Post Camp Travel Plans

My departure to camp is fast approaching and I can hardly contain my excitement for the summer that lies ahead. Lately I've gotten an abundance of questions from other Camp America participants asking how I managed to book all of my post-camp travels at such a bargain price. Being the anxiety stricken, somewhat pessimistic person I am, the thought of booking my travel plans whilst I was actually at camp was very unsettling. I'd much rather get everything booked and paid for before I head off for the summer, so that I know there's nothing to worry about when camp comes to an end and I can calmly embark on my travels, stress free.

Initially I intended on participating in one of the many Treks that Camp America so passionately encourage you to do, however after doing a little research I found that they simply weren't the right choice for me. I can however completely understand why Treks are so appealing to most people, as all of your routes are pre-planned and effectively all you need to do is turn up and leave the rest to the appointed guide! Check out the Camp America website for more information regarding treks and to book your place!

If you are like me however, and wish to book your own post-camp adventure to suit your needs perfectly, there are so many options for you to chose from that are straightforward and budget friendly!

Getting around

Once you've decided a potential route or cities you want to visit in general, the next step is finding the easiest (and cheapest) way to get there! One of the most popular methods of getting about post-camp are Greyhound Buses (think National Express but on a much bigger scale), which comes as no surprise considering you can go from Washington DC to New York City for as little as $8. If budget bargains are what you're looking for then Greyhound is the perfect choice for you, however be prepared to spend many hours (if not days) getting to your destination depending how far away. If, like me, the thought of sitting on a coach for hours on end doesn't appeal to you then catching a flight may seem like the better option. Here are my top 5 tips when it comes to finding the best deals on flights:

- COMPARISON WEBSITES - Websites such as Skyscanner and Kayak can help you find the cheapest flight possible, simply input your details and they'll do all the work for you! When buying direct from a particular airline, you can often miss out on great deals with others for the same day.

- TIME OF DAY - Don't be put off by catching an early morning or a red-eye flight, they are often way cheaper and less busy on the plane itself!

- DAY OF THE WEEK - Tuesdays and Wednesdays have been found to be the cheapest days of the week to fly, followed closely by Thursdays and Saturdays. Avoid flying on a Friday and Monday as much as you can, as some airlines increase their prices by up to 15%.

- BE FLEXIBLE - Often some of the cheapest flights will either be from smaller airports or involve a connecting flight; if its value for money you're after, don't dismiss these possibilities even if it does mean spending that little bit longer in a car or on a plane.

- BUDGET AIRLINES - The rise of budget airlines in the USA especially, means that cheap flights are becoming far more accessible than before. check out JetBlue, Spirit, Southwest Airlines and Allegiant Air for some of the cheapest prices going!

Accommodation

When it comes to finding places to stay, this is often where people end up splashing out unnecessarily, the bargains are there if you look hard enough for them! These are my 3 top tips to bear in mind when booking post-camp accommodation:

- AIR BNB - I absolutely love the entire concept of Airbnb, especially the ability it gives you to find bargain accommodation in potentially expensive areas. With the choice of single rooms, shared apartments/houses or the entire apartment/house, it will most definitely have something to offer no matter your budget.

- HOSTELS - Hostels are another cheap alternative to the standard hotel, as often you are grouped together in a room with several other travelers in the same position as you. Rooms can range from as small as 2 or 4 beds, to as large as 15 or 20 beds; so if you value your privacy this may not be the best choice for you. The most reliable sites I've used when booking hostels are Hihostels and Hostelworld.

- BE FLEXIBLE - Once again flexibility is key to grab yourself the best possible travel bargains. Want to visit New York? Staying just across the river in New Jersey can be up to 20% cheaper yet still so easy to reach the city. Don't be afraid to stay a little further afield than you first planned, as most major cities in the USA have great public transport services and relatively cheap Ubers!