Tips for Students Traveling Home for Christmas

Getting home for Christmas or any holiday for that matter can be a stressful and grueling process not only for the traveling student; but for the parents as well. We as parents often worry too much while our young adults tackle the task of being on their own and being totally responsible for ones self. Knowing that most young collage students want to be totally independent but at the same time while traveling students need to make sure that safety is always first. All to often our young adults are naive and will put themselves in unnecessary danger, by doing irresponsible things like hitch-hiking. Regardless of your situation, one should never hitch-hike, the danger is just to great and not worth your life.

The ideal traveling situation would be to pair up with a friend whom might be going to the dame town or close to your home town. Not only will you have company for the ride, you will also have someone to share the expense of the trip home and as we all know in this day and time saving money is a big deal. If you do decide to travel by car with a friend make sure that you have your route mapped out clearly and you stick to it. Also send a copy of your itinerary to your waiting family so they will be aware of your travel plans. Having a GPS device and cell phone are always a good idea in case of an emergency. Remember by traveling the speed limit and using the vehicles cruise control device you will save on the overall fuel costs.

If you do not have a friend to travel with and are on a very tight budget there is always the Greyhound Bus Lines, which is the largest bus line in the United States with 16,000 daily departures and 3,100 destinations. No reservations are necessary when traveling Greyhound Bus Lines. Seating is first come first serve and advance purchase of your ticket does not guarantee a seat. The rates on the Greyhound Bus Lines are very reasonable, one usually can travel to anywhere in the US one way for $99.00. Around trip ticket will of course be more expensive; for example if you were leaving from New York and going home to Louisville, KY the fare would cost you $209.00 round trip. You will also want to remember that the traveling time on Greyhound takes much longer that any other means of transportation.

Then there is the Amtrak Trains, which as far as time will get you to your destination faster but is more expensive. Although the train is more accommodating with it's larger more spacious seating and you have the ability to get up and travel from one car to the next. Amtrak offers several different amenities such as a dinning car, sleeper cabins for privacy and a smoking car. The ride on Amtrak is smooth and comfortable and the same round trip ticket from New York to Louisville, KY costs $284.00 for a coach seat, just like any other means of travel if you purchase your ticket a head of time you will get better rates.

Students may also find great deals of air fare if you research it and purchase the ticket a couple of months before Christmas one can find some pretty good fares. So regardless of how you travel home for Christmas this year, just remember to be safe and have a great holiday at home.

References for this article came from, learnoutloud.com and amazon.com/travelinghomefor Christmas