Rowdy college students aren’t the only ones who deserve a spring break. Spring break can be fun for the entire family, as spring break is a great way to escape the dreary days of winter. Whether you’re looking to travel to Zanzibar, Fiji, or any domestic location, consider the following tips when planning your spring break trip.

Budgeting

One of the most important parts of planning a trip is figuring out your budget. Not only will you have to plan for flights and hotels, but you’ll also have to account for things such as activities, food, and souvenirs.

When determining your budget, you should always leave yourself a buffer. Vacations always seem to cost more than you initially account for. If you stretch your budget thin, you won’t be able to afford the extraneous costs. A good rule of thumb is to leave 10% for unplanned costs. So, if your budget is $2,000, only plan to spend $1,800. If you don’t end up using the $200, you can put it toward the budget for next vacation!

Another suggestion that may help stick to your budget is to use cash. When you only use cash, you’ll be less likely to spend money that you don’t have. Meals and souvenirs can quickly add up if you’re not careful, and cash is one way to help avoid that.

This article from U.S. News & World Report details how you can compare prices to help secure a deal at one of your ideal spring break locations.

Plan Ahead

Because spring break is such a popular time to travel, you’ll want to start planning as soon as possible. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a good deal. Additionally, hotels will become crowded, and you may have to stay further and further outside of your destination city.

Furthermore, planning ahead can help you save money. Many tours will offer deals if you book beforehand, so be on the lookout for those. Planning ahead also allows you to identify ways in which you can cut costs.

For example, your hotel may offer a free continental breakfast, which can save you from having to budget for breakfast each day. You can also research if there are grocery stores near your hotel. This can also help with your budget, as it will be more cost-effective to purchase snacks at a grocery store as opposed to the hotel.

Use Your Phone To Your Advantage

Another way to prepare beforehand is to make sure your phone is completely ready for travel. Using your smartphone can reduce what you need to carry with you, and can help make traveling more efficient. For instance, not only can today’s smartphones be used for amazing pictures, but they can also be used for things like your boarding pass.

Additionally, it’s recommended that you download apps beforehand so that you’ll be able to use them on your spring break trip. The hotel chain where you’re staying may have their own app, which can make it easy to pull up your reservation information. Also, download apps like Yelp and Uber to help you navigate around a new town.

If you’re traveling abroad, be sure to check your carrier before you leave. You may have to pay extra for an international plan depending on where you’re traveling. If you’re unaware of these charges and don’t alter your plan, you’ll be in for quite the surprise when you get your bill at home.

Bring an extra charger with you as well. Smartphones are also important safety tools, so for a variety of reasons, it’s important that they’re charged throughout your entire trip.