4 Romantic Getaways For Students on a Budget

By Brittany Hawes on April 8, 2018

Admit it—there have been times when you’ve gone on a date or a romantic getaway and spent more money than you really could afford to. You might have felt on top of the world during the night of the date, offering to pay for dinner and the movie and even for some expensive Thai ice cream after the movie. Your date was so impressed. But once you got home and checked your bank’s mobile app, you probably broke into tears and vowed to eat nothing but ramen noodles for the rest of the week to compensate for all of the money spent on this one night. No meeting friends at the bar, no going to the club, and especially no ordering food from your BiteSquad app.

Is it really impossible to go on a romantic getaway as a college student? Of course it isn’t! You might not be able to go on a cruise to the Bahamas or fly to another country just now, but there are plenty of other romantic getaways you can whisk your boo to, without having to take out another loan or call Dad and ask for help.

camping romantic getaway

Image via Pixabay.com

Romantic Getaway #1: Camping Trip

Cost: $70 (Less if you can borrow the following items)

What You’ll Need:

  • Tent
  • Tent stakes
  • Mallet
  • Sleeping Bags
  • Pillows
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottles
  • Cooler
  • Kitchen Supplies
  • Food

Before you take your significant other here, you should practice saying these lines a few times: “No, I’m not being cheap. This is a chance for us to get closer to nature!”

If that doesn’t work, just let them know that you both need to take a break from classes and get away from it all. What better way to get homework off of your mind than a night under the stars?

Camping can be very romantic. You’ll be with the person you love under an expansive night sky and the only noises you hear should be the chirping of the crickets and an owl or two.  Just watch out for bears!

Romantic Getaway #2: Parents’ House

Cost: Should be free!

What You’ll Need:

  • Parents should have everything covered

Probably the least expensive item on our list of romantic getaways for college students on a budget, going to your parents’ house doesn’t have to be as boring as it sounds. No way! Just warn your significant other ahead of time that they might have to sleep in the guest room—you know, the room where your mom stored all of your old toys and stuffed animals? That should make for a nice, romantic conversation!

After a mature conversation like that, you’ll need to follow up with something even more fun—dinner with your parents! Be thrilled and get ready for your parents to grill you and boyfriend/girlfriend about school. Prepare to be asked if you’re both making time for homework and if you’re planning on getting married in the near future. Oh, and if they’re becoming grandparents anytime soon. This particular question will most likely be followed up by threatening glares and you asking to be excused to go to the bathroom. Fun times!

Romantic Getaway #3: Chuck E. Cheese’s

Cost: $40, if you’re getting a pizza. Less if you have coupons

What You’ll Need:

  • Mad arcade skills

Do you remember those days when you threw the best birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese’s? Those days don’t have to be over, not for you and your partner! It’s time to relive those glory days and bring your love interest in for the fun!

Ignore the glares from angry children and parents as you hog Skee-Ball for hours. You want easy tickets? Skee-Ball is your game! If you have to elbow a few kids out of the way when you go to collect your prize, so be it! You’ve waited years to claim that giant teddy bear as your own (er, for your date)!

romantic getaway beach

Image via Pixabay.com

Romantic Getaway #4: Beach

Cost: Depends on gas and food cost

What You’ll Need:

  • Cooler
  • Food for a picnic
  • Picnic blanket
  • Pillows
  • Blanket

What’s more romantic than a trip to the beach with your loved one? This can be done on the cheap, with you only having to pay for the gas to get there and food for a lovely picnic. Make sure you have your picnic at night so your chance of having your sandwiches stolen is greatly reduced.

After you enjoy a picnic in view of the brilliant sunset, pack up your belongings and go for a stroll along the white sands and crashing waves. Kick off your flip-flops and enjoy the gritty, hard seashells beneath your feet. As your date asks you if you want to go eat somewhere expensive, press your finger to their lips, all romantic-like, and tell them to just be quiet and enjoy the sunset.

Afterwards, get ready for a cozy night in your small, cramped car. Beachfront hotels are expensive, but sleeping in your car or on the beach is absolutely free.

What can I say? We’re college students—the cheaper we are, the better things tend to go for us. If you do happen to find yourself in possession of more money, you can find a few more practical romantic getaways here.

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