This Genius Hack Gets Students Traveling Internationally Incredible Deals And Discounts

Maximizing your budget while traveling is a must, especially if you're a student. The cost of tuition, books, student housing, and other expenses can add up, leaving little money for fun getaways. Thankfully, many attractions, hotels, and tourism companies offer discounts to students to help make travel more affordable. The only problem: It can be difficult to prove you're a student in your home country when traveling overseas. Some places may not recognize your student identification card or other proof of enrollment. That's where the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) comes in. Think of an ISIC card as a universal student card that shows a museum employee in France or a hostel worker in South Korea that you're eligible for the student rates and deals.

Those discounts can really add up, no matter where you plan to travel. Roughly 1,200 airlines, buses, trains, coaches, and ferries offer special benefits to cardholders, as well as 2,400 hotels and hostels and thousands of tourist attractions and restaurants, according to ApplyBoard. For instance, if you're taking a trip to Germany, you could earn 4% cashback and up to 15% off your accommodation, 10% off your flight ticket (depending on the airline you book), 25% off your admission to Madame Tussauds Berlin, and 15% off a Europcar vehicle rental.

According to its website, ISIC cards are available to students from 98 countries around the world (and counting). To apply, you must be a full-time student enrolled at a school, college, or university recognized by your local government. Students as young as 13 can receive an ISIC card, and there's no upper age limit for older scholars. Whether you're still in high school or studying for your doctorate, be ready to provide documentation proving your enrollment when signing up for an ISIC card.

If you graduate or drop down to part-time status at your academic institution, you can still access some of the benefits associated with the ISIC card program. Travelers aged 30 and younger can replace their ISIC card with the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC), while teachers can benefit from the International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC). Both programs offer special discounts and travel deals, just like the ISIC card.

With the ISIC card (or one of its sister cards), you can save on your hotel room, snag great deals on flights, and reap other travel benefits. To get started, apply online using the ISIC website or visit a local ISIC office. For the standard ISIC card, make sure to have a student card from your school or an official letter confirming your enrollment on hand. You'll also need to supply a recent passport photo and a passport or other form of identification showing your date of birth. Recent grads or part-time students applying for the IYTC card must provide a passport, birth certificate, or other official form of identification.

The cost of an ISIC card varies by country and is adjusted based on the purchasing power within the local economy. Students in the U.S. can expect to pay $20 for a virtual ISIC card and an additional $5 for a physical plastic copy. Note that each card is valid for one year in accordance with the country's academic calendar.

It can take three to four weeks to receive your card after submitting your application, so give yourself plenty of time if you have a trip coming up. Assuming you follow the "Goldilocks Window" when booking flights, you should apply for your ISIC card at least a couple of months before you plan to travel. That way, you'll have access to your card's discounts when you're ready to book your tickets.