10 Travelling tips for University Students!

As a university student, travelling can be a very exciting and thrilling experience. Some students do programs to study abroad or go on placements to different countries, some use their summer break to backpack to explore different cultures or go on weekend getaways to travel locally and create many long-lasting memories with friends. To ensure that your travels go smoothly and are enjoyable, here are 10 essential travelling tips for university students: 

1. Planning Ahead: You should start planning for your trip well in advance. Doing research on the destination you are going to and booking the flights early so they are not that expensive. In order to plan ahead you can create an itinerary and make a checklist of essential items like

         -  Travel documents: passport, visa, student status letter etc.

          - Things to pack: clothes, shoes, toiletries, medicine etc.

          - Accommodation: close to the areas you wish to visit, notify family of the address, etc.

         -  Activities: what you want to do on the trip? Visit landmarks, try new foods, meet new people etc.

2. Budgeting: student life is normally very financial tight if you only rely on student loans. If you have a job it can be easier to accumulate savings or asking family members to provide money so you can get more experiences. You will have to do careful planning like setting a realistic budget and sticking to it. There are many places that do student discount and don’t disclose that they do, so it might be worth asking to get 10-15% off. Some accommodations can be pretty expensive in touristy places but to be more budget friendly you can do hostels and Airbnb’s.

3. Travel Insurance: It might seem like an unnecessary expense on an already tight budget, but it can help save you from further financial trouble in case of emergency. Some insurances are carefully catered to students and to accommodate their finances, for example Compare the Market has travel insurance for students starting from £2.25, but doing research on this is very important.

4. Packing Light: Only bring things that are absolutely necessary and try to pack versatile clothes that you can mix and match. For students, backpacking can be more convenient than packing a suitcase as some flights charge a lot of extra money for luggage. One carry-on be more budget friendly. To pack less you can research into capsule wardrobes as they can be more versatile than regular packing.

5. Staying Connected: As previously mentioned, you should keep your loved ones informed of your whereabouts. You can share your itinerary and contact details with people you trust like friends and family members. It might be worth downloading a tracking app in yours and your family members phones so they can check in on you. Additionally, having a power bank for your devices so you are never stranded with a phone.

6. Learn Basic Phrases: If you are travelling to another country where the native language is not English, you should learn some basic words and phrases to communicate with someone that does not know any English. It can help you navigate the aera and make connections with locals. Try using google translate or Duolingo.

7. Safety: You should be mindful of your safety first. Keep your belongings secure and at a place you can access easily. Be cautious of your surrounds and avoid any risky situations like going down dark alley ways, leaving drinks unattended etc.

8. Staying Healthy: Adding on from travel insurance, if you do get an injury during your travel the insunce that you use can cover the costs. However, to avoid a situation in the first place you should carry your medicine, stay hydrated and be cautious of local food and water. Also pack a basic first aid kit in your bag to avoid an injury getting worse. Before going to certain countries you might need to get vaccinations since you do not want to contract a local disease, you can look up what vaccinations you need on the government website.  

9. Embrace Cultural Experiences: To fully enjoy your travels you should immerse yourself in the local culture, make sure to not poke fun or do anything that might offend the locals, ergo doing research beforehand about the culture. Try the local foods, attend cultural events, and engage with the locals, these experiences are a fantastic way to learn and grow.

10. Flexibility: Lastly, be flexible with your plans to a certain extent of course, do not spend more money than you have allocated, but sometimes the best experiences happen when you deviate a little from your original plan. You should embrace the spontaneity and open yourself up to new adventures. 

By following these tips, you will make the most of your journey and also develop valuable life skills that will stick with you for a long time. So, pack your luggage, get your itinerary sorted and embark on new and memorable adventures!