Public transport remains one of the most convenient and economical ways to get around European cities, but its price varies significantly depending on the country. Find out in which countries and capitals of Europe in 2025/2026 travel is the cheapest, where the fares are the highest and how the prices of tickets and passes are changing

The cost of public transport is one of the key factors that affects the comfort of living or traveling in any European city. For students, migrant workers, tourists and expats, transport often becomes a noticeable expense, and the difference in fares between countries can surprise even experienced travelers.

In 2025, the situation has become even more contrasting: while some countries maintain fairly low fares, others are constantly raising fares due to inflation, infrastructure upgrades and changes in financing systems. We have collected the latest data as of December 2025 to show where in Europe public transport is the cheapest, how much a standard monthly pass costs in different cities and why the difference can be several times.

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Where is the cheapest public transport in Europe?

Most affordable fares are traditionally concentrated in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It is here that the level of spending on everyday needs is lower, and the city authorities try to maintain the accessibility of transport, especially for locals and students.

Bucharest, Romania

The capital of Romania occupies one of the first places in the accessibility rating. A monthly integrated metro and ground transport pass costs approximately 140 RON, which is about €28. If you use only the metro, the fare will cost even cheaper - about 100 RON (~€20). Against the backdrop of European-wide prices, this is one of the most profitable solutions.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is considered an example of one of the most efficient transport systems in Europe. Despite the high level of service, fares remain affordable: a monthly pass costs 550 CZK (~€22). Individual short-term tickets are also inexpensive, and tourists often note the transparent pricing and convenience of electronic tickets.

Warsaw, Poland

The Polish capital has traditionally maintained budget prices. A monthly pass in Zone 1 costs 110 PLN (~€22–23). For those who move between zones or live outside the center, combined options are also available.

Budapest, Hungary

The Hungarian capital is also among the top cities with the cheapest transport. A monthly Budapest-pass as of December 2025 costs about 8,950 HUF (~€22). At the same time, the city regularly updates its rolling stock and adapts fares to different passenger groups.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia offers one of the most affordable options in the EU. A monthly pass costs 42–50 BGN, or about €21–25. This makes the Bulgarian capital one of the cheapest for daily trips.

In all of the cities listed, monthly passes are mostly in the €20–30 range, which is the lowest in the European Union.

Western and Northern Europe: The highest prices for public transport

On the other side of the ranking are the countries of Western and Northern Europe. Here, public transport is often an order of magnitude more expensive, and in some cases 5–10 times more expensive.

Germany

In large cities such as Berlin, the cost of a monthly travel card for zones AB is around €106.50. A single ticket starts at €3.80. Even taking into account regional initiatives such as the Deutschland-Ticket, the total cost of travel remains high.

London, United Kingdom

One of the most expensive cities in Europe for daily travel. A monthly Travelcard for zones 1–2 costs around £171.70, which is equivalent to €190–200. When you consider British salaries, the price may seem reasonable, but for tourists and newcomers it often comes as an unpleasant surprise.

Why is there such a difference in the cost of public transport?

1. Income level and purchasing power

Central and Eastern European countries traditionally have lower average salaries, so transport is heavily subsidized there to remain affordable for the majority of the population.

2. Urban transport financing model

Some capitals invest heavily in infrastructure upgrades, modernization of stations and rolling stock. This increases costs and fares - Berlin or London are an example.

3. Focus on ecology

In Scandinavia and some German cities, transport policy is aimed at encouraging people to abandon cars. The high price of travel here is often compensated by the quality of service, speed and environmental friendliness.

Tips for travelers

- If you plan to stay for more than 10-14 days, it is worth buying a monthly pass right away.

- In many cities, electronic tickets are more profitable than paper tickets - install the official carrier's application.

- If possible, compare fares for different zones - sometimes route correction can significantly reduce costs.

The cost of public transport in Europe varies significantly: from a budget €15–30 in the cities of Eastern and Central Europe to over €100–200 in the capitals of the Western and Northern parts of the continent. Such contrasts are formed due to economic conditions, the level of investment in transport infrastructure and environmental policies of individual countries. Therefore, travelers should study fares and available passes in advance in order to optimize their travel costs as much as possible.

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Photo - Freepik

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