17 Cheap Trip Ideas for College Students

With the cost of higher education spiraling out of control, most college students do their best to keep costs down. This often means staying home over school breaks instead of traveling to explore new destinations or taking a break to have some fun.

Fortunately, these tips can help you escape school and see the world at a price you can afford.

Becoming a house sitter during school breaks is a great way to see a new destination without paying for lodging. If you're curious how to get started, websites like TrustedHoustSitters.com connect college students and others with homeowners who want someone to watch their property or take care of their pets in exchange for a free stay.

When you're in college and traveling with friends or on your own, you can save considerable sums of money by staying in hostels. While hostels may offer different room types and their own unique amenities, some let you book a bunk in a room with up to nine other people, making it easy to save money and make new friends.

If you're able to score a cheap flight or book one with airline miles, you can have a lot of fun without spending a lot at an all-inclusive resort. Most all-inclusive properties are in the Caribbean or Mexico, but they help you save big by including your food, drinks and entertainment in the nightly room rate.

If you have access to a car and want to stay flexible with your travel plans, sit down with a few friends to map out an epic road trip. Maybe you could drive through the Western United States, through the desert South or up and down your favorite coastline. Save money by sleeping in your car, staying in cheap roadside hotels and packing a cooler so you can have meals and snacks on the road.

State parks make it easy to get away from it all, and normally for a price you can afford. Depending on your state and its available parks, you may be able to secure a basic camping site without electricity or water hookups for less than $20 per night. Borrow a tent and supplies from family or friends and you'll be back in touch with nature in no time.

If you want to camp with friends and don't really want to "rough it," a few small changes can make your camping trip glamorous. Book a rustic cabin instead of space for tent camping for starters, then bring luxury bedding and all your favorite creature comforts from home. Cook up some steaks instead of hot dogs, and you're basically glamping.

Renting a beach house or beachfront condo can also be extremely affordable if you're able to pool resources with friends. You can frequently find Airbnb.com and VRBO.com beachfront rentals for less than $50 per person, per night if you're willing to share sleeping space. Save even more money by using your rental home's kitchen to prepare all your meals instead of dining out.

Websites like RedWeek.com let you book affordable, unused timeshare weeks at resorts all over the world. Timeshare rentals often come with multiple bedrooms, living space and their own kitchens, making them a good option if you want to plan a trip with some of your friends.

Eastern and Central European countries like Belarus, Croatia and Poland can feature insanely low prices on food, hotels and more. If you're able to get across the pond for cheap, you can backpack to see new parts of the world, even staying in hostels and relying on inexpensive trains to get around.

South American countries like Ecuador and Peru can also be inexpensive to visit, particularly if you can get a cheap flight deal. Make sure to check for hotel deals using websites like Expedia.com and Priceline.com and consider booking a vacation rental you can share with friends.

Websites like CouchSurfing.com let you stay in local homes and make new friends provided you're willing to forgo sleeping in a real bed. You can usually stay for free this way, although you won't be able to stay in one home for too long. Couchsurfing is best for college kids who want to explore new places but aren't too picky about where they lay their head at night.

National parks also offer an inexpensive way to see vast new lands, and you may even be able to camp nearby for cheap. Some of the most beautiful national parks even offer rustic lodges or primitive cabins you can rent for less than $100 per night. If you can share one with a few friends, that's not a bad deal.

Cruising can also be inexpensive-especially if you are within driving distance of a cruise port. Not only can cruise fares be affordable, but your lodging, meals and transportation are included in one low price. For up to 82 percent off last-minute cruises that depart within 90 days, check out VacationstoGo.com.

Repositioning cruises take place when a cruise ship is moving from one part of the world to another. These cruises spend most of their time at sea with very few stops, so they're frequently offered at deep discounts. If you love cruise ships and don't mind being at sea for days at a time, a repositioning cruise may be up your alley.

If you don't need a ton of space, consider renting a tiny home in the woods or a major city you want to visit. Websites like GlampingHub.com make it easy to book small cabins and tiny homes all over the country, often for a small percentage of what a hotel room nearby might cost.

If you really want to get away from it all, you'll probably need to fly somewhere. Make sure to check out flight deal websites like SecretFlying.com and TheFlightDeal.com, both of which offer daily deals on flights around the world. These deals don't last long, however, so you'll need to book fast.

If you just want a change of scenery but don't care where you stay, also check out the HotelTonight app. This app connects you with discounted rates on unsold hotel rooms you can book the same day, so it's perfect for college students who just need an inexpensive night away on their own.