Europe

Warning: A trip to Hungary might result in a sudden, deep obsession with thermal baths and architectural marvels that actually put your hometown to shame. Budapest gets all the glory for its nightlife, but there’s an entire country of wine regions and hidden villages waiting for you beyond the capital. We’re tracking cheap flights to Hungary to ensure you can get there for less, keeping your budget intact for all the goulash and ruin-bar cocktails you can handle.

London Luton

Forget the stereotype that England is nothing but endless gray drizzle, overpriced tourist traps in London, and people obsessing over the weather. We’re here to help you get past the postcard clichés and uncover the real magic, from the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and the moody peaks of the Lake District to the buzzing, eclectic streets of Manchester. We’re always hunting down the best England flight deals so you can save your cash for the actual essentials—like proper pub grub and a decent pint. This is your insider’s guide to booking cheap flights to England, and proving that the best of the UK is well within reach if you know how to search for it.

England

We’re here to help you get past the postcard clichés and uncover the real magic, from the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and the moody peaks of the Lake District to the buzzing, eclectic streets of Manchester.

Debrecen

Hungary

Warning: A trip to Hungary might result in a sudden, deep obsession with thermal baths and architectural marvels.

Debrecen 📸 at £58 rtn from London Luton

Cheap Budapest fares in every season? Now that's a treat! 

Oslo

Norway has a knack for making almost every other landscape look a bit ordinary, and with the right intel, getting there doesn't have to cost a fortune. We’re deep in the data to find you the best Norway flight deals, clearing the path for you to trade your local view for the dramatic, towering fjords, the Northern Lights, or the historic charm of Bergen. Our insider strategy will help you score cheap flights to Norway and keep your travel budget focused on the important stuff—like exploring the vibrant streets of Oslo and experiencing the wild, untamed beauty of the Arctic north.

Norway

Norway has a knack for making almost every other landscape look a bit ordinary, and with the right intel, getting there doesn't have to cost a fortune.

Budapest

Charleroi

It’s rare to find a country that packs so much culture into such a travel-sized package, yet Belgium remains one of Europe’s most underrated escapes. Whether you’re nursing a legendary Trappist ale in a Brussels tavern, getting lost in the storybook canals of Bruges, or soaking up the historic, edgy energy of Ghent, you’re doing it all in one of the most accessible corners of the continent. We’re obsessively tracking the best Belgium flight deals to make sure you get there for less, leaving you more of your travel budget to spend on moules-frites and local chocolate. Skip the high-priced travel packages, secure your cheap flights to Belgium, and discover why this compact gem is punching way above its weight class.

Belgium

It’s rare to find a country that packs so much culture into such a travel-sized package, yet Belgium remains one of Europe’s most underrated escapes.

Stockholm

Sweden isn’t just the sleek, high-design wonderland you see in glossy magazines—it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, packed with history and a café culture that’s arguably the best in the world. Whether you’re hunting for the best Sweden flight deals to experience the midnight sun in Swedish Lapland, wandering the historic streets of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan, or exploring the maritime charm of Gothenburg, we’ve got your back. Our navigators are on the hunt for the genuinely good value airfare that unlocks the magic of Scandinavia, giving you the insider tips you need to book smarter, save on the essentials, and secure cheap flights to Sweden.

Sweden

Sweden isn’t just the sleek, high-design wonderland you see in glossy magazines—it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, packed with history and a café culture that’s arguably the best in the world.

Copenhagen

Denmark is far more than just sleek architecture and an obsession with bike lanes—it’s an effortless blend of Scandi-cool design, cosy hygge culture, and historic harbour cities that don't need to shout to be impressive. Whether you’re planning a weekend of design-spotting in Copenhagen, exploring the ancient, cobbled streets of Aarhus, or chasing music festival highs in Roskilde, we’re constantly tracking the best Denmark flight deals to get you there for a bargain. Stop overpaying, snag some cheap flights to Denmark, and find out why this corner of Scandinavia is worth far more than just a quick layover.

Denmark

Denmark is far more than just sleek architecture and an obsession with bike lanes—it’s an effortless blend of Scandi-cool design, cosy hygge culture, and historic harbour cities that don't need to shout to be impressive.

Gothenburg

Eindhoven

If you’re still picturing the Netherlands as just one giant postcard of windmills and wooden shoes, you’re missing out on one of Europe’s most dynamic corners. This is the place where historic canal-side cycling meets cutting-edge urban design and a bar culture that’s second to none. We’re scouting the routes to land you the best Netherlands flight deals, whether you’re plotting a culture-heavy weekend in Amsterdam, exploring the industrial cool of Rotterdam, or getting lost in the medieval charm of Utrecht. Don’t just scroll through photos—book the cheap flights to the Netherlands and find out why this place is so much more than just the stereotypes.

Netherlands

This is the place where historic canal-side cycling meets cutting-edge urban design and a bar culture that’s second to none.

Beauvais

France isn't just about Eiffel Tower selfies; it’s a country that deserves a serious deep dive without the pretension—or the heavy price tag. We’re here to help you snag cheap flights to France so you can spend less on airfare and more on what actually matters: endless glasses of Bordeaux, buttery croissants, and authentic French food. Whether you’re planning a culture binge in the romantic streets of Paris, hunting for sunshine along the French Riviera, or wandering through the vineyard-lined hills of Provence, we’ve got the insider intelligence to get you there for less.

France

We’re here to help you snag cheap flights to France so you can spend less on airfare and more on what actually matters: endless glasses of Bordeaux, buttery croissants, and authentic French food.

Billund

Budapest 🏰 in €40s-€70s rtn

Budapest ❄️ at €84 rtn from Oslo 

Tough call choosing between Central European castles and a thousand Renaissance museums...

Toronto

Forget everything you thought you knew about Canada being a polite, freezing expanse. This place is seriously epic, stretching from Vancouver's gorgeous coastline and the towering Rockies right over to the hip coffee shops of Montreal and the rugged East Coast. 
The only problem? It’s massive. Luckily, this is where we step in. We find those great-value Canada Flights that prove you can tackle this stunning country without turning your bank account into a frozen wasteland.
Whether you're flying in from overseas or grabbing a domestic flight for a quick poutine run, our in-house Canadian crew is here to lend their expertise. So stop guessing when to book and where to go: our guides are your secret weapon for getting the most bang for your loonie, eh!

Canada

Forget everything you thought you knew about Canada being a polite, freezing expanse. This place is seriously epic, stretching from Vancouver's gorgeous coastline and the towering Rockies right over to the hip coffee shops of Montreal and the rugged East Coast.

Hamburg

Think Germany is just giant steins of beer and lederhosen? You’re missing the actual vibe—which is surprisingly modern, rugged, and full of insane art scenes. From the techno basements of Berlin to the fairy-tale castles of Bavaria, this is a country that thrives on variety, and we’re on the hunt for the best cheap flights to Germany to help you explore it all. Why settle for expensive, last-minute fares when you could be sipping Riesling in the Mosel Valley for half the cost?

Germany

From the techno basements of Berlin to the fairy-tale castles of Bavaria, this is a country that thrives on variety.

Berlin

Munich

Prague

Prague is undeniably gorgeous, but if you think the Czech Republic begins and ends at the Charles Bridge, you’re missing the actual magic. We’re talking gothic castles, dense forests, and hidden spa towns that feel like they were plucked straight out of a fairy tale. We’re tracking cheap flights to the Czech Republic so you can afford to venture well beyond the capital and see the real heart of the country. Don't get stuck in the tourist bubble—snag one of our Czech Republic flight deals, pack a sturdy pair of walking shoes, and go find out why this country is so much more than just a really good pint of Pilsner.

