Student Holiday Plans

European holiday ideas for the cash-strapped UK student

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Train Travel Tips and Tricks

Train Travel Tips and Tricks

First of all – hello again! It’s been a quiet old year over here at Student Holiday Plans because… well… no one’s been able to go on holiday! We can’t wait to be back to our best soon when it’s safe to be seeing the world again! Today, we’re going to be covering something that is a necessity for more or less every student – train travel. Whether it’s going to and from uni, or visiting friends…

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Covid-19: What To Do About Your Travel Plans

There is a lot of fear, worry and misinformation concerning the global impact of Covid-19 on travelling; we are going to be consistently updating this page with only the facts.

As a platform that encourages everyone to travel, regardless of budget or background, we feel compelled to discuss just what can be done in relation to travel as the impact of Covid-19 continues to be explored globally.

To begin with, please familiarise yourself with the up-to-date guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which can be found here. National governments and health…

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A Student Holiday Plans Christmas: Dresden

#Winter holidays aren't always easy to come by, so we're going to help you in finding the cheapest break just in time for the #Christmas tree going up! Check out the first #holiday in our guide now! #travelblog #ukblog #blogger

We love a good festive getaway here at Student Holiday Plans – whether it’s wandering around a festive market or sitting next to a warm fireplace with a nice mug of hot chocolate, we love it all! You might be worrying that you’ve left it too late to sort out your winter adventure this year, but fear not, as we’ve found some of the best deals for your last-minute break!

  The first location in our…

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Know Your Rights - What To Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled

Caught up in the upcoming airline strikes? Check out our guide to managing the situation, as well as not losing out financially! #Ryanair #BritishAirways #BritishAirwaysStrike #TravelTips #KnowYourRights #TravelHelp #TravelGuide

It’s everyone’s worst nightmare – you’re just about to jet off on your much-deserved holiday, or are ready to get home after a great adventure, and you get an email or a text from your flight provider saying that your flight has been cancelled. It can seem like an absolute disaster, and a definite way to ruin your break, but if you prepare yourself with the knowledge we’re about to share, then…

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Summer in the City - September Breaks for Last Minute Getaways

Left your #holiday planning to the last minute? Don't despair, our September city breaks could still help to save your #summer! #ttot #citybreak #blogshare #newblogpost #linkinbio #europe #travelblog #ukblog #studentholidayplans

The months are rushing by, and if you’re anything like us, you’ve left it to the last minute to finalise your plans for your summer break. While the popular summer destinations might now be out of reach, the student saviour for getting a few days away is still an option – September. Prices for both flights and hotels drastically drop during this first month after the big summer blitz, and it can…

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A Winter Vacanza in Veneto

We might still be basking in the #summer sun, but it's never too early to start thinking about a perfect winter getaway! Check out our guide to a Christmas break to remember in the Veneto region of #Italy! #travel #venice #travelblog

The summer sun is still beaming down on us as July starts, but in a blink of an eye winter will be here and we’ll be lamenting our loss of the sun’s rays (as well as stressing over Christmas presents)! If you want to soak up the last of the year’s sun, then look no further than the famed region of Veneto in north-eastern Italy for your final fix of travel for the year.

  Winter travel can be just…

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From Bayern to Čechy - A City Break with a Difference

Experience Munich, Prague and everything in-between! Read up on our summer city break plans, SHP-style! #ttot #travelblog #prague #munich #travel #ukblog #travelblogger #blogsquad #mondaymotivation #blogpost #studentblog #ukblogger

Summer. Whether it’s chilling out on the beach or seeking out new adventures, we all love to get away form it all for a few days. Although the summer break is just around the corner, it’s not too late to get your holiday plans sorted for your amazing summer getaway. City breaks are our bread and butter, and today we’re presenting you with not one but 2 (and maybe 4!) city visits in one journey!…

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Secret Spain: Northern Adventures for Summer Successes

Northern Spain is calling you! Check out our guide to some of Spain's best kept secrets for your big summer break! #ttot #blog #travelblog #ukblog #ukbloggers #travelblogger #spain #bilbao #santander #sansebastian #europe #holiday

