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Spain’s youth travel deal, designed to make it easier and cheaper for younger people to travel the country this summer, is about to return for its third consecutive year.

 

The Council of Ministers is expected to approve the scheme on Tuesday June 10 and the Ministry of Transport will soon activate a dedicated website where eligible individuals can register to receive a code for discounted travel. The offer will be valid for journeys made between July 1 and September 30.

 

Although the full details of this year’s discounts have not yet been revealed, ministry sources have confirmed they will be similar to those offered in 2024.

 

Last summer, the programme provided savings of up to 90% on regular state-run bus services and conventional medium-distance and narrow-gauge rail networks.

 

Avant train tickets were offered at a 50% discount, while high-speed and long-distance tickets from all operators were also half price, with a maximum reduction of €30 per ticket. Interrail Global Flexible passes, valid for ten days of travel within two months, were also included in the scheme through Renfe.

 

The timing couldn’t be better, since the free travel initiative introduced during the early stages of the war in Ukraine will come to an end on June 30. Renfe, Spain’s national rail company, will then introduce a new pricing model for regular users of Cercanías and Media Distancia services.

 

Meanwhile, the 2025 edition of Verano Joven is supported by a budget of €120 million, slightly below last year’s figure of €130 million.

 

A key feature introduced last year and retained this summer is the inclusion of all young legal residents in Spain, regardless of their nationality. This means that in addition to Spanish citizens and young EU nationals, residents from non-EU countries will also be eligible.

 

Participants must have been born between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2007.

 

According to the Ministry of Transport, the programme has three main aims: to reduce the use of private vehicles, lowering emissions and the risk of road accidents; to encourage young people to travel and engage with new places and cultures; and to support the national tourism and cultural industries.

 

Last year’s edition saw 2.3 million young people register on the Ministry’s website. In total, 5.2 million trips were made using the programme, with approximately 65% of these journeys taking place by train and 35% by coach. More than 7,100 Interrail passes were sold with the discount in 2024.

 

 

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