Valentina DaminIf you are a student, you probably know how to travel on a budget.
Once, a friend of mine, told me: “You don’t need to be rich for travel”. I do agree. Even if you don’t earn a lot, there are ways to go almost everywhere. Or to be host for free or get a discount in the Russian metro, rather than in your favourite shop in L.A.
If you are a student and you want to travel cheaper, longer and better, you need to make your money last on the road. Here some websites that could help you on the road.
Discounts for students
If you are a student in the US, you can get a “student advantage card” with LLC. It is a leading student service provider that brings students, colleges, universities and national business partners together to provide one system of value, saving, and convenience for student advantage members. With the card you should have discounts at Footlocker (10% on all shops), Topshop (10% discount) while you’re going shopping, or at Homestay if you are booking a room (5% off on your stay). For all other discounts click here.
Are you a student all around the world? The International Student Identity Card is what you will have while enrolling at university. This card is the only internationally accepted. An ISIC card is your passport to fantastic benefits and services the world over. There are thousands of discounts all over the world. For instance, get a 50% off on the Picasso museum in Malaga, or a free Online English course with EF, or a 30% off on Lonely Planet guides. If you are in France you can have a 20% discount on the annual card of the Museè du Louvre. Just type the place you are going to, and find out the discounts you will get here.
“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going”.
Cheap journeys
If you like booking cheap flights, this is your website. STA Travel negotiates special flight discounts for students. They partner with major airlines to get you the cheapest prices you’ll find on the web. There are several deals for travellers, like the 15% off on Europe tours, a 20% off flights to Europe or 10% off on accommodation in South Africa. Click here here to see the one that fits you.
Similar to the one seen before, this websites shows students’ opportunities to go abroad and travel. There is a discount student section, in which students can find a cheap accommodation. If you sign up, there are a lot of offers, coupons and special offers for students. Here you can find promotional codes that allow you to get a 100 dollars discount for a flight from the USA to Europe.
With one ticket, you can travel freely on Europe’s trains for up to a month. Your InterRail ticket allows gives you free reign over Europe. The discount here is for travellers under25. So they are supposed to be students. If you are, you can order a youth pass that gives you a massive 25% discount on the adult price. Let’s say that a 15 days pass for students costs 325, while for adults the price is 414.
If you are interested in travelling by train you can also have a look here, Being a young student, you can save 35% on a Eurail pass that allows you to travel in 4 European countries.
Accomodation for free
Stay with locals and enjoy their natural way of life! HelpX is provided primarily as a cultural exchange for working holiday makers who would like the opportunity during their travels abroad, to stay with local people and gain practical experience. In the typical arrangement, the helper works an average of 4 hours per day and receives free accommodation and meals for their efforts.
World Wide Opportunities in Organic farms offers
Are you a student interested in sustainability? In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles. It sounds good!
Do you like looking after babies? Are you planning to stay in a country a little bit longer? Au pair could be the answer. An au pair is a young adult who travels to a foreign country for a defined period of time to live with a host family. He or she helps the family with childcare and can be asked to assume some household tasks. The host family provides free board and lodging, as well as pocket money.
Free is the magic word, here. Ok, this is not properly a discount for students. I think it is better, because it allows you to travel for free!. This service connects travellers with locals who are willing to let them stay with them for free. Using this site you will never have to pay for accommodation.
So, hurry up! Go! And remember:
“we only regret the chances we didn’t take”.