Money for Life work in partnership with the Money Advice Service, an independent organisation set up by government. Money AdviceService provides free, unbiased money guidance across the UK to help people make the most of their money. If you have a question or need help, you can chat to them here.
Let’s be honest, one of the best things about university is having time off and having the opportunity to go on holiday with family or friends. However, being on a tight student budget doesn’t mean you can’t jump on a plane or train to get away for a few days or a week.
People may think that it can be expensive to go abroad, but actually, if you do it right a month in South-East Asia can be less than a week in London. Some countries you can eat like a king for the cost of a pint in the UK. With a quick search it is also easy to find travel deals and where certain companies believe are cheapest to travel to this year. Skyscanner has a list of countries on their website, based on prices from earlier this year, which they believe are the cheapest to go on holiday this year.
photo credit: https://www.skyscanner.net/news/10-worlds-cheapest-countries-go-holiday
We like the look of a trip to Cambodia. For £2.50 a night, even the most strapped-for-cash student can afford to tick a Wonder of the World off their bucket list.
If you’re looking to travel around Europe, Interrail is a very popular choice. An Interrail pass is a train ticket that allows you to travel on almost all trains in Europe within a specified period of time. A Global Pass allows you to explore several countries, with no set itinerary, and at your own pace, with tickets starting from £186. A one country pass allows you to have an in-depth visit to one country. Prices vary depending on the country, but they can start as low as £39.
If you would like to go somewhere a bit farther away than Europe, flying is most likely your only option. Sadly, flying can get pretty pricey. Skyscanner is a good website to compare cheap flights to many destinations.
When traveling within a city always remember: buses are cheaper than trains and walking is cheaper than taking a taxi.
Youth hostels usually offer the cheapest accommodation for students. There is a misconception that they are dirty and not the safest places to stay, but a lot has changed over the years. You can find many hostels that are now clean and comfortable. However, if you’re unsure about staying at a hostel, be sure to check travel websites like Expedia and TripAdvisor to look at reviews and see what other people thought about their stays. Youth hostels also offer the opportunity for you to meet other students traveling from other parts of the world.
Unless you have access to a kitchen, odds are you’ll have to eat out for the majority of your meals. Ask staff where you’re staying and/or locals where the best food is, or do some research before you arrive. Try foods unique to the cuisine of the country you’re visiting. If you’re used to getting 3 courses (appetizer, main and dessert), you may have to cut back to just the main dish. Eating simply may be one of the easier ways for you to save money of your trip.
Photo credit: http://memanat.com/traveling-website/
Money for Life work in partnership with the Money Advice Service, an independent organisation set up by government. Money AdviceService provides free, unbiased money guidance across the UK to help people make the most of their money. If you have a question or need help, you can chat to them here.
