Costs

The costs for the 2024 International Geography Championships were as follows. Please note that as of January 2025, we will no longer be accepting credit card payments for IGC. All payments for IGC 2026 must be made by wire transfer (incurs a flat $35 fee per transfer regardless of transfer amount) or US denominated check (no fee). In rare cases if neither of these options is feasible, payment may be made in cash.

2024 IGC Refund Policy: All fees are refundable in full minus a $50 processing fee through May 31, 2024. From June 1, 2024-June 30, 2024, payments are refundable at a 50% rate. After June 30, no refunds are available. In all three cases, the transaction charges won’t be refunded.

1. Base Fee for Competing Students
$1875 per competing student with $100 discounted ($1775 total) if paid by December 29, 2023!
This includes all program fees; sightseeing entry and tour guide fees; a public transit pass from July 14-July 20; and a commemorative T-shirt, hat, and pin. It does not include meals with the exception of the Symposium Dinner, OPEC Simulation, and Congress of Vienna Dinners for students who are selected to attend those. Food will not be available at the school itself, but there are still numerous fast food and sit-down restaurants and a supermarket within a 5 minute walk of the school where food can be purchased. Lunch can also be ordered to the school or brought with students at the start of the day.

2. Supplements
$175 Budapest Full-Day Trip (Saturday, July 13 – includes lunch and 20 euros will be given to all for dinner)
$60 Bratislava Half-Day Trip (Tuesday, July 16 – does not include meals)

Students who are in high school can attend these trips on their own, but younger students must be accompanied by at least one family member.

3. Optional Accommodations
$500 – Accommodation Supplement – Only an option for competing students in the High School Division, not for other students or Family and Friends Program members (includes 8 nights accommodation (from July 13-21), staff supervision (including travel to and from the host school each morning and evening), and airport/train station pick-up and drop-off)
$60 – Extra night supplement for the night of July 12 (which is required if students are participating in the Budapest day trip on July 13).

All students in the Middle School, Intermediate, and Elementary School Divisions must attend IGC with a parent(s) or other adult guardian(s). If both families provide a signed letter in agreement, it is possible for a student’s guardian to be another student’s parent or guardian. Students in these age divisions must find accommodations on their own with their families.
High School Division students only have the option to attend IGC on their own without coming with a parent or guardian (though of course they are still welcome to do so). If they are coming on their own, we will provide accommodations for them. All students who will be coming and staying in IAC provided accommodations will stay in double occupancy rooms (each room has two separate beds) at the B and B Hotel – Wien Stadthalle. The rooms are air-conditioned, and our staff will be staying in the same hotel, so students will be supervised at all times. Students should bring money for meals, which are not included.
We will provide staff-chaperoned pick-ups and drop-offs at the Vienna International Airport or the Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Central Rail Station) solely for unaccompanied High School Division students.

4. Family & Friends Program
The Family & Friends Program has two options: Extended and Basic. These are described below.

The costs of the Extended Family & Friends Program are as follows:
$450 for anyone born before July 21, 2012
$350 for anyone born July 21, 2012-July 20, 2016
$250 for anyone born July 21, 2016-July 20, 2019
Children born from July 21, 2019 onwards are free, though note that some sightseeing may not be suitable for the youngest children. The price of the Family & Friends program includes the following:

1. Public Transport Pass (from July 14-20) – includes Subway (i.e. U-Bahn), S-Bahn, Regional Trains, Bus, and Tram.
2. All sightseeing entry and tour guide fees during the times marked in dark blue on the schedule (does not include rides in the Prater). Note that in all cases when we are visiting sites, Family and Friends program members have the option of either having one or more of our staff members escort them via public transportation to and from the host school, or meeting us outside the entrance to the attraction in question / the starting point for a tour. Due to space limitations, the UN Vienna and OPEC Headquarters tours are for competing students only.
3. Any Multiple Choice Exam (All of which have Family & Friends Divisions – there will be separate awards for adults and children)
4. The Parents and Siblings Geography Bee and the Culinary Geography Bee.
5. The Scavenger Hunt
6. Access to the host school, including all events which are open to spectators, Medals Ceremonies, the Opening Ceremonies and Closing Ceremonies. Access to the host school is not allowed to anyone not participating in the Family & Friends Program.
7. A commemorative T-shirt, hat, pin, and water bottle.
8. The Half Day Trip to Bratislava and the Full Day Trip to Budapest are open to Family & Friends Program participants, but are not included in the cost. The cost of these per person, regardless of age, is the same as it is for competing students (i.e. $175 for Budapest, $60 for Bratislava). Infants who can sit safely on a parent’s lap are free of charge, but if someone requires a seat on the bus, then the cost applies.
9. The Family & Friends Program does not include accommodations or meals, though there is a chance that the host school may be able to provide a lunch option. This may be just for competing students, or it may also be possible for Family & Friends Program participants. If this is the case, we will have a separate sign up process for this.

The costs of the Basic Family & Friends Program are as follows:

$175 per family member, regardless of age, with the exception of children born from July 21, 2019 onwards who are free. The price of the Basic Family & Friends program includes the following:

1. The Basic Option includes access to the host school and to all ceremonies and competition that are open to spectators (remember, some, like exams, are not open to any spectators). The fees are charged as we still need to keep track of the number of people in the school at all times and prevent people who are not affiliated with IGC from entering the building, ensure that we do not have too many people in any one space and run afoul of fire codes, and provide staff for additional security.
2. The Basic Option does not include any sightseeing entry fees, nor does it include a public transit pass nor T-shirt, hat, pin, nor water bottle.
3. The Basic Option does not allow people registering under this option to themselves compete in any competitions in the Family and Friends Division.
4. While we certainly cannot (and will not) prevent Basic Option Family and Friends Program members from tagging along with our group when we go to museums and sites, we will not a) wait for you, either at the entrance or at the exit when our group is done, b) have extra tickets for sale, nor c) will you be permitted to take your child away from our group without expressly notifying the tour leader(s). We have run into instances of Type C at prior summer events, and they have led to delays and concern for missing students. Any violation of this policy by family members will result in a ban from all further IGC 2024 activities without recourse to a refund.
5. Tagging along to walking tours is not permitted.

5. Post-IGC Central Europe Trip
The costs for the Post-IGC Central Europe Trip are posted here.

6. Adjunct Staff Discount
Family members, coaches, and others accompanying IGC students to Vienna who are 18 years and older are welcome to apply for an Adjunct Staff discount on registration. To apply for an Adjunct Staff Discount, please email igc@iacompetitions.com
Adjunct Staff will be asked to help with the International Geography Bee and Bowl World Championship preliminary rounds, and other events (not including the Budapest and Bratislava trips) as applicable. Adjunct staff will not be needed for Final Rounds or Playoff Rounds. Being able to read quiz questions in clear English, and staffing at least one IAC event prior to IGC (this can be done online this spring) is a prerequisite for being an Adjunct Staff member, as is passing a basic background check. The total time commitment for being an Adjunct Staff member is approximately 12 or 20 hours as follows: