How nice would a little getaway be? As a student, we all dream about escaping the hustle and bustle of University life and going somewhere new. Of course, it seems as though there isn’t the time nor enough student loans to make this fantasy a reality. Well, I’ve come up with a list of the top 5 weekend getaways on a student budget to buck this trend.
- Amsterdam – This is the perfect city to go to if you just need to unwind for the weekend. Traveling from Nottingham, your best bet would be to get a train to Manchester airport and a return flight with Easyjet (although a one-way ticket may be tempting). Return tickets can be as cheap as £40 for the weekend and as for any of these weekend getaways, the ticket gets even cheaper if you book as a couple or group. In terms of accommodation, there are plenty of affordable Air BnBs and hostels you can choose from.
- Budapest – A beautiful city to explore breath-taking architecture and relax in the ancient spas. This is a little trickier to travel to compared to the others but it’s still manageable! I would recommend looking at Wizz Air airline as they compare to Easyjet’s affordable prices but fly every day of the week. Unfortunately, Liverpool or Manchester airport does not fly to Budapest Friday to Sunday, so it does mean a train or coach ride to London and flying from there. This would be a good destination to head to if you are lucky enough to have Friday or Monday off your timetable. Top tip: Don’t get caught out exchanging Euros as this country has its own currency.
- Jersey – Fancy the island life, somewhere close to home but far enough to feel like you’re on holiday. Expect white sandy beaches and stunning sunset views. This is the place to go if you want a more relaxed holiday feel. I would recommend going when its warmer weather in the spring/summer so that you can make the most of the beach! From Nottingham, you can either fly from East Midlands airport at around £70 return ticket or if you have a good timetable, you can get a return flight from Manchester airport for £40; check the flights first as there isn’t one every day. I would recommend Airbnb as hotels can be a bit pricey especially if you want to stay close to the beach.
- Barcelona – While this is a beautiful city that probably deserves more of your time than just a weekend, it can be done! As long as you’re prepared for a lot of walking and sightseeing. Once again, the closest affordable airport would be Manchester. An Easyjet return ticket can cost as little as £50. By the time you get back to Uni, you will feel like you’ve been away for at least a week as there is so much to see and do, you will be constantly moving and exploring. Stay in an Airbnb for the best prices.
- London – Ok this may be a cop-out suggestion but why not? London is one of the most famous cities in the world and it’s right on our doorstep. Take a weekend to go and explore the famous skyline architecture and experience the wonder of Camden Market. I would recommend setting an early alarm and going down with a National Express coach as this is a fraction of the price of a train ticket. There are a lot of Airbnb’s about or a good hostel that I would recommend is called Wombats.
By Katie Sharman
All photos are original