Czech Republic

Think the Czech Republic begins and ends in Prague? You're missing the magic of gothic castles, dense forests, and hidden spa towns that feel like they were plucked straight out of a fairy tale.

Vienna

You don't need to break the bank to swap your local commute for a view of the Austrian Alps or a slice of Sacher-torte in a classic Vienna coffee house.
We spend our days obsessively hunting down the best Austria flight deals so you can spend your savings on the experiences that actually matter, not just the airfare to get there. From the medieval charm of Salzburg to the wild, untouched peaks of the Tyrol, we track the routes that make visiting this European classic cheaper than you ever thought possible.
If you’re ready to trade the ordinary for the extraordinary, bookmark this page for the latest updates on cheap flights to Austria and let us handle the legwork of finding your next mountain escape.

Austria

From the medieval charm of Salzburg to the wild, untouched peaks of the Tyrol, we track the routes that make visiting this European classic cheaper than you ever thought possible.

Zurich

If you think Switzerland is strictly a playground for the ultra-wealthy, it’s time to rethink the itinerary. The Swiss Alps and the crystal-clear shores of Lake Geneva are surprisingly attainable when you have the right intel, and we spend our time hunting down the best Switzerland flight deals so you don’t have to. We ensure your travel budget stays firmly focused on the actual experience—like sampling artisanal cheese in Bern or catching a scenic train ride through the Jungfrau region—rather than getting eaten up by airfare. Skip the inflated holiday packages, use our tracking to snag cheap flights to Switzerland, and prove that the quintessential Alpine escape doesn’t have to carry a premium price tag.

Switzerland

If you think Switzerland is strictly a playground for the ultra-wealthy, it’s time to rethink the itinerary. The Swiss Alps and the crystal-clear shores of Lake Geneva are surprisingly attainable when you have the right intel!

Milan

Why should Italy be next on your list? Because it's the place where "living la dolce vita" is not just a slogan—it's the only way to operate. Travel to Italy means surrendering yourself to world-class authentic Italian food that will ruin your neighborhood pizzeria for you forever. We're talking freshly rolled dough, delicious ragus, and gelato that’s a mandatory daily pleasure, all served up with a side of next-level atmosphere.
But an Italy vacation is so much more than just a culinary tour; it's an effortless deep dive into culture through the ages. The art, the fashion, and the sheer, undeniable style of it all are so effortlessly chic, they'll make you want to immediately uproot your entire life.
One day, you could be standing awed by thousand-year-old historic sites in Rome or Florence, and the next, you're sipping an Aperol Spritz on the Amalfi Coast. From the rugged beauty of the Dolomites to secluded beaches, Italy offers a perfect backdrop for any adventure, whether you're seeking romance in Venice or a vibrant city break. It’s an inspiring destination that checks every box, and our affordable Flights to Italy make those Rome, Florence, and Venice dreams a reality.

Italy

"Living la dolce vita" is not just a slogan—it's the only way to operate in Italy. Our affordable Flights and travel guides will have you soaking in ancient history, sipping on spritzes, and splashing in the sea in no time.

Venice

Paris

Split

If you’ve spent the better part of this year staring at photos of the Adriatic and wondering if a Mediterranean escape is actually in the cards, we’ve got good news: the islands are closer (and cheaper) than you think. Croatia is the ultimate travel-sized wonder, balancing 1,000+ islands with historic hubs like Dubrovnik and Split that are best experienced without the premium travel price tag. We’re deep in the data to find the best Croatia flight deals, clearing the path for you to trade your daily commute for a swim in the Dalmatian Coast waters. Stop overpaying for the basics; use our intel to score cheap flights to Croatia and spend your savings on the stuff that actually matters—like that extra round of local wine in Hvar.

Croatia

If you’ve spent the better part of this year staring at photos of the Adriatic and wondering if a Mediterranean escape is actually in the cards, we’ve got good news: the islands are closer (and cheaper) than you think

Barcelona

Sick of looking out the window at the same old gray sky? We get it. Sometimes you just need to swap reports and Teams chats for tapas and a questionable sangria that tastes suspiciously like pure sugar. Spain isn't just one place; it’s a million different escapes waiting to happen, from the scorching beaches and Moorish architecture of the south to the mountains and wine regions up north.
We’ve been hunting down Flights so cheap, you won't even care whether your boss notices you're gone. Consider this your official notice: your next spontaneous trip is calling, and it sounds suspiciously like "Hola."
But we’re not just going to drop you off at the gate with a map and a shrug. On this page, you’ll find all the insider intel—hand-crafted articles, honest reviews, and destination guides—to help you navigate everything from the world's best paella to how to avoid tourist traps. 
We've done the legwork and gathered the secrets of Spain, so you can stop scrolling through boring forums and start perfecting your siesta game. If a trip is worth taking, it’s definitely worth taking for less.

Spain

If you're looking for a destination where the default settings are fiesta and siesta, Spain is the one. You're in for legendary food, charming, sun-drenched streets, and mind-blowing architecture, and that's before you even hit the beach.

Ibiza

Palma De Mallorca

Olbia

Rome

Corfu

Greece is infinitely more than just crowded sunsets and the overhyped postcard clichés. We're here to help you navigate the magic of the Greek islands without blowing your entire travel fund. Whether you’re dreaming of a culture-packed getaway to historic Athens, hunting for the absolute best cheap flights to Greece, or mapping out an island-hopping adventure from the iconic cliffs of Santorini and the party vibes of Mykonos to the hidden gems of Crete and Rhodes, we’ve got the insider intelligence to get you there for less. Stop overpaying for your summer escape, brush up on the best time to visit Greece, and turn your dream Mediterranean holiday into a budget-friendly reality.

Greece

Greece is infinitely more than just crowded sunsets and the overhyped postcard clichés. We're here to help you navigate the magic of the Greek islands without blowing your entire travel fund.

Rhodes

Heraklion

Chania

Kalamata

Bucharest

Romania is all about jagged Carpathian peaks, vibrant medieval cities, and a level of hospitality that’ll make you wonder why you haven’t visited before. We’re tracking down the absolute best cheap flights to Romania to ensure you can afford to traverse from the gothic spires of Transylvania to the bustling, buzzy streets of Bucharest without blowing the budget. Don't let your wanderlust stall on the runway; sign up for our Romania flight deals and go see the country that’s quietly becoming the coolest, most affordable adventure in Eastern Europe.

Romania

Romania is all about jagged Carpathian peaks, vibrant medieval cities, and a level of hospitality that’ll make you wonder why you haven’t visited before

Kraków

Poland is the sort of place that makes you wonder why you’ve been spending your travel budget on the usual suspects when you could be exploring some of Europe’s most underrated urban hubs. From the fairytale spires of Kraków and the modern, resilient energy of Warsaw to the hidden, cobblestone magic of Wrocław, this is a country that consistently punches way above its weight. So stop scrolling, and get booking your cheap flights to Poland to discover a destination that’s equal parts historic, affordable, and surprisingly cool.

Poland

From the fairytale spires of Kraków and the modern, resilient energy of Warsaw to the hidden, cobblestone magic of Wrocław, this is a country that consistently punches way above its weight.