Although the weather here in the UK right now might make it feel like it’s summer already, it’s not too late to be planning your holiday getaway. While Spanish beaches and cities are on the radar of nearly every traveller, the cities in the north of the country are often missed from the travel guides. For a unique experience of culture, the northern Spanish coast can be a great place to make…

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Be a Homestay Hero - Avoiding Airbnb Scams and Knowing Your Rights

Don't let your holiday be ruined by a poor homestay experience - follow our advice for a great stay in an Airbnb for your next holiday! #airbnb #travel #homestay #traveltips #traveladvice #ttot #travelblogger #ukblog #studentblog

It’s no surprise that I love homestay opportunities like those found with Airbnb – a unique way to see a city and make lasting memories, what’s not to love? We can even provide you with a wonderful first-time offer if you’re yet to use the services of Airbnb, with new users to the site being able to get £25 off of their first homestay booking over £55, or £9 off of their first Airbnb experience…

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Disclaimer: This post was written in January 2019, if you are reading this post at a later date the information discussed below may be inaccurate. Please check your chosen airline’s information on luggage before proceeding with your flight booking.

  Quite often when posting a flight route on Student Holiday Plans, I’ll include a caveat about the different prices for different types of luggage. Although the flights may be as low as the price of a nice meal out, it is often these little price increases that push up the overall expenditure of a holiday. Of course for some longer journeys you just have to pay up for a higher luggage allowance, but spending over half of the cost of the flight either way for a short break is something that can easily be dealt with.

First you have to know what you’re working with. For Ryanair and Wizz Air, two of Europe’s biggest budget airlines, you get the same cabin baggage allowance for free – 40cm x 20cm x 25cm for Ryanair, and 40cm x 20cm x 30cm for Wizz Air. Now this is small, fact. It is smaller than most average-sized backpacks – be prepared to take your tape measure with you if you go out to buy a new small bag! It isn’t however beyond the realms of possibility to save money and travel on short journeys with only this bag. Check out our guide below to packing smartly to save money.

  Clothing –

When packing for a holiday, we all often tend to think we need to bring more than we actually do. Of course for many holidays having access to facilities to wash clothes is often not available, but if you’re only planning on bringing your hand luggage with you, you need to pack smart, and often savagely.

The first stop is daywear. It might sound basic, but check the weather of your holiday location before going. If it looks like sun all week, then you don’t need to pack your winter thermals just in case. Always be sure to make room for a thin raincoat or umbrella though, since rain is ubiquitous across all ends of Europe! Don’t pack for what ‘might’ happen either – if you’re travelling with fixed plans in mind for activities, then create your outfits for those days before you pack. Don’t just pack three or four different versions of an outfit for the sake of choice.

If you’re going somewhere with a nightlife that you want to experience, consider items that can double up as day and nightwear. Jean-like trousers are a perfectly example of something that can be worn all day and not look out of place – though beware, denim can be notoriously hard to compactly pack!

Now onto accessories. This can be chargers, brushes or other electronic equipment. These are surprisingly some of the hardest items to pack, as they’re simply not flexible or ‘squashable’. Always pack these things last, since you’ll know what kind of space you’re working with. Detach wires from their plugs if possible, and place them in the little gaps that will always appear. Don’t forget plug adaptors – it’s very unlikely you’ll find these in your holiday destination outside of being overly priced at an airport. As a note, some devices, including laptops and tablets, will need to go through airport security out of your bag, so don’t bury it at the bottom of your bag and forget about it.

Finally, a day sack, or handbag. While in the past you’ve been able to have your hand luggage and a ‘personal bag’ separately, you may now find yourself with just one bag as your carry-on. This may mean that your usual handbag or rucksack will simply be too large to bring with you. You don’t however need to re-pack everything already in your bag into a smaller receptacle. Be clinical with your packing – your essentials are few; you need money or means (debit or credit cards), your house and car key, if parked at the airport (there’s no need to bring all of your keys with you – they’re just taking up room, and you’ll have more to lose if your keys go missing on your holiday) and your passport (which, like your home keys, can easily stay in your main travel bag whenever you’re out of an airport) as necessities. You may also want to consider bringing items including a shopping bag (you may be visiting a country that has a carrier bag charge similar to that of the UK), a small map of your area (though we would advise downloading a map onto your phone that you can use offline), or a pen and small notepad. For such a short journey, everything that you normally have in your bag as ‘just in case’ items are very unlikely to be used, and will just take up room.

