How to travel cheap as a student abroad
The best hacks
Nicolò Branchi – CMO at wearefreemovers | March 12, 2025
Imagine this. You’re sitting in a square in Barcelona, sun setting like a postcard, an ice-cold beer in your hand. The air is buzzing with music, life is good. The problem? You have exactly €12.37 in your bank account and no clue how you’re getting back home.
Studying abroad is already an adventure. New country, new culture, new experiences. But let’s be honest—one of the biggest flexes of studying abroad is the freedom to travel and explore places you’ve only seen on Instagram.
The problem? Your wallet is not on board with this plan.💸
Weekend in Paris? A dream.
A Greek island escape? Sounds unreal.
A last-minute trip to Prague? You can already picture yourself there.
Until you check your balance and realize you’d have to survive on tap water and the kindness of strangers.
BOOM. Reality check.
But here’s the good news: traveling on a student budget is possible. You just need the right hacks.
This is your ultimate survival guide to traveling cheap as a student—because adventure shouldn’t come with a side of financial trauma.🌍✈️
Table of contents
1. Find cheap flights like a pro 🛫
Let’s face it—flights can eat up your budget faster than you can say “boarding pass.” But if you know the right tricks, you can fly for way less than you think.
💡Here’s how to book flights like a travel hacker:
- Use flight comparison sites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak to track prices and hunt for the best deals. These are your best friends.
- Be flexible with dates and destinations: flying on a Tuesday at 6 AM? Annoying, but often way cheaper. A surprise trip to a city you didn’t even plan on visiting? Sometimes, that’s where the best adventures start.
- Go incognito: airlines can track your searches and bump up prices (yep, sneaky). Use ‘Incognito Mode’ 🕵️♂️ or clear your cookies before searching again.
- Think outside the airport: flying into a nearby city and hopping on a train or bus can save you serious cash. Plus, it’s an extra mini-trip for free.
- Subscribe to airline newsletters: flash sales, student discounts, and error fares exist. The real pros snag flights before anyone else even knows about them.
Cheap flights aren’t about luck—they’re about knowing the game. Play it right, and you’ll be exploring new places before your friends even finish booking their overpriced tickets.✈️🔥
2. Accommodation on a budget 🏨💰
You don’t need a five-star hotel to have a five-star experience. What you do need is a place that’s cheap, safe, and maybe even a bit fun.
🏠 Hostels
Forget the old stereotype of sketchy bunk beds. Hostels today can be modern, social, and ridiculously cheap. Websites like Hostelworld and Booking.com make finding the best ones easy. Bonus: you’ll meet other travelers who might just become your next travel buddies.
🤝 Couchsurfing
The holy grail of budget travelers. Stay with locals for free, experience the real vibe of a city, and maybe even get a built-in tour guide. Just make sure to check reviews before crashing on a stranger’s couch.
🎓 University dorms
Many student accommodations rent out cheap rooms during holidays. Ask around in Erasmus or student exchange groups—you’d be surprised at how many budget-friendly options pop up.
🐶 House sitting
Want to stay in a nice house for free? Websites like TrustedHousesitters let you take care of pets while staying in someone’s home. Free rent and a furry friend? Win-win.
🏡 Airbnb shared rooms
Renting just a room instead of an entire apartment can slash your accommodation costs while still giving you a comfy space to crash.
At the end of the day, you’re not traveling to stay in your room—so why spend a fortune on it? Keep it cheap, keep it smart, and put that extra cash towards more adventures.🔥
3. Get around for less 🚆🚌
Flights booked, accommodation sorted—now it’s time to move. But transport costs can creep up fast if you’re not careful. Here’s how to get from A to B without draining your wallet:
🚍 Buses & Trains?
Book early. Budget-friendly options like FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, and Omio can save you serious cash, but only if you book in advance. Last-minute tickets? They’ll cost you more than your whole trip.
🎓 Student discounts
Student discounts are your secret weapon. Always carry your student ID or get an ISIC card—many transport companies offer discounts, and you’d be surprised how much you can save just by flashing your card.
🌙 Travel overnight
Travel overnight, save on accommodation. An overnight bus or train means one less night in a hostel to pay for. Sleep on the move, wake up in a new city, and start exploring. Win-win.
🚲 Walk or rent a bike
Many cities offer super cheap bike rentals (or even free ones). And walking? That’s 100% free, plus it’s the best way to soak in the vibes of a new place.
