Student-Friendly Places to Travel from London

By Julia Vetsch

When you study abroad in London, the travel possibilities are endless. Suddenly being free to travel not only to different states, but to entirely different countries with only a quick train ride or cheap flight is such an exciting prospect that it sometimes feels overwhelming — especially only being here for four months with limited weekends. With such a short amount of time (and with a limited budget), it can be hard to know which cities to take a chance on, and which to skip. I asked some other students in my study abroad program about which countries they feel like are most friendly to the student travel experience. 

The most recommended city by my fellow students was Budapest — and I couldn’t agree more. When I visited the capital of Hungary, I was shocked by how student-friendly it felt. A 72-hour travel pass for public transportation including the tram, bus, and metro was only 5,500 HUF (about £12.49), and the system was efficient and easy to use. 

The food was surprisingly amazing. Our first stop for dinner was a burger joint called Smashy, which had the juiciest smashburgers and paprika-seasoned fries for the equivalent of only £5.42. We also found that almost everywhere we went for authentic Hungarian cuisine (paprikash, schnitzel, goulash) was relatively cheap as well — not to mention some of the most delicious food we’ve ever had. The value in Budapest was far better than anywhere we’d visited before. One of the highlights of the trip was the unlimited prosecco cruise. We cruised down the Danube river past gorgeous, illuminated architecture like the Hungarian parliament building as attendants refilled our glasses with prosecco before they were ever half-empty — all for £20 a person! The nightlife was plentiful with “ruin bars”, which are created from abandoned buildings and lively with young people. Budapest might just take the cake for being the most student-friendly place to travel while abroad. 

Another city that’s worth visiting as a student is Dublin, Ireland. Just a little over an hour flight from London, Dublin offers gorgeous architecture with spots like Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College, plus plenty of Irish pubs and live music. Visitors can also explore museums like the National Gallery of Ireland and EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum. If you’re a stout fan, don’t miss the Guinness Storehouse which offers tastings, floors of attractions related to the famous Irish beer, and a rooftop bar. Another perk is that you’re only a few hours away from the beautiful Cliffs of Moher. According to Rebecca Shimony, the student who recommended Dublin, the city is easy to navigate and nothing is ever too far away.

 

“Dublin was so walkable. The Temple Bar is the most famous pub in the city, and we were almost always within fifteen minutes of that region,” Shimony said. 

Take it from her — Dublin serves as a perfect weekend getaway for any student looking for a destination close to London. 

Amsterdam is another destination that was highly recommended by students. Also a short trip from London, Amsterdam is one of the most affordable (and fun) places a student can visit. My fellow intern at Paddington Arts, KitKat Brown, gave her input on why every student should visit Amsterdam.

“You can do so many touristy things for pretty cheap; touring the Anne Frank House was only about 15 euros and really cool,” Brown said. “We also took a boat tour to see the city with unlimited drinks and cheese for 30 euros.”

Although the tourist attractions in Amsterdam aren’t too expensive, what really makes the city so student-friendly is simply the appeal of the scenery. “The best part about Amsterdam is honestly just walking around and experiencing the city, so you don’t ever need to spend much”, Brown said. The fairytale-like ambiance is an attraction in itself. 

Whether you’re looking for a trip to Eastern Europe, Ireland, or the Netherlands, there’s an easily accessible city for every student to enjoy. Find a cheap flight and embark upon your next great adventure!