Student TravelStudent travel is a not insignificant part of the international and domestic travel scene and it peaks at holiday and vacation periods. Unfortunately these periods also correspond with high demand travel periods and it is difficult to get big savings. Nonetheless, many carriers and charters preserve a number "student" seats for certain popular routes but be advised - last minute fares and deep discount fares are often lower than the student prices. Some of the best bargains for students are with academic tour groups where integrated land, sea and air packages have been pre-negotiated.
Students need to be extra careful to secure their travel documents and credit cards because friends on the road often are short time friends once they have lifted personal articles from other casual friends.
Students often have flexibility on the outbound trip but hard connections to resume school at the close of the trip. Be alert to opportunities on the outbound leg to surrender tickets to overbooked airlines in return for free tickets with only a 24 hour delay.
Students need to be street smart about security regulations regarding permissible articles to carry aboard aircraft and need to check as much luggage as possible rather than carry it onto the plane. Other things about student travel have not changed - being a student on the road is a wonderful experience of discovery, culture, surprise and excitement and exhaustion - with friends from strange places and memories to last a lifetime. Be aggressive at your travel planning seeking out pensions, YWCA or YMCA facilities, public transportation, and campgrounds.
Carry a communications device that roams in your area of travel. Try to use unlocked cellular phones and purchase local cell SIM cards.
If you travel in more dangerous areas be advised that any use of narcotics or non-prescription pleasure drugs can result in years of pain and misery in jails where the American or your other nations' Consulate will never know your name. In other words respect the laws of your host countries and try not to stick out and attract too much attention. Most of all enjoy the thrill of being young and alive in a wonderful world of excitement and discovery.