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0151 522 5800
Call us:
0151 522 580016th June 2025
Students finishing up for summer or heading home for Christmas don’t have to forgo a holiday. Have a break this semester with Luxury Student Home’s top 7 budget-friendly student travel ideas.
Do you fancy a trip abroad, perhaps to sunny Spain or Portugal? Maybe you’ve got your heart set on the historic cities of Eastern Europe, like Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
You could even be eager to explore more of Britain! In any case, it’s definitely not impossible. Students working with a tight budget might just need to plan a little further ahead.
Of your housemates or coursemates, are you blessed with a resident driver? It could be you or a friend, but chipping in for costs can be a surprisingly budget-friendly student travel hack.
Together, you’ll beat the costs of multiple train or flight tickets and have the flexibility to hop between towns at your own pace. Just be aware of age restrictions – drivers under 25 can face extra fees.
To save more, shop around for deals on car-sharing platforms. Or, if renting isn’t an option, compare it with coach and rail prices.
Don’t forget: there are plenty of places to explore right on your doorstep. With 76 cities in Britain and over 1,100 towns, there’s a whole host of cheap adventures just outside.
Get a 16–25 or student Railcard for a third off train fares across Britain, or book advance coach fares. Iconic cities like Edinburgh, Cardiff, Bath or York are great for a long weekend, and off-season rates (autumn or spring) make them even cheaper!
Many British museums, stately homes and National Trust sites offer student concessions or free entry, so your student travel budget stretches even further.
The term ‘off-season’ refers to times of the year when flights are in lower demand and are available for lower prices. By planning travel during late spring or early autumn, student travel planners can save big on both flights and accommodation.
You’ll want to avoid July to August price spikes: flying or staying in June or September is often just as pleasant but far cheaper!
Some examples of periods when airlines and hotels offer mid-season discounts are during Easter break and early winter. Plus, being flexible by a few days (or even a different month) can lower costs dramatically.
If you’ve never had the chance to visit Eastern Europe, there’s no time like the present! Countries like Poland, Hungary and Romania have historic cities (think Kraków, Budapest, Bucharest) where money can stretch much further.
You can get great accommodation, visit once-in-a-lifetime attractions and sample street food for much cheaper prices than Western European destinations.
Public transport is reliable and tiny-priced (top tip: in Budapest or Prague, a metro ticket might only cost £1–£2), so you can see medieval castles and grand city squares.
While the East is good, don’t forget the South! Sun worshippers will love Southern European destinations, like Spain, Portugal and Greece. Soak up the sun in Madrid, Seville or Lisbon (and don’t forget about €2 tapas and sangria!)
Visit discounted museums in Madrid and take cheap local trains to beach towns, then head back to your low-cost hotels via public transport. Especially cost-savvy students can make Greece fit into a tight budget.
Skip pricey Santorini and hit lesser-known islands like Kos or Crete. A trip to Kos can cost as little as £210 per person, and you’ll get to bask in ancient ruins and plenty of sandy beaches.
Never underestimate the power of your ID!
Many student travel deals actually depend on your ID. Museums, galleries, public transport and even restaurants often have special student prices that you can redeem on holiday.
In Europe and beyond, you’ll find half-priced entry to historic sites, tram tickets, and even hostel rates for under-26s.
Some cities offer dedicated youth or student travel cards (London’s 16–25 Oyster card, for example) for big savings on buses and the underground. It never hurts to ask!
If you’re travelling to a new country, we understand how tempting it can be to taxi-hop from place to place.
But public transport will be your best friend! Local buses, metros and trams cost just a fraction of a taxi fare. Download Google Maps to plan routes easily. For airport transfers or longer trips, coaches and trains often undercut airport shuttles.
This goes for Britain, too: coaches like National Express offer £5–£10 fares between major cities with a railcard, which is far cheaper than private car hire.
Finally, if you’re seeking adventure but need some destination inspiration, check out our blog, “Best Places to Travel as a Student,” here.
If you’re looking forward to planning your first student holiday (but have yet to find a home base), we offer luxury accommodation in some of Liverpool’s best student areas!
Luxury Student Homes is a top provider of student accommodation in Liverpool the city centre and Wavertree.
Our all-inclusive studios and flats come fully furnished with high-speed Wi-Fi, social lounges and high-end furnishings: everything you need to recharge after your adventures.