Warsaw

Calgary

Frankfurt

Sofia

Everyone flocks to the usual European suspects, while smart travellers have been quietly enjoying Bulgaria for years—and honestly, we’re jealous we didn't tell you sooner. Whether you’re chasing snow-dusted slopes in Bansko or sandy beaches along the Black Sea, you get the European experience without the "European" price tag. We’re doing the heavy lifting to find cheap flights to Bulgaria so you can skip the overpriced tourist hubs and get straight to the good stuff. Stop settling for expensive, crowded destinations; check out our Bulgaria flight deals, grab your passport, and discover the best-value secret left in Europe.

Bulgaria

Whether you’re chasing snow-dusted slopes in Bansko or sandy beaches along the Black Sea, Bulgaria gives you the European experience without the “European” price tag

Vancouver

Zagreb

Athens

Europe 🌇 in $1400s-$1900s RT

Stuttgart

Budapest 🧖‍♀️ at €68 rtn from Stuttgart

Debrecen ❄️ at €50 rtn from Eindhoven 

Hungary for a bargain

We flew into Budapest a few days early for a river cruise from Budpest to Bucharest. We used the hoho bus as our means of transport. This bus pass included a night tour on the river. When we passed the Parliament Building I mangaged to get this photo. The white dots aboe the building are birds illuminated by the up lights.

Nighttime river cruising in Budapest

My Solo Adventure in Budapest. What was meant to be a shared getaway turned into an unexpected solo journey—one that I’ll cherish forever. I’d snagged a fantastic deal on a lovely hotel in Budapest through Travelzoo, planning to explore the city with a close friend. But just days before departure, my friend fell ill and had to cancel. Suddenly, I was facing the trip alone. I felt a twinge of apprehension: navigating trains, cabs, and a foreign city by myself? At my age? But I decided to go for it anyway. After all, how often do you get a chance like this?
The train ride went smoothly, and a quick cab dropped me at the hotel doorstep. What a relief! The place was even better than the photos: warm, welcoming staff, a plush bed that felt like a cloud, and a room with a stunning view overlooking their gardens. I unpacked, took a deep breath, and reminded myself—this was my adventure now.
One of the smartest decisions I made was getting an eSIM card before leaving. It gave me seamless internet access the moment I arrived, turning my phone into a lifeline. No hunting for Wi-Fi or fumbling with paper maps. Apps guided me effortlessly onto buses, trams, the metro… even under the Danube River to cross from Pest to Buda! Armed with that digital confidence, I dove into Budapest solo and saw so much.
I wandered the historic streets, marveled at Buda Castle perched on the hill, soaked in the grandeur of the Parliament building along the Danube. One highlight was lunch at a charming old Hungarian-style restaurant, where I savored authentic chicken paprikash—rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced with that signature paprika. I explored the vibrant Great Market Hall, buzzing with locals and full of fresh produce, spices, and souvenirs. And since my trip was close to Christmas, the markets were in full swing—magical wooden stalls glowing with lights, the air filled with the scent of mulled wine, chimney cakes, and handmade crafts. Pure holiday wonder.
Being over 65 added an unexpected perk: free public transportation throughout the city! No tickets needed—just hop on and go. It made exploring effortless and budget-friendly. By the end, I felt incredibly accomplished. What started with nerves turned into empowerment. Budapest is a gem—beautiful, walkable, and welcoming. If you ever get the chance, go! And if possible, time it near Christmas for those unforgettable markets. Solo or not, it’s an experience that will stay with you.

Story from Sam2476

Your email came at the perfect time. Ive been wanting to go on a trip with my mum for a while. She has trouble flying so knew it would have to be business/first class for any flight. So to see this email! I hopped skipped and jumped to the flights and booked it! We&#39;re going istanbul whoop whoop! We both love Turkish culture (my mums been, I havent) ,I would have definitely missed these flights if i didnt sign up to your emails.

Thanks, 😊
J

Postcard from Janelle

Hey Jack &amp; team,

I booked this snack Glasgow to Budapest on May 24th - 27th!

From Zoe

Postcard from Zoe

Booked a weekend getaway from our HOME airport with departure times that meant we didn&#39;t need to take any time off work but still get the full weekend away. Wish there were more bargains like this one! Thanks JFC!

Postcard from RJ

Thailand

Albania

Mexico

It&rsquo;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&rsquo;re working with a tight student travel budget, we reckon you should still be able to go out and see the world. So, we&rsquo;ve rustled up a list of the best places for students to travel on a budget, no matter what kind of trip you&rsquo;re planning.&nbsp;
Whether you&rsquo;re looking for the cheapest European cities, the best solo travel destinations, or just some cheap beach holiday destinations, you&rsquo;ll definitely find something that takes your fancy.
Ready? Okay, here are six cheap places for students to travel this year:
<h2 dir="ltr">Cheapest European Cities for Students</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr">Krak&oacute;w, Poland</h3>
With pubs and bars on every corner and streets steeped in history, Krak&oacute;w makes the perfect budget weekend trip for students.
If you&rsquo;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 <a href="https://budgettraveller.org/10-budget-tips-for-krakow/#:~:text=Cheapest%20beer%20is%2010zl%20(%20%E2%82%AC2.38%20)">beer for less than &euro;2.50</a> is totally doable; nothing screams &ldquo;student-friendly&rdquo; like &euro;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 <a href="https://www.liverpoolguildstudentmedia.co.uk/2025/11/05/four-days-in-krakow-pierogi-pints-and-plenty-of-history/#:~:text=St%20Mary%E2%80%99s%20Basilica%3A%20Right%20in%20the%20heart%20of%20Market%20Square%2C%20St%20Mary%E2%80%99s%20Basilica%20is%20one%20of%20Krak%C3%B3w%E2%80%99s%20most%20iconic%20sights.%20You%20cannot%20miss%20the%20opportunity%20to%20go%20inside%20(for%20%C2%A33!!)">St Mary&rsquo;s Basilica won&rsquo;t cost you the world</a> to get into either.
You&rsquo;ll find plenty more recommendations in our <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfcs-guide-to-krakow">Krak&oacute;w travel guide</a>, including where to find a good meal on the cheap.

<h3 dir="ltr">Bucharest, Romania</h3>
If you&rsquo;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 &mdash;&nbsp;a <a href="https://romaniatourism.com/guide-to-public-transportation-in-bucharest.html#:~:text=three%2Dday%20pass,%C2%A0%20%C2%A0%20(approx.%20%244.45)">three-day pass</a> for unlimited buses and trams will cost you less than &pound;3.50/&euro;4.00.
It&rsquo;s not just us saying it&rsquo;s cheap, either. Earlier this year, the Post Office ranked Bucharest as the <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/cheapest-cities-in-europe-review/">second cheapest city break in Europe</a>, with Sarajevo just nipping it by a tenner.
And don&rsquo;t worry about it being cheap but boring because the city&rsquo;s got a lively Old Town, great museums, and its nightlife is world-renowned. Seriously, you&rsquo;ll find somewhere to suit everyone there: from extravagant clubs and live music venues to rooftop bars and cosy pubs.

