Year after year, the world opens new opportunities to us, and students are no exception. Today, young adults can study and work abroad, they can travel the world, and do a lot of things older generations were not able to do. For example while doing my masters in the UK, I have worked simultaneously. With that money, I travelled Scotland, England and Ireland extensively. I have spoken about my experiences in this article in detail and highlighted how studying abroad is as good an experience as travelling a new country.
Anyway, there are still a lot of students who can’t afford everything they want, and that is why they usually have to prioritize. Some put education first and limit themselves to traveling opportunities because they think that their studies is more important than travelling and that travelling does not deserve the investments required.
But what if I say that traveling can be affordable? Moreover, professors often encourage their students to visit different countries, cities, and locations, assigning them various travel topics to write about.
So, you are welcome to this article, where I will try to bust the myth that traveling is a waste of money for students.
Should You Travel As A student On a Budget?
At times, students say that they neglect traveling because this is a pure waste of money, but what if I say that the number of benefits you can get can become a massive argument, so that you plan your next trip right today?
This is a great way to take a breath. Traveling can be a great tool when you feel that you need to step away from daily academic pressure, refresh your mind, or just renew your energy and motivation.
One can get personal experience for academic tasks. When you are assigned a research project, one of the requirements may sound like “add your personal insights or experience to support the discussion,” and traveling can be just the best way to get the needed experience. Travelling is your chance to gain firsthand knowledge that can make you engaged in the writing process of your research topic. Moreover, real-life examples can add practical depth to classroom theories and improve overall academic understanding.
Traveling opens various opportunities. When traveling, you explore new destinations as well as connect with new people and cultures; these are essential for both academic and personal growth.
By travelling, you can boost your creativity. Experts state that students who are exposed to novelties, be they new cultures or new languages, can better their imagination as well as problem-solving skills in both studies and life.
Get inspiration for future goals and passions. Did you know that even a short journey can open up new interests or career directions? Well, this is the way you can discover new subjects they may love, develop global perspectives, or even find motivation to make your professional dreams come true.
8 student-friendly tips to save money
No wonder, traveling can be something more valuable than entertainment, especially when you are a student who is still on their way to choosing what they want to do in their life. Of course, now, you may want to argue and tell me that you have nothing against traveling, but your main obstacle is funds. Having so many things to pay for, you are more likely not to have too much spare money, but I am here to help you learn how to save money while living your life to the fullest at the same time.
You can also read this article on tips to save money for travel for more unique ways of saving money to travel. For student-only ways of saving money, read ahead…
1: Buy used books from senior students or online
Purchasing second-hand books helps you save significantly while still getting the same knowledge. Many seniors or online platforms offer well-kept textbooks at a fraction of the original price.
2: Share learning tools
Why not buy textbooks or software subscriptions and share costs with classmates? In this case, you will not only reduce costs but also implement teamwork. So, if possible, do not neglect to access essential materials without overspending.
3: Add some walking days to your everyday life
Walking instead of taking transport can save you some money as well as improve your health at the same time. So, it is a sunny day, why not walk to college? For foreign students, this is also a great way to explore their surroundings in a new place.
4: Choose affordable accommodation
There are a lot of living options for students today; you can choose budget-friendly hostels, dorms, college campuses, etc. Not all alternatives require high costs, so you can manage your expenses.
5: Benefit from your student ID
Oftentimes, students forget that their IDs can bring them tons of benefits; with a student ID, you can unlock student discounts on public transport, museums, cafés, attractions, etc. Of course, you may say that these are very small savings, but if you look broadly, you will see that at a long distance, such savings will seem much more cardinal. Thus, never hesitate to ask about student rates.
6: Seek budget-friendly tickets
Do not hesitate to check if there are any discounted ticket options or, for example, whether any student travel programs are available to join. Try to compare prices across multiple platforms in order to find the best deals and travel comfortably without overpaying.
7: Plan your trips in advance
This way, you can enjoy better prices as well as avoid last-minute stress; these are often the reasons why travelers pay extra money because they are afraid of being late.
