Learn to make the most out of your student status with a wide variety of travel discounts and reduced fares.
Youth and student travelers throughout the world can look forward to a large number of deals and discounts on a variety of services and products. Many travel agencies and bus services offer cheaper tickets and fares, while museums and other city sights may have reduced or free entrance for people able to prove their student status. So the next time you decide to travel as a student, make sure you are getting the most out of your available student travel deals, you may find they make a big difference on your travel budget!
When looking for student discounts or travel deals, the most important thing is to be able to prove your student status. After all, anybody can claim they are a student, so travel services and tourist sites need a way to ensure that people really are students if they say they are. Although a student ID card or copy of a transcript may suffice for some locations, many places require additional proof. The most common of these is the International Student ID Card, also known as the ISID Card. This blue card can be ordered online, and requires a copy of a transcript or valid student ID in order to get one. The ID comes with a photo and is accepted in most locations in Europe and around the world. With the card, there are a number of automatic savings and coupons, as well as information on travel insurance and international calling cards.
Travel deals such as bus and plane tickets are another place to look for student discounts. Many websites, such as www.studenttravel.com and others, offer discounted fares to buyers who can prove student status with a student ID number or valid student email account. Once you have registered and proven your status, you are able to search the discount fares and purchase them. Sometimes, last-minute deals can be found in this manner, where extra or unsold seats for a flight are offered on substantial discount at student and bargain travel sites. Although this is often the cheapest way to fly, there is no telling when the flights will be available, and the very short response time means that travelers must be ready at a moments notice.
For longer travel within various European countries there are also a number options for student travelers. In many countries, such as France and Germany, the major rail or bus services have an under 24 or student card category, which enables people to get major discounts or free tickets. While you may have to pay an initial fee for the card, they are usually valid for up to one year and can be used for as many discounts or free tickets as possible during that time period. Eurail, for example, the rail ticket valid for travel throughout Europe, comes with a student option for cheaper fares.
Finding lodging as a student can also be done on the cheap, and there are a huge number of lodgings aimed at a younger student crows. Hotels and hostels almost always have student fares and discounts on rooms. Though student status is not necessary for youth hostels, they often have an age limit for 24 or 26. Getting an International Youth Hostel Card allows the card holder to get a discount on youth hostels around the world, as well as information on other travel deals and packages.
Finally, there are a variety of travel packages available for students looking to travel in a group or for an extended period of time. Many student travel companies offer around-the-world flights, which can be changed or adjusted for personal preference, at a cheaper price for students. These multiple-leg trips allow students to stop over in various cities for one or two days, and sometimes the package will include a number of hotel nights and accommodations. Other group packages or tours can be arranged for students at the same college, for spring break or summer holiday get-aways. With these deals, often the more people you arrange to travel with, the greater the discount for the entire group. Thus, large groups of college friends, if they plan early enough, can arrange very cheap Spring Break vacations in a number of locations.
