Sun. Sea. And hopefully no suspicious parents. Now that the final year for many is underway, a lot of us have either been living at home or away whilst studying, and because of the pandemic, haven’t been able to leave the country in a good while. Needless to say it will come to no surprise that many of us want to go travelling around the world, whether that be to experience different cultures, see beautiful monuments, or to truly just escape England whilst we have no job commitments. If this sounds like you, but have no idea where to start, then we have the perfect guide for you read on how to go travelling after university.
Location, Location, Location
Of course, one of the first places to start when thinking about travelling after university is where you’re actually planning on going! We’re sure that you’ve seen all those influencers swimming with the pigs in Barbados, or walking along the waterfalls in Thailand, but realistically, unless you have the bank of mum and dad to access, these options are pretty much impossible right now.
Cheap ways to travel
One of the best options to check out is interrailing. This is a one train pass that allows you to visit 33 countries across Europe with access to 40 railway and ferry companies. If you wish to travel in two or more countries, then you can access the Interrail Global Pass, perfect if you’re wishing to explore with no set itinerary and at your own pace. The standard price for an Interrail Global Pass starts from €194. They also offer an Interrail Once Country Pass, which starts at €105, and allows you to explore one country in depth. Not only is this an extremely affordable way to travel, but you can also plan your routes across Europe with no time limit on when to return!
Cheap places to visit
If you’re fancying travelling around Europe, then you can easily do so cheaply. Whether you fancy exploring rich architecture, or just relaxing by a pool, there are plenty of options. Some of those include:
- Milan – Italy
- Cologne, Germany
- Oslo, Norway
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Carcassonne, France
- Dublin, Ireland
- Basel, Switzerland
- Warsaw, Poland
- Bordeaux, France
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Ibiza, Spain
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Brno, Czech Republic
Accommodation
If you’re a solo traveller, or even exploring with a few friends, then staying in 3-star hotels each night might rock up a hefty bill, especially if you’re on a budget whilst travelling after university. There are many other cheaper alternatives you can check out wherever you’re staying.
Hostels
If you decided to travel alone, especially, then hostels are a great option to stay at. A lot of the time, there’ll be a large room with a few bunk beds that acts as the bedroom for travellers, with a communal bathroom and kitchen are that are fully equipped with the necessities. If you’re planning on just staying one night somewhere, or going to be out most of the day, then hostels are your best, and cheapest, bet.
Guesthouses and Air BnB’s
Greta if you’re travelling with other people, guesthouses and Air BnB’s are small, budget friendly places, already belonging to someone, that you can rent out for however long you wish. If you plan on staying in one city for a few days, then these are a great option if you fancy comfort, and perhaps have a hand in cooking some traditional meals to wherever you’re staying!
Budgeting
If you are lucky enough to not have completely rinsed student finance, or have been saving up money for a while, then it’s super important to know the best ways to spend it when travelling after university. Of course, it’d be nice to sip on champagne in a fancy restaurant overlooking the Eiffel Tower, but that’s probably something most of us will have to REALLY save up for.
A great way to save money on food and drink is by checking out the local markets where you are. They’ll have plenty of fresh produce, often that will work out cheaper if you buy in bulk, and that can keep you going for the day. Also, try to not visit the cafés and restaurants, if you are wanted some hot, cooked meals, near the main tourist attractions. A lot of the time, these will be more expensive as they attract many visitors, so try to venture somewhere more local, just outside of where everything is happening.
Another one of our tricks is to book in advance. Whether that be accommodation, travel tickets, or sight-seeing expeditions, booking ahead of time will not only keep you organised, but also works out a lot cheaper, especially if you’re planning to travel during peak times (such as summer holidays
The best apps to download whilst travelling
Nomad List
Nomad List is a great app that ranks different destinations whilst factoring in costs of living, visas, and internet speed among other factors, and rates them based on your preferences. It allows you to find different destinations based on climate, weather, cost of living, safety, and continent, and provides links to third party sites for remote jobs.
Meetup
Meetup allows you to make friends, find support and explore your interests wherever you’re travelling. Whether you fancy joining a group and finding a community with similar interests, or simply exploring events in the local area that you can join, you should definitely download Meetup whilst you’re travelling.
Headout
If you’re going on a spontaneous travel expedition, then Headout is a good option to checkout. It shows you a list of local events taking place in your destination, often with exclusive last-minute offers that are definitely too tempting to pass up on!
