Student discounts in Italy

From my experience, I'd say you'll want to check on the specific policy with each tourist site you plan to visit and see what their rules are. Some places I've been to offer a student discount to anyone with a school ID. Some though were more specific in that the student discount only applied to EU citizens. So it really depends on how much this fee is that you're paying and if the sites you want to see will honor the card.

I don't know if any student card is really worth it...the discounts I've encountered have been age-based. (unless you are an EU citizen - EU citizens under 18 and EU students get in free to many sights and museums - Americans and Canadians are out of luck and have to pay)

Hi Suzanne,

I agree that you should take a look in advance. Usually places that offer discounts have an age-based price... so depending on the age of your kids you would not get any additional savings by having an ISIC card. The ISIC card is great for students over 18 as that is the only way they can get the discount... but certainly check in advance in case some places only give discounts to under-16s or something like that. Like I said, it will depend on the age of your kids.

Thanks for the information, all are helpful.

I always ask for a reduction for my kids.

Many places gave it to me.

There were a couple places I ran into in Italy that insisted a student discount was only available to citizens of the EU.

I didn't have a single place ask me for a student ID or International Student Card. Maybe the couple places I didn't receive the discount would have given me one with it but I doubt it.

I purchased an international student ID when I went to Italy for 12 weeks in college. The ID came with a booklet that listed many places that I would receive discounts- for one, the Italian trains... I asked for it and showed my id and the listing in the booklet every time I purchased a ticket- I never received a discount.

I don't remember if it worked for me at any museums.

Thanks for all the information. I won't get the student cards and just ask for discounts as we go.