  Toiletries –

The universal EU rulings concerning liquids (including aerosols, ‘pastes’ eg. lipstick and gels) in hand luggage already place a limit on what you can travel with. All containers must be under 100ml, and must all fit in one 20cm x 20cm transparent plastic bag. If you want more information on this, check out the official information here.  This is something that can however be advantageous to the ‘hand luggage only’ traveller. Which such a small existing limit, you can easily make room for more items of clothing, or additional items that you may have had to leave behind.

If you want to make even more room through your travel toiletries, we have a few more tips. Our first is to think about just how small you can go with travel-sized products. For example, while most make up products are under 100ml or are compact, think about collecting a few free samples from locations that offer in-store beauty services, or from online free sample releases – there’s no point packing up your entire make up collection when you only need a tiny quantity of make up in relation to your length of journey. This works especially well with scents and perfumes – a tiny sample of perfume is perfect for a few days away, and saves you from trying to pack up your bulky full-sized perfume bottle in that small liquids bag. If you’re travelling with others, it’s also worth considering splitting up the essential toiletries that you’ll all be using. Things like shampoo and toothpaste can easily be shared, giving everyone more room in their luggage. Of course, if you have a bit more money to spend, you can purchase all of your necessary toiletries when you touch down in your holiday location, avoiding any issues with size and allowing for more space in your luggage. Just remember you can’t bring anything back with you if you do this!

As a last note, if you don’t have enough room in your bag to place your toiletries – in the regulated plastic bag – in the top of your bag pre-packed (or if you don’t have a bag itself), you can always save room and stick the tubes, sprays and sticks into small gaps or little side-pockets in your bag when originally packing, and a spend a couple of minutes before going through security re-packing your toiletries.

  We’re going to demonstrate a couple of different luggage options to help you visualise – and actually see- what can be packed – as a note, toiletries aren’t included in these examples.

The first is an over-the-shoulder travel bag measuring (when empty) at 35cm x 20cm x 20cm – this is below the limits for Ryanair and Wizz Air.

      This bag has been packed for an autumn/winter journey for 3 days/4 nights. Below the images is an itinerary for the content of the bag:

      Content =

3 pairs underwear

2 pairs socks

Thermal tights

Bra

Night-shirt

T-shirt

Jean-like trousers (but not denim – a very bulky material)

Dress

Long shirt (can be worn as dress)

Hairbrush

Plug adaptor

  Handbag – containing:

Purse

Passport

Keys

Tablet strips (paracetamol and ibuprofen)

Umbrella

Shopping bag

Pen

  This is not considering the items already being worn – bulkier clothes, large jumpers, jackets and coats don’t need to be packed, and even if you don’t need to wear it, you can carry it through the entire experience with no issues. Items including chargers could definitely fit within this bag also (that’s our fault for not checking twice when packing!)

      The next bag is a backpack, measuring (when empty) at 40cm x 22cm x 20cm. This time we’re going with a summer trip for 3 nights/4 days. Again, below the images is an itinerary for the content of the bag:

      Content =

3 pairs underwear

1 pair socks

2 pairs pop-socks

Tights

Bra

Night-shirt

3 T-shirts

Skirt

Shorts

Jumpsuit

Hairbrush

Plug adaptor

  Handbag – containing:

Purse

Passport

Keys

Tablet strips (paracetamol and ibuprofen)

Umbrella

Shopping bag

Pen

  While you might not have a coat with you in the summer, you can still carry around a jumper or thin jacket in the same way you can with a bigger coat in the winter. Again, a charger would fit fine in this bag too!

