Top 5 Budget-Friendly International Vacation Spots for Students

By Amelia Woolard

Ahh, summer. It’s finally that time of year when class is out of session, the weather is bright and beautiful, and the only schedule you need to worry about pertains to your favorite TV show. And if you’re anything like us, you may also have a bit of wanderlust, spending your time drooling over friends’ Instagram posts of faraway lands and wondering where your next adventure will take you. What’s a college student to do when you’re short on cash but long for a dream destination getaway?

Luckily, there are plenty of options for students looking to have a lot of fun on little cash. These destinations are not only lower cost in terms of lodging and food, but they also feature plenty of affordable entertainment options for day and night despite your interests.

1. Budapest, Hungary

Known as the “Heart of Europe,” Budapest offers an incredible array of options for students looking to experience Hungarian charm on a shoestring budget. There are numerous free attractions in Budapest, with the most notable spots including preserved medieval castles, the neo-Renaissance Hungarian State Opera House, and several public terraces offering panoramic views of the city. World-class shops, museums, and eateries add to Budapest’s appeal for young adventurers looking for diverse activities. Traditional Hungarian food can be purchased on the cheap, whether from a local bazaar or street vendors. Affordable lodging is readily available for students, with many hostels located only a few steps from downtown Budapest. Not to mention, the city is full of cheap or free transit options and typically offers discount cards for tourists.

2. Vancouver, Canada

While Canada may not top your must-visit list, there are plenty of reasons why the welcoming city of Vancouver is a fantastic destination for students. First, not only is Canada adjacent to the United States (hello, cheap flights!), its exchange rate is favorable, with every Canadian dollar equaling 80 cents of American cash. This helps a bit when it comes to travel expenses, especially lodging. Although Vancouver is a bustling urban area, the city is also surprisingly lush and is located amongst several differing rainforests. Many parks are free or low-cost to visit and boast opportunities to hike, bike, or simply take in the astonishing scenery. Shoppers will love the curious finds that line Vancouver streets including numerous art shops and retailers that have been in the historic area since the 19^th century. To the delight of young foodies, Vancouver is also a big advocate of the food truck fad, and at any given time, you’re sure to find rows of unique culinary offerings up for grabs at a fraction of the normal price you’d find dining in a restaurant of a similar caliber.

3. Bangkok, Thailand

Interested in “voluntourism”? Thailand is an excellent place to try your hand at volunteer activities while also experiencing the culture that makes the country one of a kind. Depending on your chosen cause, you’ll be able to work with wildlife, help revive rainforests, or introduce Thai children to the English language. In addition to making a lasting impression on those who need it most, a trip to Thailand is sure to deliver an experience unlike any you’ve ever had, due in part to the country’s concentrated Buddhist influence and modest way of living. Thailand’s awesome exchange rate allows many college-aged travelers to only spend up to 30 dollars a day on travel necessities including meals. Cheap and delicious food is the norm in Thailand, and since the country is so accustomed to hosting young students and volunteers, there are numerous hostels and shared living spaces that will make your trip especially easy on the wallet.

4. Tallinn, Estonia

As one of the more obscure spots on this list, Tallinn, Estonia is quickly becoming popular for its affordable lodging, awe-inspiring views of the Baltic Sea, and Instagrammable – yet inexpensive— street food. The capital city of Estonia can be reached by several budget-friendly European airlines, and once there, booking affordable accommodations and planning a mostly free itinerary is a snap. Many local bed and breakfasts start at approximately 10 dollars per night and hostels are available for up to 30 dollars per night. For free sightseeing, student travelers may explore the ancient castles and churches that established Tallinn as one of the most well-preserved medieval cities in the world. The bounty of natural parks and reservations surrounding the city are a hiker’s dream, and most of them are completely free to visit. You can even camp in established grounds for approximately five dollars per night! Like its street food, Tallinn’s melting pot of Russian, German, and Scandinavian cultures is clear in the city’s local fare, which can be purchased in large amounts at half the price of similar dishes found in more popular European cities.

5. Havana, Cuba

For an experience a bit off the beaten path, consider heading south to Havana, Cuba. Since Cuba is so close to the Floridian coast, a vacation to Havana doesn’t entail a long or necessarily expensive flight, and it offers tourists incredible local flavor you won’t find elsewhere. Many love Havana for its old-school approach to daily life. Classic American automobiles from the 1950s are still very much in use today, and many structures from the 18^th century remain untouched by modern society. Havana-area beaches can be secluded or bustling, with the most popular being Santa María del Mar. There, you can enjoy the beach for free and mingle with locals and other young tourists. Dining in Cuba can be somewhat of an adventure, considering that many of the best restaurants in the area are privately-owned homes converted into dining spaces. These remote restaurants are low-priced, with entire meals topping out at about 15 dollars, and yes, that includes drinks! It’s not hard to find reasonable lodging in Havana, either, with many Airbnb listings priced at around 50 dollars per night for a private bedroom.

If you’re a broke college student hoping to take the trip of a lifetime, you should know that there are plenty of travel opportunities for students just like you. Banish your FOMO once and for all while you stock up on plenty of interesting stories to tell your friends around the dinner table for years to come! Now, all you have to do is book your trip to visit any one of these budget-friendly destinations!

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