Top 15 Best and Cheapest Travel Destinations for U.S College Students

Top 15 Best and Cheapest Travel Destinations for College Students in the US

One of the toughest parts of traveling as a college student is traveling on a student budget. Some things to help with that too—all the student discounts travel during the off-season, etc.It’s the unending student dilemma—you want to travel more but you’re on a shoestring budget already. How can you afford to book a ticket to the other side of the globe when you’ve been eating Top Ramen for dinner every night this week? Thankfully, there are ways to travel on a budget so that you can make the most of your college years and start seeing the world!

We’ve got answers to all those questions and more. Keep scrolling for 15 of our best destinations in the US on traveling as a college student.

How can a college student travel cheaply?

Save for travel regularly—before you’re planning your trip!

The easiest way to have money to travel is to start saving in advance and work your travel fund into your regular budget. Set aside a separate account for your travel savings and put money into it each month like a bill. Having a regular savings plan can help you save up a lot for future trips! ⁠Even if you’re only able to save $20 extra every month, by the end of the year, you’ll have an extra $240 for a fun getaway.

Plan a trip to visit friends.

It’s likely that some of your friends from college live in some pretty cool places—take advantage of the opportunity to go visit them in their hometowns and explore a new city! Staying with friends—or staying with someone your friends know if you’re traveling through town—can save you a ton on hotel costs. Plus, you’ll get to explore somewhere new with a friend and have a built-in local tour guide. Win-win!

Consider options besides a hotel.

If you’re not staying with friends or someone you know, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to stay in a hotel. There’s a lot of other options for budget accommodation that can help you save money. If you’re traveling internationally, hostels are very popular in many parts of the world and you can often stay a night in a hostel for less than $40, even if you’re in a popular destination like Rome or Paris. Airbnb and other home-sharing apps also offer some cheap places to stay, especially if you’re sharing a space with friends.

Get student discounts on flights.

If you’re a student or under 26, you basically never need to pay full price for flights. At StudentUniverse, we work directly with the airlines to negotiate cheaper prices for students so that you can travel more for less! Plus, we have regular sales and promo codes on offer to make your flights even cheaper. Whether you’re flying back and forth to school or away for a summer vacation, snagging a discount on your flights can bring down the cost of your trip by a lot. Struggling to find something that fits your budget? We’ve got nine essential tips to make sure you can always find cheap flights.

Be flexible with your travel dates.

Even if you want to—or need to—travel during a peak travel time, there’s still ways to find cheaper tickets. If you have any flexibility with your travel dates, you can sometimes save hundreds of dollars just by leaving or returning a day or two earlier or later than planned. Typically, it’s more expensive to fly on Fridays and Sundays and cheaper to fly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In addition, be sure to check all your airport options. Many large cities have several airports and sometimes smaller airports have great deals!

Consider your destination carefully and pick one that’s budget-friendly!

If you want to plan a trip, but don’t have anywhere specific in mind, picking a budget-friendly destination can save you a ton of money. Of course, you can travel on a budget to any destination if you plan carefully. However, some destinations are much easier to travel to cheaply than others.

These destinations below are not only the best but also won’t blow your budget and yet assure you the most memorable trip.

Top 15 Best and Cheapest Travel Destinations for College Students in the US

1. Panama City, Florida

2. Austin, Texas

3. New Orleans, Louisiana

4. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

5. Savannah, Georgia

6. Salt Lake City, Utah

8. Boston, Massachusetts

9. South Padre Island, Texas

10. Daytona Beach, Florida

11. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

12. Palm, Springs California Spring Break

13. Wilmington, North Carolina

14. Key West, Florida

15. Tucson, Arizona

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1. Panama City, Florida

Photo: airbnb

Florida has always been a top spot for college spring breakers, but why not visit during the off-season for better prices and fewer crowds? Consider visiting Panama City in the fall, say September or October. The temperatures are warm, the sun is shining brightly, the beaches are less annoying, and flight and hotel prices are very reasonable. Take a look at vacation rental properties along the beach during the off-season, because you can sometimes find nightly deals as low as about $50 per night and be just steps away from the sand.

2. Austin, Texas

As the capital city of Texas, Austin has so many fun, budget-friendly things to do.

You can go walking, running, cycling, hiking, boating, kayaking, or have a picnic with friends in one of Austin’s many national parks and gardens. The best ones include Zilker Park, McKinney Falls State Park, Lady Bird Lake, Barton Creek Greenbelt, Barton Springs, Mount Bonnell, and more. All of these areas of natural beauty can be explored for free!

