As Spring Semester draws to a close and many students make plans to head home, both American and international students are faced with several expenses and many hassles.

"It's a terrible trip," said Sarah Cross (junior-nondegree), an exchange student from London, about her trips home from State College. Before beginning a six-hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean, Cross spends at least five hours on a bus from State College to Pittsburgh.

There are many ways for international students to limit the problems and high costs of travel, said Herwig Brandstaller, owner of Universe Travel Inc., 240 S. Pugh St.

Brandstaller advises students who travel abroad to purchase tickets well in advance -- as early as three months before they leave. Early reservations can limit layover time and save travelers as much as $200 to $300.

Nicole Parry (junior-psychology) flies out of Philadelphia to get home to Utah, but getting to Philadelphia poses the biggest problem. Parry can usually find friends who will drive her to the airport on their way home, but she has to plan her flights around their schedules.

Other students must rely on public transportation to get to the airports and train stations. For students leaving from University Park Airport on Fox Hollow Road, the cost of a one-way ride from Taxi By Handy Delivery, 2197 High Tech Road, is $9, said owner Noreen Byres.

Students who don't have to fly have other transportation options. There is train service out of Lewistown, but getting from State College to Lewistown can be costly. The one-way cost of a taxi is $45, Byres said.

If students' departure times are more flexible, they can take advantage of Greyhound Bus Lines, 152 N. Atherton St., which goes to Lewistown for $7.50.

Yet some students may feel more comfortable being behind the wheel.

In this case, there are numerous car rental agencies in the State College area, but certain restrictions apply. In Pennsylvania the minimum age to rent a car is 21, said Karen Predko, manager of Budget Rent A Car, 240 S. Pugh St.

But Mark Emery, a management trainee at Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Altoona, said his agency won't rent to students under 25 who don't have their own credit cards.

Travel agent Sally Desmarais of Accent on Travel, 110 Regent Court, warns that because of insurance liabilities, most agencies will charge more for cars rented by customers under 25.

"They soak you," Desmarais said.