When it comes to admission discounts in Washington, students rule. The one caveat: You must have a valid ID, although your current school ID should be good enough. For benefits that extend beyond reduced admission to D.C. attractions, you may want to consider obtaining an International Student Identity Card (ISIC).

STA Travel (tel. 800/781-4040; www.statravel.com) is the largest student travel agency in the world, catering especially to young travelers, although their bargain-basement prices are available to people of all ages. From STA, you can purchase the $22 ISIC, good for cut rates on rail passes, plane tickets, and other discounts. It also provides you with basic health and life insurance and a 24-hour help line. Anyone between the ages of 12 and 25, student or not, is eligible to buy an International Youth Travel Card (IYTC), also for $22, from the same people, which entitles you to all the same sorts of discounts. In Washington, STA has two offices: in Georgetown, at 3301 M St. NW (tel. 202/337-6464), and on the George Washington University campus, in the Marvin Center, at 800 21st St. NW (tel. 202/994-7800). STA has offices all over the world; for the location of an office nearest you, check out STA's website, but also call the main number because the website is not always up to date.

Travel CUTS (tel. 800/667-2887 or 416/614-2887; www.travelcuts.com) offers similar services for both Canadian and US residents. Irish students may turn to USIT (tel. 01/602/1600; www.usitnow.ie), an Ireland-based specialist in student, youth, and independent travel.

Studentuniverse.com (www.studentuniverse.com) is an online student travel agency in partnership with airlines and other travel agencies, consistently offering great discounts on airfares to college students and faculty, who can prove they are just that.