While being at the University of Surrey is very well located for taking local trips by train and international trips by plane or train, which can both be booked online. Below, I have given a list of the places I have visited, with my favourite things about each place and some tips I recommend for visiting as a university student.

Trips within England:

• London

London was my first destination once I started university; the train takes around 30 minutes to an hour from Guildford, which is perfect for a day or weekend trip. I found it so easy and convenient to travel around the city in public transport, it is well connected around the city. Some of my favourite neighbourhoods are Soho, Notting-hill and Shoreditch. In my opinion, London has something for everyone’s taste, such as museums, theatre, music and food. I make sure to especially avoid public holidays, as it can get super busy, making it hard to get anywhere.

• Worthing

I took the train to visit a friend in Worthing. Worthing is a small town on the coast of England that is on the seaside. It is a beautiful place to see the sea, in general I recommend visiting the coast of England to see the English beaches, which can be quite different to the ones abroad. Many people enjoy swimming in the sea, which I tried to do when I visited. However, I will not be trying it again, as the water is freezing cold, but besides that, it was a lovely visit.

• Bath

Bath is a great place in England that is full of history. It takes a bit longer to get there from Guildford, around 2 and a half hours, with a train change. It has so many beautiful spots to appreciate; my favourite spots, especially in the summertime, are going to the crescent and enjoying the greenery and architecture. Additionally, a great place to visit is the Roman baths, where you can see archaeological pieces from Roman Britain.

International trips:

• The Netherlands

My favourite place I have visited in Europe is the Netherlands. I visited Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The architecture is so great and unique, and they have lots of museums to visit. I loved especially taking a boat tour through the canals of Amsterdam and learning all the history. The only downside is that the accommodation is quite expensive in Amsterdam as it is such a popular city, so I would recommend staying on the outskirts of the city centre.

• Portugal

I visited a couple of cities in Portugal, including Lisbon and Porto, during the summer. It is a super close flight, and the country has some great, affordable options for travel. I personally shared a house with a few friends, and it was a great option, as it is more comfortable than a hotel. I  enjoyed the nightlife and the delicious food very much; everyone was super friendly and fun.

• Hungary

A friend and I took a very quick trip to Budapest after our exams were over one year old. Budapest is a great place for students to visit as it is also budget-friendly, with our private accommodation, flights, and activities. My favourite part was going to the thermal baths, where we got a day pass to swim in thermal water and enjoy the sun right in the middle of the city. The city was a good enough size that we were able to walk and see most of the tourist attractions during the weekend.

This was a list with just a few places, but there are many more! Taking advantage of all the places close by to visit is a great way to take a break from academics.