Youth And Student Discounts

Various official and quasi-official youth/student ID cards soon pay for themselves in savings. Full-time students are eligible for the International Student ID Card (ISIC), which entitles the bearer to special air, rail and bus fares and discounts at museums, theatres and other attractions. For Americans there's also a health benefit, providing up to $3000 in emergency medical coverage and $100 a day for 60 days in the hospital, plus a 24-hour hotline to call in the event of a medical, legal or financial emergency. The card costs £6 in the UK; $22 for Americans; Can$16 for Canadians; AUS$16.50 for Australians; and $NZ21 for New Zealanders.

You have to be 26 or younger to qualify for the International Youth Travel Card , which costs £7/US$22 and carries the same benefits. All these cards are available in the UK from Usit Campus and STA; in the US from Council Travel, STA, Travel Cuts and, in Canada, Hostelling International; in Australia and New Zealand from STA or Campus Travel.

Several other travel organizations and accommodation groups also sell their own cards, good for various discounts. A university photo ID might open some doors, but is not as easily recognizable as the ISIC card, although the latter is often not accepted as valid proof of age, for example in bars or clubs.

Money and the exchange rate

ATM cards and credit cards

Visa TravelMoney (www.visa.com)

Changing money

Wiring money

Youth and student discounts