In Ireland hostel cards and student / youth cards can save
you money on travel (bus, train and domestic
air fares), accomodation and museum entry.
A European passport if you are under 25
years or over 65 years can also be used
for discounts. In many countries hostel
cards and student / youth cards can save
you money on travel (bus, train and domestic
air fares), accomodation and museum entry.
A European passport if you are under 25
years or over 65 years can also be used
for discounts.
STUDENT AND YOUTH CARDS
Student cards from your own country are
worth bringing with you, however you may
also need an internationally recognised
card like the ISIC or ISE. If you are not
a student but under 26 years you can qualify
for a youth discount card. The ISE card
costs US $25 and can be ordered online at
http://www.isecards.com
The ISTC has three discount cards for teachers,
students and travellers aged under 26. The
ISIC card is the most widely accepted and
many travellers pick up fake versions in
Asia. Because of this you may be asked for
a secondary identification such as your
student university card. The IYTC card is
an alternative if you are under 26 and the
ITIC card is for full time teachers. These
two cards are good if you don't qualify
for anything else.
HOSTEL
CARDS
Hostels of Europe, VIP and YHA (hostelling
international) all offer excellent discounts
particularly for transport and accomodation.
It may be worth getting more than one card.
Hostels
of Europe provides discounts in hostels
in Italy and around Europe. You can order
it online. The VIP card gives discounts
of around 5%. Hostelling international cards
can be bought at the hostel premises but
may cost more than at Hostelling international
offices. They cost approximately US $25
but you can earn points towards a membership
if you stay at a hostel at the non-member
rate. The card also includes transport discounts
for car rental, bus and train travel.
BUS AND TRAIN PASSES
Bus Éireann (www.buseireann.ie) and
Ulsterbus (www.ulsterbus.co.uk) offer travel
passes. These include:
Emerald Card
This pass is good for combined bus and rail
travel in the Republic of Ireland and Northern
Ireland on the Bus Éireann, Ulsterbus,
Iarnród Éireann and Northern
Ireland Railways networks. It is also valid
on Dublin's DART and suburban rail services
and local bus services in Cork, Limerick,
Galway and Waterford. Prices are:
8 days of travel in a 15 day period €198
15 days of travel in a 30 day period €341
Irish Explorer
This pass combines bus and rail travel in
the Republic of Ireland on the Bus Éireann
and Iarnród Éireann bus and
rail networks. It is also valid on Dublin's
DART and suburban rail services and local
bus networks in Cork, Limerick, Galway and
Waterford. The pass costs€176 and is
valid for 8 days travel in a 15 day period.
Irish Rambler
This pass is valid on Bus Éireann
services in the Republic of Ireland as well
as local bus services in Cork, Limerick,
Galway and Waterford. Prices are:
3 days of travel in an 8 day period €53
8 days of travel in a 15 day period €116
15 days of travel in a 30 day period €168
Irish Rover
You can use this pass on Bus Éireann
services in the Republic of Ireland and
Ulsterbus services in Northern Ireland.
The Irish Rover pass is also valid on local
bus services in Belfast, Cork, Limerick,
Galway and Waterford. Prices are:
3 days of travel in an 8 day period €68
8 days of travel in a 15 day period €152
15 days of travel in a 30 day period €226
