Reading Week Car Rentals
Travel Cheaply Over Reading Week: Rent a Car!
An often-overlooked method of travel is the old-fashioned road trip. While many students feel that playing airfare is the only way to get to see their families or go on vacation for reading week, by carpooling with other students, you can travel cheaper than you could ever have imagined. Also, by planning a trip in advance, you avoid the safety and criminal hazards of hitchhiking on busy highways.
Can I Rent A Car? Reading Week Car Rental Tips for Students
Don’t let not having a car stop you from taking advantage of the great advantages of driving! Many independent car rental agencies have special policies for students, with options for those as young as 18 years old to rent a vehicle.
Click Here for more information on renting a vehicle as a student.
Share Your Reading Week Costs
Fill up those seats! By carpooling with other students, you can lower the cost of your trip dramatically.
Some great ways to arrange ride-sharing:
- Ask Your Student Society: Most student societies already have existing programs that help students connect to share rides. Ask your student government or administration to see if anyone is going your way.
- Talk To Your Friends: You never know who’s looking to go on a trip! Ask your friends if they or anyone they know are interested in an adventure on the open road. As packing more people in the vehicle spreads the cost around, the more the merrier!
- Watch For Posters: Many people are carpool veterans, and place posters up all around their neighborhood looking for ‘car-mates.’ If you find a poster that interests you, be sure to meet with the person in advance in a public place to be certain that this is someone you will feel comfortable riding with.
- Going the Right Way: While not everyone is headed to the same place, often groups can be on the same route home. By ride-sharing at least part of the way, you can save a great amount of cash.
Make Reading Week Your Greatest Vacation
Now that you and your friends finally have some vacation time together, why not make the trip your destination? By consulting the often free services of a local travel agent, you can find excellent maps and driving tours that display the best of your local area.
And why not cross the border! By traveling between Canada and the United States, you can get the best nightlife, tourist attractions, shopping and more. When you hit the road, there are no limits to where you can go.
Crossing the Border: What you should know for your reading week trip
- Expect Delays: While both Canadian and American customs state that wait times are generally under 20 minutes, many travelers find themselves waiting at the border for as much as 2 hours or more.
- Respect the Customs Officers: While extremely courteous, Customs Officers and Inspectors are also dedicated professionals who take their mission very seriously. Treating them with respect and politeness will go a long way to make your border crossing that much more enjoyable and hassle-free.
- Avoid Food Items: Unless you have a particular homemade treat or favorite snack, you should probably leave your food items at home. In particular, avoid fresh fruits, vegetables and plants as they can pose the most problems at the border.
- Know Your Passenger’s Baggage Too: It is extremely unwise to attempt to bring any illegal or restricted substances across the Canada - US border. Be certain you know what all your passengers are carrying, before you get to the inspection station.
- Have Identification Ready: While a passport is not expressly required for Canada – US Citizens traveling between the countries, it is now highly recommended by both customs agencies. Be sure to have your passport ready, or to phone ahead and ensure that your identification is sufficient.
Reading Week Road Sharing Safety
Here are a few helpful hints on staying safe on your reading week road trip.
- Emergency Supplies: At the very least, be sure you have a fully inflated spare tire, jack, and tire wrench in your vehicle. It is a good idea to also carry a cellular phone, emergency blankets, some small tools, a flashlight, and a candle and matches.
- Know Your Companions: While sharing a vehicle is the best way to keep your costs down, be sure that you are comfortable with whom you are traveling with. If you have any doubts regarding your safety or comfort, remember that if it is your vehicle only you gets to decide who gets inside it. In any case, if you’re not comfortable, look to another way of getting there.
- Drive Defensively: While it can be tempting to get careless on long trips, be certain to stay awake and alert at all times. If you are feeling tired, look for a place to stop, or have one of your passengers drive for a short while. Also be sure to pay attention to local driving rules and regulations.
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