list? Tell us about them in the comments below!
