Love to travel but despise feeling broke afterward? You’re not alone. Most students dream of exploring new, beautiful places, and different cultures, and making great memories. But the truth is, for various students traveling can seem like financial hell.
Also, with tuition, textbooks, and everyday expenses piling up, it’s tempting to think travel is out of reach. But avoiding travel is not the solution. The good news is you got to travel smart. The secret to budget travel isn’t cutting corners; it identifies where to save and splurge.
This guide will highlight the smartest ways to trim costs without missing out on the fun. You’ll uncover unique student discounts on flights, trains, and buses; discover how to find places to stay that are safe and budget-conscious; and explore how Blitz’s AI-supported budgeting feature enables you to keep your finances in check.
Ready to start planning smarter? Stay tuned for the top tips and tricks on how to save money on travel as a student while creating new experiences to remember! So, let’s get to planning your next trip without going bankrupt!
The 3 Biggest Travel Expenses for Students (And How to Hack Them)
Travel is not free, but you can save money and have fun at the same time. The top expenses for student travelers are flights, accommodation, and food. Fortunately, there are savvy ways to cut back on these costs. Let’s break it down.
1. Flights & Transportation
Flights are usually the most expensive part. But you won’t have to pay full price. You can find student travel discounts and lower fares for any trip with the right tools and timing. To save, follow the below ways:
- Use student flight discount sites like StudentUniverse and Skyscanner Student Deals for lower fares.
- Book flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. These days, they usually offer the best prices.
- Use Blitz’s AI trip planner to check past flight prices and find the best booking times.
- Set a flight price alert. You will be automatically notified when tickets are on sale, easing your search for the best prices.
2. Accommodations & Lodging
A budget-friendly place to stay is essential. You don’t have to sleep in a ratty hostel. Plenty of options provide comfort, convenience, and cost savings. To save, follow the below ways:
- Stay in hostels with high ratings, clean facilities, and free breakfast to lower costs.
- Rent an Airbnb with friends. Splitting the cost can make it cheaper than staying in hostels.
- Look into university dorm exchanges. Many colleges allow affordable short-term housing swaps.
- Set a daily budget for lodging and track your expenses to avoid overspending.
3. Food & Daily Expenses
It’s easy to blow your budget by eating out at every meal. Those impulse buys can accumulate, and it’s easy to spend too much money. With savvy decisions, you can manage your food budget and eat well. To save, follow the below ways:
- Choose accommodations with complimentary breakfast to start your day without extra costs.
- Going to the grocery shop and cooking at least one meal daily. This can add up, especially on longer trips.
- Use local student discounts at restaurants and cafes. Many cities have exclusive deals for students.
- Track your daily food expenses and set a limit. This helps you stick to budget and save for fun experiences.
Read: How to Find Free Events and Activities on Campus
The Best Student Discounts on Flights & Transportation
Transportation is a big travel expense, but students can access exclusive discounts to save money. From flights to buses to city transport, there are many ways to travel affordably. Here’s how to stretch your budget:
1. Flight Discounts Just for Students
Flying doesn’t need to cost your wallet. Many airlines and booking sites provide steep student discounts that can save you big on airfare. These are some platforms that offer student deals:
- StudentUniverse: Save up to 30% on flights just for students.
- Skyscanner Student: Get special fares on major airlines.
- Google Flights: Compare airlines and find hidden student discounts.
An AI budgeting tool like Blitz can track your spending on flights. It can also suggest cheaper travel dates based on past prices. Planning and setting price alerts can help you save more on airfare.
2. Trains & Buses: Cheap & Student-Friendly
Not every journey requires a flight! Trains and buses are among the lowest-cost means of travel for students. If you’re hitting the town or interstate, student transit discounts could do wonders for your student. Here are the best discount programs:
- Amtrak Student Discount: Save 15% on train travel across the U.S.
- Greyhound Student Discount: 20% off on bus fares with a student account.
- Megabus: Fares can be $1 if you pay in advance!
Blitz makes it easier to compare prices when you’re traveling to help you choose the most affordable one. If flights are unaffordable, consider trains or buses. This can get you where you need to go while saving you a lot of money in the process.
Related Blog: How to Use Coupons and Cashback Apps to Save More Money
3. Uber, Lyft, & City Transport Hacks
Once you arrive at your destination, you need transportation. Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft are convenient, but they can be expensive. Don’t rely only on these services; look for student-friendly transportation options to save money. Here are some student-friendly rideshare options:
- Uber & Lyft Student Discounts: Get discount coupons on various platforms like UNiDAYS.
