“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
This oldy-moldy saying is timeless:
In 2013, a survey from WYSE showed that 86% of people admitted their student vacation trips in younger years boosted their curiosity and influenced their academic performance. In 2024, most college students continue praising travel as their hobby, thanks to its affordability and the unforgettable experience it brings.
Need more practical reasons to travel as a college student? Or, do you look for travel ideas and places to visit during your student years?
You’re at the right place to get the answers.
Why Travel As a College Student
My friends from a thesis writing service assisting hundreds of high school and college students with assignments insist on a direct correlation between travel and a student’s academic performance.
No wonder:
Besides the lifelong memories and fun, traveling is one of the best steps toward new knowledge, experiences, and skills. Plus, it’s a stellar instrument for holistic character development. How does this activity influence a college student?
- It helps embrace diversity. You learn new cultures and customs abroad, meet people who might not look or think like you, and become more open-minded and tolerant toward different social groups.
- Travel enhances language learning. This is the most evident benefit of traveling to areas with different languages: You learn new vocabulary to communicate with locals.
- It promotes individual responsibility. Away from home, you leave your comfort zone and have to learn to be comfortable alone. Travel helps you see what you can achieve when no one is by your side.
- It inspires experiments and new perspectives. When in a new environment, your imagination runs wild. Ideas come, creativity boosts, and you feel ready to move heaven and earth.
- Travel builds confidence and improves social skills, both of which are essential for college students to develop. It’s also about emotional intelligence: You learn to understand people, read social cues, and understand emotions for better communication and collaboration.
7 Best Places to Travel for College Students
1 — Cancun, Mexico
It can be your happy place to relax and take some rest from schoolwork and academic burnout. Go to this tropical zone to sunbathe at Playa Delfines (the free-to-access public beach in Cancun) and spend nights at crazy parties in the Hotel Zone’s nightclubs.
Cancun is affordable for college students, and you don’t need a visa to go there (if you’re an American citizen). However, prepare a valid Mexico tourist card to enter the country for leisure.
2 — Porto, Portugal
Very beautiful and more affordable than popular spots like Paris or Barcelona, Porto is your chance to see the ocean and save some money. Being the underdog of European travel, Portugal has everything a college student needs:
- Low cost of living
- Affordable public transport to explore diverse landscapes and centuries-old castles
- Sun-kissed beaches
- Yummy seafood and wines
- Vibrant city life
In Porto, you can take advantage of the riverside of Ribeira (a UNESCO heritage site) and the blue-and-white tiled Capela das Almas. If you’re a bookworm, Livraria Lello is your must-visit.
3 — Athens, Greece
Are you a fan of Disney’s Hercules or the movie 300? Then, Greece is the travel destination of your choice:
With its blend of ancient ruins, Mediterranean sun, and culinary masterpieces, the country is student-friendly, giving you a chance to travel back in time. Visit Athens to see the Acropolis and Parthenon, dive into landmarks from the days of Zeus and Aphrodite, and go to the Greek islands for stunning beaches and nature.
Plan your trip to Greece during academic breaks to get some freebies for students. Or, consider off-season travel to this country to see more for less money.
4 — Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand is the country that will save you money and give you a lifetime experience. Bangkok’s bustling streets will satisfy you: delicious street food, cultural diversity, and the surprising art of haggling are just a few must-sees in the city.
Numerous hostels and accommodations make it easy to find a comfortable and cost-effective place to stay. If you don’t want to limit your visit to Thailand to Bangkok, the historic temples of Chiang Mai and the sunny beaches of Phuket are waiting for you all year round.
5 — Kyiv, Ukraine
The country is at an existential war now, fighting for the right to be a free, sovereign state, but its capital, Kyiv, is waiting for tourists after the victory. The descendant of Kyivan Rus and one of the oldest cities in the center of Europe, it combines traditions and modernity.
In Kyiv, get ready to “suffer” from low prices, incredible hospitality, numerous historical landmarks, and unique cuisine. Ukrainians are proud of their ancestors and traditions and are happy to introduce you to their capital.
Please don’t miss Podil over the Dnipro River, Andriivskyi (Andrew’s) Descent, known as the “Montmartre of Kyiv,” and Saint Michael’s Square to see a memorial to the victims of the Holodomor, the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine, a Russo-Ukrainian War memorial, and many historical monuments.
6 — New York, the USA
The city has a reputation for being super expensive, but you can find attractions for every budget there if you know where to look:
Free walking tours to Soho and Chinatown (remember to tip the guide), affordable museums (the Museum of Modern Art is free for students of some schools), and cheap pizza slices at Times Square — you will always find what to do in the Big Apple.
This destination is best for foodies and novelty seekers.
7 — Delhi, India
You can’t miss the opportunity to see this Asian country of rich yet diverse cultural heritage! Go to Delhi to experience an overwhelmingly busy lifestyle and a hefty cultural shock. The cost of living is cheap, making India one of the best travel destinations for college students and those with low budgets.
If you’re looking for more relaxing places in India, go to Kerala or Goa instead. With a slow pace of life, the warm ocean, and sandy beaches, you won’t be bored there.
Ready to Go?
Now you have them: seven of the best places for college students to visit because of their budget-friendliness, breathtaking beauty, and rich cultural experiences they bring. This mix makes them perfect destinations for young travelers: Not only will you take a break from your studies, but you’ll also expand your horizons and come home a different person.
So, pack your bags and get ready for new emotions and experiences! Which country from this list will you visit first?
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