For students who live far from home, getting to and from school for breaks can be costly. Before money woes cause students to stick out vacations in their dorm rooms, here are some easy travel tips to make the trip without going broke.
Carpool
Students can peruse their school’s bulletin boards or check online message boards to see if others from their hometowns are headed home when they plan to go. Longer car rides are easier when you have company and can take turns driving, with the ride becoming much cheaper when everyone's splitting fuel costs. It's a great way to meet new friends and try out carpooling on the cheap.
Car Share
Car sharing services can make driving home cheaper, with the rental cost covering the bases from gas to insurance…even parking. A couple of good options for students looking to rent a car are Zipcar, with its various university on-campus locations, and Enterprise.
Hop on the Bus
For students looking for a deal for their trek home, hop on a bus. Greyhound offers up to 45% discounts to and from major Canadian universities (for student in central and eastern Canada). More than a good deal, taking the bus means there's time for catching up on studies or making up for lost sleep.
Rethink taking the train
If you are planning on multiple trips home a year, consider taking the train. There is a great student deal with the VIA Rail Canada's Unlimited Student Pass. With the pass, students can travel for 120 days throughout the spring/summer semester, from April – September. One price gives unlimited travel access during this period (with a few exceptions).
Reduced Airfare
For students who can only get home by plane, finding affordable flights can be challenging. Check out Student Universe, which offers discounted tickets for students who need to “fly the friendly skies” on a budget. Membership's free and more than 75 airlines participate.
Want to check out more tips and tools for your upcoming school semester? Visit our newly launched Student Hub here.
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