Take a look at our top budgeting travel tips for students

One of the highlights of the university experience is the freedom and the ability to travel—especially when in London, a city with incredible transport links to all corners of the world. However, travelling can seem far too expensive on a student budget— but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done! Here are a few tips on how to save money and make the most out of your trip whilst travelling on a limited budget.

1. Plan ahead and book as early as possible

Whilst its hard to know in advance when exactly deadlines are going to be, planning the specifics of the trip, such as museums or public transportation, ahead of time will reduce much of the decision making required, leaving only the dates to be decided on later. The most affordable tickets for transportation and accommodation will be available when booking earlier so planning your trip in advance will enable you to make bookings as early as possible. Signing up for alerts on Skyscanner and Kayak is also a great way to keep track of prices to snag the best deal.

2. Do lots of research

Often a better deal for flights or accommodation can be found by checking multiple sites to find deals or offers. Don’t be afraid to post on locals’ forums asking for help—someone who knows the ins and outs of the area will likely know the best ways for you to save money on your trip!

3. Make use of student discounts

For example, Norway offers discounted youth tickets for anyone under 26, however this discount may have taken a little bit of research to discover. In some countries, an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) can be incredibly useful when travelling for discounts for food, accommodation, and even flights! Ask around for student discounts and you’d be surprised with the amount of money you could save.

 4. Travel in the off-season

As university students, we’re lucky to have reading weeks which fall perfectly in the off-season, which is great for budgeting when travelling. The benefits of travelling in the off-season include cheaper accommodation and transportation, but also tourist attractions are much less busier—perfect for enjoying the location like a local. Travelling in the spring or autumn can also be quite a unique experience!

5. Buy food locally

Cooking half your meals and eating out for the other half is a perfect way to balance budgeting whilst still making the most out of your trip. Buying groceries locally will further enhance this experience—consider dropping by a farmer’s market to buy the freshest local produce and buying regional specialities. Food stalls and street food are also relatively inexpensive whilst being great ways to experience authentic cuisine.

6. Make the most out of free activities

Expensive tours and admission tickets do not have to be a requirement when visiting a new location. Many beaches, museums, landmarks and parks are free to enter, and if you’re lucky, some festivals and events may be even be ongoing whilst you are there. Even just walking around your chosen destination and looking at street art or architecture can be incredibly rewarding.

7. Consider all costs when planning your trip

Although flights to Southeast Asia are far more expensive than Europe, £50 in Thailand will allow you to do much more than £50 in Switzerland. Consider all the costs of transportation, accommodation, and activities when planning your trip to avoid incurring any hidden (and surprising!) costs, and don’t discount a location because upfront flight costs are expensive—the cost of the entire trip could in fact end up cheaper than a location with much cheaper flights.

Yuki

Passfield Hall