Germany, France offer youth free cross-border rail passes
June 10, 2023
"Friendship Passes" will be given to 60,000 residents of France and Germany aged 17-27 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty. The ministers also said they hoped for a more permanent exchange system.
The French and German governments each plan to give away 30,000 rail passes designed to enable a short cross-border holiday or tripImage: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/picture alliance
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Germany and France have announced they will give away 60,000 train tickets — half in each country — beginning Monday as a way to foster relations between the two countries.
The transport ministers of Germany and France, Volker Wissing and Clement Beaune, said their project aimed both to further Franco-German cooperation and friendship, as well as to promote environmental consciousness among young adults traveling.
How will the 'Friendship Pass' work?
The new program will see 60,000 one-month passes handed out to young residents of France and Germany between the ages of 17 and 27 on a first-come, first-served basis, according the government website on the promotion.
In Germany, distribution will start on Monday, June 12, and continue as long as supplies last.
The tickets are valid for one month and can be used for several journeys — but one travel day must be used crossing the Franco-German border and another returning. The goal here is to prevent people hoping to use the tickets to save some money on their regular commute domestically.
The one-month tickets can be used for long-distance and local train travel on seven days of a user's choice on either side of the border and will be valid for use between July 1 and December 31, 2023.
However, the tickets will not be totally free. The free pass will not include the small fee for reserving a seat on a high-speed cross-border train, which is required in France. Consumers will have to pay that themselves.
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Why are Germany and France giving away free train tickets?
The scheme was conceived to mark the the 60th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty — a treaty of friendship between the long belligerent neighbors signed in the aftermath of the first and second World Wars. Signed by German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and French President Charles DeGaulle on January 22, 1963, the treaty went into effect on July 2, 1963.
German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer (l) and French President Charles de Gaulle (r) sent a strong signal of friendship by signing the Elysee Treaty, paving the way for reconcilliation and economic progress in postwar Europe Image: Zuma/IMAGO
German Transport Minister Volker Wissing, who called the scheme a "great opportunity for young people to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty," noted the importance of such ongoing cooperation.
"Current events in Europe show just how important mutual exchange is for the continued survival of a peaceful and democratic Europe," Wissing said, seemingly alluding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and renewed warfare on European soil.
Wissing's French colleague Beaune also emphasized the larger environmental signal the project was designed to send: "With this ticket we are celebrating Franco-German friendship and actively encouraging train use as a form of transportation."
France is currently working on its own flat-rate ticket modeled on Germany's so-called €49 ticket, which went into effect on May 1.
The German ticket is a monthly nationwide flat-fare rail pass, but it's only valid for slower regional rail services, not more expensive high-speed trains.
Though the German minister said he would be in favor of such a plan, he cautioned it would be a complex undertaking requiring much time and effort to implement.
Correction, June 12, 2023: A previous version of this article misspelled the name of German Transport Minister Volker Wissing. This has now been corrected. We apologize for the error.
js/msh (dpa, KNA)
Germany's €49 ticket: Beautiful train routes to explore
Here are some of the most beautiful train routes you can explore with Germany's €49 travel ticket.
Image: Peter Schickert/picture alliance
Ravenna Bridge in the Black Forest
On May 1, 2023, Germany introduced the €49 travel pass, also known as Deutschland ticket. It's valid for U-Bahn, S-Bahn, bus and tram services across all of Germany but also Deutsche Bahn transport offerings such as RB trains and RE trains. So why not check out the Black Forest route crossing the Ravenna bridge (pictured) in southern Germany?
Image: Jürgen Wiesler/Zoonar/picture alliance
Upper Middle Rhine
A trip along the Rhine river is sure to be memorable. One of the most beautiful parts is the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, which connects Bingen, Rudesheim und Koblenz. Dotted with castles and charming villages, this wine-growing area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Treat yourself to a scenic train journey though this picturesque area!
Image: Peter Schickert/picture alliance
Moselle River route
Traveling along the Moselle river by train is another breathtaking experience. You can start in the city of Koblenz where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet, then continue past numerous vineyards and castles, including picturesque villages like Cochem an der Mosel. Thanks to the affordable €49 ticket, you can easily stop and taste local wines along the way.
Image: Peter Schickert/picture alliance
Lindau on Lake Constance
A train journey around Lake Constance in southern Germany makes for yet another spectacular ride. The RE5 train, for example, starts in Stuttgart and ends in the Bavarian town of Lindau, taking you past tranquil wildflower meadows, with stunning views of Alps. Once in Lindau, be sure to explore the old town.
Image: Werner Thoma/Zoonar/picture alliance
Munich to Salzburg
Did you know you can even travel abroad with the €49 ticket? Intrepid explorers will be pleased to learn they can take the train all the way from Bavaria across the Alps to the beautiful Austrian city of Salzburg with Germany's new budget travel pass.
Image: fabio lotti/Zoonar/picture alliance
Hamburg to Sylt
It’s now easier than ever to reach Sylt on a budget. Starting in Hamburg, you can hop on the RE6 train and travel directly to this popular North Sea island known for sand dunes, marshland nature preserves, and myriad outdoor activities. The journey takes just under four hours.
Image: Axel Heimken/dpa/picture alliance
Dresden to Decin, Czech Republic
Exploring Germany's Saxon Switzerland with its impressive sandstone rock formations is a breeze by train. The route takes you along the Elbe River from Dresden to the town of Bad Schandau, where many hikes begin. One can also continue to Decin, a town in the Czech Republic.
Image: Michal Fludra/NurPhoto/picture alliance
The Göltzschtal Viaduct
Train enthusiasts will love the chance to see the world's biggest brick bridge, the Göltzsch Viaduct. Regional services RB4 and RB2 from Gera to Cheb in the Czech Republic cross this impressively large structure. But keep in mind when planning your trip that the €49 ticket does not allow you to use ICE, IC, EC and Flixtrain connections.
Image: Wolfgang Thieme/dpa/picture-alliance
Munich to Tegernsee Lake
Tegernsee Lake is a truly magical place in Germany, surrounded by the Alps, and also easily reachable thanks to the 49€ ticket. Starting in Munich, one can take the Bavarian Overland Train, or Bayerische Oberlandbahn, to either Gmund at the northern end of the lake, or to Tegernsee town, the final stop.
Image: Matthias Balk/dpa/picture alliance
Berlin to the Baltic Sea
No Berlin summer is complete without a trip north to the Baltic Sea coast. Thanks to the new €49 ticket, it should be easier than ever to visit charming towns like Stralsund (pictured) with regional trains. Consider renting a bike at your destination, however, as train carriages might be very crowded in the summer months.
