The Best Money-Saving Hacks for Spring Break Travel

Spring break may be the respite you need from work and regular life, but that doesn't mean it will come cheap. Travel is always expensive but peak travel times are the worst when it comes to your budget. These tips can help you enjoy spring break without ruining your finances.

Flying is almost always more expensive than driving-and this is especially true when you have a family in tow. To save as much as possible, consider destinations within driving distance and skip the exorbitant cost of spring break airfare altogether.

Where hotels can provide the party atmosphere you crave for spring break, they can also cause your vacation food budget to spiral since you'll have to dine out for most meals. A rental condo with a kitchen, on the other hand, allows you to prepare some of your meals at "home," helping you save some of that cash.

If you haven't booked your spring break flights quite yet, it makes sense to take stock of any frequent flyer miles you have. With a program like American AAdvantage or Southwest Rapid Rewards, you can easily fly to many domestic spring break destinations for 25,000 miles round-trip or even less.

It's never too late to pick up a travel credit card to save on your trip. With the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard, for example, you could score 70,000 points, worth $700 in travel, after you spend $5,000 on your card within three months of opening your account. You also earn 2x points for every dollar you spend.

Also make sure to check any hotel loyalty programs you belong to for rogue stashes of points. If you have hotel points with Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt or any other program, it's possible you could get all or part of your spring break stay for free.

You don't have to traverse the globe or even leave the country for an epic spring break. Choose a destination closer to home to cut down on transportation costs and maybe nix the cost of airfare altogether. If you are able to drive a few hours away for an unforgettable trip, that's even better.

No matter what type of trip you're planning, you'll save the most if you shop around. Make sure to take advantage of online travel aggregators like Expedia.com, Priceline.com and Hotels.com to find the best deals. If you're booking airfare, check direct pricing on airline websites in addition to fares on discount sites.

If you're tired of the high price some of the big airlines charge, consider flying a discount carrier like Spirit. With Spirit Airlines, you can find one-way flights around the U.S. for less than $50. Spirit also offers discounted vacation packages with flights, hotels included.

If you rented a car for spring break, you should absolutely register your reservation with Auto Slash. This website monitors your car rental to see if prices drop, then notifies you so you can rebook when the time is right. Auto Slash is also free to use, so you have nothing to lose by giving it a try.

Setting your heart on a specific spring break destination is the worst way to save money, mostly because lack of options makes it hard to shop around. If you're willing to travel to a handful of spring break spots, you can compare pricing for each and choose the best deal.

Surprise fees can ruin any spring break trip, which is why you should research and prepare yourself ahead of time. While hidden fees can pop up anywhere, the most common ones to check for include checked baggage fees, seat selection fees on flights, resort fees, internet access fees and foreign transaction fees.

Can't afford a regular resort getaway? Consider camping close to home or even glamping-a term used to describe luxurious camping. You can opt to purchase a tent, rent a camper or borrow camping supplies from a friend. Pack a cooler of food and hit the road for a spring break trip you'll never forget.

Want to be sure your travel budget isn't thrown out of whack this spring break? Set a daily spending limit that dictates how much you spend on entertainment, food and fun. Having a daily limit can also help you figure out how much you'll spend your entire trip, which can keep you on your budget for the long-term.

If you're young and don't mind flexible sleeping arrangements, consider staying in a hostel instead of a traditional hotel. Hostels can afford you a private bed, although you will likely share a room (and perhaps even a bathroom) with strangers. The upside of hostels is that while they're helping you save big, you're also meeting new friends.

If you're super tight on funds but have family or friends who live in cool locales, consider planning a friendly visit to coincide with spring break. You can save big by driving for your visit and you can avoid the cost of a hotel altogether if they'll let you borrow their couch. If you don't have family or friends to visit, try couchsurfing.com for a similar experience.