Relaxation with youth in mind

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

While we are young, while there is strength, I want to see the world. But all tourism seems to be created for respectable people with a fat wallet. However, things are not so bad, and we young people were also taken care of.

Transport

The cheapest way to get from Russia to Europe is by bus. The train will get there faster, but the bus fare is about 30-40% cheaper. Do not forget that in our world there are still kind people who are ready to give a ride to travelers. By hitchhiking to a Western European country, you can get there in three days. But this occupation is tedious and risky. For those who strive for the cherished goal "on the wings", there are youth fares for air travel. Discounts for various destinations are up to 50% of the standard fare.

Buses

Buses vary in star rating, from 1 * to 5 *. Long trips are usually taken by buses of at least 3 *. As a rule, buses have the following amenities: mini-kitchen (coffee maker, kettle), toilet, TV, air conditioning. Some buses have special berths. During the move, stops are regularly made at special recreation areas. Buses sometimes stand idle for several hours at the borders.

Buses are a very common form of transport in Europe. Almost every city has a bus station where you can find timetables. There are even special tourist buses running between the main tourist cities in Europe. Let's dwell on them in more detail.

Busabout

Bus company targeting young tourists who want to see all of Europe at once. The routes pass through 66 cities in Europe. Buses leave from all stops every two days, from major intersections every day. Bus seats must be booked in advance. If you are at a bus stop without a reservation, you will be put on the bus only if there are free seats. Be careful, some routes are only "one way", ie. You can drive from Salzburg to Venice, but not in the opposite direction.

Passes are sold for a specified number of days over a period of one to four months. So there are no fares as such, you buy the time during which you can travel on any routes. One day is counted as one trip between two overnight stops. If you get off earlier, at a day stop, this will also count as one day.

The closest country to Russia from which you can start your journey is the Czech Republic.

Eurolines

Bus company operating between 500 cities in 25 European countries. The company unites 35 carriers. Travel passes are sold for a period of 15, 30 and 60 days. Traveling within the country with a pass is prohibited, only international travel is permitted.

The closest country to Russia from which you can start your journey is Poland.

Trains

Traveling abroad by rail is an alternative to air travel and deserves a separate discussion. Traveling by train requires time, but during a long journey, you can see a lot of interesting things in the window.

Travelers often prefer to fly to their destination, and then take a train and see the country and its surroundings.

Let's make a reservation right away that we will not talk about Russian railways: the Ministry of Railways constantly increases tariffs, youth discounts are in effect and are canceled, and there is no need to talk about them as a system. Unless, when making a group application (from 9 people), there may be a 10-20% discount from the tariff, depending on the distance of travel.

The tariffs of European rail carriers can be divided into several groups. The most expensive are commonplace tickets from point A to point B. They are worth buying only if you travel once. European railways for us start mainly in Poland, and in order to take advantage of the youth discounts existing in Europe, you need to buy a ticket only to Warsaw, and then change to a European train. At the box office, tickets for youth and students are sold upon presentation of international youth and student cards ISIC, GO-25, EURO <26. The discount percentage from the adult fare is much higher if you buy a round-trip ticket and fluctuates on average from 15% to 30%, but sometimes reaches half the cost. For example, the standard fare from Warsaw to Geneva and back is $ 409, while with a youth discount it is only $ 225.

In addition to discounts on European trains, almost every country has its own system of youth benefits for national rail transportation. Usually, two types of passes are offered: for a certain period (from 4 to 30 days), during which you can travel around the country on trains of a certain type without restrictions, or for the number of crossings (15, 30, etc.). Unlike ordinary tickets for European trains, which not only cannot be bought in Russia, but are also more profitable to buy directly at the station, youth passes can be purchased before leaving the country, while their cost will practically not change.

At large train stations, and even at half-stations, there are ticket machines. We recommend using them only if the discounted ticket price is indicated on it. But as a rule, in such machines, you can buy a ticket only at the standard fare. So, if possible, contact the cashier.

Air transport

Nearly every airline has youth fares whereby people between the ages of 12 and 25 can get a discount off the price of a full annual economy class ticket. Youth tariffs are both three-month and annual. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that the departure date cannot be changed in the ticket, and the return can be postponed if you contact the airline 72 hours before departure. If such a youth ticket is returned, the passenger will receive only half of the full price.

In parallel with the youth benefits, the STA annual special youth and student (school, postgraduate) rates provided by SATA (Association of Student Travel Agencies) under the patronage of UNESCO apply to standard rates. Almost all the leading airlines in the world participate in this project, while tickets at STA fares cannot be bought at airline representative offices: only authorized SATA agencies are involved in booking and issuing.

Due to the fact that STA tariffs are supported by almost 40 airlines, you can fly on them to almost anywhere in the world, including major cities of Russia and the capitals of the CIS countries. STA fares are preferential not only in terms of cost, but also in terms of booking, redemption and return, and some of their possibilities seem simply fantastic. For example, you can book a ticket even six months in advance, for this it is enough to make an application by phone, while the caller himself sets a convenient date for the redemption of the ticket. If the flight is canceled or postponed, it is enough to notify your operator. No fines will be charged. In the event of a refund of the issued ticket, the passenger will be refunded the full cost of such a ticket, minus a penalty of $ 25. The same amount will be charged if the dates on an already issued ticket need to be rescheduled.

