ISIC Card - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

RootBrewskies · 04-24-2006, 08:52 AM

hey, i was looking at getting a International Student Idendity Card but was wondering if its worth it. its always good to have that extra ID on you but i was wondering if it actually helped people get a deal here or there. when i was in europe before i got a >26 card and it got me some deals but i was there for a year. this time its just a few weeks, and tracking down a place to buy the >26 card might be a hassle.

just wondering about experiences with the card and if its helped anyone out.

RootBrewskies · 04-24-2006, 08:57 AM

im talking about using the ISIC card instead of a U.S. student ID card. i didnt know how european musuems, transportation (trains and buses) viewed a U.S. student ID. are you entitled to all the same student discounts with the US student ID or do they want u to have a european student ID or a ISIC card.

when i was there i had a student ID from my school in spain so it wasnt a problem but i dont have it anymore so all i will have is a US student ID.
didnt know if it will be a problem.

**Joker** · 04-24-2006, 09:40 AM

It CAN help. I used mine once to get a student discount on a tour. Knocked about $10 off the price, but I was still $18 in the hole from the original price of the card.

YMMV, but I'd do a search for the card's pros and cons.

**Somnambulation** · 04-24-2006, 05:41 PM

If you plan on doing a lot of tours or museum visits during those two weeks, you should probably get it. Many of those things require ISIC to get the discount. Some also only require a student ID, so bring that if you dont get one.

Degrassi · 04-27-2006, 02:36 AM

I vote worth it.

My ISIC card was free through my student union, but I would have bought one at full price anyway. In Eastern/Central Europe (the only places I've been so far) I've found most attractions - museums, castles, you name it - at least give a little bit of a discount. And a discount = more change in your pocket at the end of the day. And that means...

**florencia9699** · 04-27-2006, 05:42 AM

I'm getting one, I went to their site and they have really good discounts, even on hostes, museum or McDonalds.... at a museum they listed in Prague they had a 50% discount on the students fare.... You can check out the city you want to visit and they list all the discounts.

I think it's deffinitely worth it!!

**florencia9699** · 04-27-2006, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Degrassi@Apr 27 2006, 07:36 AM
And a discount = more change in your pocket at the end of the day.* And that means...

[snapback]115484[/snapback]

^^so true!! hehehe they even have 2x1 at the subway!!!

JustinDT · 04-27-2006, 06:35 AM

I got one. Not even sure I can use it many places on my itinerary but I'm not taking my US drivers license so I figured this would be a semi-good replacement.

**florencia9699** · 04-27-2006, 06:38 AM

Justin, check out isic.com.... i found they even make discounts in my own city!! hehe, i can invite my boyfriend for dinner (and get a 15%off)

theazwethinkweiz · 06-11-2006, 11:09 PM

hey does anyone know if you can still get an ISIC card if you just graduated??? I had no idea they existed until today when my friend mentioned it would be good to have... also, is it true that through on-campus travel places like STA you can get Eurail passes for up to 50% off??

**Brookers13** · 06-12-2006, 06:17 AM

i got one a few days ago and i think its worth it....it comes with travel insurance and its on $28...so i figure its a good deal...plus im sure ill use it for other stuff

**florencia9699** · 06-12-2006, 06:46 AM

Yeah, I'm getting mine in September, a couple of months before I graduate. Here in Buenos Aires it's 10 USdollars!

magellan · 06-13-2006, 08:44 PM

Hey does anyone know how long the ISIC card takes to arive at your home
cus i wanna get one but im not sure itll get here on time cus i leave on July 4th for europe

**florencia9699** · 06-13-2006, 09:23 PM

I'm not sure...
here in Buenos Aires I can just go to their travel agancy and get personaly the next day. But check out their website or give them a call to be sure about your home town. Also do it tomorrow just in case!!! I dont think it could take more than 3 weeks.

**Brookers13** · 06-14-2006, 05:36 AM

if you have an STA travel they make it for you on the spot

**Somnambulation** · 06-14-2006, 06:26 PM

PLus with ISIC they ship your dead carcass home for free.

RootBrewskies · 06-15-2006, 05:59 AM

just an update. i started the thread on whether it was worth it or not. previously when i was traveling europe i didnt have a ISIC card. rather i had a regular student card from my university in spain, and a euro youth > 26 card. that seemed like all i needed at the time, but i have been pleasantly surprised with how useful and how many discounts ive gotten with the ISIC card.

i would say it has definately been worth the 20 dollar price tag. i guess if your traveling for a week or something it might not be worth it, but if your going to be traveling for any decent amount of time it will pay itself off in discounts in just 2 or 3 weeks.

**expatben** · 09-22-2007, 03:58 AM

I got an ISIC card and totally recommend them as they can save you money. Also you can get flight deals on STA travel.

SGRHewitt · 06-19-2008, 09:45 AM

Does anyone know if I could get a ISIC for the new year even though I graduate in December?

It's to bad that they don't do cards for a year from when you purchased, but I would really like to get one if at all possible for my Australia trip. Any suggestions?

Aqua · 06-19-2008, 10:43 AM

totally unrelated to saving money, but I've heard of people at my uni changing their DOB on the card (somehow, I'm not sure how actually), and using it as a fake. They don't accept them as ID in bars in Ottawa anymore...
that might just be a rumour