3.5 Need access to plane shift

[Aetis]

Playgrounders, is there any way I could get plane shift spell as an arcane caster earlier than lv 13?

Alternatively, some other means of planar travelling would also work.

[Technetium43]

Lesser Planar Binding to get a Jann (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/genie.htm#janni)? Comes online at level 9.

[Aetis]

That works, sweet.

If there are any other methods, I'd be more than happy to learn about them.

[Bronk]

Well, you could start by taking 7 levels of wizard, then one level of Nar Demonbinder. Plane shift is a 5th level spell for them, and they get 1 casting on their first level.

The White Hart from Dragon 343 can plane shift to a limited number of planes.

The Nightmare can astral project, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but is similar to plane shift.

You could be a sorcerer or bard (for the charisma synergy) and take leadership with a cleric cohort.

There are also a few items that can do something similar, like the cubic gate.

[Darrin]

Polymorph and/or alter self with either Assume Supernatural Ability or Metamorphic Transfer can get you several different methods of plane shift (Su). A neraph or savage progression aasimar/tiefling (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040213a) can do this at level 3 with alter self and an ether scarab's Planar Rip (Su).

[Crake]

Lesser Planar Binding to get a Jann (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/genie.htm#janni)? Comes online at level 9.

Note that this only works to get you to either the elemental planes, the astral plane or the material plane, if you want to go anywhere else, you need a different solution.

[Ramza00]

Here is a magic item solution if you can afford it.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#obsidianSteed

[Necroticplague]

According to the vast majority of books on planar cosmology that I know of, planar travel is merely a matter of knowing where to look. Portals to various planes exist naturally, so even a noncaster can go planeshopping if they know the rights paths. And Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting has a relatively low level feat that lets you just make said portals (IIRC, they're errated to be made with Craft Wondrous Object, so you can start at level 3).

[Jowgen]

According to the vast majority of books on planar cosmology that I know of, planar travel is merely a matter of knowing where to look. Portals to various planes exist naturally, so even a noncaster can go planeshopping if they know the rights paths. And Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting has a relatively low level feat that lets you just make said portals (IIRC, they're errated to be made with Craft Wondrous Object, so you can start at level 3).

This. There is a planer compass (lesser and greater version 2500 and 10000 gp) in either MotP or PlH that you can use to be pointed to the closest portal to a desired plane, for example.

Also, Necroticplague is right about the portals and Craft Wondrous Item. They require that you have been to the destination location in question at least once and I think Teleport as their prerequesite. Depending on how much functionality you want, them things get expensive though.

[WhatThePhysics]

Astral Caravan is doable for a 5th level Nomad Psion, and it's almost assumable Astral Traveler will also be available. With Expanded Knowledge, 7th level Psions, 8th level Wilders, and 10th level Psychic Warriors can plane-hop. 8 Skill Ranks in Knowledge (The Planes), Skill Focus, Masterwork Tools, a destination picture, and a destination object get you +19 on the Knowledge checks.

[Deophaun]

Masterwork Tools... get you +19 on the Knowledge checks.
"Masterwork tools" for Knowledge checks are called "libraries." The bad news is they're expensive, not at all portable, and take hours to use. The good news is you don't have to actually own one and they can give you a much greater circumstance bonus of up to +6 depending on how they're stocked.

[Nifft]

Take the Leadership feat.

Get yourself a 10th level Cohort with high Dexterity.

The cohort will take (up to) 6 levels with access to Knowledge: the planes and 3/4 BAB, for access to Dodge, Mobility, and Spring Attack + 4 ranks in Knowledge: the Planes by level 6.

Then the cohort will take 4 levels of Jaunter, a PrC from Expedition to the Demonweb Pits, which grants Plane Shift.

[WhatThePhysics]

"Masterwork tools" for Knowledge checks are called "libraries." The bad news is they're expensive, not at all portable, and take hours to use. The good news is you don't have to actually own one and they can give you a much greater circumstance bonus of up to +6 depending on how they're stocked.

In that case, a 1st level co-pilot with just 3 Ranks or Skill Focus for Knowledge (The Planes) can Aid Another to cover for it, so long as they've both visited the destination at least once.