Finally. It’s almost time to head home for the holidays. But as most of us have come to learn, this is far easier said than done.
College students’ main complaint with travel is the cost. Especially for those who fly, it’s typical to pay anywhere from $300-$600 for a one-way ticket this time of year. We try to avoid the financial burden by getting creative: a shuttle here, a train there, a flight to finish the trip. But no matter what you do, it always costs more than you would like.
Junior Mariel Conklin’s home is in Seattle, Washington. “Sometimes I try my luck flying, which is way better because it’s 45 minutes versus 5 hours alone in the car, but I never can get a direct flight. I have to go through Portland.”
Conklin has come to prefer driving because, although it’s more time consuming, it’s more reliable. “Many times the flight from Eugene has been late and I have missed my connection in Portland, leaving me stranded there,” Conklin said. “One time I was at the airport for the entire day because I couldn’t get a flight to Seattle. My friend had to drive down and rescue me. I’m not taking those chances again, so this break I’m driving all the way back.”
Matt Kim, a freshman Political Science major from Pasadena, California, has flown all over the country and has encountered some strange happenings in his travels. “One time, when I was flying back to Pasadena, the plane was smoking at the back of the cabin. Everyone was super nonchalant about it, but I was sort of freaked out the whole time.”
Normally, Kim flies to Eugene from the Burbank Bob Hope Airport. “I like it there because it’s generally cheaper and low-key. Both airports only have two terminals.”
Senior Megan McGowen from Boston, Massachusetts is reminded how far from home she is every time she travels back. “Everyone is always so excited to be home for the holidays, but for me those feelings have to wait, due to the 24 hours of travel.” McGowen tries to save money when she can by booking her flights early with layovers and taking shuttles, but the uncertainty of exact finals schedules and test dates often prevent that. If she’s lucky, she’ll pay $400 for a round-trip. But she has also paid $450 for a one-way ticket. “Normally the routine is to take a shuttle up to Portland, and then from Portland to San Francisco or Chicago, and then from Chicago to Boston or San Francisco to Boston.”
In the end, the issue is usually a battle between time and money — how much time you’re willing to put into planning your trip, versus how much money you’re willing to spend. Undoubtedly, planning ahead and doing your research is always smart.