Is public transport free in Spain?

The policy could be here to stay with commuters being encouraged to ditch their cars in favour of taking the train. Spain has just extended its free train travel scheme through to December 2023. Earlier this year, free train tickets were introduced for short and medium-distance journeys.



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Having already halved the cost of public transport nationwide, slashed VAT and cut tax on fuel, the Spanish government has now made a huge number of short- and medium-distance train journeys totally free – for regular passengers, anyway.

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In Spain, public transport by bus is operated locally, which means that bus fares vary from city to city. In general, a single ticket costs around €1.40 to €1.60, though some cities (such as Barcelona) charge over €2 for a ticket.

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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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The Spanish Government has approved the extension of the free subscriptions for Cercanías, Rodalies and Media Distancia trains as well as state-owned bus lines. The 50-percent discounts on Avant high-speed services for regular travellers are also extended until 2023.

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Metro Tickets & Prices Single Ticket (Zone A) – 1.50€ – 2.00€. 10 Trip Ticket (Zone A) – 12.20€. Unlimited Monthly Metro Pass – Please refer to our chart above by clicking here.

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Use Barcelona's public transport free of charge with the Barcelona City Pass. Take the tram, the metro, the regular TMB buses, the train to/from the airport and the FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya). Within Zone 1, you can also use the Rodalies trains.

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The price of a single ticket in Madrid for travelling by metro or bus is 1,50€. It can be bought at metro stations, at any 'estanco' (the place where they sell tobacco) or on the bus itself, to the driver.

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In general, a single ticket costs around €1.40 to €1.60, though some cities (such as Barcelona) charge over €2 for a ticket. Some public transport companies in Spain offer special tickets for a certain number of trips (e.g., a 10-trip ticket) or time period (e.g., a 24-hour ticket).

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The bus is the best if you're on a budget While tickets can be directly purchased from the bus driver, it is best to reserve and buy them in advance. Keep in mind that the most popular routes and times tend to get full pretty quickly.

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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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Compared to long road trips and all of the inconveniences of short flights, it's easy to get around Spain by train. Instead of sitting on a cramped bus or spending your time going to and from airports, the trains offer a quick and comfortable way to enjoy the ride to Spain's dazzling cities.

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The bus is the best if you're on a budget There are several bus service providers in every Spanish city, and many of these fleets offer quite a comfortable ride with reclining seats and wifi on board to make traveling over long distances a smooth and pleasant experience.

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Spain, like most of Europe, has a great public transportation system, but it's not always easy for travelers to navigate (especially if they don't speak fluent Spanish). Our advice: have a local help plan your trip. They'll provide detailed transportation options that adhere to your budget. And that's not all!

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In March 2020, Los Angeles' public-transit agency, Metro, stopped collecting fares on its buses as a COVID-19 safety precaution. For the next 22 months, Metro waived fares for anyone who wanted to keep riding its buses, anywhere they wanted to go (as long as they wore a mask, of course).

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Many of Madrid's world-class sights are free, including parks, churches and museums. Here are our favorite free attractions that offer the best of Madrid for travelers on a budget.

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On 29 February 2020, Luxembourg became the first country in the world to make all public transport in the country (buses, trams, and trains) free to use.

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You will need some cash. Small businesses have credit/debit card minimums, especially at markets like La Boquería and Santa Caterina. Consider ordering some euros to pick up at your local branch before your trip. Some banks will have fees attached, others might just exchange the money at the official rate of the day.

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Two Spanish cities make the list, with Barcelona and Madrid in the top 20 most walkable cities in the world.

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