<h2 dir="ltr">Best Solo Travel Destinations for Students</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr">Chiang Mai, Thailand</h3>
When it comes to solo student travel, Chiang Mai is often ranked as one of the best destinations in Asia &mdash; specifically for <a href="https://halyourtravelpal.com/solo-travel-asia/#:~:text=Chiang%20Mai%2C%20Thailand">female solo travellers</a>, too!&nbsp;
Of course its location plays a part: it&rsquo;s got it all, including busy night markets, an Old City, lush green national parks and ethical elephant sanctuaries nearby.
But it&rsquo;s also known for having a huge community of backpackers and digital nomads making the most of the city&rsquo;s laid-back vibe, so you&rsquo;ll find plenty of like-minded travellers in the local hostels &mdash;&nbsp;there are lots of options for <a href="https://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/asia/thailand/chiang-mai/f/private-rooms/">private rooms under &pound;10 per night</a>.
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 <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/thailand-on-a-budget">Thailand on a budget</a> is totally doable &mdash; if not easy!&nbsp;
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 &mdash; get a rough idea of how much each option will cost and how long it&rsquo;ll take <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAhogEgoyMDI2LTA5LTIyKABqBwgBEgNEVE1yBwgBEgNCVFMaIBIKMjAyNi0wOS0yNigAagcIARIDQlRTcgcIARIDRFRNQAFIAXABggELCP___________wGYAQE&amp;tfu=EgYIABAAGAA&amp;hl=en-US&amp;gl=DE&amp;curr=EUR">here</a>.

<h3 dir="ltr">Budapest, Hungary</h3>
Budapest has everything you could want as a budget solo traveller: it&rsquo;s super walkable (though public transport also works well), it&rsquo;s <a href="https://budapestcollege.hu/is-budapest-safe/">one of Europe&rsquo;s safest cities</a>, and there is plenty of affordable accommodation, with private hostel rooms for <a href="https://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/europe/hungary/budapest/f/solo-travel/">as little as &pound;10-&pound;15 per night</a>.
Sticking to your student travel budget is easy for meals too, since <a href="https://mini-adventures.com/budget-cheap-food-budapest/">cheap food in Budapest</a> is super accessible, and you can expect to have a proper dinner for less than &pound;15!&nbsp;
But don&rsquo;t just take our word for it. <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/postcards/694ebbd54865226977bfb278">Jack&rsquo;s member Sam</a> took an impromptu solo trip to Budapest, and while they weren&rsquo;t exactly the traditional student age (sorry Sam!) they say it&rsquo;s a journey they&rsquo;ll cherish forever.

<h2 dir="ltr">Cheap Beach Holiday Destinations for Students</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr">Albanian Riviera</h3>
As I&rsquo;m sure you&rsquo;ll have seen all over socials, Albania is really having a moment, and rightfully so!&nbsp;
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&rsquo;s often compared to the Maldives &mdash; just without the luxury price tag!&nbsp;
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 Sarand&euml; &mdash; it&rsquo;ll cost around <a href="https://finikas-lines.com/#:~:text=Generally%2C%20prices%20range%20from%20around%20%E2%82%AC10%20to%20%E2%82%AC25%20per%20person%20for%20a%20one%2Dway%20trip">&euro;10-&euro;25 each way</a>.
How to get there
Fly to Tirana (TIA) and take the <a href="https://albaniatourguide.com/how-to-get-to-albanian-riviera/#:~:text=By%20bus%2C%20it%20takes%203%20%E2%80%93%205%20hours%20and%20it%20costs%204%20%E2%80%93%2011%20euros.%20By%20taxi%2C%20it%20costs%20between%2086%20%E2%80%93%20165%20euros">bus or a taxi to the coast</a> &mdash; the bus will cost considerably less than a taxi.

Pro tip: It&rsquo;s also worth looking at flights to Corfu (CFU), and doing the reverse of what we suggested above by taking the ferry over to Sarand&euml; instead. This might work out cheaper, especially if your local airport doesn&rsquo;t cover Albania.

<h3 dir="ltr">Isla Mujeres, Mexico</h3>
Now this is a prime example of somewhere worth spending a little extra to reach.
Of course, flights to Mexico aren&rsquo;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 Canc&uacute;n &mdash; we&rsquo;re talking <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights/cancn-in-350s-550s-rtn">&pound;300-&pound;500 return</a> for non-stop flights. Canc&uacute;n itself can get very pricey with all the resorts, but it&rsquo;s a great starting point for more budget-friendly destinations nearby, like Isla Mujeres.&nbsp;
There you&rsquo;ll find a range of affordable accommodation, with a good amount of cheap hostels aimed at budget backpackers &mdash; you can expect to pay anywhere <a href="https://www.booking.com/hostels/city/mx/cancun.en-gb.html?selected_currency=GBP">between &pound;25-&pound;115 per night</a>. And even though the island is much more laid back than Canc&uacute;n, 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 <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/8-lesser-known-destinations-in-mexico-that-most-travelers-miss">lesser-known destinations that most travellers miss</a>, including a great spot in Oaxaca with accommodation for $5 a night!&nbsp;
How to get there
Fly into Canc&uacute;n (CUN), drive or take local transport to the ferry docks, and hop on a&nbsp;<a href="https://isla-mujeres.net/getting-to-isla-mujeres/">ferry over to Isla Mujeres</a>.

<h2 dir="ltr">Budget Student Travel: Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
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&rsquo;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&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/find-cheap-flights-to-anywhere">guide to finding the best flight deals</a>.
How do I avoid paying extra for baggage on low-cost airlines? There&rsquo;s an art to cramming all your worldly goods into 1 teeny tiny bag, and you&rsquo;ll find our top tips on how to do just that in our <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/one-bag-packing-hacks-to-change-the-way-you-travel">guide to minimalist packing here</a>.
What&rsquo;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 <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-best-underseat-and-carry-on-bags-for-travel">roundup of the best travel backpacks here</a>.
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 <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/which-airlines-offer-student-flight-discounts">airline student discount programmes here</a>.
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&rsquo;t need in our <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/what-to-pack-when-backpacking-around-europe">backpacking packing list</a>.

Cheap Student Travel Destinations

Indonesia

Lithuania

Hey there, travellers,
Greetings from somewhere in Lithuania! At the time of writing, I'm a little over one hour into an 11-hour train journey between Vilnius and Tallinn. And my entire train carriage is bright pink.&nbsp;

When I boarded, bleary-eyed, at 6:55 AM, I wondered if Lithuania had a particular penchant for Barbie &mdash; how very 2023, I thought. And then I noticed the egg sticker on the window, and the table decal showing dill, cucumber and half boiled eggs floating on a pink background.
A few sips of coffee later, I finally noticed the sticker in the middle of the train table emblazoned with the words, "VILNIUS PINK SOUP FEST." So strong is the&nbsp;<a href="https://tasteoflithuania.com/saltibarsciai-cold-beetroot-soup/">Lithuanian love of cold beetroot soup</a> (&scaron;altibar&scaron;čiai), apparently, that they have a festival celebrating it each May. And this summer, overland Baltic travellers have also been given the chance to live a beetroot-drenched dream aboard the Pink Soup Train.

It seems I'm lucky, too, as this weekend is the carriage's last hurrah of the year. While it would have been nice to get a few more hours' sleep before stepping into this Wonka-esque world of cheery food stuffs, I'd now quite like to try a bowl of the pink stuff.&nbsp;
My stopover in Lithuania was fleeting, unfortunately. But I'm pretty confident there'll be a vibrant&nbsp;<a href="https://estoniancuisine.com/2019/08/06/cold-summer-beetroot-soup/">Estonian version</a> waiting to greet me in Tallinn, albeit minus the waving eggs.
Happy travels and safe landings,

Katy - Editor of The Detour

Where No Man Roams &mdash;&nbsp;Lessons from a Professional Trespasser

Flight Finder Akasha finds phenomenal flights faster than you can decide where you want to take a trip to next. A pro at finding the best of the best fares, she's also a master at sharing must-visit spots for when you land.

