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Travelling to a distant place far from home is becoming more and more popular, especially among the younger generation who have realized the benefits that can be reaped by integrating yourself into a different culture and way of life.

And they’re not wrong! Travel offers unique life experiences and skills that become invaluable in life later on. But while this is a fabulous opportunity, students are often strapped for cash, and don’t often have the time to save money because they are too busy studying.

That said, loads of students manage to travel, and afford their adventures without loaning money.

So if you’re a broke student, but dream of travel all the same, we’ve put together a range of budget travel tips to help.

Budget Travel Tips for Broke Students

Prioritize Local Travel

A lot of people think that travel has to involve a long distance flight, upping sticks to somewhere near the other side of the world. And although these are exciting places to go, there are often opportunities which are equally as exciting, a lot closer to home.

Start by finding somewhere exciting a bit nearer to you. If you live in Europe, you might want to go somewhere near you that won’t cost too much. If you live in America, the South American region can give you the same sort of atmosphere as travelling across the world would.

It’s important to exhaust every possibility in terms of location when you are looking to travel on a budget. Although that place the other side of the world may look really cool, you won’t always have the money.

Plan to Get a Job at Some Point in the Year

If you want to travel while studying, the best thing you can do is to plan your year out, and arrange classes in a way that allows you to get a job.

For instance, this might mean taking morning classes so you can work afternoon shifts. And while it may be tempting to have someone do your essay / homework for you, make sure you learn to juggle both work and study commitments.

There are also a number of ways to earn extra money so long as you can find an internet connection. These websites let you earn cash online, meaning you can continue working while you’re actually traveling!

Travel With Friends

If you prefer to travel solo, that’s fabulous, but if you have friends who would be happy to tag along, this is a great way to cut your travel costs.

For instance if you’re traveling with a group of 5 + people, it ends up being cheaper to rent a farmhouse or a villa than a hotel or apartments. Food is cheaper because you can buy in bulk from local supermarkets, or split a main if you’re eating at a restaurant, and the same logic applies to car hire.

But the other fabulous thing about traveling with friends, is that if you’re all saving, it’s a lot easier to stay motivated and you can support each other through your coffee cravings!

Volunteer For Bed and Board

Here’s where you have the opportunity to try something new while saving your pennies. Ditch the hotel, ditch even the hostel bunk-bed, and take a look at some openings for volunteer programs.

There are different ways to go about this without paying for programs. Arriving in the country and looking for ways to help locals or further a humanitarian cause is never a bad idea.

You could also try out volunteering on organic farms or homesteads, as in Wwoofing or Workaway during your semester breaks. Both offer bed, food and good company, in exchange for a few hours honest work per day.

Choose Activities Wisely

Cash on the road works a lot like cash at home. It only disappears when you spend it. If you can afford your travel costs, and have your accommodation and food taken care of, the rest of your budget is likely to be spent on activities of some kind, be it hanging out at beach bars, or touring famous museums.

If you want to keep your travel costs down, choose your activities wisely. Hiking can cost next to nothing. Anything in nature requires no more spending than the occasional refreshment.

If you prefer the city life, why not reserve your spending for the iconic landmarks that you really want to see? Sighseeing is free.

The Sharing Economy

Anyone who has done a lot of travelling will start to understand that people in the world are generally pretty helpful. There are a lot of options for the open-minded adventurer who is willing to welcome the gesture of a kind stranger, or to connect with others using one of many social apps.

For example, you can try out bla-bla cars for lift sharing, couchsurfing for accommodation, and EatWith for meals. If you feel safe in the country that you are in you could always try hitchhiking too – another great way to get around and meet people.

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Cheap travel hacks for broke students

Cheap travel hacks for broke students

Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.