Great places are nearby and getting there is half the fun (and cost) with this guide
By James Baggett
Traveling can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. By traveling wisely, you can take advantage of fall break without breaking the bank. At UP, we're fortunate to have a week off in the middle of the semester; there's no better way to spend it than leaving school. No matter how much or how little you want to spend, it's time to get out of Portland.
The two major financial obligations involved in travel - transportation and accommodations - can leave little room for other expenses on your trip. Airplane tickets and hotel rooms can leave students with little or no money for other costs. Follow these tips and cut those hefty travel fees
Stay in a Hostel
No, you don't have to go to Europe to find these. There are nice, cost-efficient hostels located up and down the West Coast. You can live in a dorm-style room that you may have to share with other travelers ($15-30), or you can opt to pay a little more for your own private room ($40-60). Most hostels offer free breakfast. Check out www.hostels.com, a database of hostels where you can search by city, read user reviews and book your stay. For example, the Grand Trunk Hostel in Vancouver, B.C., offers private rooms for $32, or a 5-bed, dorm-style room for an easy $14. For around $25 a night, you can stay in the costly downtown of San Francisco at the Pacific Tradewinds Hostel.
Camp
The Northwest is one of the most beautiful areas in the country. Olympic, Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks can all be accessed and enjoyed during this glorious week of vacation. There are also multitudes of state parks throughout Oregon, Washington, California and all other states.
For example, Yosemite has six major campgrounds that do not accept reservations, which means that no planning is necessary, though the National Park Service does recommend arriving in the early afternoon to claim your spot, as they often fill up later in the day. Another great spot is Jedidiah Smith State Park in Northern California. Here you can sleep among the giants of all trees, the redwoods.
If you want to enjoy the outdoors, but the idea of sleeping on the ground for a week doesn't appeal to you, look at staying in a yurt. For around $30 a night you can stay in recreation areas and parks - only you get electricity and a bed.
Round, with a typical diameter of 16 feet and the ability to sleep five comfortably, yurts are an increasingly popular way to bunk up while traveling. There are numerous areas that offer yurts, many of them right on the coast. Look at Beachside State Recreation Site, located on the Central Oregon Coast.
Stay at a friend's or relative's house
This is pretty simple. Got a high school friend at school in Missoula? They say it's pretty nice in October. What about that aunt you haven't seen for years in Boise? The fall leaves should be beautiful there this time of year. And, your best friend's cousin with the spare bedroom in Santa Cruz? Should be nice and sunny there. Best of all, it won't cost a dime, and you're likely to get a free meal or two out of it.
Go by Train
The Northwest has an extensive train system between all major cities. Amtrak, the only major passenger train operator in the U.S. services three major lines in the Northwest, all of which run through Portland. For around $100, the Amtrak Cascades route will take you to Vancouver, B.C. and back, as opposed to $240 for a the cheapest last-minute plane ticket to the same place. What about Los Angeles? That'd be $200 by train, but the cheapest available flights at last check were around $400.
Of course, a train ride will take longer than a flight. But go by train and enjoy the journey just as much as the destination. The rail that goes from Portland to Los Angeles is called the Coast Starlight, and at times takes riders along the Pacific Coast, and other times around snow-covered mountains.
Carpool
Driving these days is expensive. With gas prices upwards of $3 per gallon, fuel can be one of your biggest expenses when traveling by car. The best solution is to split these fuel costs by carrying as many friends as you can in your road trip's vehicle of choice. Sure you may not be able to pack your whole closet, but you've only got a week after all. And not only is carpooling easier on the bank account, it's also ecologically friendly. It's an easy way to be green - and have lots of fun. So remember when planning your road trip - the more, the merrier. Now get out and enjoy this fall break.
