Student Travel Hacks for 2017
As 2017 commences with the frigid cold air in Paris, it is time to get out and travel. The only problem for students is that it gets expensive and all the small getaways start adding up. Here are some insider student tips on how to travel affordably with the use of specific websites and student cards.
Train Travelers
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For the students who love to travel by train to see the scenic cross-country routes, the SNCF Carte Jeune is more than worth the 50€ investment. From Jan 1, 2017, until Feb 1, 2017, there is a 30 percent off deal for this student travel card in accordance with les soldes in France. With this card in hand for an entire year, date of purchase to date one year later, persons aged 12-27 can travel on all France and European train lines. For all trips, there is a 25-50 % discount on each ticket purchased based on a time table. These tickets can range from 5€ trip in France, to a 200 € round-country Italian holiday. Listen up last minute travelers, this Carte Jeune by SNCF can save you from last moment raised prices on tickets. The price of the ticket remains the same from the date of release, three months prior to trip until two minutes before departure for Carte Jeune holders. Now that you are convinced to purchase your golden ticket to cheap train rides, you can order the ticket online by entering all of your personal information and pick up your card in a train station boutique. On top of the student card, be sure to get a Carte Voyager. Carte Voyager is a rewards card based on ticket purchases with the card; often you will get extra 25-50 % off coupons by email to use within the next month.
Another student card is a 79€ unlimited TGV card. "Happy Card" (yes that is the name in French as well), is available for 16-27 year-olds. This means that each month 79€ will be taken out of your bank account and you have unlimited travel on TGV high-speed trains and the slower intercite trains. The students holding the "Happy Card" must purchase the card for three months at least and can only reserve tickets one month in advance.
Bus Buddies
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OUIBUS has been the talk of the town for Parisian and international students alike. The new bus line associated with SNCF offers ticket prices from 5€ to get out of the city. Such buses have over 100 destinations in France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. For the best deals, you should look at least a week in advance and makes sure your travel time is semi-flexible. Sometimes waiting just 1 extra hour to depart can save you 20€ on a journey. If OUIBUS does not help you get to your desired destination, check out FlixBus. With over 100 destinations on Flixbus departing from Paris, the world is a ticket away. Prices start at 5€ a journey, so weekend trips could be similar to the price of three metro tickets.
Plane Preference
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Secret Flying, The Flight Deal, Points Guy, and Skyscanner are your best options to find cheap flights. As for Skyscanner, be sure to book well in advance because the website is known for bumping up prices at the last minute (like many travel websites). AirFrance has come into the realm of low-cost air tickets. Air France is a reputable airline and has a 6/7 safety rating better than the most popular low-cost airlines. For the most adventurous of persons, West Iceland has been named one of the best places to travel to in 2017 by CNN Traveler. Icelandair and WOWAir have low fares round trip for 99€ Paris to Reykjavik. Be sure to always sign up for email alerts from your favorite travel websites and airlines; often your inbox will be filled with irresistible, random deals. Everyone knows that the random trips are the best ones.
Now that you have the travel tips, go be world explorers... not tacky tourists. Always remember the world is yours.
