Travelling is always a good time, no matter how old you are, it’s never too late to discover the world. However, it is admittedly easier to do that when you’re young. You have more energy, you’re more prepared to lose a couple nights’ sleep, not to mention your neck or back are less likely to hurt if you sleep on the plane or bus, and it’s just so much cheaper. Here are a few travel opportunities you can only take advantage of when you’re young.
1. Free train tickets
Every year, since 2018, the European Commission makes available a few thousand rail passed for free for 18-year-olds. Since its inauguration, the DiscoverEU project has awarded over 200,000 travel passes for young people to explore Europe, being integrated in the Erasmus+ project in 2021.
The applications open in two batches each year, so people who turn 18 later in the year have an equal opportunity to apply. The initiative is available to people from all EU Member States, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye.
Moreover, winners also receive a discount card with more than 40,000 discount possibilities on public transport, culture, accommodation, food, sports and other services available in eligible countries. They will also be able to join DiscoverEU meet-ups, an initiative launched in the summer of 2022 consisting of an exciting one-to-three-day cultural programme across all Erasmus+ countries.
In a separate initiative, this summer France and Germany will offer free train tickets for people under the age of 27. 60,000 tickets will be free of charge in order to encourage train travel within the two countries, the two governments announced in January. The announcement was made in light of 60th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty, which sealed the reconciliation between the two countries.
2. Discounts
Almost everything in the world offers student discounts, from museums, to public transport to some theatre and entertainment halls, even some restaurants. You will of course need to have a student card with you and be prepared for the possibility that your card will not be accepted by all the establishments in another country, but that shouldn’t happen very often.
In even better news, many places, especially museums and public transport, are turning from student to simply youth discounts, so all young people, regardless of whether they are enrolled in university or not, can enjoy a little price advantage. The usual rule is that you have to be under 25 or 26 to benefit from the reduced rates.
3. Working holiday visa
About 50 countries around the world issue special “work and travel” or “working holiday” visas, allowing young people to earn money while travelling without being registered as a resident for 12 months, which can sometimes be extended afterwards. These programmes are normally available for people between 18 and 30, although some countries allow those up to 35 to apply.
The process differs from country to country, but usually there is an application fee and the applicant needs to prove they have enough savings to cover at least their plane tickets. Additionally, in some cases, only specific types of jobs are allowed under the working holiday scheme, usually in the hospitality industry, so make sure to research the conditions well in advance.
