At GrandTours, we are often asked how to balance a great tour experience with a price that allows as many students to participate as possible. We know that expensive airfares, fuel surcharges, baggage fees, a weaker U.S. Dollar and other costs can be challenges when creating an affordable tour for students.

Here are 10 simple strategies that can help to keep the price of a tour within your budget without compromising the quality of the travel experience.

1. Limit the length of the tour to 8-10 days (international) and 3-4 days (domestic)
2. Fly in and out of larger cities that are serviced by multiple air carriers
3. Depart in the middle of the week to take advantage of the best airfares
4. Maximize transportation value by matching the coach size to the group
5. Choose a tour routing that limits the total coaching mileage
6. Stay in 3-star hotels with simple but acceptable rooms/services
7. Use quad/triple occupancy where possible
8. Remove 1-2 group dinners and let students dine less expensively in small groups
9. Limit overweight and oversized baggage where at all possible
10. Limit the number of complimentary packages built into the program

Keeping these simple strategies in mind, you can be assured that you are getting the best possible price for your tour, while still creating an exceptional travel experience.