Shopping Cart

Would you like to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter here

Mobility

Public transport is free in these 17 European cities

Free public transport? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content

Do you love travelling with a sustainable twist? Good news, because in many European cities the sustainable trend of making public transport free of charge is continuing. Curious about which cities they are? We take you on a trip through Europe.

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

We have to open this list with Luxembourg. Luxembourg is a pioneer in free mobility: it was the first country in the world to set up a national free public transport network. With this brand new initiative, the government wants to encourage its population not to use their cars. The capital, Luxembourg City, receives more expats than it has inhabitants, and as a result has to deal with a lot of traffic jams.

Free public transport? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We'll give you a hint: in Luxembourg.

Tallinn, Estonia

In the Estonian capital, public transport was already free in 2013. In a referendum, the inhabitants voted overwhelmingly in favour of free public transportation. The problem in Tallinn can be compared to the problem in Luxembourg City: thousands of commuters travel to the city centre every day.

Public transport free? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We'll give you a hint: Tallinn, in Estonia.

Aubagne, France

In this southern French city, public transport has been free since 2009. Started as a simple test, the initiative turned out to be a great success. After three years, there were 5,000 fewer cars driving around the city every day, a decrease of 10 per cent. The popularity of public transport also rose by 235 per cent.

Public transport free? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We'll give you a hint: Aubagne, in France.

Dunkirk, France

This northern French city, on the border with Belgium, has been making its public transport network available free of charge since 2018. After a few months, a quarter of the city's parking spaces remained empty, where previously there had been a shortage of parking. On Saturdays, bus occupancy doubled and on Sundays it even increased by 140 per cent.

Free public transport? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We'll give you a hint: in Dunkirk, France.

Samokov, Bulgaria

Samokov is a mountain town in beautiful Bulgaria and has about 27,000 inhabitants. The initiative was initially intended for residents only, but two years after its launch, public transport was offered free of charge to everyone.

Public transport free? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport for free. We give you a hint: in Samokov, Bulgaria.

Frýdek-Místek, Czech Republic

Since 2011, you can also use free public transportation in Frýdek-Místek, a town in the east of the Czech Republic. The number of passengers increased by as much as 40 per cent during the first two years. The free buses take you easily to villages further away. The longest free ride takes you 30 kilometres further to the touristy Beskydy mountain.

Free public transport? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We'll give you a hint: in Frýdek-Místek, Czech Republic.

Strakonice, Czech Republic

Since the 1st of January 2018, public transport in the city centre of Czech Strakonice has been completely free. Tip: if you visit the town, don't forget to look at Strakonice Castle, a beautiful cultural monument.

Free public transport? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We'll give you a hint: Stakonice.

Manchester, England

In the British city of Manchester, three free metro shuttles enable tourists to explore the city at no cost.

Public transport free? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We've already given you a hint: Manchester, in Great Britain.

Mariehamn, Finland

Mariehamn is the capital of the Finnish island of Åland and has been offering free public transport to both locals and visitors since 2000.

Free public transport? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We'll give you a hint: in Mariehamn, Sweden.

Attica, Greece

In the Attica region of Greece, where Athens is the capital, there are 34 municipalities that offer free public transport. Anyone planning a visit to Athens can therefore use the free public transport network when discovering the region.

Free public transport? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport for free. We'll give you a hint: in Attica, Greece.

Livigno, Italy

Anyone who knows this place is probably an avid skier. This village in the Italian Alps offers its public transport free of charge from half past seven in the morning until eight in the evening. The town is very clear to its visitors: nobody needs a car to discover Livigno.

Public transport free? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We'll give you a hint: Livigno, Italy.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

In Amsterdam, not all public transport is free, unfortunately, but the ferries are. At least: for pedestrians, cyclists and moped riders. You take the ferry at the back of the Amsterdam-Central station to go to Amsterdam-Noord, for example. There you will find tourist attractions such as the Eye Film Museum and the Tolhuistuin. The connection is very smooth and you only have to wait a few minutes.

What are the best vegan restaurants in Amsterdam? Especially for the vegan foodie, ETIKL Magazine listed his favourite addresses.

Ærø, Denmark

On this beautiful Danish island, you can ride the bus for free. It is known as the sunniest place in the whole country. If you want to get to Ærø from mainland Denmark, the ferry takes you to the charming town of Ærøskøbing. The small colourful houses, the beautiful cycle paths and the modesty of the locals make it a fairytale setting.

Free public transport? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport for free. We'll give you a hint: the picturesque island of Ærø.

Akureyri, Iceland

Akureyri is one of the largest cities in Iceland and offers free buses to its residents and visitors. This magical place in northern Iceland is surrounded by beautiful natural scenes. Don't miss the iconic Christmas house and The Lord of the Rings-style church. The town is also the ideal base for going to natural baths, visiting waterfalls or spotting whales.

Free public transport? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport for free. We'll give you a hint: in Akureyri, Iceland.

Velenje, Slovenia

Velenje is the sixth largest city in Slovenia and has a network of free yellow buses that transport you around the city. What makes this city so special, besides its sustainable character, is Lake Velenje, the deepest lake in the entire country. Next to the city, you will find a green oasis, which you can reach for free by bus.

Public transport free? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We've already given you a hint: Velenje.

Geneva, Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the European pioneers when it comes to sustainability, and it shows in its free public transportation network. Apart from the iconic city of Geneva, visitors (who pay a tourist tax) can also use public transport for free in Lausanne, Basel and Bern.

Public transport free? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We'll give you a hint: Geneva, Switzerland.

Żory, Poland

We shall end with a European trendsetter, namely Żory. If you look at the complete list of Polish cities offering free public transport, you will notice that it is considerably longer than that of other European countries. So why is this not a longer list of Polish destinations? Because those towns and cities mainly offer their public transport for free to their own residents. In Żory, on the other hand, tourists also enjoy free mobility. With numerous other sustainable initiatives, Żory aims to become Poland's most ambitious city in terms of free and sustainable mobility.

Public transport free? You won't find that everywhere! ETIKL Magazine has compiled a list of European cities where you can use public transport free of charge and to your heart's content. We'll give you a hint: in Zory, Poland.

Do you know another European city where public transport is free? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram or at info@etikl.com.