Cheap weekend trips from London: a student guide to getting away for less

There is a particular kind of temptation that comes with studying in London. You finish a long week, check a travel app “just to look” and suddenly you are wondering whether you could spend Saturday eating waffles in Brussels or walking beside the canals in Amsterdam.

Sometimes the answer is yes. Cheap weekend trips from London are possible, but the headline fare is only part of the cost. A £25 flight may not be the cheapest option once you add baggage, transfers and accommodation.

The good news for UEL students is that east London is a practical starting point. The Docklands campus is served by the DLR, London City Airport is nearby, and Stratford connects you with rail, Underground and Elizabeth line services. With a little planning, budget travel from London can feel less like a luxury and more like an occasional student adventure.

Start with the total price, not the ticket price

The cheapest option on the first screen is not always the cheapest journey. Before booking, add up the parts you will actually pay for:

• Travel from your accommodation to the airport or station
• Baggage and seat-selection fees
• Transfers at the other end
• Accommodation for one or two nights
• Food, local transport and any entry fees
• The cost of arriving home late - especially if public transport has stopped

A Eurostar ticket may look more expensive than a flight, for example, but it takes you from one city centre to another and usually lets you bring more luggage without the same add-on charges. A flight from a distant airport may still win, but only after you count the full journey.

UEL's cost of living support page is also worth bookmarking if you are trying to make your student budget stretch further generally, not just when travelling.

Which way out of London suits your trip?

London City Airport: easy from east London

For convenience, London City Airport is hard to beat if you live or study near our Docklands campus. You can reach it on the DLR without paying for a separate airport express. Fares are not always the lowest, but saving time and transfer costs can make it competitive for a short break.

Stansted, Gatwick,  Luton and Southend: compare carefully

These airports often have more budget-airline routes and can be useful for cheap European trips from London. The main consideration is the cost and timing of airport transfers. Check the first train, last train and airport-transfer price before choosing a 6am departure or a midnight return. A cheap flight is less fun when you spend the night in the terminal because there is no affordable way home.

Eurostar: simple for nearby European cities

For Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, the train can be the calmest option. You leave from St Pancras, arrive in the city rather than outside it, and avoid the usual airport transfer. Book early and compare the full cost with flying rather than assuming one is always cheaper.

Coach: slow, but sometimes genuinely cheap

If money matters more than time, long-distance coaches can make a weekend abroad possible for less. Overnight journeys also save a night's accommodation, although whether you feel ready to explore after sleeping upright is another question.

Six student-friendly weekend ideas

Amsterdam

Amsterdam works well for a first trip because the centre is compact and easy to explore on foot. You can spend hours around the canals without paying for an attraction. Museums can be expensive, so choose the one you care about most rather than trying to do everything.

Paris

Paris does not have to mean luxury hotels and expensive restaurants. Pick one or two neighbourhoods, walk as much as you can and buy lunch from a bakery or supermarket. Sitting by the Seine or seeing the Eiffel Tower after dark costs nothing.

Brussels and Bruges

Brussels is an easy weekend base, and Bruges can be added as a day trip by local train. It is a good choice for friends who want somewhere attractive and walkable without planning a complicated itinerary.

Barcelona

Barcelona gives you a mix of beach, architecture, markets and late dinners. Flights can be reasonable outside major events and school holidays, but accommodation rises quickly, so check beds before committing to the flight.

Lisbon

Lisbon is hilly, colourful and easy to enjoy without an expensive schedule. The viewpoints, neighbourhood streets and riverside do most of the work. Wear comfortable shoes and avoid building a weekend around crossing the city repeatedly.

Edinburgh

You do not need to leave the UK for a proper change of scene. Edinburgh has dramatic views, old streets and plenty to do on foot. Advance train fares can be good, and travelling overnight may give you more time in the city. 

For a real example, read UEL Ieva's blog of a budget trip to Venice, including the small choices that helped keep the experience affordable.

How students actually keep the cost down

Be flexible by a few hours

The ideal Friday evening departure and Sunday evening return are often the most expensive. Leaving after an early class, travelling on Thursday night or returning on Monday morning can change the price dramatically - as long as it still works with your timetable.

Book accommodation first

Before falling in love with a destination, check accommodation. A cheap flight during a festival, football match or major event can lead to very expensive beds. Refundable accommodation gives you more room to change plans.

Travel light where possible

For a weekend, you probably need less than you think. Wear the bulky layer, pack clothes that work together and check the airline's exact bag dimensions. Paying at the airport because your bag is slightly too large can wipe out the saving you worked for.

Use student discounts, but verify them

Carry your student ID and look for reduced entry at museums, galleries and attractions. Some discounts are only for local or EU students, so check the conditions rather than assuming every “student price” applies.

Spend money where it adds the most value

Saving money does not mean refusing every paid experience. Choose one thing you would genuinely remember, a museum, a concert, a local meal and keep the rest simple. A weekend made entirely of compromises rarely feels like a bargain.

Getting to the airport or station from UEL

The DLR and Elizabeth line make student travel from London easier from UEL's campuses. Check UEL's location and transport information before travelling, especially if your departure is early or your return is late.

An 18+ Student Oyster photocard can reduce the price of adult-rate Travelcards and Bus and Tram Pass season tickets for eligible students, although it does not discount ordinary pay-as-you-go fares in the same way. UEL's guide to the real cost of living in East London includes useful travel-budget context.

For everyday journeys between campuses, UEL also provides a complimentary intercampus shuttle. You can read more about sustainable transport and travel at UEL. The shuttle will not take you to Paris, sadly, but it may save money before the trip begins.

A quick safety and admin check

• Check passport validity and the entry rules for your destination
• Buy suitable travel insurance rather than assuming nothing will go wrong
• Keep copies of important booking details somewhere other than your phone
• Tell somebody where you are staying, especially if travelling alone
• Leave enough time for airport or international-train security
• Check your return route before you leave London 

Rules and transport arrangements can change, so use official travel and government sources before booking. A student blog can help with ideas; it should not be your final check for entry requirements.