How do you get free trains in Spain 2023?

Free train tickets are available to anyone in Spain until the end of 2023, but there are a few caveats. First, the free tickets are only available on Renfe-operated commuter trains (Cercan?as and Rodalies) and medium-distance train journeys under 300 kilometers, or 186 miles.



The program for "free" trains in Spain was a specific government initiative launched in late 2022 and extended through 2023 to combat inflation. To benefit, travelers had to register for a "Cercanías" or "Media Distancia" multi-journey pass via the Renfe app or at a station ticket machine. While the pass required a deposit of €10 or €20, this deposit was fully refunded if the passenger completed at least 16 journeys within a four-month period. The program covered local commuter trains and regional "mid-distance" routes, but it did not apply to high-speed (AVE) or long-distance tickets. In 2026, while the original "free" program has evolved, the Spanish government frequently introduces similar seasonal subsidies for young people (Verano Joven) and frequent commuters. To see if a current version of this discount is available for your trip, check the "Abonos Gratuitos" section on the official Renfe website, as these social aid programs are often renewed annually.

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Launched by Spanish authorities last year to help tackle the cost-of-living crisis for residents, the free train travel period was due to end this spring. However, authorities extended the program to December 2023, meaning travelers visiting Spain this summer can now take advantage.

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Generally, if someone is caught without a valid train ticket they will face fines and/or a criminal charge.

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Spain introduced the free train subscription scheme in September 2022 in response to the increase in energy prices due to the war in Ukraine and the elevated costs of living.

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Typically there are three types of train ticket in Spain: Básico, Elige and Prémium. These different types of ticket offer different rates of flexibility. Básico is the cheapest type of ticket you can buy, for both Standard and First Class, with Prémium being the most expensive.

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Spanish trains don't operate on a normal booking horizon, although most trains open around 60 days in advance. This is when you'll find the cheapest tickets. We always recommend booking as far in advance as possible to get the cheapest Spanish train tickets.

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Trainline is the official reseller of Renfe and Avlo, the brands of Spain's national railway company, OUIGO and iryo as well. So you all have ALL the options in just one place. Trainline sells train tickets for the same price as the Spanish carriers.

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The controversy surrounding the size of trains designed for the Asturias and Cantabria tracks that are incompatible with the narrow gauge tunnels has forced the resignation of the president of train operator Renfe, Isaías Táboas, as well as the current Secretary of State for Transport, Isabel Pardo de Vera.

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The Spanish government announced in November 2022 that it will extend a subsidy introduced for train passengers in September to public, long-distance buses.

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Freighthopping or trainhopping is the act of surreptitiously boarding and riding a freightcar, which is usually illegal.

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Currie told me that in New York City, about 40 percent of transit riders evade a fare once a year, intentional or not. “This is a big share of the population,” he said.

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