| Museums and monuments are likely to prove one of the biggest wallet-eroders, though some state-run museums are free or have free admission on Sundays. For children and teenagers, the range of reductions can be quite bewildering, as each institution has its own policy. In many museums under-18s are free; all monuments are free for under-12s. Universally, however, under-4s are usually free, less often under-8s. Half-price or reduced admission is normally available for 5- to 18-year-olds. Some more commercial attractions, however, begin to charge adult rates at 12. If you are a full-time student, it's worthwhile carrying the ISIC Card (International Student Identity Card; www.isiccard.com) to gain entrance reductions (usually about a third off). The card is universally accepted as ID, while the student card from your home institution is not. The card costs £6/US$22/ Can$16/AUS$16.50/NZ$21/€12.70 in the Republic of Ireland. You have to be 26 or younger to qualify for the International Youth Travel Card, which costs £7/US$22/AUS$16.50/NZ$20/€12.70 in the Republic of Ireland and carries the same benefits. Teachers qualify for the International Teacher Card, offering similar discounts and costing £7/US$22/Can$16/ AUS$16.50/NZ$21. All these cards are available in the US from Council Travel, STA, Travel CUTS and, in Canada, Hostelling International; in Australia and New Zealand from STA; and in the UK from STA or CTS Travel (www.ctstravel.co.uk). For those over 60 or 65, depending on the institution (regardless of whether you are still working or not), reductions are available, though not as widely as they were a few years ago. You will need to carry your passport around with you as proof of age. Whatever your age, if you are going to do a lot of museum duty, it's worth considering buying the Carte Musées et Monuments (€15 one-day, €30 three-day, €45 five-day). Available from the tourist office, RER/métro stations and museums, as well as the Eurostar terminal at London Waterloo, they're valid for seventy museums and monuments (though not special exhibitions) in and around Paris, and allow you to bypass ticket queues (though not the security checkpoints).
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