Being a student doesn't mean you have to stop having fun when you're watching your spending. Going out, exploring somewhere new, trying a new hobby or spending time with your friends can all add up quickly, but there are plenty of ways to make your money go further.

Make the most of your Railcard

If you regularly travel by train, a Railcard can be one of the easiest ways to cut the cost of days out, visiting friends or heading home.

A 16-25 Railcard gives you 1/3 off most train fares and costs £35 for a year, or £80 for three years. Despite the name, mature students aged 26 and over can also apply for a 16-25 Railcard if they meet the eligibility requirements. There are also other Railcards available, including the 26-30 Railcard and Two Together Railcard.

If you and a friend or partner often travel together, a Two Together Railcard could be particularly useful. It costs £35 for a year and gives both people 1/3 off most train fares when you travel together after 9:30am on weekdays, or at any time on weekends and public holidays. That's just £17.50 each if you split the cost.

Railcard holders can also access a range of offers on food, entertainment and experiences, while the National Rail Days Out Guide features 2 for 1, 1/3 off and other offers at attractions across Great Britain.

Travelling with a group?

If you're heading out with a bigger group, don't automatically assume everyone needs a Railcard. South Western Railway's GroupSave can give groups of 3–9 people 1/3 off adult fares, which could work out cheaper than using individual Railcards for some journeys. It's worth checking both options before you book.

Check Railcard options and offers
See South Western Railway's latest offers

Try something new for free at Team Surrey

You don't need to pay for an expensive gym membership or club subscription to get active at university.

Team Surrey runs Learn To and Free Sport courses where students can try new activities for free. The current Semester 1 programme includes things like swimming, dodgeball, tennis, touch rugby, spin, female-only boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

You don't need to be an expert either. Many sessions are designed for beginners or are open to all abilities, so it's a great way to try something you've never done before without spending money on a membership first.

To access the Free Sport programme, register with Surrey Sports Park using your University email address so your free Student Sport Pass is linked to your account.

There are also PlaySport sessions from £3, giving you the chance to play sport casually without committing to a club or membership.

See the current Team Surrey Free Sport and Learn To courses

Check what's happening on campus

Before spending money on a night out, have a look at what's happening on campus.

The Students' Union and University run plenty of free or affordable events throughout the year, including quizzes, socials, activities, talks and events run by societies and student groups. You can find upcoming events on the Union and University websites.

It's also worth checking out the spaces you already have access to. Manor Park Social has pool tables and regular events, while The Front Room is a space to hang out, play board games and spend time with friends without needing to buy a ticket somewhere else.

See what's on at Surrey

Have a day out without paying for an attraction

Sometimes the best days out don't need an entry ticket.

Guildford has plenty of parks and green spaces that are completely free to explore. Guildford Castle Grounds are free to enter and make a great spot for a picnic, while Stoke Park has 52 hectares of open space, walking routes and views across Guildford.

You can also head out into the Surrey Hills for a walk. There are plenty of routes to explore, including Rail to Ramble routes which allow you to travel by train and start your walk straight from a local station.

Why not grab some snacks from the supermarket, pack a picnic and make a day of it?

Find walking routes in the Surrey Hills
Explore Guildford's parks and green spaces

Discover something new for free

You don't always have to spend money to do something different.

Guildford Museum is free to visit and has collections covering the history of Guildford and the surrounding area. It's right next to the Castle Grounds, so you could easily combine a museum visit with a walk and picnic.

Keep an eye out for free exhibitions, talks, community events and activities around Guildford too. A quick search before you head out could turn an ordinary afternoon into a completely free day out.

Find out more about Guildford Museum

Make the expensive thing cheaper

Sometimes you do want to go out for food, see a show or visit an attraction – and that's okay!

Instead of deciding you can't afford to go, see if there's a cheaper way to do it. Look for student prices, group discounts, off-peak tickets, early booking offers and 2 for 1 deals before paying full price.

If you're travelling somewhere by train, check SWR Rewards and the Railcard offers before you book. Current offers include discounts on days out, restaurants, theatre tickets and other experiences.

If you're going out with friends, don't be afraid to suggest a cheaper option. A picnic instead of a restaurant, a film night at home instead of the cinema, or a walk and coffee instead of a full day out can still be a great time.

A few simple rules for cheaper fun

Plan ahead. Last-minute tickets and travel are often where costs creep up.

Look for the student price. Before you pay, check whether there's a student, young person, off-peak or group rate.

Use what you've already got. Your student ID, Railcard, Students' Union membership and access to campus facilities can all unlock things you might otherwise pay for.

Make the journey part of the day. A walk, picnic or free activity can turn a cheap trip into a full day out.

Don't forget that free is still fun. You don't need to spend money for something to be worth doing.

Most importantly, having a budget doesn't mean you have to miss out. With a little bit of planning, there are loads of ways to try new things, spend time with your friends and explore Surrey without spending a fortune.