By Akasha

Simon scales fences, evades police, and crawls through asbestos. I followed him into the dark to understand what dead places do to the living.&nbsp;
A burly man, cloaked in black, waits for me in the deadzone of security cameras. I&rsquo;ve known him for all of half an hour, and now here I sit, teetering atop a 10ft fence, trusting that he&rsquo;ll catch me if I fall. My cotton gloves are useless, offering no protection as the chain links dig into my skin. One foot scrambles for a hold, dangling for a second too long; far below, the ground is a m&eacute;lange of brambles and broken concrete.&nbsp;
Expertly reeling, my mind fires off a million worst-case scenarios: a broken ankle, a dog chase, disappearing off the face of the earth. My phone buzzed in my pocket &mdash; a friend&rsquo;s text from Canada,&nbsp;&ldquo;You alive?&rdquo; as if her panic could bridge an ocean.
I&rsquo;d sent her his Instagram profile earlier: no last name, no identifiable locations, zero posts of sunlight. Just a feed of abandoned nuclear sites. I prayed she&rsquo;d at least pick a flattering thumbnail for the inevitable true-crime podcast.&nbsp;
And yet, there&rsquo;s something entirely too intoxicating about this moment. A forbidden dare, a promise of secret worlds hidden in plain sight. The rush comes before I even hit the ground.
This is Urbex &mdash; urban exploration &mdash; the exploration of manmade structures usually off-limits or abandoned. A regular Thursday for my new friend Simon, the man in black.
We connected weeks earlier through a dead Reddit thread, his username half-buried between broken links and breadcrumb co-ordinates. No small talk, no promises &mdash; this wasn&rsquo;t a tour. Just a time he&rsquo;d pick me up and the unspoken rule: &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t slow me down.&rdquo;
Just like hackers, lurking in the shadows of society, bypassing firewalls and cracking code, urbexers chase the thrill of uncovering a backdoor into the supposedly inaccessible.
Later, I&rsquo;d ask him about the moment he fell in love with Urbex. He thinks for a moment before answering with certainty.&nbsp;&ldquo;The atmosphere. It&rsquo;s like seeing the earth without humans. It&rsquo;s ephemeral, temporary, history, and adrenaline all wrapped in one. And photography, of course." He pauses, a glint of passion in his eyes. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s about capturing something that&rsquo;s fading, something that won&rsquo;t be there forever.&rdquo;

Chernobyl&rsquo;s exclusion zone, nuclear bunkers and NYC&rsquo;s legendary TB sanatorium are some of the hundreds of sites featured on Simon&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theurbextrip/">Instagram</a> &mdash; an apocalyptic obsession fuelled by more than a decade of exploration.&nbsp;
The son of a photographer, documenting his adventures is essential to him, as is the web of intricate tattoos sprawled across his skin; both ink and images are a blueprint of a life lived on the edge. He&rsquo;s mastered the classic &ldquo;hero shot:&rdquo; a solitary figure, often snapped from behind, half swallowed by shadow and dwarfed by the grandeur of decay.&nbsp;
Back in Hungary, en route to the first of two sites Simon has agreed to show me, I launch into question mode. Naturally, I want to know if he&rsquo;s ever been busted, and the probability of being caught today. With his eyes focused on the road, I&rsquo;m speaking mostly to his face tattoo, a leviathan cross on the side of his cheek. Its meaning I can only guess.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Yeah, I got caught sleeping in my hammock at Baikonur.&rdquo; Baikonur, I am to learn, is an abandoned military base in the desert of Kazakhstan, a cathedral to the USSR&rsquo;s failed Buran space program, housing two enormous, decrepit Soviet space shuttles.
It&rsquo;s the ultimate endgame for Urbex explorers: sealed off, locked down, and just waiting for someone to bypass its firewall. Simon tells me of his masochistic journey there: A three day, forty kilometer night hike through the desert and a subsequent four days inside a Soviet military prison &mdash; a small price to pay for his SD card.&nbsp;
Following the fence jump,&nbsp;Simon lays his backpack over the twisted snarls of a barbed wire hole I am to climb through. He emphasizes the importance of taking quiet, calculated movements, &ldquo;I once fell through the roof of an abandoned morgue, got stuck between the roof and the glass and cut my arm up real bad.&rdquo;

Despite his broad frame, he slips through with expert ease, a feat that seems almost cruel as I attempt to follow. His boots looked like they&rsquo;d kicked in every door between here and Chernobyl.&nbsp;
Mine? Soft-toed sketchers with arch support, the kind reviewed by moms visiting Disneyland. Half his size, yet twice as clumsy, I muddle through, my down jacket a caught bird against the steel. The Urbex hierarchy was clear.
He&rsquo;s agreed to show me two sites today. A Cold War bunker in the Hungarian mountains and a legendary spot in the Urbex community, Kelenfold Power Station &mdash; a crumbling Art Deco cathedral of electricity, once the pride of Europe, now sealed off and slowly eroding into dust.
A beat-up old rental. A man I&rsquo;ve never met. And me, alone in a foreign country, climbing into the passenger seat with nothing but a backpack and blind faith. What could possibly go wrong?
Step into the&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/where-no-man-roams-lessons-from-a-professional-trespasser">full story</a> here.

Travel Tales

&ldquo;Hi! I&rsquo;d like to see some tips for a honeymoon to Indonesia from Amsterdam in October. Affordable but with some luxury in it.&rdquo;

Hey there, reader! Congrats on your wedding and MEGA congrats on the exciting honeymoon ahead. Amsterdam is a particularly good city for Indonesia connections, since you have lots of options.&nbsp;
Sure, there&rsquo;s the KLM of it all, but you also have the option of non-stop flights to Jakarta with Garuda Indonesia, and cheaper connections via the Middle East. In the last six months, we&rsquo;ve seen that non-stop route around &euro;650 return, while a one-stop route with Saudia has taken things below the &euro;400 mark. For that bit of luxury, check out Etihad for business class fares &mdash; they&rsquo;re currently sitting around &euro;1.8k return, which isn&rsquo;t too bad.
Of course, you may be looking more towards somewhere like Bali for the romantic island vibes. We sometimes see fares there for under &euro;500, but recently they&rsquo;ve mostly been via China &mdash; not exactly the quickest route! Given the handy Jakarta connections, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxoqEgoyMDI1LTEwLTI5KABqDAgDEggvbS8wNDRydnIMCAQSCC9tLzAzcnluGioSCjIwMjUtMTEtMDUoAGoMCAQSCC9tLzAzcnlucgwIAxIIL20vMDQ0cnZAAUgBcAKCAQQICRACmAEBsgEEGAEgAQ&amp;tfu=GioaKAoSCcS2NdwRVytAER0aqt8-H2FAEhIJNQqgzPTyLMAROTRUvy3zV0A">plethora of cheap island hopping available</a> from there, that&rsquo;s where I&rsquo;d focus my flight hunting.

