How to Save Money Travelling as a Student (2026 Guide)

Travelling as a student is absolutely possible on a tight budget. The best ways to save money when travelling as a student include booking flights at the right time, using your student ID for discounts, staying in hostels, packing light to dodge baggage fees, using a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card, eating from grocery stores instead of restaurants, using public transit, travelling in shoulder season, and setting a firm budget before you leave. Here is how to do each one.

Key Insights

• Book flights 6 to 8 weeks out using Google Flights price tracking — timing matters more than the platform you book on.
• The ISIC student card and SPC card unlock discounts at hotels, tours, and transport that most travellers never access.
• A no-foreign-transaction-fee card like the Wealthsimple Prepaid Visa saves 2 to 3% on every international purchase.
• Hostel dorms, Couchsurfing, and university exchange housing can cut accommodation costs by 60 to 80% versus hotels.

1. Book Flights at the Right Time Using Price-Tracking Tools

Booking at the right moment can cut your flight cost by 30% or more. Generally, the best time to book domestic flights is four to six weeks in advance, and international flights six to nine weeks ahead. Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday is consistently cheaper than flying on a Friday or Sunday.

Use Google Flights to compare prices across a full month using the calendar view. The app Hopper predicts whether prices will rise or drop and tells you whether to book now or wait. Always search in incognito mode so airline websites cannot track your searches and adjust prices upward. If you fly the same route regularly, platforms like StudentUniverse offer verified student fares that beat standard prices.

2. Use Your Student ID to Get Discounts on Almost Everything

Your student ID is one of the most valuable things in your wallet when you travel. Hundreds of museums, galleries, transit systems, attractions, and tour companies offer student pricing that can be 20 to 50 percent lower than the regular adult rate.

If you plan to travel internationally, consider getting an ISIC card (International Student Identity Card). The ISIC is recognized in over 130 countries and gives you access to thousands of verified discounts on flights, accommodation, tours, and food. The card costs around $25 CAD and can easily pay for itself on a single trip.

If you are travelling within Canada or shopping at Canadian retailers, the SPC card (Student Price Card) is also worth having. It gives discounts at hundreds of Canadian stores, restaurants, and services for around $10–12 per year. Many students already have access through their campus student association.

Always ask “do you have a student discount?” before paying for any ticket or attraction. More often than not, the answer is yes.

3. Stay in Hostels or Use Couchsurfing to Cut Accommodation Costs

Accommodation is usually the biggest travel expense after flights. A bed in a well-reviewed hostel dorm typically runs $25 to $50 CAD per night, compared to $150 to $300 for a budget hotel room in the same city.

Beyond the price, hostels are great for meeting other travellers, sharing tips, and finding people to split costs with. Look for hostels that include free breakfast or a kitchen, so you can cook your own meals and save even more. Couchsurfing is another option that lets you stay with local hosts for free. It takes more effort to set up a good profile and connect with hosts, but many students say it gives them the most authentic travel experience of their trip.

4. Pack Light and Avoid Checked Baggage Fees

Checked baggage fees add up fast. Budget airlines in Europe and North America commonly charge $35 to $75 CAD each way for a checked bag, which can easily add $150 or more to a round trip. Packing everything into a carry-on eliminates this cost entirely.

The key is choosing a bag that meets the carry-on size limits for the airline you’re flying. Check the specific dimensions before you buy a bag, as limits vary between airlines. Pack versatile clothing you can layer and mix and match rather than separate outfits for every day. You will also move faster through airports without checked bags, which saves time and stress.

5. Use a No-Foreign-Transaction-Fee Credit Card When You Travel

Most credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee of 2.5 to 3 percent on every purchase made in a foreign currency. That may sound small, but on a two-week trip with $2,000 in spending, you could pay $50 to $60 in fees alone, just for using your card.

Several Canadian credit cards waive this fee entirely. The Wealthsimple Cash card charges no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee, making it one of the most accessible options for students in 2026. Look for travel credit cards specifically marketed without foreign exchange fees. Before your trip, call your bank or credit card provider to let them know your travel dates and destinations so your card does not get flagged for unusual activity and frozen while you’re abroad. It is also smart to carry a backup card in case your primary card gets lost or blocked. If you’re building your credit history as a student, our guide to credit card tips for students covers what to look for in your first card.

6. Eat from Grocery Stores and Local Markets Instead of Restaurants

Food is where many student travellers blow their budgets without realizing it. Eating three restaurant meals a day in a major city can cost $60 to $100 CAD per day. Buying groceries and eating from local markets cuts that to $20 to $30.

