The key to any international adventure launched on a tight budget is finding cheap flights. London is the perfect beginning to backpacking across Europe. Budget travel agencies regularly have discount fares to this world transport hub and frequently offer additional savings for students and large groups. There is no benefit to buying directly from the airlines. The Internet is an incredibly useful tool for hunting down cheap tickets.
Thanks to the Channel Tunnel, there is now a land link between Britain and Europe. The tickets for crossing the channel to France on a Eurostar train are similar to purchasing a flight ticket. Buying directly isn't always the cheapest option. Here again, StudentUniverse has proven to be the leader in discount student travel.
Before you dash off to Europe, take some time to backpack across England. There is a wide array of things to see and do. London alone is worth getting lost in for a couple of weeks and is easily feasible on a cheap travel budget. Britain is home to many hostels, B&Bs, guesthouses and budget hotels. For the real flavor of the country, try to stay at a B&B, which is frequently just a room in a family's house and always comes with a large breakfast. Many country pubs are also discount hotels. Staying there is cheap and puts you in the center of local activities, but are frequently noisy and unsafe for lone female travelers.
Ask an Englishman his favorite British food and he'll say curry. England has long been legendary for abysmal cuisine. But, things are quickly improving. The use of fresh fruit and vegetables is on the rise and most restaurants will offer at least one vegetarian dish. For traditional English food at a discount price, head to the local pub. There you will be able to find cheap Yorkshire pudding and budget-friendly steak and kidney pie.
If you are a fan of medieval history, the castles and museums of England will keep you fascinated. Sometimes it is even possible to stay in a castle, but that would be a splurge item for a student traveler or budget travel junkie. Many of England's major museums are free. Plus, grab a copy of London's free entertainment magazine, Time Out, when you see one. There you'll find lists of cheap and free activities such as chamber music and art exhibits. Most major cities offer a similar magazine for free or a minimal price.
The Internet can be a student or budget traveler's best friend when planning a trip to England. Invest in a cheap flight, and then hit the backpacker's trail. You'll find history and entertainment around every corner from London to Leeds making cheap travel to England an obtainable adventure. Here some other cheap travel tips for other countries:
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