Weekends\u00a0in the UK\u00a0are\u00a0different for students. One minute, you are buried under assignments in your student accommodation.\u00a0Next, you will travel to Cardiff\u00a0by\u00a0train. From the outside, the UK looks expensive.\u00a0But\u00a0once you understand\u00a0a few\u00a0tricks, you realize it is one of the\u00a0easiest countries to explore on a budget. Whether\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0new to\u00a0UK\u00a0student accommodation\u00a0or already settled in your city, these\u00a0budget-friendly UK weekend trips\u00a0can turn a random Friday into a full-blown adventure without draining your wallet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traveling in the UK can seem\u00a0expensive\u00a0when you are searching for it. You will\u00a0be having\u00a0\u00a370 trains, \u00a3150 hotels, and \u00a318 sandwiches.\u00a0Yeah,\u00a0the first impression is not exactly friendly for students. But once you start to understand how the system works, the UK ends up\u00a0being\u00a0one of the\u00a0easiest\u00a0countries to explore on a budget.\u00a0If you\u2019re\u00a0settling into\u00a0UK student accommodation<\/a><\/strong>, some choices will\u00a0turn your weekend into\u00a0budget-friendly UK weekend trips\u00a0that everyone posts about.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Booking 8-10 weeks\u00a0in advance can save up to 60% on the rail fares.\u00a0Now this is not a small number. It is\u00a0basically your\u00a0food budget for the week.\u00a0Lock your tickets in advance for:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your student ID in the UK is more valuable than\u00a0most people realize. It is\u00a0basically a\u00a0discount\u00a0machine if\u00a0you know how to use it. If you have\u00a0bought\u00a0a 16\u201325\u00a0Railcard, fix that\u00a0immediately. It gives you\u00a01\/3 off train fares, &\u00a0most students recover the card\u2019s cost in two or three short trips.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0one of the easiest\u00a0UK student travel tips\u00a0out there. These discounts apply to:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coaches are slower, but when it comes to saving money to have\u00a0more\u00a0budget-friendly UK weekend trips,\u00a0this sacrifice is worth making.\u00a0If arriving earlier\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0bother you, then coaches are the best-kept secret when it comes to student travel.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the UK cities are genuinely walkable. When you are walking, random gems come up. You will easily discover things like\u00a0bookstores,\u00a0cafes,\u00a0etc. It is also true for cycling, as it gets you\u00a0around faster, without burning your entire travel budget.\u00a0And honestly, half of the thrill\u00a0of exploring a new place comes when you are wandering without a strict plan.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you are trying to keep your weekend trips cheap, the kind of\u00a0place\u00a0you stay at makes\u00a0a huge difference. Most of the students who are already living in\u00a0the\u00a0UK\u00a0student accommodation look for familiar setups when traveling.\u00a0They\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0want anything that is too fancy, but it should feel safe,\u00a0central,\u00a0& affordable. And\u00a0the\u00a0good thing is, the UK\u00a0has got\u00a0plenty of options that fit tight budgets without killing the fun.\u00a0The following are the most budget-friendly\u00a0student accommodations in the UK<\/a><\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The UK may look small on\u00a0maps, but it\u00a0has got\u00a0diversity in real life. One weekend, you can\u00a0watch\u00a0waves\u00a0crash in Blackpool.\u00a0And\u00a0next you might be looking at a medieval castle\u00a0in York. \u00a0And because there are\u00a0many\u00a0students who are living across\u00a0different parts\u00a0of the country, weekend trips feel\u00a0very easy, cheap & kind of addictive.\u00a0Following are the budget friendly student places in the UK:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cardiff is one of the top\u00a0budget friendly UK weekend trips\u00a0for students. It is regularly listed amongst the cheapest UK cities with rent & food prices lower than other cities. Cardiff\u00a0Castle\u00a0is right in the center of the city. And entry is free for students on certain days. Plus,\u00a0coach fares to Cardiff from cities like London or Birmingham often start around\u00a0\u00a310\u2013\u00a314.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Walking to York\u00a0feels like stepping\u00a0into a storybook. Students love York because the entire city can be explored in 15-20 minutes on foot. Most of the museums here\u00a0have got\u00a0\u00a35\u2013\u00a310 student tickets.\u00a0It is small,\u00a0cozy\u00a0& is perfect for a\u00a0calm weekend trip.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0need a big student budget for Oxford. It\u00a0has many places that are free to visit.\u00a0It includes\u00a0Pitt Rivers Museum, the Natural History Museum, & most college exteriors. Coaches from London start at\u00a0\u00a37\u2013\u00a39, which makes Oxford one of the easiest\u00a0day\u00a0or weekend trips.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edinburgh\u00a0has insanely good places to visit. It\u00a0has got\u00a0a lot of attractions that are low-cost\u00a0or free. The city does get pricey during\u00a0festival\u00a0season. But outside August,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0find hostel beds for\u00a0\u00a320\u2013\u00a330\/- night.\u00a0And coach fares from England are around\u00a0\u00a315\u2013\u00a320\u00a0if booked early.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u00a0are\u00a0idea\u00a0of\u00a0a weekend\u00a0break\u00a0consists\u00a0of fresh air, huge lakes, and mountains, it is\u00a0unmatched. It is\u00a0one of the best\u00a0UK\u2019s national parks, so exploring the outdoors is completely free. Hostels in this area start around\u00a0\u00a318\u2013\u00a325, and because everything is nature-driven,\u00a0your\u00a0spend\u00a0across the weekends is low. It is\u00a0favorable\u00a0escape for students who want a break from city life\u00a0& busy\u00a0student\u00a0accommodation\u00a0in the\u00a0UK.