Spain Joins Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, and the Netherlands with Insane 2026 Travel Deals: Free Passes, Discounted Tickets, Unlimited Transport, and Secret Hacks for Tourists: What You Need to Know

Published on December 31, 2025

One of the most generous programmes launching in 2026 is DiscoverEU, the European Commission’s free rail pass. It gives around 40 000 18‑year‑olds a pass valid for travel by train across the EU for up to 30 days. Successful applicants can travel between 1 July 2025 and 30 September 2026 and receive a European Youth Card, which grants discounts on culture, accommodation and food[1][2]. The pass is free of charge and is open to young people from EU member states and some neighbouring countries; applicants must take an online quiz and agree to travel mainly by train. This initiative allows young adults to explore multiple countries at minimal cost and encourages sustainable travel. Because the pass is free, there is no monetary conversion.

Spain: national and regional discounts

Abono Único – national flat‑fare pass

Spain will introduce a nationwide flat‑fare pass in January 2026. The Abono Único will cost €60 per month (≈ ₹6 330) for adults and €30 for travellers aged under 26 (≈ ₹3 165). It provides unlimited travel on state‑run inter‑regional buses and Renfe Cercanías and Media Distancia trains and is valid for 30 days from activation[3]. Spain’s Council of Ministers confirmed on 23 December 2025 that this pass would launch in the second half of January 2026 and would integrate existing regional bus and commuter‑train passes[4]. The same decree extended current fare subsidies into 2026, including a 40 % discount on 10‑trip tickets, 50 % discount on monthly passes, 70 % discount for young people and free travel for children under 14[5]. Spain’s government will subsidise the scheme with more than €1.37 billion[5].

Catalonia’s T‑usual and T‑jove cards

In Barcelona and its metropolitan area, the Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM) approved the continuation of 50 % discounts on the T‑usual (unlimited 30‑day ticket) and T‑jove (90‑day youth ticket) for 2026. A news release from the Barcelona City Council notes that the discounts are conditioned on the Spanish government’s financial contribution and aim to ensure equal access to public transport[6]. The measure, which also extends discounted passes for large families and the unemployed, will require over €110 million in public funding[7]. These passes allow frequent travellers to use buses, metro and commuter trains within the Barcelona area at half the usual cost.

Germany: nationwide ticket for local transport

Germany’s Deutschland‑Ticket (“Germany Ticket”) is a subscription offering unlimited travel on local and regional buses, trams and trains across Germany. The German transport ministers agreed that the price will increase to €63 per month (≈ ₹6 647) from 1 January 2026[8]. The ticket must be purchased as a monthly subscription; it does not cover long‑distance services such as ICE or IC trains. The European Consumer Centre Germany notes that the pass is valid on regional trains and public transport nationwide and that children under six travel free[9]. While this deal requires payment, it still offers significant savings for travellers who plan to use regional transport extensively.

Luxembourg: first country with free nationwide public transport

Luxembourg became the first country to offer free public transport nationwide on 1 March 2020, and this policy continues into 2026. The government’s mobility portal explains that passengers do not need tickets for national buses, trains or trams; only first‑class train tickets remain paid, and cross‑border journeys require tickets[10]. Free transport applies to residents and visitors alike and covers all domestic routes. This measure is part of a broader strategy to reduce congestion and emissions, and it removes all fare costs for public transport within the country.

Malta: free travel for residents with the Tallinja Card

Malta extended free travel to all residents and citizens in October 2022. According to the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure, anyone who holds a personalised Tallinja Card can use buses on the islands of Malta and Gozo without paying a fare[11]. Before this reform, free transport was limited to youths, students and seniors. The government introduced the scheme to encourage bus use and improve air quality. Visitors without a resident Tallinja Card must still purchase regular tickets, so tourists should apply for a card only if they are staying long enough to qualify.

