Student-Discount Paradise: Where Your Student ID Actually Works

You have a student ID. You know it should get you discounts. But where? And how much? And do you have to ask, or is it automatic? And why does nobody actually tell you where students get deals?

Welcome to the frustrating world of student discounts in Madrid. They exist. They’re real. They can save you serious money. But finding them requires detective work, asking at every single place, and knowing the magic phrase: “¿Tienes descuento para estudiantes?”

This is the complete guide to student discounts in Madrid. Where they actually work, how much you’ll save, what documentation you need, and how to maximize your student status before you graduate and lose all these privileges.

The Reality of Student Discounts in Madrid

What to Expect

The Truth:

Not as common as UK/US (where student discounts are everywhere)
More common than you think (but you have to ask)
Usually 10-30% off
Sometimes requires specific student card
Often only for EU students under 26

Types of Discounts:

Automatic (show ID at purchase)
Must ask (they won’t offer unless you inquire)
Specific days (student nights, student Thursdays, etc.)
Requires card (Carné Joven, ISIC, etc.)

The Magic Phrase:
“¿Tienes descuento para estudiantes?” (Do you have a student discount?)

Say this EVERYWHERE. Worst case: they say no. Best case: 20% off.

Which Student IDs Work

Most Widely Accepted:

University Student ID (from your Madrid university)
Carné Joven (€6/year, worth getting)
ISIC Card (International Student Identity Card)
EU Student Card (if you have one)

What Usually Doesn’t Work:

Foreign university IDs (hit or miss)
High school IDs (you’re in university now)
Expired cards (check dates)

Pro Tip:
Always carry your student ID. Always ask for discounts. The savings add up.

Transportation Discounts

Metro & Public Transport

Abono Joven (Under 26, Student or Not):

Cost: €20/month for unlimited transport (zones A-B)
Regular Price: €54.60/month
Savings: €34.60/month = €415.20/year
Requirements: Under 26 years old, living in Madrid

How to Get It:

Go to any metro station with customer service
Bring: Passport, proof of Madrid address, photo
Pay €4 for card + €20 for first month
Reload monthly at machines

Worth It?
If you use metro 3+ times a week: ABSOLUTELY YES.

Renfe Trains

Tarjeta Dorada Joven (Under 26):

Cost: €6/year
Discount: 25-40% on train tickets
Best For: Day trips (Toledo, Segovia, etc.)

How It Works:

Buy card online or at station
Use when booking train tickets
Automatic discount applied

Example Savings:

Madrid-Toledo regular: €13
With discount: €9
Savings per trip: €4
2 trips = card pays for itself

BiciMAD (Bike Share)

Annual Subscription:

Cost: €15/year (everyone, not just students)
Free: First 30 minutes of each ride
Savings: Unlimited if you dock and undock strategically

Student Hack:
Ride 25 min, dock, take another bike. Infinite free biking.

Museums & Culture

Major Museums

Prado Museum:

Regular: €15
Student (EU under 25): FREE
Savings: €15 per visit

Reina Sofía:

Regular: €12
Student (under 25): FREE during all hours
Savings: €12 per visit

Thyssen-Bornemisza:

Regular: €13
Student: €9
Savings: €4

Archaeological Museum:

Regular: €3
Student: FREE on weekends
Savings: €3

How to Use:

Bring student ID to ticket counter
Sometimes need to show proof of age
EU students get better deals (not fair, but reality)

Monthly Savings Potential:
Visit Prado + Reina Sofía + Thyssen student-priced = Save €27-40/month

Other Cultural Sites

Royal Palace:

Regular: €14
Student (EU): €7
Savings: €7

El Escorial:

Regular: €12
Student: €6
Savings: €6

Most State Museums:

Usually 50% off for students
Sometimes free for EU students under 25
Always ask

Entertainment & Activities

Movie Theaters

Cinesa, Yelmo, Callao:

Regular: €10-12
Student Days (usually Wednesday): €5-7
Savings: €5 per movie

Some Theaters Offer:

Student discount cards (€30-40 for 10 movies vs. €100-120 regular)

Strategy:
Only go to movies on discount days or with student pricing.

Live Music & Concerts

Many Venues Offer:

10-30% student discount
Must ask when buying tickets
Show ID at door
Smaller venues more likely to discount

Examples:

Sala El Sol: Sometimes student nights
Café La Palma: Occasional student discounts
Check venue websites for “estudiantes”

Theaters & Shows

Teatro Español:

Student tickets available
Usually €8-12 vs. €20-30
Limited seats, book early

Other Theaters:

Call ahead and ask: “¿Tienen descuento para estudiantes?”
Many offer 25-50% off
Usually day-of or advance booking

Food & Drink

Restaurants (Hit or Miss)

Reality:
Most restaurants DON’T offer student discounts, but some near universities do.