🛂 City transport passes
City transport passes = unlimited freedom. Some cities offer daily or weekly transport passes that let you hop on and off buses, metros, and trams without worrying about single ticket prices. Do the math—it’s often way cheaper than paying per ride.
At the end of the day, travel is about movement—just don’t let your budget slow you down.
4. Eat like a local (and save big) 🍽️
Food is one of the best parts of traveling. If you’re not careful, it can also be one of the fastest ways to go broke. Luckily, you don’t have to live off sad sandwiches and instant noodles to eat on a budget. Here’s how to keep your stomach (and your wallet) happy:
🍜 Skip the tourist traps
The golden rule: if a restaurant has menus with pictures, waiters calling you in, and overpriced spaghetti bolognese—run. Instead, check Google Maps, Yelp, or even ask locals for where they actually eat.
🛒 Hit the grocery store
Eating out three times a day adds up fast. Buy some essentials at local markets or supermarkets, and cook a few meals yourself. Bonus: shopping in a new country is an experience in itself.
🍽️ Lunch > Dinner
Many restaurants offer cheap lunch specials that are half the price of dinner. Eat big at lunch, go lighter in the evening, and save without missing out on good food.
🌯 Street food is the way
Cheap, fast, and usually more authentic than sit-down restaurants. If locals are lining up for it, you know it’s good.
🎓 Student discounts exist—use them
Some cafes and restaurants offer student deals, but you won’t see a big sign saying so. Always ask! You might score a cheaper meal just by showing your student ID.
At the end of the day, good food doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Eat smart, eat local, and spend that extra cash on more adventures.🍕🔥
5. Maximize free experiences 🎟️
Some of the most unforgettable travel experiences don’t cost a cent. You don’t need to drop big money to soak in a new city—you just need to know where to look.
🚶♂️Free walking tours
One of the best ways to get to know a city. Local guides show you around for free, and you tip whatever you can at the end. Check GuruWalk, FreeTour, or even hostel boards for options.
🏛️ Museum free days
Many museums have specific days when entry is free, especially for students. Always check ahead—you might get into world-class museums without spending a cent.
🌿 Nature never charges you
Beaches, hiking trails, waterfalls, city parks—all free. Sometimes, the best experiences aren’t behind a ticket counter.
🎭 Cultural festivals & events
Cities often host free concerts, parades, and local festivals. Do a quick search before your trip—you might just walk into an epic street party.
🎟️ City passes = free entry to top spots
Some cities offer student-friendly passes that include free or discounted access to multiple attractions. Do the math—sometimes they save you way more than buying single tickets.
The bottom line? Adventure doesn’t have to come with a price tag. The best memories are made in the streets, in nature, and in the unexpected moments that cost absolutely nothing. 🌍🔥
6. Smart budgeting & travel planning 📊
Spontaneity is fun, but going broke mid-trip? Not so much. A little planning can make your travels way cheaper and way less stressful.
💸 Set a daily budget & stick to it
Decide how much you can actually afford per day—then don’t blow it all on the first fancy brunch.
📊 Use travel budgeting apps
Apps like Splitwise and TravelSpend help you track expenses on the go, so you don’t wake up wondering where all your money went.
👥 Group travel = cheaper travel
Splitting costs with friends for accommodation, transport, and food can cut your expenses in half (or more). Plus, everything’s more fun with a crew.
💼 Work while you travel
Some hostels let you stay for free in exchange for a few hours of work. Websites like Worldpackers and Workaway are goldmines for this.
🎓 Apply for travel scholarships
Yes, free money exists. Some universities and organizations offer grants and scholarships for students traveling abroad. It’s worth checking—you might score some extra cash just for being a student.
The key? Plan ahead, spend smart, and stretch your budget as far as it can go. More savings = more trips, more experiences, more memories. That’s the goal. 🚀
Final thoughts: travel more, spend less, live bigger
Studying abroad isn’t just about changing where you live—it’s about changing how you see the world. And travel is a huge part of that.
Yes, money matters. But dreams aren’t built on bank accounts. They’re built on the fire inside you, the risks you take, and the stories you dare to live.
At wearefreemovers, we believe that studying abroad should be about freedom—freedom to learn, explore, and experience the world on your own terms.
With the right hacks, you don’t need to be rich to travel. You just need to be bold enough to go, even when the odds aren’t in your favor.
So book that cheap flight. Sleep in a hostel. Eat street food. Walk everywhere. Because the best experiences don’t come from how much you spend—they come from how far you’re willing to go.