Austin also has scenic drives, museums, and cheap places to eat and watch live music. If you’re a fan of country or blues, Austin is a great place to catch a concert.

You can even find hostels in Austin for 30 USD per night, which is cheap for the USA. Another good idea is doing volunteer work in Dallas, which is around 3 hours away from Austin.

3. New Orleans, Louisiana

It is the best cheap spring break vacation for college students. A must-visit is Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, an event of Carnival traits. You may also consider keeping yourself up until the wee hours at the Bourbon Street clubs.

Moving around New Orleans is easy as well as economic. One day Jazzy Pass will cost you only $3 which gives you access to riding any streetcar or local bus, any number of times.

Entertainment and fun are very affordable in New Orleans. Explore by foot or hop on any streetcar, or take a riverboat cruise. Try a bite on signature dishes: crawfish, red beans, and rice, beignets, gumbo, creole dishes.

Even if it’s not Mardi Gras, New Year’s Eve, or Halloween, New Orleans is a fun place to party any time of the year. It’s an incredibly unique place in the U.S. that’s full of fascinating history, intriguing culture, delicious food, and a constantly buzzing nightlife scene that encourages cocktail to-go cups. There are actually a couple of hostels in and near the French Quarter that offers reasonable accommodation rates for students. Hotels in New Orleans can get quite pricey, so look into these hostel options well in advance so they don’t get booked up. Take the streetcar or simply walk to get around instead of driving and paying high parking rates.

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4. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

On most lists for cheap spring break trips, Myrtle Beach is among the top listed cities. Students living on the East coast can even make a road trip out of it during their spring or summer vacation. Even though during the peak season, accommodation prices run higher than normal, you can find rooms starting from $400/7-night stay. Don’t forget to check out the Family Kingdom Amusement Park, and enjoy the white sand at Myrtle Beach.

5. Savannah, Georgia

Photo: vacationhomesofhiltonhead

Savannah might sound like a place where your parents go to celebrate their anniversary, but it’s actually a really fun town to walk around, see the sights, and transform yourself into another time and place. Savannah is another southern city that embraces “to-go cup culture,” so you can explore this southern gem with your favorite cocktail or brew in hand. This is an amazing place to visit if you’re a foodie or just curious about what the hype is over southern cuisine. If the weather is warm, make sure to spend a day on Tybee Island to lounge on the beach and soak up some sunshine.

6. Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City is an amazing place to visit on the western side of the USA. It’s a convenient location for going hiking, camping, skiing, or snowboarding in the nearby mountains, but there are plenty of cool attractions within the city itself.

Cheap car rentals, hotels and volunteer positions make it affordable to explore Salt Lake City. You can also tour museums, go sightseeing, and relax in the parks and gardens for free. Temple Square, Utah State Capitol Building, Mormon Temple, Liberty Park, and Red Butte Garden are highlights of the city that don’t cost a thing.

8. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is a fantastic destination for your next college spring break. One of the top activities to do in Boston is a food tour, like the Boston Secret Food Tour. On this tour, you explore significant parts of Boston all while eating delicious food continuously. If you take the tour mid-afternoon, you could even skip lunch before and dinner afterward. Of course, you also can’t miss the Freedom Trail, where you’ll be able to learn more about Boston’s history while visiting some of the city’s most important sights.

As for one of the best night time activities that you could do, consider the Improv Asylum in Little Italy. It is improv at its best! With multiple showtimes, you should be able to find one that fits within your schedule and budget. As luck would have it, the Improv Asylum is right next door to one of Boston’s iconic landmarks – Mike’s Pastry. Here you can try one of the best cannolis in the city. Bring cash and prepare to wait a bit in line.

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9. South Padre Island, Texas

Located 2 miles off the southern tip of Texas, South Padre Island welcomes thousands of college students every year. With pristine beaches, fun resorts, and exciting attractions, South Padre Island is known as one of the most affordable spring break spots in Texas.

South Padre Island is home to over 30 miles of sandy beaches along the warm, blue waters on the Gulf of Mexico. Hop in your favorite swimsuit and grab a towel to relax along the sandy beaches after a long and tough semester. Another great spot to relax is along the Laguna Madre Nature Trail. This boardwalk path, located on the bayside of the island, is a great place to spot the local wildlife on a peaceful stroll.

If you prefer to get on the water, rent a paddleboard to explore South Padre’s canals and Laguna Madre. Others may enjoy a scenic horseback ride along the beach—a great morning activity to start your day.