Where to Look:

Near Universidad Complutense
Near Carlos III campus
Near other universities
Neighborhood bars (not tourist restaurants)

How to Find:

Ask: “¿Tienes menú estudiante?”
Look for signs outside
Check student Facebook groups

Typical Discount:
10-15% off or special student menu

Fast Food Chains

Burger King:

Student discount sometimes (varies by location)
10-20% off
Must ask

McDonald’s:

Rarely, but some locations near universities
Ask anyway

100 Montaditos:

Wednesdays/Sundays already cheap (€1 montaditos)
Sometimes extra student deals

Strategy:
Always ask, even at chains. Worst case: they say no.

Cafés

Starbucks:

NO student discount in Spain
(Annoying, but true)

Local Cafés:

Rarely official discounts
But if you’re a regular, sometimes they’ll give you deals
“Student loyalty discount” (unofficial)

Shopping & Retail

Clothing Stores

Decathlon (Sports):

10% student discount sometimes
Ask at checkout

FNAC (Books, Electronics):

Student discount card available
Varies by purchase type

Most Chains:

Zara, H&M, Mango, etc.: NO student discount
Small boutiques: Sometimes, ask

Apple Education Pricing:

Student discounts on MacBooks, iPads
Verify through UNiDAYS
Significant savings (€100-200 on laptops)

Bookstores

Casa del Libro:

5% student discount on some items
Bring student ID

University Bookstores:

Textbook discounts
Used book sales
Student deals on supplies

Tech & Electronics

Most Stores:

No automatic student discounts
But negotiating possible on big purchases
“I’m a student, any discount available?”

Online:

Student discounts through UNiDAYS (international platform)
Apple, Microsoft, Adobe, Spotify, etc.

Fitness & Sports

Gyms

University Gyms:

€15-30/month for students (vs. €40-60 commercial)
Best value
Check your university

Commercial Gyms:

Some offer student rates
Usually 10-15% off
Must ask and provide documentation

Alternative:
Free outdoor fitness = €0 and no negotiation needed

Sports Facilities

Municipal Sports Centers:

Student rates for pools, courts, classes
~30% off regular price
Bring student ID when registering

Climbing Gyms:

Some offer student discounts
€5-8 vs. €12-15 regular

Services & Necessities

Phone Plans

Yoigo, Vodafone, Orange:

Student plans sometimes available
Usually €5-10/month cheaper
Ask at store or check websites for “estudiantes”

Typical Savings:
€5-10/month = €60-120/year

Haircuts

Chain Salons:

Some offer student rates
10-20% off
Ask when booking

Barbers:

Negotiate (“Soy estudiante, ¿tienes descuento?”)
Especially at neighborhood places

Printing & Copies

University Print Centers:

Cheapest option (€0.03-0.05 per page)
Use this over commercial

Copy Shops:

Sometimes student rates
Usually €0.10 per page vs. €0.15

Special Student Cards Worth Getting

Carné Joven (Youth Card)

Cost: €6/year
Age: Under 30
How to Get: Community centers, online, some universities

Discounts Include:

10-30% at participating stores
Museums, shows, concerts
Some restaurants
Travel discounts
Sports facilities

Worth It?
YES. Pays for itself in one or two uses.

Where It Works:

Look for “Carné Joven” stickers on doors
Theater ticket offices
Some restaurants
Cultural centers
Sports venues

ISIC Card (International Student ID)

Cost: €15-18/year
Global Recognition: Works worldwide

In Madrid:

Some international chains recognize it
Museums sometimes (hit or miss)
Travel bookings

Worth It?
If traveling internationally: YES
If staying mainly in Madrid: Your university ID is enough

UNiDAYS / Student Beans (Apps)

Cost: FREE
How It Works:

Verify student status through app
Get discount codes for online shopping

Brands Include:

Apple (education pricing)
Spotify (50% off Premium)
Adobe (60% off Creative Cloud)
Microsoft Office (free for students)
Many clothing brands
Food delivery apps sometimes

Download:
Both apps free, connect with university email.

Maximizing Your Savings

The Asking Strategy

Always Ask:

Museums (even if not listed)
Theaters and concerts
Restaurants near campus
Any activity or service
Retail stores
Gyms and sports

How to Ask:

“¿Tienes descuento para estudiantes?”
If yes: Show ID
If no: “Vale, gracias” (okay, thanks)

Don’t Be Shy:
Spanish people ask for discounts all the time. It’s normal.

Stacking Discounts

Can Sometimes Combine:

Student discount + Carné Joven
Student rate + off-peak pricing
Student deal + loyalty program

Ask:
“¿Puedo usar el descuento estudiante y [other discount]?”

Usually Works:
When discounts are from different programs.

Tracking Your Savings

Monthly Check:

Transportation: €35 saved (Abono Joven)
Museums: €20-30 saved (student entry)
Entertainment: €10-15 saved (movies, shows)
Shopping: €10-20 saved (various)
Total: €75-100/month

Annual Savings: €900-1,200

That’s a weekend trip to Barcelona every month or two.

