A weekend away may seem like an expensive luxury, unjustifiable considering the often-unhealthy state of our student bank accounts.
However, a short getaway does not have to equate to extreme expense, and they can provide a much-needed mini break from the stresses and strains of university life.
A weekend trip provides you with the time to begin to explore just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the delights that Scotland has to offer.
Car sharing is the ideal way to explore Scotland’s more remote locations and splitting the cost of fuel between a few people can save a considerable amount on travel fares, not to mention giving you more flexibility.
Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Pittenweem are all within a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Edinburgh and provide the perfect escape from city life.
Staying closer to home reduces travel costs and optimises time. Neither Glasgow nor Dundee may be your first port of call when it comes to a weekend break, but both have more to offer than you may initially think: Dundee, the new V&A and Glasgow, the historic Kelvingrove.
Train fares to both destinations are fairly reasonable, given their proximity to Edinburgh.
Great Little Breaks is a fantastic website to discover some weekend getaway deals. The company provides low cost, but luxurious getaways by finding the best deals across the UK. Every deal comes with an added extra, for example an evening meal, afternoon tea or drinks and dinner vouchers.
If you are interested in exploring further afield, you can fly to the Polish capital, Warsaw from Edinburgh with a £43 return, spending as little as £10 on a hostel dorm and just over £1 on a beer.* The city is packed with historic attractions and its cobbled streets lined with colourful merchant houses are none other than charming.
Skyscanner and Hostelworld allow you to search for the best budget options when it comes to travel and accommodation.
Also, The Price of Travel website, is a handy tool to determine whether a destination is suited to your budget.
During these winter months we all need something that we can look forward to. By splurging a (very) little, you can access the excitement and relaxation that a weekend getaway can provide, safe in the knowledge that you won’t have to go without food during exam season.
*Flight costs based on flying with Wizz Air on the 31st January to the 2nd February.
Illustration Credit: Hannah Riordan