Stock up on easy foods for breakfast and lunch at a nearby grocery store or market, and save your restaurant budget for one good meal in the evening. Street food from local vendors is almost always cheaper than sit-down restaurants and often gives you a more authentic taste of where you are. When you book accommodation, prioritize places with a shared kitchen so you can cook when you want to.

7. Take Public Transit Instead of Taxis and Rideshares

A taxi or rideshare from an airport to a city centre can cost $40 to $80 CAD in most major cities. A train or bus for the same route usually costs $5 to $15. Over the course of a trip, consistently using public transit instead of rideshares can save you hundreds of dollars.

Before you arrive in a new city, look up whether it offers a day pass or tourist transit card. Cities like London, Tokyo, New York, and Toronto all have affordable day or week passes that give you unlimited rides on subways and buses. Google Maps works in most major cities worldwide and will show you the cheapest and fastest transit routes from wherever you are. Walking is free too. Many city centres are very walkable once you get comfortable with the layout.

8. Travel During Shoulder Season to Pay Less for Everything

Shoulder season refers to the travel period just before or after the peak tourist season. In Europe, shoulder season is typically April to May and September to October. In the Caribbean and Mexico, it runs from late April through June. During shoulder season, flight prices, hotel rates, and hostel beds are noticeably cheaper, sometimes by 30 to 50 percent compared to peak summer or holiday periods.

As a student, your schedule is often more flexible than a working adult. Use that to your advantage. If you have a reading week in October or a spring break in April, those are often shoulder season dates. You will also deal with smaller crowds at popular sites, which makes the trip more enjoyable. For tips on planning your spending before a trip, read our article on how to create a money saving plan for students.

9. Set a Travel Budget Before You Leave Home

The biggest mistake student travellers make is leaving without a daily spending limit. Without a number in mind, small purchases add up fast and you arrive home with your savings wiped out and no clear idea of where the money went.

Before your trip, research the average daily cost of your destination. Budget travel sites like Budget Your Trip give real-world cost estimates from travellers. Set a daily budget that covers accommodation, food, transit, and one paid activity. Track your spending each day with a simple notes app on your phone. If you go over one day, adjust the next. Knowing your numbers turns travel from a financial stressor into something you can actually enjoy without the money guilt when you get home. See our guide on how to budget for teens for a simple framework you can adapt for travel.

10. Get Travel Insurance Before You Leave Home

Travel insurance is the tip most students skip because it feels like an unnecessary cost — until they need it. A missed flight, a medical emergency, or a stolen bag can cost thousands of dollars. Insurance protects you from expenses that could wipe out your savings in a single day.

Before buying a plan, check whether you are already covered. Many Canadian universities include emergency travel medical coverage in student fees through the student union — log into your student portal or contact your student association to find out. If you are not covered, plans through providers like TuGo or World Nomads can cost as little as $2–$5 per day for basic medical coverage. For a two-week trip, that is a small price compared to a $5,000 emergency room bill in the US.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much money should a student save before travelling?

A good rule of thumb is to save at least $1,500 to $2,500 CAD for a one-week international trip on a student budget, not counting flights. This covers a hostel bed ($35/night), food ($30/day), local transit, and entry to a few paid attractions. Domestic trips within Canada are generally cheaper, with $500 to $1,000 being reasonable for a short trip depending on the distance and accommodation.

Is it cheaper to travel as a student compared to travelling as an adult?

Yes, in many ways. Students have access to verified student fares on flights, discounted hostel rates, free or reduced museum entry, and programs like the ISIC card that are not available to the general public. Students also tend to be more flexible with travel dates and accommodation standards, which opens up cheaper options that most adults would not consider.

What is the ISIC card and is it worth getting for student travel?

The ISIC (International Student Identity Card) is a globally recognized student ID accepted in over 130 countries. It costs around $25 CAD and provides discounts at thousands of attractions, hostels, airlines, and travel services. If you travel internationally even once a year, the savings on entry fees and accommodation alone will cover the card cost many times over. It is worth getting.

How do I travel on a tight student budget without missing out on experiences?

Focus on free and low-cost experiences first. Most cities have free walking tours, public beaches, parks, markets, and galleries. Spend your paid budget on one or two experiences that actually matter to you and skip the tourist traps. Travelling with one or two friends also helps because you can split accommodation costs, share groceries, and qualify for group rates on tours and activities.

Last updated: May 2026

Robert Puharich is the founder of TeenLearner, where he helps teens build real-world skills in money, AI, and life. With over 20 years in education and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from UBC, he created TeenLearner to teach practical skills such as budgeting, career readiness, decision-making, and the wise use of technology. Robert is also a published author and business founder.