July is the time of longer days, less classes, and more downtime. It’s also the peak of the summer travel season, which means bigger crowds, longer waits, and higher prices at almost every destination. And if you’re a student, all these things likely strike fear into your heart.
But instead of letting the dog days of travelling derail your fun, anticipate the obstacles so you can better deal with them. Here are four travel tips to start with:
Get a tune-up
Before driving any kind of long-distance trip, perform a basic car tune-up or get one done professionally. Aside from making for a safer trip, having a smooth-running car makes for safer travel and can save you money by getting your car more miles to the gallon. Another road-trip measure that can save you money is to make sure your insurance is set up to allow for others to drive your car if you ever need to take a break.
Think like a local
The best way to avoid tourist traps is to avoid thinking like a tourist. Instead, get the most out of local resources by planning for trips as if you’re already there. Prepare for travel, for example, by checking your destination’s weather, anticipating driving directions, and even looking at traffic reports and be sure to check cities’ “classifieds” websites for Groupon deals or cheaper tickets to events and parks.
Bring a book
A good old fashioned book is a necessity for any summer vacation: It can make flights and car rides more bearable, laying around in the sun more enjoyable, and long wait times more productive. Having a good book on hand can also help you spend your down time unplugged from technology rather than being on a laptop or phone, which is how you likely spend much of the school year, anyway.
Make a budget
Nothing puts a damper on a vacation like having to worry over how much money you’ve spent right in the middle of it. This is exactly why making a budget can be such an important part to having a good travel experience. Predetermine how much money you want to spend during your vacation and split it up into a stipend amount for each day. Then, keep your receipts or make a mental log of how much you’ve spent each day so that you always know where you stand and there are no surprise costs when get home and check your balance.
How do you travel wisely in the summer? Tell ACI on Twitter at @ACISpecBenefits or on facebook, Google+, Pinterest, or YouTube. Also feel free to contact ACI Specialty Benefits at (800) 932-0034, or email info@acispecialtybenefits.com
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