Cheap accommodation for the first weeks as an Indian student abroad in 2026
By Arjun Kapoor (Sneha Reddy is a returned-student travel blogger who documented her own journey from Hyderabad to Melbourne and back. She covers packing, first-week logistics, part-time work rules and the practical side of being an Indian student abroad, drawing on five years of lived experience across Australia and Germany.) · Published · 9 min read
Arriving abroad without permanent housing sorted is common for Indian students. Here is how to find cheap, safe accommodation for your first 1-4 weeks.
Quick answer
For the first 1-4 weeks before permanent housing is available, Indian students commonly use: university temporary accommodation (cheapest and safest if available — apply early), youth hostels (GBP/EUR/AUD 15-40/night for a dorm bed), Airbnb or Booking.com (private rooms from GBP/EUR 30-60/night), Indian student community housing (Facebook/WhatsApp groups for your university often have short-term room offers), and homestays arranged through the university. Book at least 2-3 weeks before arrival — prices spike during August-September when thousands of students arrive simultaneously.
University temporary accommodation
Many universities offer temporary or early-arrival accommodation for international students who arrive before their permanent housing contract starts. This is typically a university-owned dorm room available for 1-4 weeks at a daily or weekly rate. It is the cheapest and safest option because it is on campus, close to orientation events, and among other new students.
Apply through your university's accommodation office as soon as you accept your offer. These places fill up quickly — especially at popular universities in London, Toronto, Melbourne and Berlin during the August-September intake. If your university does not offer temporary accommodation, ask the international students' office for recommended alternatives.
Youth hostels and budget hotels
Youth hostels (Hostelling International, YHA, independent hostels) offer dorm beds and private rooms at budget prices. A dorm bed in a 4-8 bed room typically costs:
London: GBP 20-45/night. Toronto: CAD 30-50/night. Melbourne: AUD 25-45/night. Berlin: EUR 15-30/night. Singapore: SGD 20-40/night.
For a 2-week stay, hostel dorm accommodation costs approximately GBP 280-630 in London or EUR 210-420 in Berlin. This is substantially cheaper than a hotel but less private. Most hostels have shared kitchens where you can cook (important for Indian students who want home food during a stressful settling-in period).
Book via Hostelworld, Booking.com or the hostel's direct website. Read reviews — quality varies enormously. Look for hostels near your university campus or on a convenient transit line.
Airbnb and short-term rentals
Airbnb private rooms cost more than hostel dorms but offer privacy and often a kitchen. Expect to pay GBP 30-60/night in London, EUR 25-50 in Berlin, CAD 40-70 in Toronto, AUD 40-70 in Melbourne. A 2-week stay costs GBP 420-840 in London — expensive but comfortable if your budget allows.
Tips for booking: look for weekly discounts (many Airbnb hosts offer 10-20% off for stays of 7+ nights), choose locations near your university or on a direct transit line, and read reviews from previous guests (especially about kitchen access and Wi-Fi quality). Book 3-4 weeks before arrival for the best selection — August listings near universities get snapped up fast.
Indian student community networks
The most cost-effective (and culturally comfortable) option is often through the Indian student community at your destination university. Every major university has an Indian Students' Association or similar group with an active Facebook group and WhatsApp chat. Join these groups as soon as you receive your admission letter.
Common arrangements: a senior Indian student with a spare room or couch offers it for free or cheap during your first week; a group of incoming students pools together to book a short-term rental; or a current student sublets their room during the summer (they are in India) and you use it for your first few weeks before your own housing starts.
These arrangements are informal but widespread. They also provide immediate social connections — your hosts become your first friends and guides to the local Indian grocery stores, gurdwaras/temples, and campus life.
Practical tips for the first-week stay
Pack for your temporary stay: Your temporary accommodation may not provide towels, bedding or kitchen supplies. Pack a small towel and a bedsheet in your hand luggage (or buy cheap ones at Primark/Kmart/IKEA on arrival day).
Cook early: Eating out every meal during your first week is expensive (GBP 8-15/meal in London, AUD 10-20 in Melbourne). If your temporary accommodation has a kitchen, cook from the spices and ready-to-eat packets you brought from India (see our packing list). Buy rice, dal and vegetables from a local Indian grocery store on your first or second day.
Start permanent housing search immediately: Do not wait until your temporary stay ends. Use university housing portals, local rental websites (Rightmove/SpareRoom for UK, Kijiji for Canada, Domain for Australia, WG-Gesucht for Germany) and Indian student groups to find permanent housing. The first two weeks are critical — waiting longer means less choice and higher rents.
Search for flights to your study destination on FlightGPT once your accommodation plan is in place.
Frequently asked questions
How much does first-week accommodation cost for students abroad?
Approximately GBP 140-300 in London, EUR 100-200 in Berlin, CAD 200-350 in Toronto, and AUD 175-300 in Melbourne for a 7-night stay in a hostel dorm or budget Airbnb.
Should I book permanent housing before leaving India?
If your university offers on-campus housing, accept it from India. For private rentals, it is generally safer to book temporary accommodation and search for permanent housing after arrival — you can inspect the property and neighbourhood in person.
Are there Indian homestays available near universities abroad?
Informally, yes — through Indian student community groups. Some universities also have formal homestay programmes where you stay with a local family. Check with your university's international office.