One of what's looking like Europe's best July concerts, the awesome Oxegen music festival this weekend in Dublin, has got a new and improved mobile phone app for this year's festivities. Take note if you're going, as it looks indispensable: live sitemap, list of stage times (including a real-time now and next feature), latest Oxegen news as it happens, travel and safety info, artist profiles, stage by stage guide, video highlights, live games, torch, people (like your companions) finder, virtual lighter, links and upload facilities for Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube,and even more.

Starting today (Wednesday, July 8), text OXEGEN to 51000 or Bluetooth the app onsite beginning Thursday, which is also when camping sites open for pre-function fun and entertainment. Big music starts Friday; enjoy the weekend!

• Learn more: Ireland's Oxegen Festival

Related reading: Top Summer Concerts in Europe | Good Dublin Hostels | Ireland and Britrail Youth Train Passes | Backpacking Europe 101

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One of the best tips I've seen on keeping bugs at bay while traveling in skeet-central spots: roll some bug dope around the edge of your bed before turning in. Roll-on bug dope is rare, though, and all bug dope which really works stinks to high heaven -- except Crocodile natural insect repellent, a DEET-less all natural insect repellent which happens -- yes -- to come in a roll-on.

I have reservations about getting personal with goop that I must pat lightly on my clothes for fear that it may touch my skin (that would be DEET), but I'm all good with this stuff after field-testing it for a few years now on roughly umpteen bazillion mosquitos and sand fleas. Check it out:

• Crocodile Natural Insect Repellent

Related Reading: About Malaria and Travel | Insect Repellent (DEET, Picaridin) and Malaria | Do You Need Immunizations for Travel? | How to Avoid Infectious Disease Abroad | Camping

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Expect to spend $8-$35 on a single hostel bunk. For your money, you'll get a bunk and shared bathroom unless you're going flashpacker style in a more expensive single hostel room, which may have its own bath and can cost up to $75. More than that, and it ain't a hostel -- it's a B and B and you may see your grandparents there.

Learn more about hostels in the Student Travel hostel FAQ:

• Hostel Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading: Top 10 Hostel Questions | All About Hostels | Finding Student Accommodations | Hostel Discount Cards | Private Hostel Rooms

Photo © Kathleen Crislip | Student Travel blog home | Share on Facebook |

Last minute US airfares literally too much, and can't afford to drive? Even using a student airfare finder like STA may not produce an airfare price adequate for practical penuriousness and spontaneity -- student standby from Airtran, though, may be just the ticket for last minute plans. Airtran offers one way domestic standby tickets at a discount to travelers under 23 years old; called Airtran U, the student airfares are either $69 or $89, no matter when you fly -- provided you go standby.

Flying standby is no picnic, but it's a whole lot cheaper than paying full freight for an impulse or emergency US airfare -- and Airtran U is often cheaper than any domestic student airfare, period. Think about Airtran U next time you need a last minute student airfare and the travel cost exasperation exacerbated by excessively expensive gas may be alleviated.

• Learn about Airtran U

Related: Current Deals on Student Airfares This Week | Student Airfare Finders | Student Travel Discounts | Calculate Gas Mileage | Road Trips 101 | US Summer Fun

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