Discount Hostels.The Discount Travel Guide offers the widest selection of discount hostels available anywhere. We bring you the cheapest hostel beds around the world through our long-term partners, Hostelworld.com Use the search panel on the following page to search for discount hostels with available beds anywhere in the world. No membership is required to stay in any of the discount hostels listed here so it couldn't be easier, just book online While we’re talking about cheap travel we should include a little extra something that you might not be aware of. Discount Cards If you're travelling on a budget you’d be mad to pay full price when there is often a cheaper option. With a wallet full of discount cards you should be able to drastically cut the cost of your travel. Discount cards basically come in two varieties, discount hostel cards and student/youth cards. Both types of cards are worth taking, particularly if you're going to be travelling for a while. Student cards are generally best for getting cut-price admission to museums and other attractions and often allow for cut-price transport whereas with discount hostel cards, the emphasis is on cheaper accommodation although these also give you excellent discounts on buses, trains and domestic airfares. Student & Youth Cards It's really is worth your while to take all your student discount cards with you when you travel and even if you’re not a student but are under 26 years old you can still get a youth discount card that gives you similar discounts. Many sightseeing attractions including museums, wildlife parks and zoos have concession rates and some hostels will also extend a discount to you if you have a student card. In many cases just flashing the card issued by your university will get you these discounts, however some attractions require an internationally recognised card such as the Euro<26, ISIC or ISE card. This is a good reason why you should have at least two student cards. Euro<26, ISIC and ISE publish a list of places where you can get a discount, but many establishments that offer discounts will allow it even if the establishment is not listed in the card's discount guide. The concession rate on the public transport networks in most British and Irish cities is not available with these cards and in most cases it is restricted to students enrolled in local schools. Euro<26 With over four million card holders and discounts in 38 European countries, the Euro<26 card is Europe's largest discount card. Anyone younger than 26 can get the Euro<26 card and you don't need to be a European citizen or a student to get one, which makes it a good option if you don't qualify for a student card. ISE The International Student Exchange (ISE) card is a good option with loads of discounts. Although this card is not as established as the ISIC, many establishments that give discounts to the ISIC will also provide the same discounts to ISE cardholders. The ISE card costs US$25 and you can order it online. See the ISE website for more information. ISIC, IYTC & ITIC The International Student Travel Confederation publishes discount cards that give discounts to students; teachers and travellers aged under 26. Some of these cards include basic travel insurance although this is dependant on where the card is issued. ISIC, IYTC and ITIC cards each cost US$22 or £7. The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the most widely accepted of the student cards. Many travellers buy fake ISIC cards while they're travelling through Asia which means non-students can sometimes pick one up; because of this the cards aren't quite as good for big discounts as they used to be and you may sometimes be asked for a secondary identification such as your student ID from your university at home. This is yet another reason why you should have a couple of student ID cards. The International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) is an alternative for travellers aged under 26 who do not qualify for an ISIC. There is a wide range of discounts, although it is not as good as a student card. The International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) is a good alternative if you are a full-time teacher. Like the IYTC this isn't quite as good as a student card but it's worthwhile if you don't qualify for anything else. Hostel Cards Cards issued by the different hostelling organisations offer excellent discounts, particularly for transport and accommodation. Many travellers take along two cards, a Hostelling International card and one issued by an independent hostelling organisation such as VIP Backpackers Resorts. Wherever you go for your discount hostelling holiday, take care and, as always.....enjoy, John. Our RSS feed will be updated periodically with all the latest travel deals and special offers. 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