Student life can be intense sometimes (all the time), so I regularly sit on Skyscanner longing for a getaway. Money is usually my biggest drawback, but whilst at uni I’ve managed to go on one European getaway per semester whilst sticking to a very tight yet affordable budget. Here are my top five destinations that won’t break the bank and are the perfect way to neglect all of your responsibilities…
All of these destinations have affordable hostel/Airbnb prices depending on how much you care about where you stay, my biggest advice is to use Trip Advisor to avoid any shocks on arrival.
- Luton -> Copenhagen:
Flight cost: £20-35
This flight deal can only be called a steal. I snapped up a return flight for only £33 two weeks before I went, which is super last minute. The rates are pretty standard and trains from Nottingham to Luton airport are not too expensive when booked in advance and are direct, making it an easy route. Denmark in itself was idyllic, with its colourful buildings and a visit to Christiania, the Hippie commune is a must-see sight (and free). The only drawback is the cost when in the country for food and drinks, often eating a main meal at lunch is a way around this.
“a Big Mac meal costing only £3.89”
- East Midlands -> Warsaw:
Flight cost – £22-40
Check out this route for a winter getaway, with flights starting as low as £22 return beginning in mid-October. I have not yet been to Poland, but I have been watching this flight deal for a while for its ease of being so close by to uni. To get to the airport, try the Skylink bus service that runs from Nottingham to the airport. Further, living costs there are known for being extremely cheap, with a Big Mac meal costing only £3.89.
“lively nightlife and short fight times”
- East Midlands -> Dublin:
Flight cost – £20-45
Another great flight from close by is to the Guinness capital, Dublin. This is a common route for Nottingham students, a result of its lively nightlife and short fight times. Flights are every day, meaning it is easy to plan this trip for whatever length you would like.
- East Midlands -> Naples:
Flight cost – +£40
Timing is key with this flight deal, keeping your eye on Skyscanner could land you with a round trip for £40. Naples itself is not my favourite city, but the surrounding coastal towns like Sorrento are really beautiful. Also, home to Pompei and the island of Capri, there is plenty to see in this area. It is not the cheapest area, however, the historical sites have a lot of student deals and are something everyone should see at some point in their lives.
“the capital of Slovakia is the perfect destination”
- Birmingham -> Bratislava:
Flight cost – £50-60
If you want something a little different, the capital of Slovakia is the perfect destination. Although this flight is a little more expensive than the previous, the train to Birmingham is fairly cheap so you can make savings there. And it is worth it for this quaint lakeside city. Although the most expensive to get to on this list, it is among one of the cheapest once there, with a pint costing £2 if you avoid tourist areas.
The key to getting all these fabulous deals is to keep an eye on Skyscanner, using the ‘cheapest month’ feature is also great for gauging when is best to go to your desired destination. Using these tips, I’ve found it often cheaper to go abroad and meet a friend rather than to meet them in the UK and it is lots more fun.
Miriam Thompson
All images courtesy of Miriam Thompson.
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