Trips for Tight Budgets

Those traveling on student-style budgets have a variety of summer options in the United States this year, including camping tours, unlimited-travel bus passes, do-it-yourself sightseeing packages and low-cost accommodations on a battleship or in a tree house.

Trek America and Contiki Holidays both offer guided tours for the 18- to 35-year-olds. Tour participants come from a variety of English-speaking countries, and no single supplements are charged.

Trek America operates low-cost camping tours in 13-passenger vans. The small groups maintain a flexible itinerary. You could camp in a wilderness area or at a site with a swimming pool and hot tub.

A two-week New England and Canada tour costs $490, while a 21-day Los Angeles-to-New York tour is $695. Budget another $30 per week for a shared food kitty. For details see a travel agent or contact Trek America, P.O. Box 1338, Gardena 90249, (213) 757-2732.

Full-Size Coaches

Non-campers in this age group should consider Contiki Holidays, from 7 to 21 days. The tours use full-size coaches and provide passengers with shared twin accommodations. Most breakfasts, dinners and entrance fees are included in the tour cost.

A 14-day Western tour from Los Angeles that visits San Diego, Tijuana, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite and San Francisco costs from $1,035. For details contact a travel agent or Contiki Holidays, 1432 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim 92805, (714) 937-0611.

Hiking, biking and budget motoring trips are available also through American Youth Hostels. It divides its departures into six age groups. Costs for the nine-person tours are reduced by using dormitory youth hostel accommodations.

A 14-day Cape Cod cycling tour is $500. There are nine departures for the 14- to 18-year-old age group, seven departures for those 18 and over and three open-age trips.

Sleep in Tree Houses

There are 250 youth hostels in the United States, including a 100-year-old antebellum home in New Orleans, a battleship in Massachusetts, a lighthouse in California and tree houses in Georgia. For a 46-page AYH tour brochure, write to American Youth Hostels, Dept. 856, P.O. Box 37613, Washington, D.C. 20013-7613.

One of the best investments independent travelers can make is a well-researched guidebook. Good bets include “Let’s Go: USA” ($12.95), “Let’s Go: California and Hawaii” ($11.95) and “Let’s Go: Pacific Northwest, Western Canada and Alaska” ($11.95). The books are produced by Harvard Student Agencies and are available through retail bookstores.

Independent travelers who want the freedom to move at their own whim can cover as much ground as they want with the Greyhound Ameripass.

The ticket, which is valid for unlimited bus travel on Greyhound, is sold for $189 for seven days, $249 for 15 days and $349 for 30 days. You can extend for up to four days for $10 a day. Details are available at major bus terminals.

If you are at least 21 years old, consider low transportation costs by delivering a vehicle for an automobile transporting company. The driver usually is required to pay for gas and cover 300 miles a day on a direct route. Find the companies in telephone directories.

With your own vehicle you may find it easier to take advantage of suburban campus accommodations and budget motels. Check with the director of residences at university campuses along your route. Many residences offer economical single or twin rooms to travelers during holiday periods.

For details on packages or the 65 locations that provide low-cost accommodations for men and women, contact Y’s Way International, 365 West 34th St., New York 10001, (212) 760-5856. Include a self-addressed, large envelope with 39 cents postage.