Travel and Transport

Travel Abroad

If you are thinking about travelling abroad there are loads of good deals out there for young people.

With these cards you can enjoy cheaper travel all year round!

  • ISIC (International Student Identity Card): If you're in full time education, for only £6 you can get 30% off international flights and travel.
  • IYTC (International Youth Travel Card): You don't have to be a student, just under 26 to get this card for discounts on flights, travel, restaurants and visits to cultural sites worldwide.
  • Euro<26 card: This card is for anyone under 26. It costs £7 and entitles you to discounts on air travel and over 200,000 discounts on goods and services in 25 European countries.
  • Hostels of Europe Card: Gives discounts in independent hostels plus other travel benefits.
  • Young Person's railcard: Entitles 16-25 year-olds to 33% off any standard UK rail ticket (except sleepers and travel before 10am). Get your application form from any railway station. You'll need two passport photos, proof of age and £18.

There are loads of deals to be found on the internet, so check it out thoroughly.

Travel Documents Checklist

Depending on where you're going and what you are doing, you will need these essentials:
  • Passport (if you haven't got one send off for it at least one month before you need it , so it comes back to you in good time - forms available from the Post office).
  • Travel Visa(s).
  • Work permit.
  • Driving Licence.
  • Certificate of Insurance.
  • E111 form (free medical attention in Europe).
  • Vaccination Certificates.
  • Health Insurance.
  • Immunisations.

Five things you should know

  1. The web can be a great source of inspiration when deciding where to go on your travels.
  2. The web can help you find the best deals on flights, accommodation or complete package holidays.
  3. Before you go abroad, visit the Government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) web site for a top 10 checklist of things you should do.
  4. When going abroad, it is recommended you get travel insurance, otherwise you could face expensive medical bills should something happen.
  5. Most banks and travel agents now offer currency services and you can expect to pay around one or two per cent of the total amount in commission.

Alternative to carrying cash?

If you'd rather not carry much cash around whilst travelling abroad, a few banks and building societies now allow you to withdraw cash from an ATM, using your debit card, for no additional charge.

The Nationwide Flexaccount Visa Debit card is regarded as one of the best for this, as it doesn't charge extra, wherever you are in the world, and is free of interest (unless you're overdrawn).