Getting your first credit card can be a challenge. Few banks will offer a regular credit card to someone without a credit history—and how do you build a credit history and establish a solid credit score unless you have a credit card? Not having a credit history creates other problems, as well. It can make it difficult, if not impossible, to get a car loan or a mortgage. And you may need a credit card to simply rent a car or book a hotel room. So how can you begin to build up your credit and credit score? Here are four ideas to consider.

1. Get a Student Credit Card

Many banks have credit cards designed specifically for college students, especially those who are under age 25. These cards often carry lower fees and interest rates than other cards designed for first-time cardholders, and some of them even offer rewards like points or cash back. One key feature is that they are often unsecured, which means that you don't have to put down a security deposit to be approved.

If you are in college, go online or check with nearby banks to see if they have any special credit card programs for students. Some banks also send representatives to campuses to promote their cards and banking services to students. Making timely payments on one of these credit cards every month will help you establish a good credit history and a solid credit score.

Investopedia periodically rates the best student credit cards.

2. Sign Up for a Secured Credit Card

Another option for someone just starting out (or starting over, if they've had credit troubles in the past) is a secured credit card. You deposit a sum of money with the issuing bank, and that becomes the amount you can charge to the card. For example, if you want a $300 credit limit, you would need to deposit $300. 

Secured credit cards look the same as any other card, and you use them in the same manner. The primary difference is that the bank takes no risk in issuing this type of card. You've secured the debt with the amount you have on deposit.

Many secured cards have low or no annual fees. However, their interest rates can be high, so it's best to pay the balance in full each month. Doing that also restores the credit limit to its full amount. You'll want to make sure that any card you choose will report your payments to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to help build your credit history.

Most lenders will let you graduate to a regular, unsecured credit card in 12 to 18 months, if not sooner. For instance, Discover's secured credit card begins reviewing accounts after seven months. If you're diligent about paying your bill on time and have a steady income, you could apply for a regular, unsecured credit card within six to eight months.

Investopedia publishes regularly updated lists of the best secured credit cards.

3. Take Out (and Pay Back) a Credit Builder Loan

Many credit unions and smaller banks offer loans that are specifically designed to establish a good credit history. These are often referred to as credit builder loans.

These loans work much like a secured credit card but without the card. You deposit money with the financial institution and take out a loan in that amount. As you pay down the loan, the financial institution reports your payments to the three credit bureaus, helping you establish a credit history. When the loan is paid off—typically in six months to two years—you'll get your money back with interest. And if you've made consistent, on-time payments over that period, you will have built a good credit history, which will translate into a good credit score.

Investopedia periodically rates the best credit builder loans.

4. Find a Co-Signer

Finding someone with excellent credit who is willing to co-sign an application for you is another way to get a credit card or loan that you otherwise couldn't. And it may help you more than you think. For instance:

• You may qualify for a better interest rate than you could on your own.
• You may get a head start on a good credit score because your score will be helped by your co-signer's strong credit history.

Parents or siblings are usually the best candidates for co-signers. However, both the new cardholder and the co-signer should be aware of the risks. If either of you is late in making payments, that can hurt both of your credit scores. And if one of you can't pay their share of the bill at all, then the other one could be stuck with it.

The Bottom Line

Getting credit can seem like a classic catch-22. After all, you generally need a credit history to get credit, and you can't establish a credit history unless you already have credit. But there are some relatively easy ways to get around this problem, including financial products that are specifically designed for that purpose.