Spanish Vacation: Some Train Journeys Free In Spain From September

Spain is doing its bit to reduce its carbon footprint by encouraging people to choose train journeys instead of driving. Currently, gas prices are rising around the world, while climate change makes itself known with increased heat. Meanwhile, Spain has already slashed public transport costs on its state-owned service, now people will be able to travel free from September.

Spain plans to make some train journeys free

Many European countries are actively encouraging travelers to use rail services instead of flying. Meanwhile, several are also offering discounts and special offers to attract people to choose train journeys. Now, it’s Spain’s turn to save people money and attempt to reduce the country’s carbon impact.

First, Spain slashed public transport prices on state-owned services across Spain in half. Now, the country is attempting to further fight inflation rates by offering 100 percent free train journeys.

Basically, as of September 2022, passengers will be able to enjoy free train journeys across various trains operated by the public train network Renfe. Meanwhile, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that multi-journey tickets will be available on certain trains. These include public services like Cercanías, Rodalies and Media Distance (equivalent to local and medium-distance train journeys. These journeys will be free from September 1 through the end of this year.

Meanwhile, According to public broadcaster TVE, this does exclude single-journeys and long-distance train journeys. Moreover, multi-journey tickets include a minimum of 10 return trips.

Reducing inflation and helping the environment

According to CNN Travel, the Spanish Ministry of Transport made a statement:

This measure encourages to the maximum the use of this type of collective public transport to guarantee the needed daily commute with a safe, reliable, comfortable, economic and sustainable means of transportation, amid the extraordinary circumstances of the steady increase of energy and fuel prices.

The scheme with Renfe was announced shortly after Spain’s government committed to a reduction of 50 percent on public transport costs for state-owned transport.

Spain isn’t alone in taking measures

It turns out Spain isn’t the only EU nation introducing measures to reduce public transport costs. In June, the German government launched a €9 ($9.50) unlimited monthly public transport ticket. Meanwhile, this ticket can be used on both local and regional transport across Germany. The deal formed part of an energy relief package and will run until the end of August 2022.

In late 2021, the Austrian government introduced a heavily discounted “climate ticket” that can be used over all forms of public transport in the country. Their aim is to encourage people to leave their cars at home. In that case, “Klimaticket” costs €1,095 ($1,267) a year, which is around $3.50 a day.

In other EU rail news, France is introducing new sleeper trains, built from upcycled carriages. Meanwhile, this was in an effort to encourage travelers to take the slower route when visiting the country. Train journeys are one of the best options for reducing the travel-related carbon footprint. In fact, they can be part of the vacation, without the need for airport chaos and traveling by air.