60,000 Free Train Tickets for Young People

Strengthening Franco-German Friendship

Germany and France offer a total of 60,000 free train tickets to young adults to strengthen Franco-German friendship. The ticket is valid for one month for both short- and long-distance trains in the neighboring country.

Young adults between the ages of 18 and 27 from Germany and France should travel and get to know each other's country to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. For this purpose, the Transport Ministers of Germany and France, Volker Wissing and Clément Beaune, have launched the Franco-German Friendship Pass.

A total of 60,000 free train tickets are available for both countries. From Monday at 10 a.m., the 30,000 German train tickets can be accessed on the website deutsch-franzoesischer-freundschaftspass. The principle is first come, first serve.

Friendship Pass Is Valid for One Month

The principle of the Friendship Pass is similar to the well-known Interrail ticket. It is valid for one month from 1 July 2023 until the end of the year. Within this period, Germans can use local and long-distance trains in France on seven freely selectable days. One of the seven travel days must be used to leave Germany for France, and another to return.

The ticket is not intended for commuting between Germany and France but as a travel ticket for a stay in the neighboring country. And importantly, the high-speed trains in France and cross-border traffic can only be used with a seat reservation, which must be purchased separately.

60 Years of Franco-German Friendship

The Franco-German Friendship Pass is an offer from Germany and France created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty.

"The ticket is a great opportunity for young people to celebrate the Franco-German Friendship anniversary," said Wissing. "Current events in Europe show how important mutual exchange is for the continued existence of a peaceful and democratic Europe." Moreover, the initiative is a commitment to promoting environmentally friendly train travel.

"With this ticket, we celebrate Franco-German friendship and promote train travel as a means of transport," said his French colleague, Beaune.