Holidays are a time to relax, spend time with family, and take a much-needed break from lectures, assignments and the campus life. For students who study away from home, returning during festive periods is usually one of the most eagerly awaited activities of the year.
No matter what it is, Diwali, Christmas, Eid, or simply the semester-end holidays, getting home is like hitting the reset button.
Oftentimes the excitement is countered by a singular problem, how do I not spend a fortune while traveling. This becomes even harder to solve when all other students are returning home during the same festive period. But you’re in luck, with a little decision-making and proper planning, your trip can be pleasant and pocket friendly.
The following guide aims to provide practical advice that allows students to travel home without spending excessively while still having the right amount of comfort and convenience.
1. Avoid Costly Pricing By Booking Early
One of the simplest ways to travel without spending a lot of money is to schedule everything out ahead of time and book far in advance.
As the holiday period approaches, prices are set to increase due to dynamic pricing. This means the more people book during a certain period of time, the price increases. So it’s not about just finding “low fares,” but securing a fare before it spikes.
Make sure to manage your college calendar carefully because travel can begin only once your break is confirmed.
If unsure of return dates, at least book your departure ticket upwards of 5 months in advance due to ticket prices rising the more one gets closer to the date.
Set fare alerts with student communities or through booking platforms which allow you to make use of price drops.
In regard to long-distance travel, a week’s notice makes a difference.
2. Timings And Dates Should Allow For More Flexibility
Travel during the midweek window (Tuesdays and Wednesday) and opt for late night buses as peak rush hours during the holiday season always leads to congestion and spiked fares. Undoubtedly, the slower you go the more you can save.
3. Select Sleeper Buses And Overnight Travel To Save More
Not only does overnight travel allow you to reach your destination by morning, but you also will save the cost of one night’s accommodation.
When traveling long distances, like from Delhi to Varanasi, or Bangalore to Hyderabad, sleeper buses can be convenient:
- Arriving the next day fresh without the expense of a hotel or a hotel day stay.
- Bringing a full days’ travel during the day which can be utilized as rest or recuperating time with family.
- It also accommodates more robust schedules in college, where every day counts as extremely important.
Just pack a small, snug blanket and slip on a sweater and hoodie, keep a neck pillow handy, and you’re all set for a comfortable, budget-friendly ride home.
4. Split the Cost with Friends or Batchmates
If you are in the same region as a friend or batchmate, join forces.
Plan travel so you share cabs or find group rates.
Purchase together on platforms that permit group deals.
For travel, you need to better ensure your safety and your travel experience with friends since they will help during late-night returns.
5. Pack Light
Extra baggage may not always incur added fees, but it can lead to discomfort or extra expenses when switching transport modes.
It is always better to travel light. After all, most of the time, all the essentials are waiting for you back home.
Instead of heavy trolleys, opt for packable light bags like duffels or backpacks.
Do not carry bulky or fragile items that are not immediately needed. They often demand extra space or handling.
Moreover, easier handling is provided when the bag is lightweight and unencumbered.
6. Use Breaks To Recharge, Not Just Arrive
Work does not simply start and end at some point during each day. Use this time to think and rest before the beginning of a new term.
Take advantage of your quiet time during travel to ideate, read, journal or catch up on things that need to be done offline.
Manali, Chandigarh or Delhi Rishikesh offers routes with scenic views. If your route offers a scenic view, the journey itself might help relieve stress.
Traveling helps ease mental congestion, akin to spending money on a vacation; it is an investment on a reset, both physically and mentally.
In this way, you can achieve a relaxed state of mind, and receive mental clarity while tackling the In-tray waiting for you back home.
7. Keep Your Family Updated
If the route is long and the terrain or place is new, you need to keep the family in the know.
- Make sure your itinerary and bus details are shared with all family members.
Choose travel services that offer real-time tracking, if you’re travelling with zingbus, you can easily share the live tracking link with anyone for added peace of mind. - Always check in upon boarding and at all major stops along the way.
This tiny step, during busy periods when people often pray for a miracle for the range of connectivity, shut them down, highways, busy vehicle channels ‘telephone booths, presiding for sanity is fantastic.
8. Stay Hydrated and Well Prepared
An effective journey is not really about the seat got, nor the cost one incurred to travel, rather it is contingent on how ready a person is:
Travel light with good snacks; supplementary, a small water bottle and energizing nibbles such as dry fruits.
Have the right type of fitting clothes which you can move in on sparsely heated regions; traveling in layers with cross temperature zones is welcomed.
Have offline content pre-downloaded and earphones on your mobile to enjoy media, saving data.
Preparedness equals comfort during the trip which indeed is smoother and restful.
9. Pick the Travel Services That Prioritize Service Reliability
A bargain will not be worthy if it comes with delays, no assistance, or filthy conditions. While traveling home for limited durations, dependability and convenience matter equally as the fare.
- Seek out for service that provides:
- Effective updates regarding time and shits.
- Well-maintained, comfortable seats for long rides.
- Clean onboard support and amenities.
- Flexibility in single travel day multiple departure freeboard timings.
- Last mile connectivity assistance.
It is better to spend a bit more during the service that is more responsive during peak season.
Does Not Have to Cost a Fortune Coming Home
While living as a student there are financial constraints that one must consider, but this does not mean that traveling home for holidays needs to stretch your budget. With a bit of advance planning, smart choices, and some flexibility, you can travel smoothly and affordably, leaving you free to focus on what truly matters: spending quality time with your loved ones.
P.S.: If you want comfort and reliability without straining your budget, look no further than zingbus.
zingbus makes long trips restful for students with recliner seats, blankets, live seat tracking, and women-only seating sections. Along with 24/7 customer support to address any issues, users can rest easy on their long trips. zingbus’ On-Time Guarantee reinforces their commitment to scheduled travel, and users with a zingprime account can enjoy additional benefits tailored to frequent travelers, such as a 5% discount, free cancellations, and travel insurance.
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