Back to school 2023

Find all the best back to school travel deals right here

Whether you’re shopping for that flight to campus, that flight overseas for a semester abroad, or just trying to squeeze in one last trip before the school work gets going - there are lots of great deals to be had.

Back to school travel tips

The back-to-school season is always so busy. You’re trying to soak in every assignment-free moment, but you also have so many new things to buy for your dorm and you are trying to arrange move-in dates with your roomies. Don’t let the long to-do list keep you from having some fun. We’ve got a few travel tips perfect for those last-minute back to school getaways and travel essentials for back-to-school season.

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Packing cubes are your new best friend.
If you don’t have them already, they really are live saving. Use them on your fun trips to pack more stuff into small spaces (which can help you avoid the fees of checking a bag). But they are also great for moving into your dorm so that you aren’t lugging so many bins up those 3 flights of stairs 😅
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Make use of the back to school travel discounts.
Because our focus is on students, we also make sure our sales are timed right for students. You can be sure that we have extra discounting on our already low student fares during all those peak booking times like back to school, winter break, spring break, summer travel, and more.
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Go ahead and book that trip.
There are tons of options for affordable back to school trips. And just because you’ve moved into the dorm doesn’t necessarily mean you need to stop traveling either. If you’ve planned your class schedule well, you’ll likely have at least 3 days each weekend perfect for a quick weekend getaway. So take those new best friends on a fun trip off campus. Enjoy the hotel pool, explore a near (or far) city, or soak in some fresh mountain air.

Best places to travel before school starts

Last-minute back to school vacations are all about taking in one last moment of relaxation and peace before midterms and essays and dreaded group projects make their way into your life. So why not find your way to a warm, sunny beach or a cool, quiet mountaintop? It’s also a great time to take in new experiences! So don’t be shy and sign up for that cooking class or travel to a country where you don’t speak the language. Travel is education. And you can quote us on that*!

*Here, we even made your citations for you!
APA: StudentUniverse. (2023). Back to school flight deals. studentuniverse.com/back-to-school
MLA: Back to school flight deals. (2023). In StudentUniverse. studentuniverse.com/back-to-school

Best flight prices back to campus

Sorry we can’t be mind readers. We don’t know exactly where you’re headed for school. But we found our best back-to-school prices for some of the biggest university cities around the country so we hope this helps :) If not, go ahead and get to searching for your city above.

Frequently asked questions

Flight prices usually hit their lowest around 6-8 weeks out from your departure date when you are traveling within the US. If you’re off for a semester abroad or if you’re traveling to the US for college, you’ll want to book a bit further out for the cheapest fares. Think 1-3 months. If the thought of checking flight prices on the daily pains you, might we suggest using price alerts? Simply search your travel plans once and then sign up for the price alert on that itinerary so that we can notify you when the price drops on it.

The best way to make the most of any short vacation is to plan ahead. We’re not saying you have to plan each day minute-by-minute, though you’re welcome to if that’s your style. Just do some extra Googles on the best places to eat, activities to do, etc. in the destination you are headed. Then, you’ll save time while there by not needing to research and debate where you’re getting lunch because you’re already familiar with your options. This is also a great way to plan your days by location so that you aren’t traveling back and forth across a city every day. Instead spend one day in one district, and the next in another.

Obviously we’re all different and squeezing in that one last trip isn’t helpful for every person. For some it would only add stress for packing and planning and for others there are just too many things to schedule in at home before leaving (i.e. one last visit to all your favorite restaurants). But if you’ve made it to StudentUniverse you likely thrive on the fun and newness of travel. And getting to go on a trip just before school starts is a great way to have a summer adventure as the crowds start to dwindle with people going home/to school. And it will also keep your little travel bug satisfied, at least for a few weeks while you settle at school. Then maybe it’s time to look into weekend getaways?

Some of the best destinations to travel to in August before heading back to school are full of all things summer. That way you can pretend for just a few moments that it's a real endless summer and not that the end is upon us. Try places like San Diego, California; Outer Banks, North Carolina; or Portland, Maine for quintessential beach vibes. If you’re thinking farther off for your trip, pick places like Lake Como, Italy; Fiji; or Vancouver Island, Canada for more of the summertime fun mixed with relaxation vibes.

Back to school 2023

Find all the best back to school travel deals right here

Back to school travel tips

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Best places to travel before school starts

Best flight prices back to campus

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book my back-to-school travel arrangements?

How can I make the most of a short back-to-school vacation?

Is it a good idea to travel before school starts?

What are some popular back-to-school travel destinations for solo travelers?