Top Travel tips for students

As 5 students, we had to be very careful with our spending and stick to a fairly strict budget.

1. Plan ahead:

It might sound like an obvious one, but planning is so important before you go travelling, even more so for students. Of course, you have your uni/college work to get on with before you set off on your travels, but it is really important to set aside a day with whoever you are going travelling with. Use this time to schedule each place you are going to, get a map and plan a route of where you are going to go, go over transport and how much that will cost and even plan think of what you want to do when you do get there. Often plans change when you get there, but its always best to have a general idea of what you are doing. For students this step is so important because you are most likely on a much stricter budget than other people, meaning planning ahead to see how much the trip is going to cost is so important to ensure you have enough, as well as emergency funds.

2. Finding cheap hostels:

I would strongly suggest looking in to the best hostels in your first destination and definitely book ahead. Due to the majority of students all travelling around the same time over their summer break, hostels could be extremely busy, so if you want to stay at a nice hostel, book in advance. Yes, of course you want to stay somewhere nice, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to pay a lot to do that. Look for the cheapest option that still has good reviews and has the facilities you require of course. It may be easy to find a cheap option, but make sure you look in to what the hostel has to offer. You want to ensure that you are comfy and feel safe in the place you are sleeping. It might seem like an easy and cost-effective option to book the cheapest place you see, but research is always key and always look at reviews before booking to ensure you are getting the best option available to you. To find our favourite and cost-effective hostels in India, click here.

3. Student discounts:

Discounts are often available in a lot of countries all over the world and could really help you to save some money when you are on a strict budget. It could make a huge difference to the price of so many things, including things like transport so always look in to it and see if it is available before you book anything.

4. Cheap transport:

Transport is often the most costly part of any trip if you are planning on travelling around a country rather than staying in one area. It is always a good idea to look in to all of your options and seeing what works best for you. Flights are obviously very convenient and can be a really fast way to get to your next destination. However, this isn’t your only option and can also be extremely costly, especially when taking in to consideration that a lot of flights charge for extra luggage. A great way of getting around is of course public transport. Yes, it can be cramped and busy, but if it’s a suitable option, why not give it a go? The down side of public transport is of course that it takes a lot longer than getting a plane, but it is often much cheaper so definitely consider it as an option even for long journeys.

5. What to bring?

Overpacking is the mistake so many people make. You have to be brutal and think extremely realistically about each item you are choosing to bring. If you pack too much you are only making it harder on yourself and causing your back a lot of pain for the sake of a few extra items of clothing that you probably don’t need. Be harsh and take anything out of your luggage that doesn’t seem all that necessary. Quite often a few t-shirts and a couple pairs of trousers/shorts is more than enough to begin with. In Asia the cost for clothing is so cheap that when you actually make it there, you can add to your wardrobe until your hearts content. The same goes for Europe, but of course you are looking at spending a little more money on the clothes when you get there. Hostels supply washing machines, so have no fear about taking limited clothing. Find out more here about what to pack.