Manchester is one of the easiest cities to explore for everyone. Thanks to the added variety, ease of access, and its affordability, Manchester stands out from all the other cities in England and rewards the avid and new travelers with a unique perspective on each visit. But then come the students who are often on the edge of planning what destination they should visit, how to do it, and how much it is going to cost them.
Surprisingly, you do not need deep pockets to fully explore the city of music and football. In fact, Manchester is highly flexible to adjust to your limited budget and welcomes everyone with a rich neighbourhood and food culture that is unmatched in the rest of the major cities in England. Let’s break down all the details for planning an affordable trip around Manchester for students.
Book Your Transport Ahead Of Time
First things first: transport. You do not want to miss that out. Otherwise, how else are you going to travel around the city of Manchester? Many students make the mistake of not sorting out transport ahead of time, which increases their travel expenses. There is a Metrolink tram service that spreads across the city for easier access to any attraction in the city.
However, if you are travelling with a group of friends with luggage, then the best practice is to hire a minibus to travel together in a single vehicle. This is a great cost saver as you do not have to change vehicles multiple times, and all members of your journey will be travelling together around Manchester at the same time, reducing the hassle for coordination.
Timing Of Your Journey
Apart from good transportation, the timing of your journey also matters. This is because the prices are prone to increase during the peak tourism season in Manchester. There is a much higher demand for hotel and transport bookings around Manchester, especially during June to August. Meanwhile, traveling during shoulder or off-season will give you a much better price with less rush and more freedom for exploring the city your own way.
As the city heads into a new year, a lot of tourists prefer to enjoy the festive holidays in Manchester, which provides a completely distinct travel experience. You can also plan such a customisable trip during the off-season to see the exciting Christmas markets.
Choose A Budget-Friendly Accommodation
Do not make the mistake of choosing a high-end holiday accommodation in Manchester. There are various cheaper alternatives available for students that will make your trip in the city even more cost-friendly, and you can focus on more enjoyable activities. You just need to look at the right places, such as the Northern Quarter, Piccadilly, and Oxford Road.
If you are already a student in Manchester, there are budget hotels, discounts and cheaper university halls that are surprisingly affordable to spend a quality time in the city. Lastly, you still have the option for a hostel, which is well connected throughout the city, giving you easy access between multiple destinations for a single or multi-day tour.
Choose Free Or Low Cost Attractions Around Manchester
Manchester is surrounded by different attractions, and most of them are completely free to visit. It means you do not have to visit the city with an over-the-top budget to spend quality time with your friends and explore the city. These free attractions include museums such as The Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, and People’s History Museum.
Museums offer a great introduction to Manchester and promote an educational experience for students. Students also love to visit the Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium because of their immersive football history and specialised tours of the players’ tunnel and legendary moments.
Eating Well On A Budget
If you have already sorted your accommodation and transport, your daily meals are going to be the biggest part of the overall budget. Fortunately, you can also solve this issue by eating only from the independent shops, cafes, and street food spots that offer the best local cuisine with generous student discounts. Fine dining spots might sound good, but they are not an ideal option for students travelling on a budget.
You can cut your food expenses even better by choosing the meals from Chinatown that offer better portion sizes and full-filling meals. Most students also prefer supermarkets to grab on-the-go breakfast, lunch, and snack options to cut down the cost of bigger meals.
Manchester has always been a great base for students to plan cheap day trips. However, you do not have to go for expensive options of accommodation, meals, or transport to break your overall budget.
A good trip around the city of Manchester demands proactive planning, a limited budget, and spending control, which will go a long way to make your journey rewarding. All you need to do is spend some time planning and understanding the slow travel to make the most out of your journey in Manchester.
