Students are eligible for discounts when traveling in more than 60 countries, but they can`t count on getting many of them just by showing a card issued by an individual school. So many types exist that it`s impossible for the person on the museum gate to tell which card is real and which is phony.
To solve the problem, the International Student Travel Conference, an umbrella organization representing a world-wide network of student and youth travel bureaus, created the International Student Identity Card. The 1993 edition of the ISIC is available.
The participating student and youth travel bureaus (many of which are linked to national student associations) have arranged for the card to be honored for discounts by a variety of services in their countries. Student discounts are available for air, rail and bus transportation, museums, sightseeing tours and accommodations. Card-buyers get a booklet which lists information on each of the participating countries, such as the cost of transport from the airport, the number of youth hostels in that country, airport departure taxes and offices of the participating student and youth travel bureaus which should be able to provide information on discounts and deals in their area.
Here`s an example of the types of discounts that have been offered recently to card holders:
A 10 percent discount on ferries and trains in Turkey; up to 50 percent off on ferries from Britain to Europe; 50 percent off rail fares in Egypt, Ireland and Portugal; 50 percent off bus services in Ireland and Venezuela;
free admission to 30 museums and palaces in Portugal; student rates for standby tickets at Dublin and London theaters; up to 25 percent discount on ferries from Greece to Mediterranean ports; discounts on rafting, snorkeling and jungle trips in Costa Rica.
In recent years, Hong Kong has offered more than 1,200 discounts, and in Britain there are more than 18,000. In Canada, more than 4,000 deals are available. Your best bet is always to present your card, even if a reduction isn`t indicated. The participating student and youth travel bureaus also should be able to help you arrange domestic and international travel.
For example, many participating travel bureaus can sell or give you information on Eurotrain tickets. These special point-to-point rail fares are available to any traveler under the age of 26. They offer a reduction of up to 30 percent and allow you up to two months to complete your journey, stopping where you want along your special route. Eurotrain fares can be bought after you arrive in Europe, and they can be used to link any European gateway with more than 2,000 destinations in 22 European countries and Morocco.
The ISIC is valid for the calendar year. Those being sold now will be honored until December 1993.
The 1993 ISIC costs $15. Applications must be accompanied by proof of full-time student status and a passport-size photograph. For details, contact Council Travel, 2nd floor, 1153 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill. 60610;
312-951-0585.
