A Guide to Romanian Student Discount Cards: What They Cover and How to Get One

And then comes the question every new student in Romania asks within their first week: why are my Romanian classmates paying so much less than me for the train, the bus, the museum, the cinema, the cafeteria?

The answer is simple. They are using student discount cards. And as an international student studying full-time at an accredited Romanian university, most of these discounts are available to you too – including some that can save you hundreds of euros per year.

At Conachi Academy, we make sure every student we guide to Romania arrives knowing not just how to study, but how to live like a smart European student – and that starts with knowing your discount cards. This guide walks through every major student card available in Romania in 2026, what each one covers, who qualifies, and how to get yours.

Tip: Apply for your student cards in your first two weeks in Romania. Many discounts are paid only from the date your card is issued – so the earlier you have your cards, the more you save.

Why Student Discount Cards Matter

Romania is already one of the most affordable countries in Europe for international students. Tuition fees are lower, rent is reasonable, and food is much cheaper than in Western Europe.

But living costs add up. Without discount cards, a typical international student in Romania might spend:

• Public transport: RON 80 – 100 (~€16 – €20) per month
• Train tickets home for weekends: RON 100 – 200 (~€20 – €40) per trip
• Cinema, museums, cultural events: RON 200 – 400 (~€40 – €80) per month
• Food at university canteens, partner restaurants: extra 10 – 20% off menu prices
• Travel within Europe: significant savings on flights, trains, hostels

Add this up over a year, and a student without cards can easily pay €600 – €1,200 more than a student with the right ones. For students from Nepal supporting themselves carefully, that is real money.

The Main Student Cards Available in Romania

There are several different cards. Some are issued by your Romanian university. Some are international. Some are local to the city you live in. Here is a side-by-side view.

Now let us look at each one in detail.

1. Carnet de Student – Your Most Important Card

The carnet de student (literally “student notebook”) is the official student ID booklet issued by your Romanian university. It is the single most important document for accessing student discounts inside Romania.

What It Looks Like

A small paper booklet (sometimes a plastic card, depending on the university) with:

• Your full name and photo
• Your university and faculty
• Your year of study and field
• Annual visa stamps – one per academic year – confirming you are an active student

How to Get It

• The carnet is issued automatically by your university’s Secretariat (office) when you formally enrol
• You will receive it within the first 1 – 4 weeks after registration, depending on the university
• It is free
• Every September, you must take it back to the Secretariat to get a new annual stamp – without this stamp, the carnet is not valid

What It Gives You

The carnet alone opens doors to:

• Romanian train discounts (CFR) – 90% off second-class tickets between your hometown in Romania and your university city, on Regio, Interregio, and Intercity trains
• Free local public transport in some cities (Bucharest in particular, for 2025-26 academic year)
• Free or reduced museum entry at most state museums
• Discounted cinema tickets at major Romanian chains
• Student prices at university canteens
• Access to the university library, gym, and student dormitories

You will use your carnet more than any other document in your daily life. Keep it safe, never lend it, and always carry it with you.

To understand how Romanian universities support international students, see our Support & Guidance page.

2. The ISIC Card – Your International Passport to Discounts

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the world’s only globally recognised proof of student status. If you plan to travel during your studies – within Europe, back to Nepal, or anywhere else – the ISIC card is your best friend.

Who Qualifies

• Any full-time student, aged 12 or older, enrolled at an accredited educational institution
• No upper age limit
• International students in Romania qualify just like Romanian students

What It Costs

In Romania, the ISIC card costs approximately RON 100 – 130 (about €20 – €26) and is valid for 16 months – from September to December of the following year.