As for where to go, that obviously depends on what you&rsquo;re looking for. Bali has the reputation and lush resorts to match, but it can be overwhelmed with tourists. <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/newsletter-2024-03-05">Have a look here</a> at what the Jack&rsquo;s Community had to say about where to skip and what to see in and around Bali.
Away from the mega tourist track, there&rsquo;s another bucket-list Indonesian experience you might want to consider: orangutan spotting in the jungle. That&rsquo;s a pretty special honeymoon treat, so if it takes your fancy, do some research and look for an ethical tour company. I found <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/solotravel/comments/18b85lo/advice_for_traveling_to_north_sumatraethical/">this reddit thread</a> pretty useful.
Now it&rsquo;s over to the rest of you, dear readers! Have you got any special Indonesia tips for our honeymooners? Where should they go to make memories with a touch of pizzazz? <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-198-urban-exploration-hungary#comments">Let us know in the comments</a> or by replying to this email.

Reader's Corner

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Germany&rsquo;s legendary efficiency has officially gone <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/deutsche-bahn-is-on-track-for-more-delays-and-cancellations/a-73304129">off the rails</a> &mdash; literally. With delays, breakdowns, and Deutsche Bahn drama, the land of punctuality is facing an identity crisis on the tracks. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rice fields, cave hikes, and karst cliffs that aren&rsquo;t swarming with influencers! This is Vietnam, <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/vietnam/vietnam-travel-unique-destinations-b2801570.html">far from the tourist track but just as beautiful</a>. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Just when you thought Vegas weddings couldn't get campier, one couple got married by&hellip; a walking jar of <a href="https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/hellman-s-mayonnaise-wedding-c780bc00?st=SQpkac&amp;mod=1440&amp;user_id=66c4c27d600ae150758fd9b4">Hellmann's mayonnaise</a>. Good thing the condiment-themed ceremony was quick, ending before Nevada's summer heat could spoil the fun. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Feeling targeted by high air fares? Turns out it really is personal &mdash; or it will be, once Delta starts <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/delta-pricing-tickets-ai-b2790442.html">using artificial intelligence</a> to determine individual ticket prices. Pro-tip: Don&rsquo;t google &ldquo;caviar near me&rdquo; the night before booking a flight. </li>
<li>And finally, meet the hiking couples who found each other by leaving handwritten messages in a notebook <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250805-swiss-mountain-tinder-sparks-high-altitude-attraction?utm_source=join1440&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_placement=newsletter&amp;user_id=66c4c27d600ae150758fd9b4">on top of a Swiss mountain</a>. Your move, Nicholas Sparks.</li>
</ul>

Travel News

Urban Exploration in Hidden Hungary & Honeymooning in Indonesia

Simon scales fences, evades police and crawls through asbestos. I followed him into the dark to understand what dead places do to the living.&nbsp;
<hr>

A burly man, cloaked in black, waits for me in the deadzone of security cameras. I&rsquo;ve known him for all of half an hour, and now here I sit, teetering atop a 10ft fence, trusting that he&rsquo;ll catch me if I fall. My cotton gloves are useless, offering no protection as the chain links dig into my skin. One foot scrambles for a hold, dangling for a second too long; far below, the ground is a m&eacute;lange of brambles and broken concrete.&nbsp;
Expertly reeling, my mind fires off a million worst-case scenarios: a broken ankle, a dog chase, disappearing off the face of the earth. My phone buzzed in my pocket &mdash; a friend&rsquo;s text from Canada, &ldquo;You alive?&rdquo; as if her panic could bridge an ocean.
I&rsquo;d sent her his Instagram profile earlier: no last name, no identifiable locations, zero posts of sunlight. Just a feed of abandoned nuclear sites. I prayed she&rsquo;d at least pick a flattering thumbnail for the inevitable true-crime podcast.&nbsp;
And yet, there&rsquo;s something entirely too intoxicating about this moment. A forbidden dare, a promise of secret worlds hidden in plain sight. The rush comes before I even hit the ground.&nbsp;

Simon in the ruins of St. Elizabeth&rsquo;s&mdash;once a site of Walter Freeman&rsquo;s experimental lobotomies, now only ghosts and dust remain.
<hr>

This is Urbex &mdash; urban exploration &mdash; the exploration of manmade structures usually off-limits or abandoned; a regular Thursday for my new friend Simon, the man in black.
We connected weeks earlier through a dead Reddit thread, his username half-buried between broken links and breadcrumb co-ordinates. No small talk, no promises &mdash; this wasn&rsquo;t a tour. Just a time he&rsquo;d pick me up and the unspoken rule: &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t slow me down.&rdquo;
Later, I&rsquo;d ask him about the moment he fell in love with Urbex. He thinks for a moment before answering with certainty.&nbsp;
"The atmosphere&hellip; It&rsquo;s like seeing the earth without humans. It&rsquo;s ephemeral, temporary, history and adrenaline all wrapped in one. And photography, of course."
He pauses, a glint of passion in his eyes. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s about capturing something that&rsquo;s fading, something that won&rsquo;t be there forever.&rdquo;

Chernobyl&rsquo;s exclusion zone, nuclear bunkers and NYC&rsquo;s legendary TB sanatorium are some of the hundreds of sites featured on Simon&rsquo;s Instagram &mdash; an apocalyptic obsession fuelled by more than a decade of exploration.&nbsp;

Just as hackers, lurking in the shadows of society, bypassing firewalls and cracking code, urbexers chase the thrill of uncovering a backdoor into the supposedly inaccessible.
The son of a photographer, documenting his adventures is essential to him, as is the web of intricate tattoos sprawled across his skin; both ink and images are a blueprint of a life lived on the edge. He&rsquo;s mastered the classic &ldquo;hero shot:&rdquo; a solitary figure, often snapped from behind, half swallowed by shadow and dwarfed by the grandeur of decay.&nbsp;
And yet when he&rsquo;s not scaling walls or sneaking past security, he&rsquo;s behind a screen, crafting code, a master of both domains.&nbsp;

Back in Hungary, en route to the first of two sites Simon has agreed to show me, I launch into question mode. Naturally, I want to know if he&rsquo;s ever been busted, and the probability of being caught today. With his eyes focused on the road, I&rsquo;m speaking mostly to his face tattoo, a leviathan cross on the side of his cheek. Its meaning I can only guess.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Yeah, I got caught sleeping in my hammock at Baikonur.&rdquo; 
Baikonur, I am to learn, is an abandoned military base in the desert of Kazakhstan, a cathedral to the USSR&rsquo;s failed Buran space program, housing two enormous, decrepit Soviet space shuttles.
Simon tells me of his masochistic journey there: A three day, forty kilometer night hike through the desert and a subsequent four days inside a Soviet military prison &mdash; a small price to pay for his SD card.&nbsp;

The ultimate endgame for Urbex explorers. Baikonur is sealed off, locked down, and just waiting for someone to bypass its firewall.
<hr>

Thankfully, battling sandstorms isn&rsquo;t on our agenda today. But we are going to visit another legendary spot in the Urbex community: Kelenfold Power Station.
Following the fence jump, Simon lays his backpack over the twisted snarls of a barbed wire hole I am to climb through. He emphasizes the importance of taking quiet, calculated movements,&nbsp;&ldquo;I once fell through the roof of an abandoned morgue, got stuck between the roof and the glass and cut my arm up real bad.&rdquo;
Despite his broad frame, he slips through with expert ease, a feat that seems almost cruel as I attempt to follow. His boots looked like they&rsquo;d kicked in every door between here and Chernobyl.&nbsp;
Mine? Soft-toed Sketchers with arch support, the kind reviewed by moms visiting Disneyland. Half his size, yet twice as clumsy, I muddle through, my down jacket a caught bird against the steel. The Urbex hierarchy was clear.