With all the preferential rates of STA, and they have some mandatory conditions set by airlines depending on the season. The main limitation is age. The upper age limit varies from airline to airline, but on average for students it ranges from 30 to 32 years old, and for young people it is 25 years old (inclusive). Another prerequisite - possession of one of the international discount cards ISIC, GO-25 or EURO <26 - is much easier to fulfill: the card can always be issued at the same agency where you book the ticket.

Hostels

High-class hotels are too expensive for our brother, a student. But I want to live clean and wash in a clean shower. Hostels, or youth hostels, provide these opportunities. You find yourself in a circle of peers, like you, who like to travel from the most diverse corners of the world.

So now you don't just live in a hotel, but find yourself in the real world of the young, where you can make interesting acquaintances, learn about life in other countries "firsthand" and have fun at parties or with friends. Hostels, or youth hostels, exist in almost all countries where tourists have gone. They have a club system and advance booking. In some hostels, accommodation is only possible with a membership card. It is issued for a specific period and costs about $ 30. Hostel rooms accommodate from 2 to 30 people. The most common are numbers for 4, 8 and 10 people. They are taken apart the fastest. So if you decide, be sure to book a room two or three weeks in advance, especially during the hot season (in Europe - all summer). The hostels have everything you need: a kitchen where you can cook food bought in a store, TV rooms, and, most importantly, computers with Internet access. The cost of hostels ranges from $ 15-40 per night. The hostel is distinguished by its cleanliness and even stricter living rules than five-star hotels. In many hostels abroad it is forbidden to smoke, in some places young people will not be allowed on the same floor with the ladies, in some it is impossible to come after 12 at night, and in some - to stay after 11 in the morning, because at this time, floors and toilets are subjected to the most severe sanitization.

Hostel associations and unions:

International Youth Hostel Federation

IYHF (International Youth Hostel Federation) card - entitles you to receive discounts at hostels accredited by IYHF. This structure is the oldest association of national hostel associations, it is also the most demanding and conservative. People who began to "raise" the movement of hostels during their youth are still working there, and some have already grown old and retired, fighting for the interests of young people to the end. Any hostel accredited by the IYHF has passed and annually undergoes the most severe and lengthy screening with repeated admissions commissions and anonymous checking spies, so you are guaranteed not to be afraid of seeing cockroaches or the lack of soap in the toilet. All IYHF hostels are marked with the Hostelling International logo (with a bed and a herringbone in a triangle) and almost all of them have a 5-10% discount on the IYHF card (moreover, in some hostels you will not even be accommodated without this card).

Membership card cost - $ 12.

In Moscow, the card can be made at the Tiara Studio and STAR Travel companies.

Hostels of Europe

An alternative IYHF network of European hostels. The chain's standards for cleanliness and customer service are at least as good as IYHF, but there are virtually no facilities to make your stay like a pioneer camp. Moreover, with this card you will be given a much more sensitive discount (up to 30%) than the IYHF, so your chances of saving on accommodation are much higher, especially if you are going to live for a long period.

Membership card cost - $ 15.

In Moscow, the card can be made at STAR Travel.

Visa

When traveling by land, you may need transit visas, as trains and buses travel through several states with different visa regimes. If you already have a Schengen visa, say, France, this does not guarantee that you will be allowed from Eastern Europe to Germany, so when moving by land, try to take a visa of the Schengen country to which you will enter first, or to an existing visa take transit. Transit visas are affixed at the embassies of the respective countries with the main visa one day in advance and, as a rule, free of charge. The visa is opened for 2-3 days.

Discounts

Student IDs and Youth Cards offer discounts at a variety of locations, from museum visits to nightlife and dining.

Discounts and services provided with ISIC student cards (International Student Identify Card)

The card is issued by the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC) and is the only universally recognized student ID. More than 100 countries are participating in the program. Becoming a cardholder, you get access to more than 5000 international organizations that are ready to provide you with the necessary information and help you in a difficult situation while traveling. There is an Emergency Help Line for cardholders. Do not think that this is only medical care. This is a free service that provides information: medical, legal, about the nearest student tourist offices, urgent messages to relatives, advice to credit card holders. From anywhere in the world you can call (+44) 20 8762 8110 at the expense of the called party and talk to the operator in English, French, German or Spanish.

International preferential telecommunications system ISIConnect

Discounts and services provided for youth cards GO-25 (International Student Identify Card) The card is also issued by the international organization International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC). It operates in 50 countries around the world. You can get discounts on air travel, telecom accommodation and other services. Holders of this card can also use the free emergency telephone number as well as holders of ISIC cards. GO-25 cards can usually be issued in the same place as ISIC cards

Discounts and services provided by ITIC teacher cards (International Teacher Identify Card)

ITIC cards have been issued since 1984 and are the international identity card of the teacher, confirming his professional status. Discounts on the card are provided in 40 countries of the world for such services as: hotel accommodation, visits to museums, exhibitions, cinemas, transport benefits, including air tickets. Cardholders have access to the Emergency Help Line and the international preferential telecommunications system ISIConnect.

Discounts and services provided by youth cards EURO <26

The EURO Youth Card <26 is issued by the European Youth Cards Association (EYCA) and is valid in 33 European countries. The system's symbol is "Hercules" (on the right on the map). You will find it on the stickers of the enterprises that participate in the system. Today there are more than 200,000 discounts, including:

Culture - theaters, cinema, concerts, museums, discos, clubs.

Transport - buses, railways, air travel.

Travel - hotels, vacation trips, language courses.

Shops - music, books, others.

Services - insurance, medicine and education, consultations, etc.