Student travel is a distinct product category. Airlines, rail operators, hotels, museums and even health insurance products offer real, meaningful discounts if you can show you are enrolled in full-time education. The gateway to most of them is one $25 card.
The ISIC card
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is recognised in 130+ countries. It costs about $25 for a year and unlocks:
- Discounted student flights on 40+ airlines.
- Reduced Eurail and Interrail pass rates.
- Museum entry discounts (major European museums 20-50% off).
- Discounted STA-style tour packages.
- Some accommodation discounts.
- Discounted phone plans in some markets.
You need to be a full-time student to qualify. Enrollment proof is checked at issue.
Flights
Beyond ISIC-linked airfare discounts, student travelers can save through:
- STA Travel-style agencies (now consolidated into Student Universe, StudentTravel.com and similar).
- Airline-specific youth fares. Lufthansa Youth Fare, KLM Youth, Air France Youth - typically 5-15% off for under 26.
- Emirates offers under-26 fares on many long-haul routes.
- Flexible fares that allow changes. As a student your dates change frequently.
- One-way tickets. Return-date flexibility is usually worth the extra cost of two one-ways.
- Overnight buses (FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) as alternatives to short-haul flights within Europe.
Accommodation
- Hostels: dorm rooms from EUR 15-40 per night in most European cities; private rooms often 40-90.
- University accommodation: many European universities rent unused dorm rooms during summer to students.
- Couchsurfing: still exists, still free, still requires reciprocity.
- Airbnb private rooms in shared apartments: often the cheapest private option.
- Workaway and WWOOF: work-exchange programs that provide free accommodation in exchange for a few hours of work per day.
Rail passes
Rail is often the best way to travel between European cities as a student. Options:
| Pass | Coverage | Student price (~2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Interrail Global | 33 European countries | EUR 320-670 depending on days |
| Eurail Global | Same 33 countries, for non-Europeans | EUR 340-700 |
| Interrail One Country | Single country | EUR 100-200 |
| Deutschlandticket | All local trains in Germany | EUR 58/month (not student-only) |
| Swiss Half Fare Card | 50% off Swiss trains | CHF 120 |
See also: solo travel guide, packing guide, travel budget guide.
Frequently asked
Do I need to be under 26 to qualify for student fares?+
For ISIC yes, for many youth fares yes, but ISIC issues age-independent Youth Cards for full-time students up to 30 in some cases.
Can I use my student ID from home for discounts abroad?+
Sometimes, but ISIC is the universally-recognised card. Home country IDs often work at museums but not for transport.
What about study abroad flights?+
Special study abroad fares exist (Lufthansa's Student & Youth Fares, KLM Study Abroad, Emirates campus program). They often include an extra checked bag.
Tom Halvorsen
Contributing editor at AirHelpService
Writes about air travel operations, passenger rights and airport procedures. Reader questions and corrections welcome via our contact page.
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