10. Daytona Beach, Florida

Photo: tourscanner

Daytona Beach, Florida is about 50 miles from Orlando’s playground – home to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld. People often refer to it as the original spring break beach that meets the Atlantic Ocean. Daytona Beach is the principal city on what is known as Florida’s Fun Coast. Spring Breakers can experience a motorsports haven.

Daytona Beach, Florida’s 23 miles of sandy beaches are famous for the hard-packed beaches because this is the kind of sand that you can drive on. Sixteen miles of Daytona Beach’s sandy beaches are dedicated to motorsports that take advantage of the hard-pack sand beaches. Red double-decker buses cart spring breakers from restaurants to the bar or beach, and it is free. Most places to see are within walking distance. Daytona Beach’s waterfront includes 20 waterfront parks filled with rides, games, and the best food to snack on. If you are exploring spring break destinations for college students, check out Daytona Beach, the original spring break party.

11. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The busy and historic city of Philadelphia is one of the cheapest places to travel in the USA. It is a cheaper alternative to nearby New York City, and affordable daily transport passes make it easy to explore the city without spending much money.

Catch a sports game, tour a brewery, visit some museums, and indulge in a famous Philly Cheesesteak. Also be sure to see the most famous historic sights, like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

12. Palm, Springs California Spring Break

Less than two hours by car from Los Angeles, Palm Springs is a popular desert getaway for many Californians – especially college students. And, Spring Break is the ideal time for the college crowd to drive in. The triple-digit temperatures haven’t yet begun and the sunny days are still bearable after the cooler desert months, making these months beautiful.

The larger hotels of Palm Springs are known to host pool parties, hire DJs and cater to the twenty-something crowd during the spring months. Picture fancy cocktails, pool floats, and blaring music in front of the stunning desert backdrop.

Palm Springs is also the perfect gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, which is a definite can’t-miss opportunity. Spring Breakers can enjoy some of the amazing hikes, which springtime weather is perfect for, or simply drive through the park and enjoy the alien-like landscapes and Instagrammable photo spots.

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13. Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington, NC may seem like an odd choice for college student travel – college students want to go to a college town? Absolutely! Wilmington has everything a student might want, including outdoor adventures, nightlife, inexpensive activities, plus the ultimate attraction to a stressed college student: beach access.

There are three wonderful beaches all within 20 minutes of Wilmington: Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure. Kure Beach is the most cost-effective choice because parking is free! While in Kure Beach, you can also go on a few nature walks; Basin Trail leads to an observation deck overlooking the area. Kayaking, paddle boarding, and surfing are all popular activities too.

Another one of the many things to do in Wilmington, NC for college students is downtown. During happy hours, there are tons of specials and plenty of bars and restaurants open late into the evening. No matter what time you head downtown (parking starts at $1/hour), make sure to walk the Riverwalk. It’s a 1.75-mile boardwalk along the Cape Fear River with shops, restaurants, art galleries, and a bit of history. Prices will of course vary based on what you find in the shops! Student tip: pop into Island for some extremely cheap but satisfying food.

14. Key West, Florida

Photo: fortwoplz

Key West, Florida is the last stop along with Florida’s keys. Key West is small but a historically rich city which loves to party. In fact, Key West is closer to Cuba (95 miles) than to Miami (129 miles). Key West is an ideal spring break destination – remember that Key West and Miami Beach are the only 2 places in the continental United States to have never experienced a frost or a freeze. Key West is a popular port of call for cheap spring break cruises despite the fact that the entire island’s landmass is about 4 square miles.

Spring breakers should plan carefully to ensure they experience incredible options like A Sunset Cruise, Jet Ski Tours, Parasailing, Dolphin Eco Tours, Snorkeling, and boat rentals. Explore the culture. Visit Ernest Hemingway’s home where he penned a portion of the A Farewell to Arms. Check out a special Eco Snorkel trip that celebrates Earth Month in April.

15. Tucson, Arizona

Arizona’s second-largest city has sunny days around the year, and hence it is never a bad time to book your trip to Tucson. Horseback riding, museums, gardens, glass studio tours, biking, beautiful parks, hiking, balloon rides, what more one could ask for? Tucson has loads of fun activities and ample of attractions to keep you all busy.

Go for shopping at the St. Philips Farmers Market. This weekend market is one of the biggest markets in Southwestern Arizona. Lastly, take a tour of the Taste of Tucson Downtown, a cultural walking and culinary tour.

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