Antes que nada, please pardon my 2 months of being MIA as I was busy going through life. There were highs and lows but I would like to focus on the positive and remember some of the core memories that I've made in the the past months - I celebrated my cumpleaños in Ibiza, travelled to 3 different countries, had 2 international work trips (in a span of 1 week!!!) and attended the Era's Tour! Safe it is to say that it's been HECTIC so I didn't have time to actually sit down and update this site. Rest assured, I will be writing about those experiences in the near future but for now ...
I just wanna wish everyone a HAPPY SUMMER!
Although this season is not my favourite (and I get hot and annoyed most of the time when I'm out lol), I'm actually pretty content (excited?) to spend the next couple of months indoors - as much as possible. I know some people love to travel during this time but the heat gets unbearable for me. Hence I decided to stay at home this szn and take care of my plants, watch old movies with the bf, learn how to play guitar (for the nth time!!), do my workouts, and update this blog (!!) Sounds fun? It's gonna be!
Speaking of summers and travels, that's what I would like to talk about on this post. I often receive a lot of comments and questions from my friends on how I can travel a lot. Travelling is a privilege and I know this firsthand because I used to be that person on the other side of the screen - just watching rich people travel everywhere. But after working in a travel management company and personally visiting 32 countries throughout a decade, I now know that travelling is not just for the rich. YUP, you actually don't have to spend tons of money to travel well and build memories. You have to travel smart however. You have to strategize.
And in this post I will give you tips and tricks on how to do just that. So if you are a newbie in Spain and want to scratch the travel bug itch but don't have a big budget - I gotchu!
Join Student-Focused Travel Groups
Thankfully, many travel companies in Spain cater specifically to students. These companies specialize in organizing student-friendly trips, including transportation, accommodation, and guided tours at lower costs. They often have deals with hostels, budget airlines, and local attractions to keep costs down. They also often include unique experiences and activities that are both affordable and memorable, such as cultural exchanges, local festivals, and adventure sports. Another upside of this is that since you are travelling with fellow students, it can be a great opportunity to make new friends and share travel experiences.
Here are some budget friendly travel groups for students:
Leverage the Cheap (and sometimes FREE!) Transportation
Welcome to Spain - a country that gives you train rides - for free! Since 2022, the regional trains in Cataluña and Madrid offer free rides - you only have to pay 20€ in advance and you can ride for free for the next months! It's been very helpful - especially to students who are on a budget so please use this chance to explore the villages nearby your city. I swear, there are plenty of things to see!
Aside from the cheap (free???) train rides, another way to get around Spain is through buses. Companies like ALSA and FlixBus offer affordable intercity (and nearby country) trips. Look for student discounts or buy tickets in advance to get the best prices.
I remember during my 1st winter in Spain, my Masters classmates and I went to Andorra together to experience the ski resort for the first time and all of us went by Alsa. We paid less than 40€ back and forth and that was truly a memorable trip that I will always hold in my heart.
You can also opt for budget airlines ie: Ryanair, Vueling, and EasyJet. They frequently offer low-cost flights between European cities. On top of that, you can use fare comparison websites like Skyscanner or Google Flights to find the best deals out of the three!
As for me, I usually go by Ryanair as I get the best deals there. One time, I had to go to Berlin to meet up with my HS bff from the Philippines and I have to only pay 34€, 2-way! Beats that lol
Extra Tip ... Or you can go with Eurail Pass - If planning to travel extensively by train, consider a Eurail Pass which offers flexible travel across multiple countries at a discounted rate for youth under 28.
Choose Budget-Friendly Accommodation
This goes without saying but your accommodation when you travel could make or break your budget. Hotels in Europe are expensive (and small - compared to Asia). I also would not recommend any hotel below 3* but 4* and 5* hotels are more expensive especially during high season. The only way to cut corners on this cost is by travelling with friends (or a partner) so you can split the cost. However, if you're travelling alone and you still want to hold on to your budget, you may consider the ff:
Hostels: Look for budget-friendly hostels on websites like Hostelworld and Booking.com. Many offer student discounts and free breakfast!
University Residences: Check if universities in your destination offer affordable accommodation for students like you.
Airbnb: Consider renting a room or a shared space which can be cheaper than a hotel.
Budget Hotels: Or you can also look for budget hotel chains like Ibis Budget, Motel One, or B&B Hotels.
Travel During Off Season
I love travelling during off season. Not only is everything cheaper - flights, fares, accommodation, food, - but I also get the chance to stay in nice hotels for half the price. I remember staying in a luxury suite in a posh hotel in Sevilla for 1/3 the price just because it was off season. And I was alone to savor it all!
But if you're not a hotel fan like me, I still have some more reasons on why it's nice to travel during off season -
Fewer Crowds: Traveling during the off-season means fewer tourists, which makes for a more enjoyable and authentic experience. You can explore popular sites without the usual crowds! Can you imagine not waking up earlier than usual to avoid 1000 people per minute in Trevi Fountain, Sagrada Familia, or the Eiffel Tower?
Better Deals: Again, this is the main reason why I like travelling off season but hear me out - hotels and airlines often offer special deals and discounts during the off-season to attract travellers. Look out for these promotions to save even more!
Local Festivals and Events: Off-season travel allows you to experience local festivals and events that are less commercialized and more authentic. You can actually see a glimpse of how locals live their lives. And I don't know about you, but for me, it's worth more than anything else when travelling.
Mild Weather: In many parts of Spain and Europe, the off-season weather is still quite pleasant, especially in the spring and fall. This can make sightseeing more comfortable. Don't be like me who disliked the eternal city because my 1st trip (5 years ago) was insanely hot. I know I should cut it some slack as I went there during heatwave but my memories were just filled with sweat and heat that whenever I think of going back to Rome, I just dread it.
Some other Pro Tips:
Save up even more by:
Carrying your student ID and an ISIC card (International Student Identity Card) to avail discounts on transport, accommodation, and attractions.
Using budget apps like Rome2Rio for planning routes, Booking.com for accommodation deals, and Skyscanner for flights.
Choosing "Menu del Día" during lunchtime in Spanish restaurants as it offers a full meal at a reasonable price.
Staying in accommodations with kitchen facilities to save on dining out every time.
Shopping at local supermarkets and markets for fresh and affordable food. If you just want to eat some sandwich or salad, go to Mercadona (when in Spain) because they have a salad bar for as low as 3.5€ - and it's healthy!
Exploring street food and local bakeries for even more affordable meal options.
Going to free museums & attractions (Many cities in EU offer free or discounted entry to museums and historical sites on certain days or times!! You just have to research this in advance)
Joining free walking tours to explore cities rather than booking a paid one. These are often tip-based and provide a good introduction to the area.
Using City Passes - Some cities offer tourist passes that include free or discounted entry to multiple attractions and public transportation. Leverage this BIG TIME!
Hopefully by following these tips and tricks, you can maximize your travel experiences while keeping your expenses to a minimum. I believe in travelling hard. But I also believe in travelling smart. And travelling smart doesn't mean missing out on amazing experiences - it just means finding creative ways to enjoy them without the hefty price tag! Amirite?
I hope you like this post and you visit again for more. For now, enjoy the hot summer, my dear!
Salud!
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