Budget Travel for Adventurous Students

One of the main perks of studying abroad is that you get to experience a new country, and new culture. When you study in the United Kingdom, you are exceptionally located to explore any number of different cultures and countries – they’re right on your doorstep!  

Unlike in Canada, budget travel is very easy in the UK. Why not jet off to Germany for the weekend? Spend an overnight in Amsterdam, or Paris? Though your studies will be your priority, you may feel the itch to visit somewhere new during school breaks. Join Across the Pond Canada’s advising team as we go over our top tips for travelling on a budget while studying in the UK!  
 

Within the UK

When you first arrive and start classes, you may not have a lot of time for international travel. That does mean that you can’t still see and experience new things! The UK is made up of four distinct countries, and you should absolutely use the close proximity to explore them all, whether it’s a quick train to Wales, or a flight to Northern Ireland. You can travel by:  

• Bus: Bus fares between UK cities tend to be quite reasonable! Check out FlixBus or MegaBus, and see where it can take you. You’ll have a view of some lovely countryside out the window as you go.  
• Train: Taking the train can be so relaxing – idyllic views of the country, and just that little bit faster than the bus. Though it is pricier than the bus, if you get a yearly railcard, you get discounts on all of your travel – usually, you will save the cost of your rail card with the first trip, so it’s definitely worth it!  
• Airplane: Though probably not your first choice for getting around the UK, you can fly between cities! If you’re in London and looking to go to North Ireland or Scotland, this can be a quick and cost-effective way to get around to those places that are a bit further out! Typically, when flying within the UK, your flight won’t be much longer than an hour.  
   

International Travel  

What typically surprises most students is how cheap it is to travel to Europe (and sometimes even further!) from the UK. “City-Breaks”, as they are called, are very common – just getting away to somewhere new for the weekend, and returning to work (or school) on Monday. The UK has some great budget airlines, and you can follow quite cheap if you plan ahead!  

• RyanAir: Probably the most well-known budget airline in Europe, RyanAir is as cheap and cheerful as they come. They get you with the extra fees, but if you accept random seat allocation, pack your own snacks, and follow the rules for bag size, you can travel very cost-effectively! One RyanAir flight will have you agreeing with all the memes, but you’ll also agree the price makes it worth it (kind of).  
• EasyJet: One step up from RyanAir, but still cheap, EasyJet has some great deals.  
• EuroStar: While the EuroStar may be a bit pricier, you can take the train to Europe! If you’re planning for a longer backpacking trip on one of your school breaks, taking the train around Europe can be a great way to visit multiple countries in one go!  
• Hostels: Hostels aren’t as common in North America, but they’re a staple of Europe, and I promise they’re nicer than the horror stories you’ve heard. Hostels have many different room types, for whatever fits your budget and group size, so definitely take advantage! They’re also a great place to make friends internationally, as most 20-somethings in Europe are using these when they travel. Much cheaper than hotels or AirBnbs!  
   

Final Tips from the Team

Look out for the best deals! If you don’t have your heart set on a certain country or city, but want to get away, you can get incredible deals. Honourable mention to the time advisor Lauren flew to Morocco for £20 round trip, Latvia for £35, and Poland for £40. Be open minded, and you’ll find some amazing places!  

Use your student discounts! Make sure you sign up for any student discounts you can, and you may find some travel deals. Get a bus pass and rail card for UK travel, you don’t want to miss those discounts!  

• Pack light – especially if you’re only going away for the weekend, all you really need is a backpack. You’ll likely be doing a lot of walking, and moving around – you don’t want to lug a full suitcase behind you. Bring the essentials only, and you’ll master fitting your life in a backpack in no time!  
• Be safe – Especially when solo travelling, make sure you follow standard travel safety rules. You should look up the country you’re going to, ensure you follow any essential local customs (for example, don’t walk into the Vatican with your shoulders showing), and make sure you have phone access. If you don’t feel safe, spend the extra money to get somewhere safe.  

While we hope you enjoy your travels, we hope you enjoy your studies to! Make sure you prioritizes your classes and assignments – travel will always be there, but you only have one shot of acing your degree!  

Happy travels!