Should I buy an ISIC (student ID card)?

[snorkelman]

Again, to help get this forum going, I am posting my suggestions to my own question.  Please post any different opinions/experiences so we can all learn from each other.


I think that you should buy an International Student ID card (available at most university travel shops or with your Eurail stuff).  This card will get you a 10-20% discount at museums and other attractions in Europe.  In general, this card is worth the cost because you will get discounts at things such as museums and I believe that I also go discounts at other attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Pompeii, the Tower of London tour, etc.  years ago, I used to just bring by normal University ID card with me, and places used to give me the discount with that, but in the last several years, places have required the International Student ID card, so you better get it (you still may be able to use a normal College ID in way off places like Bulgaria, but I would just suggest getting the standard one (you will need another passport picture for student ID card too!)

Dave a.k.a. snorkelman

['Guest']

can one get this card even if one is no longer a sudent?

[snorkelman]

I do not think so.  You might want to look into getting a GO 25 card instead.  Also, if you teach by any chance, i hear that there is a card that teachers can get.

[Cat]

I went to the UK two years ago and brought my student card. This was no problem, some places even charged my friends (non-students) the student rate, without a card! Only Oxford didn't buy that....  
This year I visited Italy, It seems that in this country you can only be a student when you are under 26.    Weird rule, but anyway, being 26 ment I couldn't use my card. I have never tried an international student card, maybe then the rules are different.....

[acefrehley76]

my experience this summer with the ISIC was pretty damn good. In just about every country except Italy, I was able to get currency exchange commission free with it. And of course, there was also the discount for attractions and even the pubs. So it's definatly worth getting it.

[[e-mail]]

I didn't get mine till I went to Ireland, where I was happily suprised to find the same card for half the price.  even now, it lists for 22 bucks here, but like 12 there.

[Smkshwn582aol.com]

Ok, here's the info on the Student ID's.....it's good for 1 yr (currently until Dec 31, 2002) cost is $22.00 if you buy ahead of time. It will save you a ton from what I've seen. It will pay for itself within the first few days, saving you 2-3 Euros / Pounds per attraction, waived service charge on currency exchange, and there are a  few Hostels the require it if you want to stay there at all (Int'l Student House in London). If, lets say your not a "Student" you still need to submit an ID when you send in your Application. A good trick is to go to your local community college, sign up for classes, get an ID, then drop the classes. It's a great little bonus also considering some attractions, museums, etc have a completely different line that moves much quicker then the general admission

[[e-mail]]

i got mine free from my university because the student service have some kind of contract or whatever with the student federation.  
Also, if you book your flight with travel cuts (which is also travel agency for students), you get it free.

I think you might want to check with your school and the travel cuts, ask and you might safe a little more