Free Train Travel Across Europe: EU Gives Away Tickets to 18-Year-Olds

The European Commission launched the spring round of its DiscoverEU program on Wednesday in Brussels. Until April 16, one can apply for a travel pass and a DiscoverEU youth card. Young Austrians can also explore the cultures of all European countries for up to 30 days.

Young citizens of EU countries, as well as from Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey, can participate. They must be born between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, and answer questions from a quiz. Group applications with up to three friends are also possible. The travel period is between July 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Participants with a disability or health issues can be accompanied.

Youth card with numerous discounts

Participants receive not only the travel pass but also the DiscoverEU youth card with discounts for public transport, hotels, food, as well as cultural, sports, and other activities in 36 European countries. Additionally, the national Erasmus+ agencies organize meetings before, during, and after the trip. In Austria, the OeAD - Agency for Education and Internationalization is responsible. In summer 2025, two meet-ups will take place: from June 20 to 22 in Vienna and from July 22 to 25 in the Salzkammergut region.

The program was launched by the EU Commission in 2018. Each year, there are two calls for applications, one in spring and one in autumn. In autumn, more than 135,000 young people applied, including 3,700 from Austria. 35,762 passes were awarded, 718 of which went to Austria. Applications are submitted online via the European Youth Portal https://youth.europa.eu/discovereu_de, where interested parties can find all information on participation and the exact process.

Minister for Europe Plakolm Welcomes Initiative

"This year we celebrate 30 years of Austria in the EU, and even in the anniversary year, young people have the chance to travel through Europe for 30 days for free. There is no better way to experience Europe than with the Interrail ticket. With projects like these, Europe is not just a spot on the map but becomes part of our identity. It is a great opportunity to meet other people and cultures while being ambassadors of our Austrian culture," said Minister for Europe Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) in a statement.

"Young people benefit enormously from this initiative, as they not only broaden their horizons but also develop personally: According to a recent survey by the European Commission in 2024 among returnees from all countries, two-thirds stated that they traveled abroad by train for the first time. For many, it was also the first time they traveled without parents or companions and reported feeling more independent as a result," added OeAD Managing Director Jakob Calice.

"This way, 18-year-olds can explore the continent, get to know the people, cultures, and traditions in Europe, collect unforgettable experiences, make friendships, and not least improve their language skills. Through the enthusiastic exchange of young people, Europe grows together. They shape our future, and the better they know other European countries, the more naturally this future takes place for them in a united Europe," said Sophia Kircher, ÖVP's spokesperson for transport and youth in the European Parliament and Deputy Chair of the Transport Committee.

Andreas Schieder, SPÖ-EU delegation leader and member of the Transport Committee, and SPÖ parliamentarian Hannes Heide, member of the Culture Committee, also call on young people in Austria to take advantage of DiscoverEU: "DiscoverEU is a great opportunity for young people in the EU to engage in conversation and learn from each other. Projects like these make the European Union tangible and strengthen European cohesion as well as cultural exchange. At the same time, it is a great opportunity to make train travel an attractive, climate-friendly mode of transport for young people in the EU. The future of European mobility lies on the rails."

(APA/Red)

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