Saving money travel guide

Travel Guide for International Students Abroad

Smart, Cheap & Stress-Free Travel (Especially for Asian Students)

Travelling in a new country can be confusing, expensive, and overwhelming—especially if you’re an international student from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, or other Asian countries. The good news? With the right tricks, you can travel cheaply, safely, and confidently.

This guide focuses on saving money, avoiding common mistakes, and using student benefits when travelling by train, bus, and coach.

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1. National Rail Travel: What Every Student Must Know

Train travel is one of the fastest ways to move around, but it can be expensive if you don’t plan smartly.

🚆 Always Use a Railcard (Huge Savings)

If you are a student, never travel without a railcard.

Best railcards for students:

• 16–25 Railcard – Best for most students

• 16–17 Saver – For students under 18

• 26–30 Railcard – For older students (digital only)

💸 Savings:

Railcards give you up to 1/3 off most train fares — this can save you hundreds every year.

💡 Tip:

Even if your ticket only saves £2–£3 per trip, over time it adds up a lot.

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2. Book Train Tickets Early (This Is the Biggest Trick)

Train prices increase as the travel date gets closer.

⏰ When should you book?

• Best time: 5–7 days before travel

• Ideal: Book a week earlier if possible

• Avoid: Booking on the same day (very expensive)

💡 Example:

A ticket that costs £10 a week earlier might cost £30–£40 on the day of travel.

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3. Never Book an Open Return Ticket (Big Mistake)

Many students think open return tickets are flexible and safe — but they are much more expensive.

❌ Don’t do this:

• Open return tickets

• Flexible return tickets “just in case”

✅ Do this instead:

• Book a specific time return ticket

• Choose off-peak hours if possible

💸 Result:

Specific return tickets are significantly cheaper than open returns.

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4. Travel During Off-Peak Hours

Peak hours are when everyone travels — and prices are highest.

⏱ Peak hours (more expensive):

• Morning: 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM

• Evening: 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

🌙 Off-peak hours (cheaper):

• Late morning

• Midday

• Late evening

💡 Tip:

If your schedule is flexible, travelling off-peak can cut your fare by half.

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5. Use Trip.com & Other Booking Apps Smartly

Third-party apps can sometimes offer better prices or discounts.

📱 Useful apps:

• Trip.com

• Trainline

• National Rail website (for comparisons)

💡 Pro tips:

• Always compare prices across platforms

• Check if the app offers student discounts or promo codes

• Screenshot your ticket (just in case internet fails)

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6. Save Money on Buses & Coaches

For shorter distances or budget travel, buses and coaches are often cheaper than trains.

🚌 Cheapest options:

• City buses (student passes available)

• Long-distance coaches (e.g. intercity travel)

💡 Money-saving tips:

• Ask your university about student bus passes

• Monthly or term passes are cheaper than daily tickets

• Coaches are slower but much cheaper than trains

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7. Always Carry Student ID & Railcard

Many students forget this — and it can cost you money.

🚨 Important:

• If you travel with a railcard discount but don’t carry it, you may get fined.

• Always keep:

• Student ID

• Railcard (physical or digital)

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8. Extra Travel Tricks Students Don’t Know

✔ Split tickets for long journeys (can be cheaper)

✔ Avoid travelling on Fridays & Sundays (highest demand)

✔ Late-night or early-morning travel is often cheaper

✔ Subscribe to alerts on travel apps for price drops

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Final Advice for Asian & International Students

Travelling abroad doesn’t have to be expensive or stressful. With:

• Railcards

• Early bookings

• Smart timing

• Student discounts

You can explore your new country without breaking your budget.

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