Curious about the practical side of his explorations, I ask for tips for anyone looking to dive into Urbex. 
He laughs softly and begins listing off essentials, as if reciting a well-practiced guide:&nbsp;&ldquo;Start in your own area first, get to know the terrain. Always take gloves, good shoes with steel boots, and a hazmat mask, especially for industrial places&mdash;if it&rsquo;s been reconstructed in the 20th century, there&rsquo;s likely asbestos. Dark clothing or green for forests, cream for deserts. And don&rsquo;t forget a good torch. Lighting is key.&rdquo;
As we climb the staircase to the control room, it&rsquo;s clear he&rsquo;s been here many times before. His head darting left and right, he checks for signs of security, averting invisible broken glass and warning me which areas of the floor might fold under my weight. It&rsquo;s the kind of movement that comes from knowing this crumbling world.

You wouldn&rsquo;t think it, but this decaying plant was a Hungarian national treasure and, at the turn of the nineteenth century, one of the most advanced power centers on the continent &mdash; the lungs of the city. Nowadays, there&rsquo;s no air left. Just the faint taste of something metallic and dust.&nbsp;
Here, beneath the roar of wartime fighter jets, engineers orchestrated Hungary&rsquo;s surge into the future. Fine-tuning the flow of electricity to more than 800,000 citizens, feeding the beast required 1,000 tons of coal and 500,000 cubic meters of water per day. Amidst clouds of steam and machinery, dozens of above-ground bomb shelters stand guard, with room for no more than 2 in each space.&nbsp;
The main attraction of the factory is undoubtedly its Art Deco control room, which miraculously remained unscathed during the war. Once a grandiose temple to electricity, it has served as a backdrop to several dystopian films such as Chernobyl Diaries, Spy and Dracula.&nbsp;

Bakelite buttons and iron-clad gauges&mdash;this is how Cold War Budapest kept the lights on.
<hr>

Under the honeyed glow of its stained glass skylight, it&rsquo;s clear that, for architects K&aacute;lm&aacute;n Reichl and Virgil Borb&iacute;r&oacute;, the fusion of technology and design was a love affair.&nbsp;
Now its moss-hued control panels stand frozen in time, their purpose slowly fading into obscurity. A mere shadow of itself, it&rsquo;s mostly a backdrop for selfies now and sees only the occasional visit from a lone fox, which Simon tells me he&rsquo;s spotted several times.&nbsp;
As my eyes trail over the system of brass dials and switches I can&rsquo;t begin to fathom, they settle on a structure looming oppressively under the skylight in the center of the room. Another bomb shelter, a strange feature for such a crucial and exposed space.

Beneath Budapest&rsquo;s Kelenf&ouml;ld Power Plant, a hidden maze of nuclear-proof tunnels winds through the darkness&mdash;some leading to command bunkers, others to mysterious collapsed passages. Did they connect to the city&rsquo;s underground bunker network?
<hr>

The ghostly traces of factory workers linger in the air. How many unsettling glances were cast towards the shelter during their shift? What must it feel like to power a city, not knowing if you&rsquo;d ever see its light tomorrow?
I venture through a crumbling doorway behind the control room, my shoes crunching on broken glass, beer cans and garbage.
Wading my way through the debris, the contrast between urban exploration and homelessness weighs heavily on me. Does it really matter why we&rsquo;re here, or is it just the privilege of being able to leave when we&rsquo;re done?
As quietly as we came, we leave Kelenfold&rsquo;s empty halls, adjusting to the cacophony of the city life once more. In the car, Simon schools me on the true motto of an Urbexer: Take only photographs, leave only footprints.
I nod sheepishly, a wave of regret washing over me as I shove the tiny memento I pocketed deeper, realizing just how much I still have to learn.&nbsp;

Whipping past fields of February&rsquo;s frozen wheat and maize, we&rsquo;re on the road once more toward an undisclosed location. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s important to make sure to tell at least one person where you&rsquo;re going,&rdquo; Simon advises me. But even with these co-ordinates&mdash;shared only with the utmost discretion in the Urbex world &mdash;my friend wouldn&rsquo;t stand a chance of finding me in this next place, a military bunker in the mountains.&nbsp;
Bunkers like this are kept under wraps for good reason. It&rsquo;s rare to uncover one so well-preserved. No vandalism, no pipes stripped of copper, you wouldn&rsquo;t even find it on the handful of websites listing Urbex co-ordinates for a price. Simon tells me these sites are a threat to the Urbex community, simply because arsonists, vandals, thieves, and anyone else with ill intentions could have access to them.
This specific place served as a communications bunker for the Hungarian military during the Cold War, intended to keep lines clear in the event of a nuclear attack.&nbsp;
Arriving at the edge of a forest, I&rsquo;m up for the scramble this time. The excitement of discovery quells any remaining unease and, without hesitation, I leave my rookie gloves in the car.
Beneath the crunch of leaves, the undergrowth is thick. We wander aimlessly, kicking our feet, looking for something, anything, out of place. Finally, an uneven patch of earth draws our attention. A rusted, half-buried entrance pulls us closer. The forest and I hold our breath.&nbsp;

&ldquo;There it is!&rdquo; For a moment we just stare, peering into the abyss, consumed by the thrill of what lies beyond. &ldquo;You good?&rdquo; asks Simon.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m good.
Climbing deeper, I watch as he slides the bunker door open, the rusted hinges protesting with a sharp screech. Cold, stale air rushes out, thick with the scent of decay. The smell drags me back to the corridors of my old primary school in Ireland. With a shared look, a silent agreement, we climb down into the void.&nbsp;

For a moment, the blackness engulfs me. The silence presses in, and I can&rsquo;t shake a thought: If a nuke ever did hit, wouldn&rsquo;t the real nightmare be to survive it?&nbsp;
How long would it take for time to become irrelevant in a place like this? When there&rsquo;s no sun, no sky, just recycled air and the hum of the generator ticking louder than any clock.&nbsp;
And what gnaws worse at the mind: Watching rations dwindle by the day? Or not knowing which is more hellish, the world above or the one unravelling inside your head?
Shuddering, I hurry along the corridor, closing the distance to my comrade&rsquo;s footsteps, recalling his mention of a torch.&nbsp;

Even in the pitch black, Simon&rsquo;s excitement is electric &mdash; bouncing into every shadowed corner, something that almost feels too alive for this place. With a sharp click, the torch beam flares to life, but it struggles to keep up with his energy. Like thunder following a flash.&nbsp;
And at that moment, I got it. We&rsquo;re alike in more ways than I thought. I feel the same thrill he gets from exploring new corners of the world&mdash;he&rsquo;s just doing it underground. While others stick to the familiar, we seek the unknown, drawn to places that pulse with history; the harder to reach, the better. They remind us that we are part of something larger, a thread in the long tapestry of human existence, whose stories continue to shape the world we inhabit.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s modern-day archeology.&nbsp;
The thought brings a question to my mind, &ldquo;Has any place ever completely changed your perspective?&rdquo; I ask. Simon&rsquo;s expression shifts as he recalls a particular location, the weight of the memory clearly heavy. &ldquo;I went to an abandoned asylum east of Belgium,&rdquo; he begins. &ldquo;It was different &mdash; a lot of disarray, but there was something about it. Taking something beautiful out of something awful. It felt like a moment of reconciliation.&rdquo;
But then his eyes darken a little, as if remembering something even more powerful. "I also visited a psychiatric hospital in Washington, DC," he says, his voice dropping slightly.&nbsp;
"I stood in the exact spot where Walter Freeman performed thousands of lobotomies [including Rosemary Kennedy]. It's surreal, standing there, knowing the history of that place &mdash; the lives it altered forever."

