From instagram reels to youtube vlogs, there is no one who says that the United Kingdom is not beautiful. Every city, every corner, every part brings unique and mesmerizing tourist spots. And it is even more exciting when you are living here as an international student. Mark our words when we say that the UK is a country that you will never be able to forget.

Exploring the country can be an expensive trip, when you are travelling. However, as a student living in student accommodation in UK, you can cover bit by bit. This is where Uninist comes in handy. If you wish to travel around UK on a budget, we got you covered. From housing to useful guides, we are going to cover aspects that can benefit all the students in UK. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get into a place where everything is as mesmerizing as you!

Why Should You Travel Around the UK?

The first and the foremost thing is why exactly you should travel around the UK. Here are some of the top reasons to at least visit every part of the United Kingdom:

• Exposure: Whenever you travel, you gain exposure to diverse cultures, cities, and lifestyles. This results in lessons that can teach you a lot more than you think. 
• Universities and Academic Hubs: The UK has many cities and student towns which are famous for their universities and even some academic hubs have their own city as well like Oxford and Cambridge. By travelling to different UK cities you can explore top universities and academic hubs beyond your own city. 
• Fun Memories: If you explore the cities with your friends, it can build unforgettable memories and the fun you have with your friends is what you will cherish forever. 
• Cheap student travel: Many student-focused offers make student travel much cheaper than regular fares. 

Well, these are enough reasons to just pack your back and head to the United Kingdom. However, traveling across the UK as a student can be very expensive if you don’t plan wisely. With the right strategies, students can make this wide experience under budget a possibility. 

How to Travel Around the UK on a Budget?

Now, let’s move to the most important question, which is how to travel around the UK on a budget. Here are few ways you can cut down the cost: 

• Use a student railcard in UK
• Book student discounted flights
• Choose student airlines
• Take advantage of student flight offers
• Coaches for low-cost student travel 
• Cycle and explore locally 
• Buy tickets in advance

Use a Student Railcard in UK

• The age between 16 to 25 can be one of the best investments for students. Simply put, as a student, you can save 1/3 rd on train fares across the UK and it is valid on both off-peak and advance tickets.
• The student railcard works perfectly for affordable weekend trips, study related travel, and long journeys like exploring other cities. 
• Railcard costs only £30 per year, which you will recover in just a couple of trips. Combine this with advance booking for maximum savings while you travel around the country. 

Book Student Discounted Flights

• Flights can be very expensive, but students can access unique student discount flights. Many airlines partner with student travel portals, so that students can avail these discounted prices. 
• You can get extra baggage allowance and flexible date changes. It is ideal for long journeys within the UK or to nearby European cities. 
• Do not forget to compare deals from sites offering student flight offers like StudentUniverse or STA Travel. You can also check budget carriers like easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 as they often release low-cost fares.

Choose Student Airlines

• Sometimes airlines market themself as student airlines to attract more students and these flights have lower fares. Look for special fares offered to students with a proof of ID. 
• The airlines also provide perks like installment payment options for tickets. Don’t forget to combine student-specific booking portals with budget carriers to save even more money. 
• If you want to travel a little quickly then go for flights rather than trains or buses, the student airlines makes air travel a realistic option for students when they want to travel. 

Take Advantage of Student Flight Offers

• When you are booking flights, never miss the seasonal and academic-focused offers. Universities often partner with travel agencies, so students can avail benefits like student flight offers. 
• Use cashback and voucher codes while booking the flight. Also, many student apps provide referral bonuses that reduce flight costs. 
• Make sure to sign-up for student-focused platforms as it can help you in never missing a deal. 

Coaches for Low-Cost Student Travel 

• If flights or trains still seem costly, then coaches are the cheapest way to travel around UK. Companies like NationalExpress and Megabus offer fares starting from £1. 
• Student coaches cards can also provide additional discounts and the coaches are comfortable for long trips along with free Wi-Fi, charging points and luggage allowance. 
• The coaches are a perfect and the cheapest option for a weekend trip or spontaneous travels as you can get tickets at the last minute. 

Cycle and explore locally 

• We believe that not all student travels should be expensive, many UK cities have affordable cycle rental schemes. 
• Cities like Birmingham, London, and Manchester have public bike-sharing programmes which are great for exploring the city without worrying about the train or bus fares. 
• Opting for transport ways like cycling can not just benefit you, but the society as well. Cycles are eco-friendly and an excellent way to stay fit. 

Buy Tickets in Advance

• If you rely on trains or flights then booking in advance can make a huge difference in cost and as we want to travel around the UK on a budget, booking the tickets in advance can bring the cost down to 40-60% cheaper. 
• Combine booking in advance with your student railcard in England to avail maximum discounts. 
• Use apps like Trainline which allow price alerts to grab tickets when they are at their cheapest price. Booking in advance is very ideal for students who plan their trips ahead instead of booking at the last-minute. 

What are the Top Cities to Explore in the UK?

Now that you know how to travel around UK on a budget, but where to start. Here are some of the top cities to explore when you are coming to the UK:

• Birmingham: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick Castle, Coventry, The Cotswolds, and Oxford.
• London: Windsor, Brighton, Cambridge, Oxford, Canterbury, and Stonehenge.
• Manchester: Liverpool, Chester, Peak District, York, Leeds, and Lake District

These are some of the places near Birmingham, London, and Manchester that you should definitely visit! 

Conclusion

As said earlier, student life is the perfect time for new experiences and learning more about diversity. In the end, we can say that our blog is perfect to get all the information and tips for international students in the UK and save money. Whether you are an international student in UK or a national student, travelling on a budget is every student’s number one priority. Book in advance, use student discounts, travel by cycle, travel by coaches, do anything you feel can save money because this is how you can save money and travel around UK on a budget!

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