What It Gives You

The ISIC unlocks more than 150,000 discounts in 130+ countries, including:

• Travel: discounted flights with selected airlines, train and bus discounts in many European countries, ferry tickets, hostels, and budget hotels
• Accommodation: discounted youth hostels and student-friendly hotels worldwide
• Museums and cultural sites: free or reduced entry to museums, galleries, and heritage sites across Europe and globally
• Restaurants: discounted meals at participating cafes and chains
• Shopping: discounts at clothing brands, bookshops, and online retailers
• Software and online services: student pricing on Microsoft, Adobe, and other essential study tools
• Insurance and SIM cards: discounted student travel insurance and international SIM offers

How to Apply in Romania

1. Visit the official issuing partner – Student Travel Romania – either at one of their offices (Bucharest, Cluj, Timișoara, Iași) or online at their website
2. Provide:
   • Your carnet de student (or an official enrolment certificate)
   • Your passport for ID
   • A passport-sized photo (digital or printed)
3. Pay the fee
4. Receive your card within 1 – 14 days, depending on whether you apply in person or online

For details on which Romanian universities Conachi Academy partners with, visit our Universities page.

3. EURO26 / EYCA – The European Youth Card

The EURO26 card (sometimes called the European Youth Card or EYCA card) is a youth discount card valid across 30+ European countries.

Who Qualifies

• Any young person aged up to 30 – you do NOT need to be a student
• This makes it useful even after you graduate

What It Costs

In Romania, the EURO26 card typically costs RON 50 – 80 (about €10 – €16) and is valid for 1 year.

What It Gives You

The EURO26 card offers more than 30,000 discounts across Europe, including:

• Public transport in many European cities
• Accommodation – hostels, budget hotels, B&Bs
• Restaurants, cafes, fast-food chains
• Cinemas, theatres, concerts
• Sports facilities and gyms
• Online shopping and subscriptions
• Travel insurance at discounted rates

How to Get One

In Romania, the EURO26 card is issued through several partners – the most common being Tineret Card Romania or directly through some universities. Application requires:

• Your passport or residence permit
• A passport photo
• The fee

ISIC vs EURO26 – Which One Should You Get?

This is one of the most common questions we get from new students. Here is the honest answer:

• ISIC is better if you plan to travel internationally (especially outside Europe), or if you want strong discounts on flights, software, and global services
• EURO26 is better if you mostly travel within Europe and want strong discounts on local entertainment and accommodation
• Many students get both – the combined cost is around €30 – €40 per year, and the savings easily pay back the cost in the first 2 – 3 months

For a complete view of student life and the practical realities of being a student in Romania, see our Student Life Overview.

4. The European Student Card (ESC)

The European Student Card (ESC) is a relatively new initiative across the European Union to create a single, digital student ID that works across European universities.

What It Is

• A digital student ID linked to your enrolment at a Romanian university
• Issued automatically by participating universities to their students (including international students)
• Accessible through your university’s student portal or a dedicated EU app
• Free

What It Gives You

• Recognition as a student at any participating EU university (useful if you do Erasmus exchanges or summer programmes)
• Access to libraries, sports facilities, and student services at partner universities
• Discounts on museums, transport, and cultural events in EU countries
• A growing list of partner services across Europe

How to Get It

You do not “apply” for the ESC separately. It is activated by your Romanian university as part of your enrolment – usually through your student portal in the first weeks of your first semester.

If your university does not automatically issue an ESC, ask your Secretariat or International Relations Office.

To learn how to apply to Conachi Academy’s partner Romanian universities and access these benefits, visit our How to Apply page.

5. Local Public Transport Cards (City-by-City)

Each major Romanian city has its own public transport company, and each offers student discounts (or sometimes free travel) for enrolled students. The exact benefits depend on the city.

Bucharest – STB (Societatea de Transport București)

The biggest deal for students in 2025-26 academic year:

• Free metropolitan subscription for students up to age 26 enrolled at accredited universities in Bucharest or Ilfov county
• Covers all surface transport (buses, trams, trolleybuses) and applies to the metropolitan Bucharest-Ilfov area
• Apply via the YouthTB mobile app (most common method) or at STB ticket offices
• For Bucharest Metro (subterranean), a separate discounted student pass is needed

Required to register:

• Your carnet de student
• Your residence permit (or passport)
• Your Romanian personal identification number (CNP) which appears on your residence permit

Cluj-Napoca – CTP Cluj

• 50% discounted monthly passes for students under 26 at accredited universities
• Apply at CTP Cluj customer offices with your carnet de student and ID
• Buses, trams, and trolleybuses covered

Timișoara – STPT

• Significant student discounts on monthly and annual passes
• Apply at STPT offices with your carnet de student

Iași – CTP Iași

• Discounted monthly student passes
• Apply at CTP Iași offices with your carnet de student and residence permit

In every city, the carnet de student is your key document. Take it with you when you apply for the local transport card.