8: Choose affordable yet convenient transportation
Dedicate enough time to analyze destinations and see what means of transport can meet both your expectations and budget. If possible, consider buses or shared rides instead of costly trains or flights, for example, in order to save some cash as well as get more time to enjoy the routes.
What spots to visit in India if you are a student on a tight budget?
I have crafted a list of budget-friendly spots that you can visit in India, so if you were doubting whether traveling is what you can afford now, when you are pressed for money, rest assured, in this list, you can find ideas that the average student can afford.
Cherrapunji (Meghalaya)
Do you like observing nature? Then, Cherrapunji is just the place for you, thanks to its breathtaking valleys and delightful weather conditions. This is the best place in India to study how extreme weather influences ecosystems and human life. Moreover, local homestays cost far less than typical hill destinations, and that is why this is a perfect fit for students on a budget.
Are there Ecology or Geography students? – This spot is definitely for you!
Cherrapunji is where you can feel the balance between heavy rainfall, soil fertility, and biodiversity. Ready to observe firsthand how locals adapt to these conditions? Just come and get a lot of valuable knowledge that you can use in your research papers on ecological topics. If you come here for a study mission, just annotate your observations, engage with locals to learn traditional practices, and get armed with some real-world examples for your essay about traveling in India.
Kani (Kanatal, Uttarakhand)
Kanatal is a great place to recharge. With its peaceful pine forests and wildflowers, it is a budget-friendly campsite that inspires reflection and creativity.
Want to know how Psychology students can benefit?
If you are a psychology student, this is just the place that can teach you how a quiet environment can help overcome stress and improve focus. For Psychology students, this location is a great opportunity to analyze how isolation and nature impact the mind, how meditation can become a working tool in a silent place, and how people’s self-care can improve in such conditions. So, journal all your observations, practice mindful walks, attend local yoga sessions, and analyze your own emotional state, so you can later support your academic projects with these experiences.
Mandi (Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh)
This location is also known as “Varanasi of the Hills.” Mandi is very popular among visitors for its ancient temples and historic architecture. In addition to its hooking beauty, it remains one of Himachal’s most affordable destinations, with inexpensive guesthouses, street markets, and home-cooked meals.
Are you an Architecture or History student? You are mostly welcome here!
The town’s stone and wood temples reveal centuries of Himalayan craftsmanship; its festivals and markets, though, display how traditions shape their daily life. For architecture students, this can be a great chance to study traditional Himachali design, while history learners can explore regional dynasties, and for sociology students, it can be interesting to observe and analyze community rituals and gender roles within mountain societies.
As you can see, students in different fields can not only visit this spot for entertainment, but they can also get a lot of valuable experience that can help them form professional skills. If you are interested in architecture, do not hesitate to ask locals about building techniques, visit museums, take photos, or make scratches, so that you can use the gained experience later in your academic work.
Mahabalipuram (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu)
Mahabalipuram is a location along the Coromandel Coast that perfectly blends history, art, and coastal charm. Nowadays, Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it is still a budget-friendly tourist spot, so rest assured, if you are on a tight budget, you will still be able to enjoy its beauty and traditions.
This is a must-visit spot for History, Art, Archaeology, and Architecture students!
The town can tell you hundreds of stories of ancient Indian mythology and Pallava artistry via its temples, caves, and bas-reliefs. Moreover, this is a perfect destination for understanding Dravidian architecture as well as historical symbolism. College students from different fields often come here to analyze sculpture techniques, research different temple inscriptions, explore how art represents cultural values, and learn a lot of other historical facts in practice.
Well, this spot is really popular, and if you want to attend it with an academic mission in mind, it is highly recommended to visit all the valuable monuments early mornings before crowds arrive and take guided tours to deepen insights.
Bottom Line
Many students sacrifice traveling, thinking that it is too expensive for them, especially when they have so many debts to cover. As you can see, in this article, I have proven that traveling can be budget-friendly, but you have to know how to manage your expenses effectively.
So, wherever you are, grab the tips I have gathered. But if you are in India, start your traveling experience from the locations I have shared and see for yourself that students really can afford to visit popular spots without overspending.
