The Freshers Guide to How You Can Save on Student Travel

Another year brings in another hoard of eager freshers ready to broaden their minds, but more likely to see how much they can drink before they're under the table. We've all been there, one way or another and now we're here to impart our sacred words of wisdom. Not so much on drinking – you’re better off learning that the hard way.

But as a fresh-faced student, you may not be well-versed in all the ways you can budget and save money. Especially in terms of travel. And My Favourite Voucher Codes thinks visiting new places is the number one way to make the most of your time as a student (other than studying, that is). And, of course, that all-important student loan definitely comes in handy.

Packed with all the resources you need to travel the world on the cheap, this is our guide to travelling affordably as a student.

How Students Can Save When They Travel

Just like there are so many aspects of life students can save on, from dining out to cinema tickets and shopping, there are numerous tools at a student’s disposal to get the best discounts on the different stages of travel:

• Get student discounts on your means of travel from trains to planes.

• Find insurance policies to fit your requirements.

• Apply for your International Student Identity Card so you can benefit from reductions on attractions and more when you're actually abroad.

• Book package deals specifically with students in mind and those seeking their gap year adventure.

Where can you find all this money saving magic? Along with low deposits of just £49, ideal for a student budgeting in their summer holidays, STA Travel voucher codes can bring affordable travel to students in need.

Which UK Airlines Offer Student Discount?

Although you're unlikely to scope out amazing flight prices directly with airlines, they do offer partnerships with people like STA Travel and other student saving sites. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and other top airlines get incredible flight deals to STA Travel for full-time students and youth fares for individuals travelling under 26-years-old. Get return flights to once-in-a-lifetime destinations like Auckland for under £600 and to New York for under £300.

Save on Student Travel

As well as cheap flights, it's more than likely you'll spend the majority of your time on trains, so it's worth investing in a Railcard. Costing just £30 per year, you'll more than pay for your card in savings across as little as two journeys across the country.

Giving you a 1/3 off all train fares across the UK, make the most of not only visiting your mates at their respective universities, but of exploring new cities on weekend getaways with your flatmates and course peers. It's also great for when you're feeling a bit homesick and want to hop on a train to the mother-ship.

For students heading to London, it's worth picking up an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard. This saves you on travelling on any London public transport. And, top tip, you can link your Railcard and Oyster Card at a London tube station to benefit from further discounts whilst you travel from A to B.

Find Cheap Holiday Accommodation

If you’re looking to scrimp and save further on your trip away, opting for more affordable places to stay at than 4-star hotels might be the way to go. You can use laterooms.com discount codes as just one of the many places that cater to the spontaneous traveller. Offering the best deals in those final few vacancies, ensure you’ve got a roof over your head for the night wherever you are in the world.

Lastminute.com promo codes offer much the same flexibility, as well as great holiday packages or flight only bookings. If you still want a taste of luxury and are more poolside relaxing than adventure seeker, lastminute.com is great for narrowing down your search with holidays that scream ‘refined’ rather than ‘budget’.

There are a number of other routes to take, not just for students but holidayers looking to save their pennies.

• Hostels – not only a cheaper option, but great for socialising, especially if you’re travelling solo.

• Air BnBs – split the cost of an Instagram worthy apartment and you can also benefit from facilities like a kitchen, which will save you on always dining out.

• Premier Inn and Travelodge are your friends. If you’re looking for a room simply to sleep in, with the rest of your hours spent out and about, why not?

When Should Students Travel?

Realistically, if you were tactical about it, you could probably spend as much time travelling across the UK and the rest of the world as you do in lectures and seminars in a year. Aside from the fact very few universities require you to be in Monday to Friday for a full 8 hours, students also get a ton of holiday, especially in the summer.

This is your time to make the most of exceptionally priced holidays. Because whilst some of us are strapped down by jobs dictated by term times or have to schedule our entire lives around our kids (we may have made these life choices, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t sometimes regretful when we see the inflation of school holiday flights), you, my friend, are absolutely not.

Avoid peak travel times and benefit from term time holidaying. It’s really just that simple and you’ll probably benefit from a child-free resort, too.

Really, your time as a student should be treasured. Whether you’re in it purely for the education, the social scene and the day drinking or to spend your money wisely on plane and train tickets, it will likely be the best three years of your life.

Make the most of that student loan whilst you have it and see a bit of the world. And, of course, if you’re in need of any other money saving advice, whether budgeting in those expensive nights out or saving on holiday extras, the My Favourite Voucher Codes team will be all too happy to help.

Posted By: Alice Marshall - My Favourite Voucher Codes - 28th August 2018