- City bike-sharing programs: Many cities that offer bike-sharing programs offer discounted rates for students.
- Public Transit Passes: Some cities provide student passes for unlimited rides on buses, subways, or trams at a discount.
Rather than overspending on Ubers, consider cheaper options, such as biking, walking, or taking public transportation. With some thoughtful planning, you can save a lot of money on your travels and spend it where it counts.
Budget-Friendly Accommodation Tips for Students
Accommodation is another large travel cost, but many options exist to help you find affordable places to stay without compromising comfort or safety. From hostels to student housing swaps, this is how you can save money while still enjoying your trip.
1. Stay in Hostels or Student-Only Lodging
Hostels are a great option for students looking to travel on a budget as well as to meet fellow travelers. Most hostels have dormitory rooms, allowing them to have much lower rates than a hotel, and many provide free breakfast or social activities to improve your stay. Here are a few platforms to stay at a low price:
- Hostelworld: Discover top-rated budget hostels at student-friendly prices
- Couchsurfing: Free local stays to experience authentic hospitality.
- University guesthouses: Some colleges and universities rent out dormitories during school breaks for discounted rates.
Using Blitz can help you set a daily lodging budget. It will notify you if you overspend, keeping your finances in check while ensuring a comfortable stay.
2. Rent an Airbnb with Friends
If you are traveling with friends, renting an Airbnb can be more cost-effective than booking multiple hotel rooms. You can cook meals together, saving on dining, and you’ll have more space. Here are some ways you can find affordable Airbnb:
- Split costs: Rent an entire place and share the cost with your group.
- Use Facebook travel groups: Find other students seeking roommates to lower housing costs.
- Look for student discounts: Some Airbnb hosts give discounts to students, so always ask before booking.
Blitz helps you manage travel costs fairly among roommates. This way, you can track budgets and avoid awkward talks about who owes what.
3. University Housing Swaps
Many universities offer student housing exchanges. You can swap places with someone to live in their dorms, apartment, or home while they stay in yours. A good way to get free or affordable accommodation when you travel.
- Check with your university’s study abroad office: Lots of universities have exchange programs with housing options.
- Student forums: Platforms such as Reddit or Facebook have groups that focus on housing swapping.
- Join university exchange programs: Some universities offer exchange programs where students swap apartments for a semester. With university housing swaps, you save on hotel costs and enjoy student life in a new city or country.
Read: 10 Lucrative Seasonal Jobs for University Students to Earn Big
How to Budget & Track Travel Spending with Blitz AI
You don’t have to stress about your travel budget. Blitz’s AI trip planner helps you plan expenses. That way, there won’t be any financial surprises before your trip. Blitz monitors flights, lodging, and activities so you don’t overspend. Here’s how to do it:
- Monitor anticipated expenses for airlines, hotels, dining, and entertainment so you can stay within budget.
- Now, if you overspend in any category, you get alerts so you can adjust.
- Find last-minute travel deals to keep you on budget.
With Blitz, you can travel without the fear of running out of money. When you plan your spending, you get to go to amazing new places and create incredible memories.
FAQs About Saving Money on Travel as a Student
What’s the best way to find cheap flights as a student?
Look for student-only discounts and airline price comparisons on sites like StudentUniverse, Skyscanner Student Deals, and Google Flights. You can save big by booking in advance and traveling on off-peak days.
Can Blitz help me plan my travel budget?
Yes! Blitz monitors your expenses, establishes travel budgets, and tells you when you’re over budget. It even recommends budget-friendly alternatives so that you don’t break the bank while experiencing the most out of your trip.
How do I get free accommodation while traveling?
To get free lodging, tap services such as Couchsurfing, house-sitting programs, or university housing swaps. Other universities here have exchange programs that allow their students to stay in dorms for little or no money.
What’s the cheapest way for students to get around?
Use student transit discounts, bike-share programs, and cheap rideshare deals. To explore more without spending too much money, many cities offer discounted public transportation passes for students as well.
Conclusion & Next Steps
As a student, you can save money on travel and still have fun. With all of the student discounts available for flights, transportation, and accommodation, travel can be done cost-effectively whilst creating memories to last a lifetime.
If you can budget sensibly and use the right tools to your advantage, your travels can be stress-free and enjoyable. Blitz is an AI-based application that lets you monitor your spending habits, establish spending limits, and uncover travel offers that fit your budget in real-time. Blitz ensures you don’t blow your budget and that you can keep the fun going, whether planning a weekend trip or a study abroad. Download the app here.
So, start looking for some deals, book your next adventure, and discover new destinations on a budget! With the right tips and tricks, travel can be wonderful and affordable.
