Summer hits, and suddenly your body craves an airport gate like it craves iced coffee at finals. But travel while you’re in college shouldn’t mean taking out a second student loan. Trust me — if you play your cards right, you can get out of NYC this summer without financial ruin.

Here’s a real-deal list of 10 places you can afford to fly to from NYC, no trust fund required:

1. Mexico City, Mexico

(Direct flights from JFK and EWR for ~$250 round-trip)

Mexico City is one of those cities where you’ll feel like you’re spending Monopoly money — except the food and culture are serious business. Street tacos for $1, museums that cost less than your morning coffee, and neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa that are basically made for café-hopping and people-watching. Bonus: it’s cooler (weather-wise) than a sweaty NYC August.

2. Lisbon, Portugal

(Direct flights from JFK for ~$400 round-trip if you snag summer sales)

Europe? On a budget? It’s not a myth. Lisbon is your move. The city is gorgeous — think pastel hills, trams clanging down cobblestone streets, and beaches an easy train ride away. Plus, you can live off pastries (pastel de nata = $1 heaven) and vinho verde (green wine!) for way less than Paris or Barcelona would charge your broke student self.

3. Puerto Rico

(Direct flights from JFK for ~$150-$200 round-trip)

Puerto Rico is basically NYC’s tropical backyard. No passport needed, no currency conversion, just pure island magic. Fly into San Juan, stay in a hostel by the beach, and split your time between wandering colorful Old San Juan, eating way too much mofongo, and crashing into waves at Isla Verde. Day trips to El Yunque rainforest are cheap and so worth it.

4. Budapest, Hungary

(Cheap flights with one stop — ~$450 round-trip)

Budapest gives off "old-world Europe meets party-on-a-budget" vibes. You can soak in ancient thermal baths for $10, drink $2 beers at ruin bars, and eat three-course Hungarian meals for under $15. Nightlife here is a whole event, but so is just walking along the Danube at sunset like you’re starring in your own indie film.

5. New Orleans, Louisiana

(Direct flights from LGA and JFK for ~$150 round-trip)

If you can’t swing Europe, New Orleans will deliver that chaotic, colorful, sweaty summer adventure you crave. French Quarter architecture, jazz music oozing out of every corner, beignets at Café du Monde — it's pure sensory overload. Bonus: summer is low season, so you’ll score cheaper hotels and less packed streets (just prepare for humidity).

6. Montreal, Canada

(Direct flights from LGA for ~$180 or a cheap Megabus/Amtrak ride)

Montreal is like Europe-lite — French-speaking, stylish, and full of outdoor cafés — but way cheaper and way closer. Go in July and you’ll hit festival season (Jazz Fest is huge and a lot of it is free!). Plus: poutine. Enough said.

7. Guatemala (Antigua + Lake Atitlán)

(Flights from JFK/EWR with 1 stop for ~$350)

You want a real adventure? Guatemala delivers. Think colonial cities with pastel streets, stunning volcanoes, and lakeside villages where $10 gets you a bed and breakfast. Antigua’s historic center is a UNESCO site, and Lake Atitlán is so pretty it looks fake in photos. Just be ready for vibes that are a little more "hiking boots" than "designer sandals."

8. Naxos, Greece

(Flights to Athens (~$500), then a cheap ferry)

Everyone and their ex is going to Santorini this summer. Be different — and way smarter — by heading to Naxos. It’s cheaper, greener, and full of stunning beaches minus the Insta-influencer crowd. Ferry from Athens is like $30 if you book early, and once you’re there, beach days and seafood feasts are insanely affordable.

9. Belize (Caye Caulker)

(Flights from JFK/EWR for ~$350 with one stop)

Belize is a Caribbean gem that somehow still isn’t fully overrun. Fly into Belize City and hop a ferry to Caye Caulker, where the motto is literally "Go Slow." Snorkel with stingrays, eat fresh lobster for cheap, and live your "boat girl" life for a fraction of what you’d spend in the Bahamas.

10. Slovenia (Ljubljana + Lake Bled)

(Flights from JFK/EWR ~$480 with one stop)

Slovenia is Europe’s best-kept secret. Ljubljana is cozy, artsy, and super walkable. Lake Bled is a literal fairytale — a crystal-clear lake with a tiny island church you can paddle out to. Food and hostels are cheaper than Western Europe, and the vibe is way more chill. Perfect for your "Hot Girl Nature Walk" era.

Some NYU Travel Hacks Before You Book:

• Use StudentUniverse for real discounts (yes, it actually works).

• Leave mid-week — flights are usually cheaper Tuesday or Wednesday.

• Set flight alerts on Hopper or Google Flights months before if you can (even a few weeks helps).

• Travel light — Spirit or Frontier will tempt you with cheap fares and then bully you for a carry-on.