Traveling when you’re young is one of the best life experiences. You get to explore the world, meet interesting people, and learn about different cultures and ways of life. But, since most young people are students or fresh out of college, they rarely have the resources to go on expensive trips.
Fortunately, not all destinations and experiences require a hefty budget. Here’s how you can explore Europe on a student budget.
Get creative with accommodation and transportation
When traveling, one of the biggest expenses you’ll face is where you rest your head at night and how you get from point A to point B. However, you can significantly reduce these costs with some creativity and flexibility.
Accommodation
- Hostels are ideal for students, as they offer shared accommodation. While sharing your space with others at first could be uncomfortable, it’s also a great way to meet people and create memories. Not to mention the cost-saving benefits.
- Couchsurfing websites connect hosts who have spare beds to share with travellers. Most hosts offer free accommodation, significantly cutting your travel costs.
Transportation
- Public transport is very efficient across most of Europe. So, it’s rarely a good idea to rent a car. Investing in day or week passes offers unlimited travel, making it a much better investment.
- Budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air are perfect for students. You can travel between most European destinations for around $50 both ways. These prices are hard to beat! The only downfall is that it’s typically very expensive to add baggage.
One thing to consider when utilizing cheap websites and services is that they might look to capitalize on your data. The data could be sold to data brokers, who typically re-sell it to advertisers or marketing firms for targeted advertising.
If data privacy is important to you, use a fake name, email and payment services like PayPal so you don’t have to enter your financial information. Additionally, you can choose to use services to remove your information from the internet, incase this hasn’t crossed your mind before.
Go during off-peak seasons
Going to places outside of the peak season is one of the smartest strategies when traveling on a budget. Airfare and accommodation prices often drop significantly during off-peak times as demand decreases. This means you can stay in better hotels, book flights, and even enjoy experiences that might be out of budget during peak season.
With this strategy, you will also experience the true way of life in the places you visit without tourist interference. Some other benefits of traveling off-peak season include:
- Better weather (in some circumstances): While off-peak often means cooler temperatures, it doesn’t necessarily mean bad weather. In fact, traveling during the shoulder season can help you avoid the extreme heat or cold that comes with peak times, making exploration more comfortable. Plus, experiencing a destination in a different season can offer a unique perspective on its beauty and charm.
- More flexibility and spontaneity: Traveling during off-peak seasons often means less need for advance bookings for accommodations, tours, and activities. This greater availability can allow for a more spontaneous and flexible travel plan, giving you the freedom to decide based on your interests.
Consider less trendy destinations
Going to Ibiza or Mykonos is a great experience worthy of a bucket-list slot. But going there, especially as a student, will be a considerable investment, which probably isn’t worth it considering your other, more important expenses.
So, as a budget-conscious student, your best bet is to look at other options. Luckily, Europe is full of hidden travel gems, which may not get as much attention as France or Spain but are equally as beautiful.
The Balkans
While the Balkans is known for being the poorest region in Europe, it also boasts beautiful natural landscapes and a rich culture. Since it covers a large land mass, there is nothing you can’t do in the Balkans. You can go to the beach in Albania, explore Ohrid in Macedonia, or go to Dracula’s castle in Romania. The prices there are considerably lower, so you will save a lot on accommodation and food.
Note that some areas of the Balkans are also very expensive, especially Croatia.
Poland
Poland is another great travel destination for students. Its cities are filled with young people from around the world, and historic streets you can explore on a budget. Additionally, its central location in the heart of Europe makes it the perfect jumping spot for venturing out throughout the continent.
Use a VPN while traveling
Another important tip is to install a Virtual Private Network, or VPN for travel. You will likely use many unsecured networks from coffee shops, restaurants, or even your accommodation during your travels. A VPN is a great remedy for this risk since it encrypts all your data and masks your IP address, making it impossible to track.
But the greatest benefit of VPNs when traveling is that they allow you to access geo-restricted content. This way, you can catch up on the latest episodes of your favorite TV shows and access other services from your home country that may not be available abroad.
Final thoughts
Europe isn’t the most budget-friendly destination in the world. But it’s a large continent, and you can absolutely create a memorable experience on a budget. Locations like the Balkans, Europe isn’t the most budget-friendly destination in the world. But it’s a large continent, and you can absolutely create a memorable experience on a budget. Locations like the Balkans, Hungary, and Poland offer incredible value for money. If you want to explore the more popular destinations, you can go at off-peak seasons and settle for cheaper accommodation options.