Many of Value Rental Car’s customers are students coming to Los Angeles for the first time. We understand how exciting and stressful coming to LA can be, and we want to help your plans go off without a hitch. Whether you’re coming down for university, an internship, or just to visit, there’s a lot to consider before and during your trip. Here are some university student travel tips that will save you time, money, and hassle.
The Best Time For University Student Travel
While it’s true that you can travel anytime, there are some parts of the year that are better than others for university students. College breaks offer a great opportunity to travel, especially if it’s off peak time at your destination. Off season destinations tend to be cheaper and less crowded. This will give you an opportunity to really explore your destination without added pressure or budgetary constraints.
If you want to travel during the school year, try scheduling for long weekends and holidays. That way you get the most time at your destination without sacrificing your attendance at university. A weekend adventure with a few classmates is a great way to make connections and explore the area.
Save Money To Stretch Your Budget
The hardest part of traveling as a university student is budgeting. Make sure you know how much travel, food, and lodgings will cost ahead of time. That way you have time to shop around before your travel date. Whenever possible, you should book plane tickets, accommodations, and rental cars at least 2 to 3 months ahead of time to get the best deal. It also gives you plenty of time to change your plans without being saddled with cancellation fees.
Many businesses in the travel industry offer a student discount. Make sure to ask when making your reservations. If you’re a member of any other organizations like the military or AAA you could also receive a discount. Traveling with your friends is also a great way to split the cost. You wind up paying less, and having a lot more fun the more people you bring with you.
Finding Cheap Lodgings
Whenever planning a trip to a new area, it’s a good idea to stay with friends or family your first time. Along with getting safe a safe, clean place to stay, you can spend time with the people you care about and save money at the same time. If you’re a little bit more of a seasoned traveler, try out a hostel. While they’re a little bit more common in Europe than the United States, hostels are a cheap way for your people travel. They’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you already live in a dorm it might not feel all that strange. It’s always a good idea to check the reviews of a hostel before staying because some are significantly better and safer than others.
Car Rental Tips For University Students
While many corporate car rental companies won’t rent to drivers under 25, independent rental companies are more than happy to rent to younger drivers. It’s legal to rent to drivers 18 and older in most states. The main reason why corporate rental chains avoid younger drivers is liability. Student drivers tend to be less experienced and get into more accidents. Since corporate chains operate at scale and have smaller margins, their business relies on minimizing liability on each transaction.
It’s also common for a rental company to require a credit card with a high enough limit to cover a deposit on the vehicle. This rule alone will prevent many younger drivers from getting a rental car. In the end, the only way to reliably rent a vehicle if you’re under the age of 25 is through an locally owned car rental agency that offers cash or debit card car rental for students.
Stay Alert and Stay Safe
While it’s safer than ever to travel for work and fun, it’s always good to be prepared for the worst. Make sure your friends and family know your plans and check in with them regularly. Even though it’s fun to travel solo, it’s always a good idea to bring a buddy with you. This is especially true if you’re traveling to somewhere unfamiliar.
Make sure you keep good track of your belongings. The last thing you want on a trip is to lose you wallet or phone. While lost items can be returned to you, stolen items rarely ever resurface. Don’t make any overt displays of wealth, especially in a touristy area. Thieves make a good living off duping tourists.
Can a University Student Travel With Value Rental Car?
At Value Rental Car we want to help you get to your destination quickly and safely. We offer clean and affordable rental cars for local driving in LA and Pasadena, with complimentary pickup and drop off service within seven miles of our two locations. If you’re a college student, we want to help you get on the road. We rent to drivers under the age of 21, and we offer cash and debit card car rentals. Check out some of our other articles to learn more about how car rental works!