Brighton is the perfect place to travel and stay within your budget constraints (IO photos/ Shobhangi Rudra)
University life for students primarily involves spending long hours in the libraries, chasing deadlines and finishing humongous amounts of assignments. After months of being buried under academic pressure, students do deserve a break that does not burn a hole in their pockets yet allows them to have a blast. India Outbound has the solution to visit Britain while travelling the affordable way.
Book a hostel and ditch the hotel!
As most hotels in the UK are beyond the reach of students, they can forget those luxurious hotel rooms and look instead for a cute Airbnb or a social hotel to spend the night in. With perks like student discounts and free cancellations, hostels are the perfect choice to stay in. The added perk of meeting so many different individuals and getting to hear new stories every night is an experience one should not miss.
Leave the credit card at home
Paying with a credit card often involves lots of additional fees (IO photos/ Shobhangi Rudra)
Quite an unusual tip but you will never regret doing this. On one of my trips to Birmingham, I met a sweet lady and we spoke about budgeting your finances well. “Do not carry your credit card on your trips. Carry cash and a debit card.”- this tip has, since then, saved me a lot of broke months. Paying with a credit card often involves lots of additional fees and you end up spending more than you planned. To avoid this, bid adieu to the shiny credit card and carry ample amount of cash and a debit card with you.
Get a Rail Card
If most of your trips involve travelling by trains, a rail card can help save quite a lot of money. With two options, according to age-groups, the 16-17 and 16-25 railcards can open doors to discounts to as much as 30 GBP. With a one-time purchasing fee, the rail card is a student saviour.
Book well in advance!
We booked a place for 10 persons at just GBP 500 which meant each of us had to pay just GBP 5 per night and that too in a gorgeous Airbnb. This is because we planned ahead of time and our excitement made us make the reservation around 2 months in advance. Book well in advance and who knows, maybe you can cut down your stay and travelling costs by half!
Armed with these tips to save hard-earned money, here are the top three budget destinations in the UK for students.
Brighton
Fancy sunbathing on a beach and dipping your feet in the sea? Brighton is the perfect place to travel and stay within your budget constraints. The best part about this coastal city is that there are tons of free activities you can take part in. From taking a stroll on the scenic beach to visiting one of the 98 parks and gardens, Brighton is a budget student’s dream. For the days when you feel like staying indoors or the days when nature decides to pour its heart out, students can make short trips to the beautiful museums in Brighton including Hove Museum and the Brighton Fishing Museum.
Accommodation:
Hostels in Brighton start from GBP 20 per night.
Food:
Craving for a plate of delicious curry? Marine Tavern has the best affordable options to fill your grumbling stomach. It also hosts Quiz nights every Tuesday where you can win a plate of lip-smacking curry for just GBP 1!
York
York is a city that sounds like it has emerged from the pages of a dark fairy tale (IO photos/ Shobhangi Rudra)
An ancient cathedral city with Roman origins, York is every history lover’s paradise. A gated city nestled between two rivers, York is a city that sounds like it has emerged from the pages of a dark fairy tale. Not only is the city rich in culture and heritage, it is quite easy on your pockets too. With ample number of free spots to visit around the city, York is one of the best affordable travel destinations in the UK. Walk into the National Railway Museum or stroll on the streets of Shambles Market and end your day with a GBP 2.20 Lager Alpine at the Kings Arm bar.
Accommodation:
YHA York is rated one of the best hostels in York with prices going as low as GBP 10 per night. They even offer single sex dorm rooms.
Food:
Shambles Market Food Court offers a huge range of delicacies that too within a very affordable range. Don’t miss the Pulled Pork Sandwich at the Shambles Kitchen. One of my favourites, this restaurant has featured in top magazines like GQ and Buzzfeed.
Cornwall
Cornwall is a hub of water and adventure sports (IO photos/ Shobhangi Rudra)
This scenic beach is on the top of bucket list destinations for many students arriving into the UK. A place snapped right out of a vintage postcard, Cornwall is a hub of water and adventure sports. Have you heard of free entry amusement parks? Most have not, until they visit Cornwall. Open till September, Adrenalin Quarry is an adventure theme park with free entry. Defy gravity on the UK’s tallest swing or go karting at Kartworld with your gang and create memories for life. So, for a relaxer or the adventurer, Cornwall has a place fit right for any kind of tourist.
Accommodation:
YHA Penzance is an early Georgian manor that is now a hostel hub for fun, parties and excitement. Prices can go as low as GBP 20 if booked well in advance.
Food:
Take it from a gang of ten students, if you are in Cornwall do not miss a treat at Porthmeor Beach Café. From lunch spreads to early breakfasts, most of these meals are priced under GBP 10.
Now that the secret is out, it is time to plan a cheap yet unforgettable vacation, but the key mantra lies in planning well in advance and look for all cost-cutting options that exist.
So, now get onto your laptop, make reservations and pack your bags for the next adventure with your friends. After all, this is the time you get to create an album full of memories and live your best life as a student in the UK.