  We asked our followers on social media for their favourite tips and tricks for travelling light, here are a few:

    Of course, if you need more room for your luggage, there are many options that are offered by budget airlines for additional luggage. Often the best of these can be found when booking your flights – both Ryanair and Wizz Air offer a ‘priority’ package that entitles a passenger to 2 bags in the cabin; your small bag described above, and a larger bag sized 55cm x 40cm x 23cm for Wizz Air, or 55cm x 40cm x 20cm for Ryanair, as well as the opportunity to board the plane first. This is at a cost of £5 and £6 respectively. However, any time after this, this package increases to up to £15 and £10 respectively. Regarding Ryanair, there is however a limit on the number of passengers that can purchase the priority package per flight. This is usually around half of the expected passenger numbers per flight eg. 99 passengers out of 198 expected can obtain priority. If you find yourself on the wrong side of this, then the next larger luggage option is a 10kg checked bag for £10 at booking, and up to £12 afterwards. This bag is at the same dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.

  There you have it, our tips and tricks for travelling with the budget airlines without having to spend more on bags. Let us know in the comments if you have any advice for the ‘hand luggage only’ traveller!

  Bothered by those extra baggage fees with low-cost airlines? Worry no more with our guide to one bag, hand luggage packing, perfect for those short breaks! #travelblog #ukblog #bloggerstribe #blogginggals #seetheworld #handluggage Disclaimer: This post was written in January 2019, if you are reading this post at a later date the information discussed below may be inaccurate.

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ABC - A Bucharest Charm

#Bucharest is one of Europe's best hidden capital cities! Check out our guide to touring this Romanian recluse - 'I-a picat fața!' #travelblog #bloggerstribe #romania #traveller #ukblog #studentholidayplans #studenttravel #tblogger

Earlier this week, we gave you a brilliant introductory guide to volunteering abroad, written by our guest blogger Astrid. If you haven’t had chance to read it yet, check it out here!

It got me to thinking about locations in Europe that can be visited by those who want to experience a unique ‘voluntourism’ experience as well as visit an area for fun. Romania is one of the best locations for…

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As someone who loves getting out into the world and seeing what every nation has to offer, it’s not uncommon for me to forget just what can be found on my doorstep.

London, to those like me who live hundreds of miles away, is a whole experience when visiting. Even though things may look and sound the same to at home, London is so vast that you could spend a whole day in just one borough and still not know all of its secrets. Our guide to the UK’s capital will hopefully give you an insight into exploring the city like a pro.

  Kensington is one of London’s prettiest districts!

  The capital is, unsurprisingly, a haven for culture. Many of London’s biggest and best collections can be explored for little to no cost. From the Science Museum in glamorous Kensington to the Tate Modern on the banks of the Thames, you can view some of the world’s premier exhibitions in the same city. The London Underground is a great way of getting around so your culture trip can continue with ease.

My recent visit to the Natural History Museum made me fall back in love with nature. This educational hotspot had children and adults alike mesmerising at the wonders of the animal kingdom before introducing them to the scientific surprises found throughout nature. From geology to palaeontology, you could easily spend all day in the gorgeous building – it is however possible to blitz the site while still leaving with a mind full of knowledge.

    The Natural History Museum is one of London’s most gorgeous buildings!

Get into the winter spirit with a fabulous skating session!

  Food is not just a factor of travel – in London, it can be your main focal point! From Chinatown to ‘Little India’, the capital can let you (and your taste-buds) travel around the world without leaving the inner city.

On my latest visit, I opted for hearty American fare with a twist. Honest Burgers, found across London, offer delicious burgers with incredible additions. Be sure to order a double portion of their rosemary-salted chips, since you’ll wolf them down so quickly! With gluten free, veggie and vegan options, everyone can enjoy their delicious meal. Students can also benefit from a very generous 30% discount courtesy of UNiDAYS – check out their page here for all of the T&Cs.

    Four Corners in Waterloo is a stone’s throw from the station!

Honest Burgers can be found all across London, offering great burgers at an even greater price!

  Here are our top tips for a London experience on a budget:

  If you’re in possession of one, remember that your contactless card can work as an Oyster card on the Underground and bus networks – your daily fare will be capped in line with current fees (eg. £7 for travel solely in Zone 1), and is much cheaper than buying a single fare.