6. The CFR Rail Student Discount

This one deserves its own section because it can save students travelling within Romania a huge amount of money.

What It Is

Under Romanian law, full-time students up to age 30 (Romanian and foreign, in accredited Romanian universities) receive a 90% discount on:

• Second-class train tickets
• Regio, Interregio, and Intercity trains
• Operated by CFR Călători (the national railway company)

What It Covers

• Travel between your place of residence and your university city
• This is interpreted broadly – if your residence is in another Romanian city or you visit family living elsewhere in Romania, the discount applies on those routes

What It Does NOT Cover

• First-class travel (you pay full fare for the upgrade)
• Sleeping car berths (full fare difference applies)
• Private rail operators (only CFR Călători)
• International trains leaving Romania (some special offers may apply, but not the standard 90% discount)

How to Use It

1. Show your carnet de student with the current year’s valid stamp at the CFR ticket office or use the CFR app
2. Provide your passport or residence permit
3. Buy your ticket with the 90% reduction automatically applied

Real Example

A standard second-class train ticket from Bucharest to Cluj-Napoca costs about RON 140 (~€28). With the student discount, you pay only RON 14 (~€2.80). For a student who travels 4 – 6 times per year, this saves about €100 – €150 per year.

7. Other Useful Cards for International Students

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Card

If your university hosts an Erasmus Student Network (ESN) chapter, you can become a member and get an ESN Card. It is most useful for Erasmus students but is sometimes available to other international students too.

Benefits include:

• Discounted Ryanair, Trenitalia, and other transport offers
• Discounts at restaurants and bars near major universities
• Free or discounted trips and events organised by the ESN chapter
• A great way to meet other international students

Library Cards

Most Romanian university libraries issue free library cards to enrolled students. The library card is also accepted as a backup student ID for some discounts.

How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Plan for Your First Month

Here is a practical timeline for your first 30 days as an international student in Romania.

Week 1: Settle In

• Arrive in Romania and complete your university registration
• Receive your carnet de student from the Secretariat
• Get your residence permit application started at the Romanian Immigration Office (IGI)

Week 2: Get Your Core Cards

• Apply for your local public transport card in the city you study in (you may need to download the app, e.g., YouthTB in Bucharest)
• Activate your European Student Card (ESC) through your university portal if available
• Order your ISIC card through Student Travel Romania (online or in person)

Week 3 – 4: Optional Extras

• Apply for the EURO26 card if you plan to travel often within Europe
• Join the ESN chapter at your university if one exists
• Get your university library card

Throughout the Year

• Always carry your carnet de student and at least one international card (ISIC or EURO26)
• Each September, return to your university Secretariat to renew the year stamp on your carnet
• Check the ISIC/EURO26 partner websites monthly for new discounts in your city

For specific deadlines and dates relevant to your application process, visit our Dates & Deadlines page.

How Much Can You Actually Save?

Let us build a realistic picture. A first-year international student in Bucharest who properly uses these cards might save:

That is more than the cost of all your cards combined – many times over.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Forgetting to Renew Your Carnet Each September

Without the current year’s stamp, your carnet is invalid – and so are all your student discounts. Go to the Secretariat early in the academic year, every year.

2. Buying ISIC or EURO26 from Unofficial Sources

There are fake cards sold online and in some shops. Only buy from official issuing partners. In Romania, that means Student Travel for ISIC/IYTC/ITIC, and authorised EYCA partners for EURO26. A fake card may be refused, and the money is lost.

3. Not Applying for the Free Local Transport Pass

In Bucharest especially, the 2025-26 free student pass is genuinely free – but you have to actively apply for it through the YouthTB app. Hundreds of international students miss out on this every year because they assume it is too good to be true. It is not. Apply.

