How much did you spend on open days?

[Budgetbee]

I am just thinking how expensive these open days are, especially train tickets

We did Sheffield last year
Loughborough this year.
Imperial college: but that’s local

Having second thoughts about going to see Bath as the total tickets are £160 for both; plus lunch. on the other hand I think is a nice trip, and bonding experience with DC.

I guess that’s not too bad compared with other people who are doing more

That makes sense, thanks.

Both the ones we went to at one point they separated the students from their parents and did different talks which worked really well. DD wasn’t keen - shes v young in year, introverted and was pretty uncomfortable - but it didn’t kill her. She starts in 2 weeks and would be fine with it now, has matured a lot in the last 9 months.

So I’d say it depends on the DC, I’d be led by them.

We like to chat things through - so DD wanted us there so we could talk about it together afterwards having all experienced it.

The offer days were more detailed. Chance to see accommodation if you didn’t on open day. Course talk was very specific re modules etc. Info on accommodation costs.
I took view it’s a huge financial commitment and just in way you’d second view a house you are buying it was worth going (as long as dc happy to have you)
Her previous favourite became her insurance choice after both offer days.

Live in London. We did an overnight in Leeds and St Andrews (2 nights here due to distance), plus day trips to Bristol and Nottingham. It's an important decision to get right (and costly in terms of £9k fees if you don't).

We've been by train and even with the Two Together card its pricy.
Also look at split ticketing which breaks your journey down into multiple tickets which add up to less than just one ticket.
Driving would probably be cheaper mostly but we can afford the train, I don't really like driving long distances (and DH has left me to do it all) and I think it gives better feel for how far away the uni really is, rather than just zoning out in the car. The train delays on every journey so far have made this more realistic!

To get the cheapest rail tickets, ask at the ticket office in a station. They know the "splits" and the discount cards.
The thing about going by train or bus is that if your student can't drive that's how they will get to and from. In a crisis, being able to jump on a direct coach and be home in two hours makes life much easier.
We ruled out some unis that are two hours drive but the public transport is too long/ too many changes/ stops at weekends.

The split ticketing suggestion is a good one Thetrainline online ticket purchase site has a feature that allows you to select split tickets (there may be other sites that do this too). Note that split ticketing is most effective on weekdays and often does not yield savings if travelling at the weekend. Split ticketing is a way of reducing the proportion of the journey charged at peak-time fare rates and, typically, peak-time fares are not charged at the weekend at all.

You also need to be aware that if you travel on a different train to that you are booked on, it must stop at the stations where you ticket 'splits', even if you remain on the train. You may also have to change seats during your journey as Thetrainline, station booking offices etc may not have been able to reserve the same seat throughout your intended journey.

We did 7. Just spent petrol. No overnights etc.

I’d not thought about train being more realistic as that’s what dc will use. we did train due to distance for most.
We had several journeys with full or part refunds for delays.

Out of three open days on the train we’ll have had delay repay refunds on some part of two of them. (Currently on a late train!)

We got a 2 people travel together railcard, did 2 driving, 1 local in our city, 1 with 6th form college and 1 by train, then 2 offer days by train. But she wanted to stay local so they weren't too bad. The issue was the time it took and problems with being allowed off work from the Saturday job

The most expensive one was Bristol, even with a railcard for DD. It was too far to do in one day so we stayed overnight.

Then, Northern Rail train strikes every Saturday between August Bank Holiday and Christmas meant that I had to drive DD to all the open days.

Also, as a teenager she was far too unsure of herself to do them on her own, and none of her friends were interested in the same universities or courses that she wanted to do.

DC went by themselves, all day trips - though some long days as nearly 4 hours travel each way to one. Felt a bit mixed about that as would have loved some trips away to see where they might go with them but didn’t want to cramp their independence. And it would have been a struggle to cover other children at home.

Also, DD couldn't have gone to the overnight stay ones on her own as she didn't turn 18 until after leaving school.

I have the same problem with my dd - I would have to accompany her to offer holder days if she wants to go. Fake id is tempting.......

I drove mine to all of theirs. And did the tours etc with them. This is not my husband’s area of expertise.

So, apart from petrol, and a meal, they cost very little.

The long drives were a pita after a few, but it was a nice time to spend together.

I can't remember exact cost but we drove or once got train(more expensive) so petrol or train ticket.
For a couple of unis that were not possible to visit in one day we got the cheapest possible Airbnb for the night.
We visited about 4-5 unis per child. I guess cost was between £75-£250 per visit but most were under £100 if driving for a day visit plus food.
If they are spending minimum of 3 years there I think it's important to met lecturers and staff and have a look round, have a chance to talk to existing students etc.
A lot of unis also do virtual tours if it's really difficult to get there. Or if open date is impossible phone up and they often offer you a tour on another date ( although obv want get the talks and probably won't met course leaders either )