Portugal: city passes with unlimited transport and cultural discounts

Porto.CARD

Porto’s official city pass combines unlimited transport with free or discounted cultural entry. The Porto tourist office states that the Porto.CARD gives free entry to five museums, up to 50 % discount on ten monuments and attractions, and unlimited travel on the metro, STCP buses and CP urban trains in the Porto metropolitan area[12]. Cards are available for 1–4 days and start at €7.50 (≈ ₹791). Travellers can choose between versions with or without public transport, making this pass flexible for different itineraries.

Lisboa Card

The Lisboa Card is Lisbon’s official tourist pass. It provides a free pass to 52 museums and monuments, fast‑track entry to 12 attractions, free transportation on buses, trams, metro and some local trains, and discounts of 5–50 % on services and 5–10 % on participating stores[13]. Cards are available for 24‑, 48‑ or 72‑hour durations, and although prices vary, they offer substantial value when visitors plan to visit multiple sites and use public transport frequently.

Italy: Cinque Terre Card in Liguria

To manage visitor flow in the Cinque Terre National Park, the park authority sells the Cinque Terre Card. The official site explains that the card grants access to the park, guided tours, use of ATC buses within the park, Wi‑Fi in park hot spots, and reduced admission to the Civic Museums of La Spezia[14]. The card is personal and valid until midnight of the chosen day. There are two variants: a Trekking Card (for hiking trails) and a Train Card, which also includes unlimited journeys on the Levanto–Cinque Terre–La Spezia railway and use of park buses. Prices vary by season and duration; for example, low‑season train cards start around €14.80 (≈ ₹1 561) for one day and include access to paid coastal paths[15]. The revenue supports trail maintenance and conservation[16].

Switzerland: unlimited travel with the Swiss Travel Pass

Switzerland’s Swiss Travel Pass is an all‑in‑one ticket marketed by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) for visitors. The SBB website states that the pass grants unlimited travel by train, bus and boat, unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns and cities, free admission to over 500 museums, and includes some mountain excursions such as Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos[17]. Holders also receive discounts of up to 50 % on many other mountain railways and leisure offers[18]. There is a Swiss Family Card allowing children aged six to under 16 to travel free when accompanied by a parent[19], and a Swiss Travel Pass Youth that reduces prices by about 30 % for travellers under 25[20].

The pass is sold for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days, and prices rise slightly in 2026. For example, a 3‑day pass in second class costs 254 CHF (≈ ₹28 808), while 4 days cost 309 CHF (≈ ₹35 046) and 6 days cost 399 CHF (≈ ₹45 254). An 8‑day pass is priced at 439 CHF (≈ ₹49 791) and a 15‑day pass at 499 CHF (≈ ₹56 596)[21]. The 2026 rates are valid until 31 December 2026 and are subject to change[22].

Netherlands: I Amsterdam City Card

Amsterdam’s marketing organisation offers the I Amsterdam City Card, a digital or physical pass starting from €65 (≈ ₹6 858) for 24 hours. The card provides free entry to more than 70 museums and top attractions, city‑wide unlimited public transport on metro, tram, bus and ferry, a canal cruise and one day of bike rental[23]. Visitors can purchase cards for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours; activation occurs on first use, and the pass is scanned at each attraction and when entering public transport[24]. This pass is ideal for city‑break tourists who want to combine cultural visits with efficient transport.

Summary table of 2026 deals

Conclusion

European countries are using free and discounted travel passes to encourage tourism, reduce congestion and promote sustainable mobility. Pan‑European programmes like DiscoverEU give young adults the opportunity to explore the continent at no cost, while national schemes such as Abono Único in Spain and the Deutschland‑Ticket in Germany offer substantial value for frequent travellers. Luxembourg and Malta demonstrate that free public transport is viable at a national level, and city cards in Porto, Lisbon and Amsterdam combine unlimited transport with cultural access. Switzerland’s Swiss Travel Pass remains a premium option but provides unparalleled access to transport and museums. Together, these initiatives make 2026 an attractive year for travellers seeking to experience Europe affordably.