4. Showing Only One Card When Another Would Save More

For some discounts (international flights, Western European museums), your ISIC will save you more. For others (Romanian trains, local museums), your carnet de student is enough. Carry both and choose the one that gives the biggest discount.

5. Letting Cards Expire Without Renewing

ISIC and EURO26 have fixed validity periods. Diary them. Renew at least 2 weeks before expiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be an EU citizen to get these student cards? No. Most student discount cards in Romania – including the carnet de student, ISIC, EURO26, and local transport cards – are open to international students from anywhere in the world, including Nepal. Some EU-specific programs (like full Erasmus mobility funding) are limited, but the discount cards themselves are not.

What if I am studying part-time or doing a short language course? The major Romanian student discounts (CFR rail 90%, free Bucharest transport) require full-time enrolment at an accredited Romanian university. Part-time students, language course attendees, or those at non-accredited private programmes may not qualify for all benefits. The ISIC card has slightly more flexible rules.

Can I get a discount on flights back to Nepal? ISIC partner airlines sometimes offer reduced student fares on long-haul flights, including to Asia. Discounts are not always available on every route or every airline, so always compare. Many students find it cheaper to use Skyscanner or Google Flights and book standard economy tickets in advance, rather than rely on ISIC partner offers for the long flight to Kathmandu.

Is there a single card that covers everything? No. The Romanian student discount system uses different cards for different purposes. The carnet de student covers Romania-specific discounts, ISIC covers international discounts, EURO26 covers European discounts, and local transport cards cover city travel. You need a few different cards to maximise savings.

Do I need to know Romanian to apply? Most application offices in major cities (Bucharest, Cluj, Timișoara, Iași) have staff who speak English, especially at universities and at ISIC partner offices. Knowing some basic Romanian helps and makes the experience smoother. Your university’s International Office can also help translate forms.

What happens if I lose my carnet de student? Report it immediately to your university Secretariat. They will issue a replacement, usually for a small fee. Until the replacement is issued, you may not be able to access student discounts – so look after the original carefully.

A Quick Checklist Before You Travel to Romania

• [ ] Confirm your full-time enrolment at an accredited Romanian university
• [ ] Pack 2 – 3 passport-sized photos (for student card applications)
• [ ] Bring multiple copies of your passport’s bio page
• [ ] Pack your acceptance letter and visa documents in your carry-on
• [ ] Save your university’s Secretariat contact details on your phone
• [ ] Note the address of the Student Travel office in your destination city (for ISIC)
• [ ] Budget approximately RON 200 – 300 (~€40 – €60) for your first batch of student cards

Print or save this checklist to your phone.

How Conachi Academy Helps You Get Ready

At Conachi Academy, we do not just guide you through university applications. We prepare you for the practical realities of being an international student in Romania – including making sure you arrive informed about student rights, discounts, and benefits.

Our support includes:

• How to Apply – we walk you through every step of the university application
• Universities – explore our network of accredited Romanian partner universities
• Tuition & Fees – understand exactly what you will pay, when, and what is included
• Student Life – learn about daily life, accommodation, and the student community in Romania
• Support & Guidance – get personal support before, during, and after your move to Romania
• Student Activities – discover what campus life and student events look like

To see what real students say about studying in Romania, read our Student Testimonials. And if you have specific questions, our FAQ covers most topics.

For background reading, also see our existing blog posts:

• Best Universities in Romania for International Students
• Requirements to Study in Romania for Nepali Students

Final Thoughts

Studying in Romania is one of the most affordable ways to access European education. But to make the most of it, you need to live the way smart Romanian students live – and that means knowing your discount cards.

Get your carnet de student in your first week. Apply for your free Bucharest transport pass (or your discounted pass in other cities) in your second week. Order an ISIC card before the end of your first month. Add EURO26 if you plan to explore Europe. These small steps can save you hundreds of euros every year – money you can put toward travel, books, family back home, or simply enjoying student life with less stress.

You are not just a student in Romania. You are a European student. Claim the benefits that come with it.

Contact Conachi Academy any time you have questions about studying in Romania – from the university application all the way to your first month settling in. We are here to make sure your journey starts smoothly.

Apply now to begin your Romanian education journey.