All good things must come to an end : Spain’s state railway operator, Renfe, is finally ending its free and discounted train travel tickets.
Spain’s free train travel offer on commuter (Cercanías) and mid-distance (Media Distancia) services is finally coming to an end. After over three years of discounted and free travel on certain Renfe services, from July 2025 (almost all) travellers and commuters will now have to pay.
The scheme was brought in during the period of high-inflation and around the time the Russia-Ukraine war began, mainly as a measure to help families deal with the cost of living crisis.
New fares will now kick in from this summer onwards, which will be in force from 1 July 2025. The current season tickets for the use of Cercanías and Media Distancia trains, which were last renewed in May, will be valid until June 30th.
Some regions, such as Madrid, have already announced discounted travel passes and other regions are reportedly considering the same.
Although the new prices still technically represent a discount on public transport costs before 2021, for commuters who have enjoyed free travel for so long, this will feel like a significant increase.
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New train travel prices in Spain
Looking at the new price structure Renfe has published online, train season tickets prices from July 1st, 2025 will be:
- 10 journey ticket: fare according to zone
- Monthly pass: €20
- Youth monthly pass: €10
- Child travel: free
These new travel passes will be valid for the use of trains in the Cercanías network and will be valid for all areas in all Spanish cities. Renfe has stated that full “conditions of sale will be announced soon.”
Avant trains will continue with the 50 percent discount on monthly passes.