Where Students Get NO Discounts (Stop Asking)

Places That Never Discount

Groceries:

Mercadona, Carrefour, Día: No student discounts
Supermarkets = same price for everyone

Most Restaurants:

Tourist areas: Definitely no
Chain restaurants: Rarely
High-end: Never

Clubs & Nightlife:

Cover charges same for everyone
Drinks same price
(But student nights exist with free entry)

Utilities:

Electricity, water, internet: No student rates
You pay same as everyone

Taxis & Uber:

No student discount
Public transport only

Student Night Events

Where to Find Them

Thursdays = Student Night:

Many clubs offer free entry or reduced cover
€5 vs. €15 regular
Drink specials sometimes

How to Find:

Check club Instagram accounts
University Facebook groups
Posters on campus
Word of mouth

Popular Student Nights:

Teatro Kapital (Thursdays)
Various clubs in Malasaña
Chueca venues

Age-Based Discounts (Under 26)

Separate from Student Status

Many Places Offer:
“Descuento joven” (youth discount) for under 26, student or not.

Examples:

Abono Joven (transport)
Some museums
Theater tickets
Sports facilities

Strategy:
If under 26, always mention age even if student discount doesn’t exist.

Phrase:
“¿Tienes descuento para menores de 26?” (Do you have discount for under 26?)

Documentation Requirements

What to Carry

Always Have:

University student ID (primary)
Passport or ID (backup for age verification)
Carné Joven (if you have it)

Sometimes Need:

Proof of enrollment (carta de matrícula)
Student email verification
Current semester schedule

Keep Copies:

Photo of student ID on phone
Scan of enrollment letter
Digital backup of all cards

If Your ID Doesn’t Work

Try:

University email (student.university.edu)
Enrollment letter from university
Class schedule
University app showing active status

Argue Politely:
“Soy estudiante de [university]. ¿Podría aceptar esto como prueba?” (I’m a student at [university]. Could you accept this as proof?)

Special Programs & Partnerships

University Partnerships

Some Universities Have Deals With:

Local gyms
Restaurants near campus
Bookstores
Tech shops
Entertainment venues

How to Find:

Check university website
Student portal
International office
Student services emails

Language Schools

If Enrolled in Spanish School:

Sometimes additional student ID
Separate discounts at cultural venues
Check with your school

Seasonal Opportunities

September (Back to School)

Student Deals Everywhere:

Tech sales
Clothing stores
Bookstores
Gyms offering registration deals

Take Advantage:
Stock up on needs with student discounts.

Summer

Off-Peak Student Rates:

Some museums
Sports facilities
Less crowded = better service

Lost Opportunities (Things Students Don’t Know)

What Students Miss

Microsoft Office:
FREE for students (not €100/year)

Spotify Premium:
€4.99/month for students (vs. €9.99)

Apple Music:
Student pricing available

Amazon Prime Student:
50% off regular Prime (first 6 months free)

Adobe Creative Cloud:
60% off for students

GitHub Student Pack:
Free developer tools

Canva Pro:
FREE for students

Notion:
FREE for students

Grammarly:
Student discount available

These Add Up:
Easily €200-300/year in software savings alone.

Budget Impact

Without Using Student Discounts

Monthly Spending:

Transport: €54.60
Museums (2x): €30
Movie: €12
Gym: €40
Software: €25
Shopping: Full price
Total: €161.60+ on things that could be discounted

With Strategic Student Discount Use

Monthly Spending:

Transport: €20 (Abono Joven)
Museums: €0 (student free entry)
Movie: €6 (student day)
Gym: €20 (university/student rate)
Software: €5 (Spotify student)
Shopping: 10-20% off when available
Total: €51+

Monthly Savings: €110
Annual Savings: €1,320

That’s 3-4 weekend trips, or two months of groceries, or serious padding for your budget.

The Bottom Line

Student Discounts in Madrid:

Exist but often hidden
Must ask everywhere
Can save €100+/month
Worth the slight awkwardness of asking
Time-limited (use them before graduating!)

Best Value Discounts:

Abono Joven (€35/month saved)
Museum free entry (€20-40/month saved)
Software student pricing (€20-30/month saved)
Day trip train discounts (€10-20/month saved)

Worst Value:

Restaurants (rarely discount)
Groceries (never)
Nightlife (mostly same prices)

The Strategy:

Get Carné Joven (€6)
Get Abono Joven if under 26 (mandatory)
Always carry student ID
Always ask for discounts
Use online student platforms (UNiDAYS)
Track your savings (feels good)

That’s the Como Local difference.

Quick Start: This Week

Monday:
Get/verify your student ID is current.

Tuesday:
Apply for Carné Joven online or at community center (€6).

Wednesday:
Get Abono Joven at metro station if under 26 (€20 vs. €54.60).

Thursday:
Download UNiDAYS app, verify student status, browse deals.

Friday:
Visit one place and ask for student discount. Practice the phrase.

Weekend:
Use your new discount knowledge on an activity.

Monthly:
Calculate how much you saved. Probably €50-100 first month.

Ready to maximize your student status? Start asking “¿Tienes descuento para estudiantes?” everywhere, get the essential cards, and watch your budget stretch further. Tag Como Local with your best student discount finds!

Share your student discount discoveries and negotiation wins with other students. Where did you find unexpected discounts?

Como Local – Because your student ID is worth more than you think. 🎓💰