The Most Expensive Public Transport in Europe 2026: City Ranking

Public transport fares in Europe are reaching record highs – find out where public transport is the most expensive and where fares have fallen in 2026

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Public transport is one of those expenses travellers rarely budget for in advance – and that's a mistake. Environmental organisation Greenpeace has published a new study, Euronews reports, comparing transport fares in the capitals of 30 European countries – all EU member states plus the UK, Switzerland and Norway.

Analysts assessed not just the price of monthly and annual passes, but also how far their coverage extends: whether they include suburban routes, which types of transport are covered, whether there are discounts for vulnerable groups, and what share of the ticket price is VAT. The result is mixed: in half of Europe's capitals, getting around by public transport has become noticeably more expensive than three years ago, while in other cities prices have actually fallen.

Rome, Milan and Munich will be connected by high-speed trains – details via the link.

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London, Amsterdam and Paris lead on cost

Looking at absolute figures, residents and visitors of London spend the most on transport in 2026: a monthly pass there costs around €162. Amsterdam ranks second at €107 a month, while Paris closes out the top three at roughly €77. These three cities have long been among the continent's most popular tourist destinations, so the high cost of transport fits naturally into the broader picture of expensive living and travel there.

That said, the highest absolute price isn't always the most telling indicator. It's far more interesting to look at the trend – that's what reveals which cities' transport policies have genuinely become less friendly to passengers' wallets.

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Where fares have risen the most

In terms of how fast long-term passes have become more expensive since 2023, Cyprus's capital Nicosia leads the pack, with prices up 67%. Amsterdam (+55%), Madrid (+50%) and Bratislava (+32%) follow. Berlin (+29%) and Vienna (+26%) also saw notable increases, while Copenhagen, Bucharest, Vilnius, Brussels and London itself all became at least 10% more expensive.

One reason behind this trend is the tax burden. On average, public transport tickets in the EU are taxed at a VAT rate of around 11%, and seven countries have raised that rate over the past three years. For travellers, this means one thing: even if a ticket's nominal price looks reasonable, part of that sum goes straight to tax rather than to developing the transport network itself.

Which capitals made public transport cheaper

The good news is that this trend isn't universal. In four European capitals, long-term passes have actually gotten cheaper over three years. Dublin saw the biggest drop – down 42.5%. In Oslo, traditionally one of Europe's most expensive cities, prices fell by 11.5%, in Bern by 6.6%, and in Budapest by 5.8%. In another twelve capitals, pass prices have stayed practically unchanged compared with 2023 – meaning the situation there is stable rather than critical.

Also read, a new low-cost carrier has launched in Europe with tickets from €40.

Free travel: the Luxembourg and Malta model

A separate story altogether are the countries that have scrapped fares within their capitals entirely. Luxembourg has spent several years proving that city-wide free public transport isn't a utopia but a working model. Joining it at the top of the affordability and inclusivity ranking are Tallinn and Valletta – Greenpeace ranked all three cities in first place. Prague, Rome and Athens follow, and Sofia and Vienna round out the top eight.

Germany, Austria and Hungary offer a telling example too – all three run relatively affordable nationwide tickets costing under €3 a day, usable across any region of the country. Greenpeace cites this as an example of a so-called "climate ticket" – a model the organisation wants to see adopted across Europe, since it both encourages people to drive and fly less and reduces the EU's dependence on fossil fuels.

At the other end of the ranking are Finland, Greece and Norway: long-term ticket affordability is lower there, and domestic transport VAT rates are above the European average.

Also read, why Poland is scrapping road tolls for some drivers.

What tourists should know about transport costs

For anyone planning a trip around Europe, this study is a good reason to look at your route from a budgeting angle. Transport within a city often eats up a noticeable share of daily spending, especially in destinations like London, Amsterdam or Paris. Before you travel, it's worth:

- checking whether the city offers a multi-day tourist pass – it's usually better value than buying tickets one by one;

- keeping in mind cities with free or very cheap transport (Luxembourg, Tallinn, Valletta) – you can save significantly on getting around and put those savings toward sightseeing or food instead.

Overall, Greenpeace's study confirms once again that the cost of a trip isn't just flights and hotels – it's dozens of smaller expenses that are worth planning for in advance. But some costs simply can't be planned for: a sudden illness abroad, an injury during an active holiday, or theft on a crowded metro in one of Europe's pricier cities. That's exactly what travel insurance is for – it covers hospitalisation, ambulance call-outs and medication, and compensates for lost luggage or personal belongings.

With Visit World, choosing a policy is simple: just enter your citizenship and destination country, and the system will suggest the best coverage options for your route. That's especially useful if your trip covers several European countries with different healthcare systems. Don't leave your health and belongings unprotected to save a few euros.

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A reminder: several European countries still have medieval settlements with authentic architecture and few tourists. Travel Off Path has put together a list of five such towns – from the Greek island of Chios to Sweden's Gotland. We've already covered these destinations and tips for travellers.

Photo – Magnific