PORTUGAL has introduced a brand new monthly rail pass which gives tourists and locals unlimited train travel for just €20.
The Green Rail Pass is Portugal‘s latest attempt at getting more people onboard public transport to explore the best the European hot spot has to offer – here’s all we know about the new railcard.
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Government officials in Portugal have started a huge push for affordable and enjoyable travel options for citizens in recent years.
They already offered a similar rail pass which allowed for unlimited travel across the national train services but it set back travellers a whopping €49.
But with many seeing the high price as simply too much officials started to look into the Green Rail Pass which is more than half the price.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro first spoke on his intent to launch the pass back in August.
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He said: “This is an investment in people, it is an investment in the environment, it is an investment in the future.
“This is strategically and structurally managing the future of Portugal.”
The pass was finally approved by the country’s Council of Ministers on Friday.
Anyone travelling with the cheap card will be able to seamlessly hop onboard nearly all urban, regional, inter-regional and inter-city services operated by the state-owned rail company Comboios de Portugal.
But it won’t be valid on urban trains in the Lisbon and Porto Metropolitan Areas due to the popularity of those regions.
Premium high speed trains ran by Alfa Pendular are also not included.
It only applies to train services so can’t be used on the country’s metro or light rail systems either.
Exact details on how the pass will work or when it can first be used are yet to be announced.
Further information is expected in the coming weeks from the government.
Plans were originally in place for it to launch by the end of September.
With officials being quoted as saying it will be introduced before the end of the year.
Negotiations with Comboios de Portugal are ongoing as to how the scheme will work.
Everyone involved is aiming to ensure an effective and safe roll-out of the railcard which aligns with the current quality of the service.
How it compares to the rest of Europe
Portugal’s unlimited travel pass is set to be one of the most value-for-money cards in the whole of the continent.
Germany introduced a €49 Deutschlandticket in April last year allowing for unlimited rail travel on regional services for a month.
At the time it was dubbed the “biggest public transport reform in German history” after the first two months saw a huge surge in travellers.
Despite the success the price is set to increase by €9 next year.
France also has a monthly card called the France Pass but it is only available to French residents aged 27 and under.
Austria offers a year-long €1,095 Klimaticket which lets people use all forms of public transport throughout the country.
With Hungary offering €25 railcards for unlimited travel in any one of its 19 counties.
Or a €49 monthly national travel card to use on every bus and train line in Hungary operated by the main three railway companies and top bus providers.
In comparison, the UK offers a BritRail Pass which allows people not from the UK to travel across Britain by train for a number of consecutive days.
The cheapest available pass costs £96 and allows for two days of nationwide travel on accepted services.
For an entire month worth of unlimited travel Brits have to fork out an eye watering £568, according to Trainline.
The most beautiful train journeys in Europe
HERE are the top 20 train journeys in Europe, according to Rustic Pathways:
1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
2. Vale of Rheidol Railway
3. Kyle Line
4. The Flam Railway
5. Bernina Express
6. Settle-Carlisle Railway
7. Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
8. Gotthard Panorama Express
9. Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
10. Brecon Mountain Railway
11. Lynton and Barnstaple Railway
12. Llangollen Railway
13. Bala Lake Railway
14. Jacobite Steam Train
15. The Bergen Railway
16. South Devon Railway
17. Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway
18. West Somerset Railway
19. Glacier Express
20. Le Train Jaune