Simon's torch slices through the blackness. Light fills my eyes, and the space sharpens into focus. Rusted pipes trace a path across the ceiling, beckoning us further. It&rsquo;s less claustrophobic than I originally thought, with chambers jutting off in a dizzying number of directions.&nbsp;
Bunks stacked three high in rooms barely wide enough for two people side by side, a generator that looks as if it&rsquo;s been abandoned only yesterday, doors marked with weathered paper signs indicating their purpose in Hungarian.

I round the corner and step into a room thick with dust, the kind that threatens to steal any remaining air. All around me, old switchboards line the walls.&nbsp;
Rows of knobs, dials and tangled cords were once the only lifeline to the outside world.&nbsp;
Suddenly, the darkness engulfs me once more, as my only source of light jumps to the next room, leaving me both figuratively and literally in the dust.

Who sat here last. What was the final call they took, and who answered on the other side?&nbsp;
<hr>

I flick on my phone&rsquo;s torch, the last of my battery bleeding out into a dim cone of light. The hall stretches so far that the beam can&rsquo;t even touch the end. Following the faint echo of Simon&rsquo;s slow and deliberate footsteps, I go deeper, heart pounding louder than my soles, praying my light doesn&rsquo;t fall on something I can&rsquo;t unsee. 
The beam drags itself over the concrete, eventually probing the shape of a door. And to my surprise, I&rsquo;m reaching for the handle &mdash; Simon&rsquo;s gutsy antics have carved their mark deep. Its weight feels unnatural, taking all my strength to open, gradually revealing the bones of a radiation shower. It&rsquo;s probably the most pristine thing in here, gleaming coldly &mdash; just a forgotten relic now.&nbsp;

Tearing my gaze away, I turn to move deeper into the bunker, and a hint of light catches my eye ahead. It&rsquo;s not much, but it stands out against the suffocating darkness. I near the entrance and spot Simon&rsquo;s silhouette, crouched down, setting up his camera equipment in the middle of a large room. A faint scent of rot threatens my nostrils.&nbsp;
Inside, desks are arranged in orderly lines, their edges decaying, a thin layer of white mold creeps across their surface. The chairs are anchored curiously to the ground, likely to withstand tremors or a blast, or perhaps a fundamental reminder of the bunker&rsquo;s intent: maintaining rigidity and regime.&nbsp;

Stacks of paper are haphazardly scattered across the desks, revealing faded documents that tell us of a time when the bunker was still operational. It was abandoned in 1997, eight years after the fall of Hungary&rsquo;s communist dictatorship.&nbsp;
My eyes fix on a pair of green rubber boots, neatly lined up as if someone just stepped out of them.
&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the strangest stuff you&rsquo;ve seen while exploring?&rdquo; I ask Simon, my voice cutting through the silence. He doesn&rsquo;t seem to notice I&rsquo;ve been in the room the whole time, too absorbed in his task of setting up his tripod.&nbsp;
He glances up briefly. &ldquo;Oh, probably a toss-up between a human skeleton in a mortuary cabinet or a floating hand in formaldehyde. I also visited a French castle that was filled wall-to-wall with taxidermy. That definitely had a sinister energy.&rdquo;
Hmm. I nudge the boots over with my foot &mdash; suddenly they don&rsquo;t seem all that interesting.&nbsp;
I stare at him for a moment. It&rsquo;s strange how he seems so unaffected by the things he&rsquo;s seen, and I can&rsquo;t decide whether I admire his detachment or if it unsettles me.&nbsp;&nbsp;
How many places would I have to creep through before I stopped bracing for a jump scare?&nbsp;
&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve been doing this for a long time, huh?&rdquo; I ask, hoping to get a glimpse of what makes him tick. &ldquo;Long enough, since I was a teenager.&rdquo; His tone is flat, and I take the hint, leaving him to fine-tune his hero shot.&nbsp;
I drag my shoes across the floor, aiming for the entrance, eager to cut myself loose from this sterile place. I&rsquo;ve been in here too long and the coldness is starting to warp my perspective, seeping into my bones, feeding nihilistic thoughts I&rsquo;d rather not face.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m still not convinced that this is the better of two endings. Ultimately, it&rsquo;s a hole in the ground where, rather than succumbing to radioactive fallout, those deemed worthy of its stale air choose the false comfort of starving to death.

Stepping into the daylight brings a rush of relief. February&rsquo;s frigid air feels welcome on my face, sharp and cleansing, shaking off any lingering dust from my lungs.
The next few hours back to Budapest are mostly quiet. Simon asks if I&rsquo;m cool with music. I nod, psyching myself up for a wall of thrash or metal to shred my senses, something to match his imposing frame and unreadable expression.&nbsp;
But what comes is barely music at all &mdash; a soft ambient lilt drifts through the car like mist, a gentle counterpoint to the questions I let hang in the air. With each quiet pause, the man whose formidable presence had once felt intimidating becomes someone who knows the value of softness and when to speak.&nbsp;
I ask him where he draws the line between trespassing and urban exploring, and he tells me, without hesitation, that for him the boundary is clear: &ldquo;Personally, I draw the line at exploring private residences. Taking photos of people&rsquo;s belongings and property feels like crossing a boundary, and if gaining access requires breaking something, that&rsquo;s a step too far.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Simon documents the haunting Chavalon Power Plant, where Switzerland's last oil-fired turbines fell silent in the turn of the millennium. This concrete beast now offers Urbexers a maze of derelict control rooms and oil-stained floors.&nbsp;
<hr>

I ask if there&rsquo;s any place he regrets not being able to explore, and his answer comes with a hint of nostalgia.&nbsp;
&ldquo;It would be the old Gentbrugge power station in Belgium. Now it&rsquo;s completely scrapped, but when I first started, it was an untouched industrial gem &mdash; two massive rusty turbines, great decay, plants growing everywhere. It was one of the first places I looked for, and I never got to see it in its prime."

This once-grand Italian mental asylum still holds its darkest secrets, including preserved electroshock equipment that whispers of medicine's dark past.&nbsp;
<hr>

Back on the whirring streets of Budapest, we climb out of the car to bid our final farewell. Looking around me, something feels different now. I&rsquo;m noticing the small, subtle details of weathered buildings I would&rsquo;ve otherwise overlooked. I wonder how many house treasures for those fearless enough to investigate.&nbsp;
I hesitate before saying goodbye. The day&rsquo;s adrenaline still hums in my heart, and for a moment, I don&rsquo;t want to let go &mdash; don&rsquo;t want to surrender the version of myself that climbed fences and confidently clutched barbed wire. &ldquo;Where to next?&rdquo; I ask bitter-sweetly.&nbsp;&ldquo;A few more bunkers here and then on to Romania.&rdquo;
Then, with a spark in my eye, I wondered out loud about his dream destination. Without hesitation, he answers: &ldquo;Abandoned submarines. It&rsquo;s the ultimate quest. I tried in Portugal, but I couldn&rsquo;t get inside. It&rsquo;s like chasing a ghost, you know?&rdquo;
He saunters off, walking away without a backward glance. I raise my hands &mdash; cotton gloves more hole than fabric now &mdash; and frame him between my thumbs in the shape of a viewfinder. A lone shadow dissolving into the sepia smear of Budapest's 8th district.&nbsp;
The true hero shot.

Hungary

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