Good news for young travellers in Spain: the government-backed “Verano Joven” programme has launched again for summer 2026, offering significant discounts on train and bus travel. The initiative allows young people to explore Spain at much lower costs during the peak travel season and discover numerous popular holiday destinations.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
With discounts of up to 90%, the Spanish government aims to make travel more accessible for young people while also encouraging the use of public transport. Especially during the summer months, when flight prices and car hire costs often rise significantly, the programme offers an attractive way to explore the country at a lower cost.
Who can benefit from the discounts?
The offer is aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 30. Eligible participants include those who either hold Spanish citizenship or have their legal residence in Spain.
This means that the discounts are not only available to Spanish citizens. Many young people from abroad who live permanently in Spain can also benefit from the reduced travel prices.
The requirement is that travellers meet the age criteria during the relevant period. The programme is aimed at people born between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2008.
Up to 90% off train and bus travel
The level of discount depends on the type of transport and the specific route. The reductions available on both local and long-distance public transport services are particularly attractive.
On certain conventional medium-distance routes as well as on the metre-gauge rail network, young travellers can save up to 90%. Numerous long-distance services also benefit from reduced fares. For high-speed and long-distance trains such as AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Intercity and Euromed, a 50% discount applies, although the maximum saving on these routes is capped at €30 per ticket.
Bus travellers can also benefit from the programme: certain government-supported long-distance coach services are also available with discounts of up to 90%.
Travel available from 1 July until the end of September
The programme runs throughout the entire peak travel season. Discounted tickets are valid from 1 July to 30 September 2026.
This gives young people several months to explore Spain at significantly lower travel costs – from the beaches of Andalusia and historic cities to the country’s major metropolitan areas. Popular destinations such as Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Seville, Granada, Córdoba and Valencia can therefore be reached at much more affordable prices.
How to register
Anyone wishing to take advantage of the discounts must first register online. Once registration has been completed successfully, participants will receive a personal discount code. This code must then be entered when purchasing tickets from participating transport operators.
Important: Registration should be completed in good time. Before purchasing the first ticket, the registration process must be completed at least 24 hours in advance. The discount code is also personal and may not be transferred to other people.
Certain rules are in place to prevent misuse
To ensure that as many young people as possible can benefit from the programme, certain restrictions apply.
As a general rule, the same route to the same destination cannot be booked multiple times per day with the same operator. In addition, unused tickets should be cancelled in good time.
Anyone who reserves tickets and then fails to use them may face restrictions on future bookings.
Travelling around Europe is also becoming cheaper
The programme does not only support travel within Spain. Young people can also take advantage of discounted trips across Europe.
For example, the Interrail Global Flexible Pass offered by Renfe allows young travellers to explore several European countries with a 50% discount. This means the offer is not only aimed at traditional holidaymakers, but also at young people who want to discover Europe by rail.
Successful programme returns for another year
“Verano Joven” has developed into one of Spain’s most popular mobility programmes in recent years. Since its launch, millions of young people have already taken advantage of the discounted travel options.
According to the government, more than 16 million journeys have been made using the discounts across previous editions of the programme. For the current edition, the state is once again providing substantial funding to ensure affordable mobility during the summer months.
Particularly useful for holidaymakers in Andalusia
The programme also offers numerous opportunities for young travellers in Andalusia. The region is one of Spain’s most popular holiday destinations and is well connected by public transport.
From Málaga on the Costa del Sol to Seville, Córdoba and Granada with its famous Alhambra, travellers can visit many of Andalusia’s most iconic destinations at significantly reduced prices. Especially during the holiday season, when hotels, car hire and flights are often expensive, travelling by train can be an affordable alternative.
Spain focuses on sustainable mobility
Alongside the financial support, the Spanish government is pursuing another goal with “Verano Joven”: encouraging more young people to use public transport. By making train and bus connections more affordable, the programme aims to make sustainable travel more attractive while also improving access to cultural, tourist and social opportunities.
For many young people in Spain, the programme represents one thing above all: more opportunities to discover their own country without putting a heavy strain on their travel budget. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 30 who lives in Spain can benefit from significant discounts through “Verano Joven” in summer 2026, making it possible to reach numerous destinations across the country at considerably lower prices.
