Student Travel: 10 Budget-Friendly Destinations

Budapest is the gem of Europe and a super affordable travel destination for students! For less than a euro, you can enjoy one of the world's most beautiful tram rides. Eating, drinking, and wandering the beautiful streets of Budapest costs barely nothing, so take full advantage of the city that many international students call home and enjoy the architecture, ruin bars, and spas. In the city known as the Paris of Eastern Europe, a hostel night in a dorm costs as little as 15 euros per night, while a hotel night is around 50-60 euros.

A road trip through Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania by rental car or even by bus is an amazing, affordable student travel adventure! The lively capitals Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius are full of design, art, culture, museums, and history. Along the way, you can spot landscapes and visit places you might not otherwise discover. You can travel around the Baltic countries conveniently with FlixBus, especially since you get a discount on your bus ticket with your ISIC! Outside the immediate city centers, the daily budget for student is around 30-40 EUR/day and for a mid-range budget, 60-75 EUR/day.

Portugal is known for its affordable prices, making it a perfect destination for travelling on a student budget. Colorful Lisbon offers culture, sights, architecture, delicious food, and nightlife. In Porto, you can explore the vineyards, and the Portuguese coast provides opportunities for learning to surf, enjoying beach life, and exploring small villages. A suitable daily budget for Portugal for students is 30-50 euros/day.

A charming European destination is easily accessible from the Nordic countries. Good and cheap food, reasonably priced accommodation, breathtaking natural sites, and rich history among beautiful architecture make Poland a great student travel destination. The stunning landscapes of Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains are a day trip away from Krakow, in Gdansk you will find picturesque small town houses and alleys, and in Warsaw, you can enjoy the pulse of a larger city. A night in a hostel dorm costs around 20 EUR, and dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant about 30-35 EUR.

Morocco is an exotic and fascinating travel destination for students looking for an affordable yet diverse trip. Marrakech charms with its lively market life, and the old town of Fez offers a journey back in time. In the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, you can enjoy unique adventures and hiking opportunities. Morocco is also known for its delicious food, such as tagine and couscous, which you can enjoy in local restaurants on a student budget. Hospitality is an important part of Moroccan culture and religion - locals always strive to help travelers and guests as best they can. This can mean offering a place to stay, offering food, and even helping you continue your journey. This tradition is particularly strong in smaller villages and rural areas.

Georgia is a great travel destination for students on a small budget! As it is still relatively unknown travel destination, the price level is low. However, Georgia surprises travelers with its diversity: the Caucasus Mountains, the lively city life of Tbilisi, and friendly locals make the destination unique. In Georgia, you can experience many things for free, such as visiting family-owned wineries and exploring Tbilisi's old town.

Balkan countries are an affordable destination for an interrail or a road trip and offer experiences for nature lovers, beachgoers, and history enthusiasts alike. Head to the beach in Albania, enjoy mountain views and wine culture in Slovenia, and marvel at the stunning Belgrade and breathtaking natural sites in Serbia. The Balkan countries are a great destination for affordable Interrail or road trips, offering as many sights and magnificent landscapes as their more expensive neighboring countries. A night in a hostel dorm costs around 10-20 EUR, Airbnb around 25-40 EUR/day, and a hotel from 40 EUR upwards/day.

Sri Lanka is quite light on a student's wallet, as the general price level is still relatively low and therefore suitable for backpackers. Traveling within the country is relatively easy, as it is quite small and most cities are connected by railways. Traveling by local bus or train is very affordable and quite local in style. Sri Lanka is a perfect destination if you want an affordable active holiday; visit national parks on safari, explore temples, learn to surf, snorkel, and hike – there's plenty to do, and best of all, all on a student budget!

Bali is a tropical, relaxed, and budget-friendly destination, popular among backpackers for a reason. The budget in Bali depends a lot on where you stay and how you spend your trip. In areas with less tourism, you can manage much cheaper, and in addition to hostels, keep an eye out for local homestay accommodations and Airbnb. Eating local street food can also save you a lot of money – just remember to choose only popular street food places, check that the food stall's workspace and utensils look clean, and choose foods that are grilled or fried. Avoid salads, raw vegetables, or undercooked foods to avoid 'Bali belly'. Health should not be compromised even on a budget trip.

Southeast Asia is a great destination for longer trips on a student budget. Explore the stunning nature, bustling cities, delicious food culture, and local life in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia. Food, hostels, and activities are affordable for a student's wallet, even if the flight costs a bit more - you can also get a cheaper flight ticket with your ISIC card. If you want to avoid tourist crowds, head to Laos, the lesser-known islands of Thailand, Chiang Mai, or Cambodia. The student budget in Southeast Asia is around 20-30 EUR/day, and for a mid-range budget, you should budget around 40-50 EUR/day.