Are you a university student who has the passion to see the world but is worried about the expense? You wouldn’t be the only one, whether you are studying at the University of Hull or any university in the UK travel is a big issue for students. However, this blog is to show how you can still enjoy your time on holiday without having to break the bank!
Travelling as a student definitely doesn’t have to mean 5 star hotels and luxury, instead some of the best times can be most memorable when you’re trying to work around a smaller budget.
From in-the-moment vacations, to sharing a hostel with people that you have just met, these are the types of experiences that stick with a person! With the right thinking and planning you can make a great experience for yourself without having to use up all your savings!
This tips and tricks guide is made for anybody in the UK who is a student or someone just looking to travel for a cheaper fee. It is for those of us who want to see the world despite not having the funds to do so.
Budget Friendly Travel Tips
Budget airlines are a student’s best friend, EasyJet and Ryanair being two of the most popular. To save on cost you can choose destinations with short flight times as they will be cheaper. Also choose flight times that people usually don’t want to do, eg: the early hours of the morning 1am to 6am.
Flights aren’t the only place to cut costs on! Choosing a cheap place to stay can also help save money. Using hostels for not only a cheap accommodation but also to meet like minded people who are also travelling on your holiday. Try and look for hostels that also have breakfast included to save your budget even more.
Ideas for Destinations
Two Trips in one Weekend : Amsterdam and Brussels
People on a budget often try to limit themselves because they think it’s their only option, that isn’t the case. Instead of just one destination why not do two in the same weekend to really maximise your travels? Due to their close proximity and how cheap the transport between them are, it’s easy to squeeze both cities into one weekend.
You can start by travelling from either Manchester or Leeds, a return flight can cost around £35-£50 to Brussels, if booked in advance. Brussels is an often overlooked place but it’s a great location for budget travellers. The city offers a great world of culture from The Grand Place with its guildhalls, that are admired by tourists and residents alike, to the many cafes and cozy streets. Whilst Brussels might not be the first place you’d think of when it comes to night life, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t still good. If you are into live music then you can head over to Le Botanique which hosts many student friendly gigs. Or if you prefer just simply drinking then maybe you can head over to Ixelles or Cafe Belga , with their affordable drinks and casual vibes.
The morning after you can hop on a
FlixBus (https://www.flixbus.co.uk ) to Amsterdam, tickets can be as low as £10 and the trip can take only 3 hours. Whilst Brussels may not be the epitome of night life, Amsterdam certainly is. Amsterdam’s nightlife is as diverse as the city that it’s in. There are many clubs such as AIR, Shelter and Radion. Each of these clubs offer a different vibe depending on what night you are trying to have. AIR is a great place if you’re into a lively night out with tons of music. Shelter is more of a minimalist type of place as it is tucked away by the A’dam tower and is easy to miss if you don’t know how to get to it. And finally Radion is more uniquely focused as it often has creative events alongside the club nights. In Amsterdam the majority of places are reasonably priced, and despite how popular it is, because there are so many places to go there is always availability no matter the kind of night you are looking to have.
Making the Most of a City Without Overspending
Even if it is just a weekend that you’re staying in a city, there is still so much that you can do when you are there, and you can even do it affordably! Many cities throughout Europe ( Including Brussels and Amsterdam ) have many fun things to do. These include nightlife, tours, and street level market stuff to just have fun with.
Visit Local Markets – For affordable meals and cheap fun
Try Street Food – Much cheaper than eating out and a lot of the time is actually better
Find Underground Music Venues – smaller places often will host student focused nights and you can use the website https://www.bandsintown.com to see which ones are around you.
Late Night Food – After drinking nothing is quite as good as some great food, and finding some fun spots for cheap is relatively easy, whether its £1 pizza slices in Amsterdam or Waffles in the early hours of the morning in Brussels.
Simply Put, Think Smarter Not Harder!
To have fun on holiday you don’t need to have all the luxury in the world, you just need to have the right planning and be willing to make it work and create unforgettable experiences. Whether you are having to get up at 1am in order to get on your cheap flights, or booking the cheapest hotel you can find ( despite it not looking the best) , if you’re having fun that is all that matters.
So gather some of your mates, choose a time that can work for you all, and start planning your travelling experience today. Why not get started right away, https://www.skyscanner.net with websites as easy as this to use, what is stopping you? The whole world is in front of you, start small and bit by bit you can explore everywhere!