If you're planning to travel outside the U.S., you'd be wise to arm yourself with an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which offers substantial savings on rail passes, plane tickets, and entrance fees. It also provides you with basic health and life insurance and a 24-hour help line. The card is available for $22 from STA Travel (tel. 800/781-4040, and if you're not in North America, there's probably a local number in your country; www.sta.com or www.statravel.com), the biggest student travel agency in the world. If you're no longer a student but are still under 26, you can get an International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) for the same price from the same people, which entitles you to some discounts (but not on museum admissions). (Note: In 2002 STA Travel bought competitors Council Travel and USIT Campus after they went bankrupt. It's still operating some offices under the Council name, but it's owned by STA.)

Travel CUTS (tel. 800/667-2887 or 416/614-2887; www.travelcuts.com) offers similar services for both Canadians and U.S. residents. Irish students should turn to USIT (tel. 01/602-1600; www.usitnow.ie).

In Canada Travel CUTS (tel. 800/667-2887 or 416/614-2887; www.travelcuts.com) offers similar services.

Express, the former state-run student travel agency, remains a valuable resource for students. Among other things, Express sells the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and International Youth Hostel Federation card (IYHF) (for the ISIC card, you need to bring a photo; the nearest photo booths are at V. Október 6 u. 22 and at Nyugati railway station). The main office of Express is located at V. Szabadság tér 16 (tel. 1/331-6393); it's open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, and Friday from 8:30am to 2:30pm.

The Hungarian Youth Hostel Federation, on the fourth floor of VII. Almássy tér 6, near Blaha Lujza tér, Red line (tel. 1/352-1572, ext. 203), is another good source of information and discounts for young travelers. Pick up an IYHF card (no photo required) for 1,500 Ft ($6.75). The office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm. There is also a useful youth travel agency called Mellow Mood Ltd., located at VII. Baross tér 15 (tel. 1/413-2062; Baross utca on tram no. 4 or 6). It's open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm.