Data Shows Cost-of-Living Crisis Impact on Student Travel
The cost-of-living crisis remains an ever-present anxiety, leading to many tightening their purse strings, including the student population who are often watching the pennies even closer than the pounds.
Jill McElroy, student travel expert at the world’s largest student and youth travel agency StudentUniverse, shares how according to recent data, student and youth travellers are showing continued hunger for international travel, with a significant pull towards the U.S. even despite the economic landscape.
“Long-haul travel and extended vocational trips are still no.1 amongst British students. North America has seen a strengthening of flight bookings, with almost three in ten bookings in 2024 going to destinations within the States. The appetite for travel amongst students and young travellers remains powerful within an economic period of hardship, apparent in retained hunger for extended long-haul travel, both vocational and vocational with 78% interested in travelling this year. In fact, students have continued to prioritise their disposable income for travel first, they want it that bad!”
You read that right! British student and youth travellers are still interested in jetting off on long haul expeditions, but how, or why is this happening? Jill’s insights below…
Show Me the Money (I’ve Saved)! – One Way Bookings
One-way flight bookings have seen a sustained popularity amongst students in 2024 (65%), leaning itself not only to extended periods of travel, but also to the potential for discounts over return fares. Savvy travellers know that one-way fares to/from the UK and U.S. see an average discount of £175 each. As 75% of students are concerned with the overall costs of a study abroad placement or extended vocational period, this makes international travel far more accessible, saving students £350 over the convenience of having the return flights on the same booking… looks like they’ve cracked the code to getting away for less and its popularity is showing.
Good Grief that’s… not a lot
Despite the cost-of-living crisis impacting the price of everyday goods, the cost of international air fare has not been disturbed to the same degree. While the average cost of flights to Europe (£190) has remained consistent, there has been a £9 decrease in the average cost of a flight to the United States, from £698 to £689. Over 9 in 10 students are more likely to book a flight where a discount is offered, making the United States quite the hotspot for British students.
Thus, the cost-of-living crisis has not made international travel less accessible, nor less desirable, reflected in the continued demand shown by these travellers for both Europe and the U.S.
Hopped off the plane at … JFK?
That’s right, the most popular long-haul destination for our student travellers is the city that never sleeps – New York! In fact, the top three long-haul destinations are all American cities. See below for a breakdown of the top three city destinations from 2023 to 2024:
| 2023 | 2024 |
| 1. New York | 1. New York |
| 2. Sydney | 2. Boston |
| 3. Los Angeles | 3. San Francisco |
North America has seen an increase in popularity for 2024, increasing its market share of flights by 34% in comparison to 2023, now being the top destination for student and youth travel internationally from the UK. Perhaps students are wanting to learn all about the historic American Revolution, see the picturesque Golden Gate Bridge… or they just all really love crab!
The country offers everything students could possibly need; a wide range of locales, nature, and people; endless entertainment no matter what you want; and now great deals to get there – what more could you want!
Better Than Revenge – Have your own “USA Summer”
We’re all aware of the yearly event of Americans heading to Europe to live out their best life and have their “Euro Summer”, as well as seeing online videos of their confusion that chips are crisps…
But with such great deals on flights to America, why not have your own “USA Summer?” and explore one of its many stunning cities instead of a traditional sun, sea and sand vacay in Europe.
By being travel hack savvy young people are able to forget the cost of living’s seemingly unrelenting attack on our purses and travel to luxurious locales, without worrying about costs. To find out more or to book your own trip, visit www.studentuniverse.co.uk