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the tiny things that nobody\u00a0tells you at the start. The kind of tricks that you learn only after a few\u00a0budget\u00a0friendly UK weekend trips. They sound simple, but they save you money, time, & more stress than you think.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dragging a giant suitcase for a 2-day trip is not it.\u00a0Most of the\u00a0UK\u00a0buses & airlines charge extra for big bags. It can go up to\u00a0\u00a335\u2013\u00a345\u00a0just for a cabin upgrade. A simple\u00a0bag pack\u00a0also avoids locker fees at the stations. Light bag = smoother trip + less money wasted.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The UK\u00a0has\u00a0got\u00a0decent\u00a0internet overall. But there are some towns\u00a0that\u00a0have\u00a0dead zones.\u00a0You can get\u00a0a screenshot\u00a0of\u00a0your train\u00a0& coach\u00a0tickets.\u00a0You will have hostel check-in info\u00a0& directions\u00a0from the station. This tiny habit has saved students from\u00a0missed\u00a0trains more times than anyone admits.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the UK is contactless, yes. But\u00a0older towns,\u00a0tiny bakeries & seaside shops love cash.\u00a0So\u00a0one must have\u00a0\u00a310\u2013\u00a315\u00a0in your pocket\u00a0avoids\u00a0awkward moments like buying an extra snack just to use your card.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n UK weather\u00a0has got\u00a0its own personality. It changes faster than anything.\u00a0In cities like Manchester, Liverpool, & Glasgow, it rains\u00a0150+ days a year. You must bring a small umbrella, or a\u00a0cheap\u00a0waterproof\u00a0jackets.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exploring the UK on a student budget\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0just possible.\u00a0It\u2019s honestly pretty fun once you get the hang of it.\u00a0With a\u00a0bit of early planning, walking more, & following simple\u00a0UK student travel tips\u00a0can turn any weekend into a mini escape.\u00a0With so many students living across the country in\u00a0different types\u00a0of\u00a0student accommodation,\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0always someone planning a quick road trip.\u00a0\u00a0Ready to explore the UK without overspending? Find your ideal student accommodation with University Living<\/a><\/strong> & make every weekend a budget-friendly one.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buses & coaches are the cheapest way to get around. They are slower than trains but the price difference is huge.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Make sure to book your tickets in advance. It will help you to save up to 60% & often include 2-for-1 entry to attractions across the UK.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Add you income then from that subtract the cost of essentials like tuition, rent for student accommodation & bills. Whatever is left is for course materials, travel, &\u00a0extras.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you have a Railcard or travel discount, Oyster is usually cheaper. The reason being that discounts apply to it. On the other hand, Contactless doesn\u2019t accept discounts. But it lets you travel further outside London.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n November to April is the low season, fewer tourists & cheaper stays. Just be ready for cold weather & random rain showers.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Weekends\u00a0in the UK\u00a0are\u00a0different for students. One minute, you are buried under assignments in your student accommodation.\u00a0Next, you will travel to Cardiff\u00a0by\u00a0train. From the outside, the UK looks expensive.\u00a0But\u00a0once you understand\u00a0a few\u00a0tricks, you realize it is one of the\u00a0easiest countries to explore on a budget. Whether\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0new to\u00a0UK\u00a0student accommodation\u00a0or already settled in your city, these\u00a0budget-friendly UK weekend […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":22484,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[942],"tags":[229],"class_list":["post-22437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","tag-united-kingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22437"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22437\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Book Early,\u00a0Really\u00a0Early\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Use Student Discounts Everywhere\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Stick with Coaches whenever it is Possible\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Walk or\u00a0Cycle\u00a0Once you arrive\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Are the Various Types of Student Accommodations to Stay\u00a0on a Budget?\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Best Budget-Friendly Destinations for Students in the UK\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cardiff\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
York\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oxford\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Edinburgh\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lake District\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Quick UK Student Travel Tips\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Travel Light\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Screenshot Everything\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Carry Some Cash\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check the Weather Twice\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n
What is the best travel option for students in the UK?\u00a0<\/h3>\n
How can one plan a budget friendly UK trip?\u00a0<\/h3>\n
How to budget as a student in the UK?\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Is it cheaper to tap contactless or use an Oyster?\u00a0<\/h3>\n
What is the cheapest month to visit the UK?\u00a0<\/h3>\n