The College Guide to Affording Travel
From one broke college kid to another, here is how to hack paying for travel.
Let’s get one thing straight: most college students who travel aren’t secretly rich or using “daddy’s money.” We’re just resourceful, mildly scary with budgeting, and willing to take on a few side gigs to make it work.
I didn’t fund my trips with a trust fund or an influencer paycheck. I paid for them by stacking random jobs, saying no to small things (my local coffee shop missed me), and getting very comfortable with being a little scrappy. If you want to travel during college without destroying your bank account, here’s what actually works—coming from someone who’s done it.
1. Say yes to odd jobs (even if they’re not glamorous)
This is where most of my travel money came from. Babysitting, dog walking, selling clothes, editing essays, tutoring—none of it is exciting, but it adds up fast.
Babysitting for one family once a week can cover flights in two months (if you find the right family). Editing essays or resumes for classmates is low effort and easy money if you’re decent at writing. Selling clothes you don’t wear is a little more effort than the Goodwill drop, but then you have cash for a monthly payment or train ticket.
Think short-term, flexible, and cash-forward. If it fits between classes and doesn’t drain you, it’s fair game.
2. Use interest-free payment plans (seriously)
Paying for a trip all at once isn’t realistic for most college students (or even recent grads), but you don’t have to. Interest-free payment plans (like the ones EF Ultimate Break offers) make travel doable without maxing out your savings or credit card.
Instead of dropping one huge payment, you’re paying smaller amounts over time. That means you can earn the money as you’re paying the trip off. Plan ahead, avoid the post-booking financial panic. If you’re going to travel during college, this is one of the smartest tools you can use. $200 a month is a lot better than $2,000 in one click.
3. Trick yourself into saving money
I am not a “budget spreadsheet” person. What does work for me is saving money in small, annoying ways that don’t feel like a sacrifice.
Every time I skipped buying coffee, I put $5 into my travel savings. When I didn’t order food and ate what was already in my fridge, I moved that money instead. It didn’t feel impressive in the moment, but after a few months, it covered real travel costs.
You don’t need to save hundreds at once. You just need to be consistent and mindful.
4. Sign up for paid psych studies on campus
This one is wildly underrated. Most campuses are constantly running psychology or research studies and paying students to participate. Sometimes it’s $10, sometimes it’s $50, and it’s just answering surveys or sitting in a room clicking buttons.
Check your school’s psych department website or bulletin boards. It’s easy money, usually low effort, and feels a lot better when you mentally label it as “future travel funds.”
5. Choose destinations that won’t drain you
Where you go matters just as much as how you save. Some places are just easier on a college budget.
Costa Rica, Portugal, and most of Eastern Europe are great options. Food is affordable, accommodations are reasonable, and you get a lot of experience for your money. You don’t need to start with the most expensive cities in the world to have an incredible trip.
Affordable destinations let you stay longer, stress less, and actually enjoy yourself instead of constantly checking your bank balance.
6. Plan one trip at a time (not ten)
This might sound counterintuitive, but focusing on one trip at a time is how I actually afforded travel. When you’re trying to save for everything at once, it feels impossible and you give up.
Pick one destination. One timeframe. One goal. Once that trip is booked, move on to the next. Travel gets way more doable when it’s broken into manageable pieces instead of one giant dream.
7. Utilize your student ID
A little known fact is that tons of places in Europe have student discounts. Most museums, excursions, and transportation have mega discounts and are sometimes even free.
Bring your student ID with you on any adventure you go on (pro tip keep it in your passport case).
Affording travel in college isn’t about being perfect with money or working 50 hours a week, it’s about being intentional. A few extra jobs, smarter planning, and small habits over time can turn “maybe someday” into an actual thing.
You don’t need unlimited funds. You just need a plan you’ll actually stick to.
Key takeaways
- Paying for travel seems daunting but it can be manageable if you utilize hacks.
- You don’t need to plan any of this alone—we already did the hard part. You just pick what destination, trip, or experience speaks to you the most and show up (solo).
Know before you go
From the ins and outs of our trips to finding the one that fits you best—here’s what you need to know.
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