Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Many leading airlines also offer exclusive student/youth fares to ISIC (and IYTC) holders.
Your travel agent can help you find the right one and advise if any age restrictions apply.
You can order your ISIC online at: www.isic.org
The card sees you right through the academic year: it's valid from each September, for up
to 16 months, in other words until December the following year. You need to qualify for
the year in which you'll hold the card:
If you're a full-time student (15 hours weekly for 12+ weeks) at a secondary
school, sixth form or further education college, language school, The Open
University (60 points or more) or any UK university.
If you've got a deferred/confirmed UCAS placement (then you can grab an ISIC
for your year away).
If you're neither of the above, but under 26, you can get an International Youth Travel Card
(IYTC) with a similar range of benefits. You can get the cards online at: www.ISIC.org or
by phoning 0871 230 8546.
For budget flights and student discounts, you can check out the internet and we've included
some hints in Chapter 4 - Travelling and accomodation .
If you're travelling independently, cut the cost of accommodation by: staying in the guest
houses attached to temples and monasteries; camping or staying in a caravan park; as a
guest in someone's home; sharing a room; or using budget hotels or hostels, but be careful
to check for cleanliness and proper exits in case of emergency.
If you're a mature traveller, perhaps you could investigate a house swap for part of your
time away, but see also Chapter 3 - Career breaks and older travellers for other ideas.
Buy second-hand: rather than spend a fortune on a backpack, do you know someone who's
just returned from a trip and might be willing to lend or sell you any equipment they no
longer need? Check the classified ads in your local paper, buy on eBay (or similar) or try
some gap-year message boards.
Make sure that whatever you buy is in clean, sound condition, that the zips work, there are
fittings for padlocks, and it's right for your body weight and height. If it's sound but a bit
travel-worn, so much the better - you'll look like a seasoned traveller rather than a novice!
Money security
We've covered some of this earlier in this chapter, but it's worth explaining a bit further.
It's best to take a mix of cash, travellers' cheques, credit/debit card and travel money cards,
and here's how best to take care of them:
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