Cheap Student Travel Destinations

It’s a tale as old as time: you leave high school, gain newfound independence, and before you know it, your days are spent searching for cheap student travel destinations. Sound familiar?

Even though you’re working with a tight student travel budget, we reckon you should still be able to go out and see the world. So, we’ve rustled up a list of the best places for students to travel on a budget, no matter what kind of trip you’re planning. 

Whether you’re looking for the cheapest European cities, the best solo travel destinations, or just some cheap beach holiday destinations, you’ll definitely find something that takes your fancy.

Ready? Okay, here are six cheap places for students to travel this year:

Cheapest European Cities for Students

Kraków, Poland

With pubs and bars on every corner and streets steeped in history, Kraków makes the perfect budget weekend trip for students.

If you’re just looking to let off some steam, the city has one of the best and most affordable nightlife scenes in Europe. And if you know where to go, buying yourself a beer for less than €2.50 is totally doable; nothing screams “student-friendly” like €2 beers!

Then for the students who wanna see more than the inside of a pub, a free walking tour is a great way to see the city on the cheap, and attractions like St Mary’s Basilica won’t cost you the world to get into either.

You’ll find plenty more recommendations in our Kraków travel guide, including where to find a good meal on the cheap.

Bucharest, Romania

If you’re looking for a cheap European capital city, Bucharest has got to be on your list.

Your student travel budget will be very grateful for the affordable street food, accommodation, and cheap public transport over there — a three-day pass for unlimited buses and trams will cost you less than £3.50/€4.00.

It’s not just us saying it’s cheap, either. Earlier this year, the Post Office ranked Bucharest as the second cheapest city break in Europe, with Sarajevo just nipping it by a tenner.

And don’t worry about it being cheap but boring because the city’s got a lively Old Town, great museums, and its nightlife is world-renowned. Seriously, you’ll find somewhere to suit everyone there: from extravagant clubs and live music venues to rooftop bars and cosy pubs.

Best Solo Travel Destinations for Students

Chiang Mai, Thailand

When it comes to solo student travel, Chiang Mai is often ranked as one of the best destinations in Asia — specifically for female solo travellers, too! 

Of course its location plays a part: it’s got it all, including busy night markets, an Old City, lush green national parks and ethical elephant sanctuaries nearby.

But it’s also known for having a huge community of backpackers and digital nomads making the most of the city’s laid-back vibe, so you’ll find plenty of like-minded travellers in the local hostels — there are lots of options for private rooms under £10 per night.

And if you want to take a bigger solo trip to Thailand and see more of the country, you can still keep things cheap. By doing a few key things (e.g. swapping big tourist hubs for somewhere a little quieter, taking public transport rather than taxis, considering a shoulder season trip) visiting Thailand on a budget is totally doable — if not easy! 

How to get there

Flying into Chiang Mai (CNX) is the easiest way. But it may work out cheaper to fly into Bangkok (BKK) and travel between the two via bus, train, or an internal flight booked separately — get a rough idea of how much each option will cost and how long it’ll take here.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest has everything you could want as a budget solo traveller: it’s super walkable (though public transport also works well), it’s one of Europe’s safest cities, and there is plenty of affordable accommodation, with private hostel rooms for as little as £10-£15 per night.

Sticking to your student travel budget is easy for meals too, since cheap food in Budapest is super accessible, and you can expect to have a proper dinner for less than £15! 

But don’t just take our word for it. Jack’s member Sam took an impromptu solo trip to Budapest, and while they weren’t exactly the traditional student age (sorry Sam!) they say it’s a journey they’ll cherish forever.

Cheap Beach Holiday Destinations for Students

Albanian Riviera

As I’m sure you’ll have seen all over socials, Albania is really having a moment, and rightfully so! 

While most travellers flock to the already busy Amalfi Coast and the South of France, the Albanian Riviera has beautiful spots that lots of people are still sleeping on, which makes it a much cheaper alternative.

Ksamil in particular is stunning, with sandy coves, nearby islands, and water so beautifully clear it’s often compared to the Maldives — just without the luxury price tag! 

You can also get a 2-for-1 on your trip and tick off another country by jumping on a ferry over to the Greek island of Corfu from nearby Sarandë — it’ll cost around €10-€25 each way.

How to get there

Fly to Tirana (TIA) and take the bus or a taxi to the coast — the bus will cost considerably less than a taxi.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Now this is a prime example of somewhere worth spending a little extra to reach.

Of course, flights to Mexico aren’t exactly cheap from the UK and Europe, but TUI does usually pop up a couple of times each year with last-minute bargain fares to Cancún — we’re talking £300-£500 return for non-stop flights. Cancún itself can get very pricey with all the resorts, but it’s a great starting point for more budget-friendly destinations nearby, like Isla Mujeres. 

There you’ll find a range of affordable accommodation, with a good amount of cheap hostels aimed at budget backpackers — you can expect to pay anywhere between £25-£115 per night. And even though the island is much more laid back than Cancún, it still has a great nightlife scene, and is a favourite among US college students looking for a cheap spring break vacation.

The most important thing with Mexico really is to just steer clear of the tourist traps where the prices are bumped up. Luckily for you, Navigator Kash has a whole list of lesser-known destinations that most travellers miss, including a great spot in Oaxaca with accommodation for $5 a night! 

How to get there

Fly into Cancún (CUN), drive or take local transport to the ferry docks, and hop on a ferry over to Isla Mujeres.

Budget Student Travel: Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully you're full of travel inspiration now, but before you go running off to pack your bags, it helps to think about any other costs that may pop up; we're talking extra baggage fees, how to find the best airfares, and if there's any bonus discounts out there for students. So to help you plan your perfect trip, we've answered some of the most common questions about how to travel cheaply as a student:

How do I find cheap student flights? That’s what we do every day here at Jack's Flight Club! But if you want our top tips on where to look, what to avoid, and all things error fares, read through our guide to finding the best flight deals.

How do I avoid paying extra for baggage on low-cost airlines? There’s an art to cramming all your worldly goods into 1 teeny tiny bag, and you’ll find our top tips on how to do just that in our guide to minimalist packing here.

What’s the best carry on bag? Osprey is one of our favourite brands of backpacks for student travellers since their bags are practical, supportive, and last a long time. Find our roundup of the best travel backpacks here.

What airlines offer student flight discounts? Quite a few major international airlines offer student flight discounts and other perks, including SAS, United, and Iberia. Read through our rundown of airline student discount programmes here.

What should I pack for a budget backpacking trip? From power banks and travel adaptors, to packing cubes and Birkenstocks: find our top tips on things you do and don’t need in our backpacking packing list.