The United States is a very big country with a variety of cities, state and national parks, and vast scenery. Why stay only in the city where you are studying when there is so much to explore? Of course, traveling on a student budget can be tricky, but with the right planning, you can make your American travel dreams come true. We have put this article together on ways you can spend less and travel more.

Plan out your budget: Planning out your budget in advance will help you know what costs to anticipate and how much you will have leftover to spend on trips. Read some budget management tips to help you plan for these costs.

Eat at home: Dining in tends to be much less expensive than dining out. Try planning your week’s meals in advance, and shop only for what you need at the grocery store. Also, avoid those morning coffee shop drinks! The price of a latte once a day for a whole year can really add up. Instead, put that latte money toward a fund for a trip.

Avoid subscription services: Subscription services are one of those things that can eat away at your monthly budget. Unless it’s necessary for you to have, try to avoid services that continually charge a monthly fee, such as streaming video services, e-book services, and premium accounts with online tools and networks. If you really want that streaming video account, ask to see if a group of friends would be willing to share the monthly fee with you.

Go on group trips: When you travel with a group rather than alone or with just one other person, it makes it easier to split costs such as car rental, gas, hotels, etc. Plus, when you go on a trip with a group of people, it makes the travel experience more enriching because you are all making memories together that will last a lifetime.

Find budget friendly accommodation: Instead of splurging on an expensive hotel, try finding a cheaper stay through a reliable third-party website such as Booking.com, staying in a house or apartment through Airbnb, or reserving a campsite like a KOA. Doing this will make a big difference in how much you spend on your travels.

Choose cheaper destinations: There are many inexpensive travel destinations in the U.S. that are just as enjoyable, if not more so, than more expensive destinations. For example, accommodation for a week’s worth of campsites to visit national parks in multiple cities might cost just as much as a one-night stay in a big city like New York or San Francisco. For ideas, you can check out this article for the best budget destinations in the U.S.

Traveling on a student budget may take some extra planning and work, but it is definitely possible. We hope this article proves helpful as you plan your next trip to make your study abroad experience even richer.

What are your favorite budget travel tips? Share them with us in the comments below!