Get a student discount card before heading to Europe

Heading to Europe this summer for school break or planning to do a Europe study-abroad program in the fall? You can save on attractions, transportation, accommodations, and even shopping and dining if armed with the right discount cards.

The most important discount card for Europe is a student identity card from an internationally recognized student and youth travel organization. Vendors overseas generally prefer these over regular college-issued IDs. International Student Identity Cards (ISICs) and International Student Exchange cards (ISEs) are the two most common ones, but ISICs are better known, cheaper, and come with free basic travel insurance when purchased in the U.S. Full-time students with proof of student status (a valid college ID, current class schedule, or tuition receipt) can purchase an ISIC through STA Travel for $22 plus shipping.

Once you have the card (and you should obtain one before heading overseas), you’ll be able to use it for some 32,000 different discounts worldwide. You can use the discount-finder tool on the ISTC website to find savings opportunities in your destination. Besides the discounts listed on the site, I found that during my Europe travels as a student, flashing my ISIC at museums and other attractions resulted in a discount more often than not.

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