Be sure to factor in the number of zones that you’ll be travelling in on the Underground in relation to your length of time in London – it could be cheaper to purchase a multi-day travelcard for a longer stay.

Download a map of the Underground to your phone – internet access cannot be guaranteed when travelling, especially on the Tube; a guide on your phone allows for conspicuous travel planning on the move.

Make sure you know what is and isn’t free within London’s biggest museums and galleries – many of the featured or heavily advertised exhibits will come with a price tag, even if the site and many of the other exhibitions are free to enter.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! – London has a reputation as being a bit of a stoic and silent location, but it reality it’s one of the friendliest cities around. From Tube staff to waiters and waitresses, be sure to ask for help and guidance if required. Even ask other visitors to the city about their itineraries to gain perspectives of the city that you would never have previously explored.

  London is gorgeous, whatever time of day!

  Images: Heather Swain, Megan Field

  Please note, all the information on this page is accurate at the time of publication. If you are viewing this information at a later date, the prices and availability may no longer be as advertised.

  Capital experiences for a capital price! Check out our tips to explore #London on a budget! #ttot #travelblog #ukblog #bloggerstribe #uktravel #travelblogger #tblogger As someone who loves getting out into the world and seeing what every nation has to offer, it's not uncommon for me to forget just what can be found on my doorstep.

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An Albanian Affair

Want culture, history and beauty from your break? Look no further than Albania! Check out our last post of 2018 to get inspired for your 2019 travels! #travelblog #ukblogger #ttot #albania #nye #budgettravel #citylife #bloggerstribe

It may not even be 2019 yet, but now is one of the best times to start planning your spring and summer adventures!

You might only know Albania as one of the first countries alphabetically, but this Balkan beauty is a haven of culture and surprise. This route takes you in and around Albania’s capital of Tirana, and to the gorgeous coastal port of Durrës, two locations that will leave you wanting…

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Ringing in the New Year, Student Holiday Plans Style

Want to end your year with a bang? Get ready for an incredible deal on hotels next week - be prepared with our guide! #travel #holiday #traveldeals #deals #vacation #christmas #travelblog #blog #bloggerstribe #blogger #ttot #student

Student Holiday Plans always tries to find deals that allow you time and ease for planning a holiday. However, some deals are so spontaneous that we, and you, simply don’t have time to strategise! This deal in particular is not a travel deal involving flights, but a deal on accommodation that seriously is too good to turn down.

  Expedia are offering 90% on selected hotels for travel between the…

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Black Fly-Day

Black Fly-Day is upon us! We will be tracking the best routes and updating this post with all the best deals, be sure to keep checking in with us throughout the day!

NOTE – The below deals may only be valid until the end of the 23rd November; the prices and route availability may greatly increase following this date.

  This post will be updated throughout the day with any new, major airline deals!

  Black Friday – the shopping holiday the day after Thanksgiving has entered the global consciousness in a massive way. This is something that the travel industry…

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Same City, Different Day - Re-visiting your Favourite Places with Fresh Eyes

Re-visiting #Budapest has made me want to see so much more of this city! Turns out that twice is still not enough! See our top tips for re-visiting your favourite places time and time again! #travel #ttot #holiday #blog #travelblog

This past week I was lucky enough to re-visit the city I consider to be my favourite in Europe – Budapest. Although my main reason for visiting was sadly not as a tourist, I was able to see a few of the sites I remembered so fondly from my previous time in Hungary’s capital, while also being able to make a few new memories in new locations.

  A less common view of Budapest’s brilliant banks of…

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Ryanair's Cabin Bag Policy, Unravelled

Ryanair's Cabin Bag Policy, Unravelled. #travel #ttot #travelblogger #studentblogger #studenttravel #studentholidayplans #blog #holiday #uktravel #ukflights #tuesdaythoughts #ryanair #vacation #europe #europeantravel #travelgoals

Like them or loathe them, most students decide to fly with Ryanair simply owing to the cheap (or so it seems) price tag for their flights. I was inspired to write this post after receiving a panicked message from my brother asking me if he has messed up by not opting for priority boarding for a Ryanair flight later this week. He said that he had tried to read about the airline’s cabin baggage…

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