Starting January 12, Spain launched sales of the highly anticipated Único Pass—a travel card set to revolutionize how people get around the country. For just €60, you can forget about buying separate tickets or dealing with transfers between different operators: one ticket grants you access to all state-run public transport. However, it isn’t quite as simple as it might seem at first glance.
The pass is valid for 30 days and offers unlimited travel on intercity buses, as well as Cercanías, Rodalies, and Media Distancia trains. Young people under 26 can buy it for just €30 a month thanks to a special discount. But don’t assume you can just buy the ticket and instantly set off across the country without attention to the rules.
How the pass works
The Único Pass is personal and cannot be transferred to another person. You must carry identification (DNI or NIE) every time you travel—otherwise, you risk an unpleasant exchange with a ticket inspector. For those under 26, registration on the Ministry’s website is mandatory before purchase; without it, the youth discount won’t apply.
You can purchase a pass at ticket offices, machines, as well as through carriers’ websites and apps. But even after you buy it, you can’t let your guard down: the rules are fairly strict. For example, you can only book one bus trip per direction per day, or two if it’s a short route. On Media Distancia trains, you can’t transfer with less than a 180-minute interval or less than triple the time of your first segment. No more than four trips with seat reservations are allowed per day.
Restrictions and Penalties
Spaniards are famous for their love of freedom, but the new pass requires extra attention. Transferring your ticket or code to another person is strictly prohibited. Booked a trip but didn’t go? Remember to cancel at least 24 hours in advance for buses and at least 60 minutes in advance for Media Distancia and AVANT trains, otherwise it counts as a violation. Repeated violations incur penalties: temporary suspension of your pass, loss of funds, and a ban on purchasing a new ticket for 60 days. Young people abusing the discount risk losing the right to reduced fares after 20 violations.
All of this may sound strict, but in reality, the rules are designed to prevent abuse and keep the system as fair as possible for everyone. Of course, someone will always try to find a workaround—Spanish ingenuity is renowned far beyond the country’s borders.
What the Pass Includes
The subscription covers all intercity buses operated by the state, as well as Cercanías, Rodalies, and Media Distancia trains run by Renfe. Some AVANT routes are also included: between Ourense and A Coruña, Madrid and Salamanca, Alicante and Murcia, as well as express services from Barcelona to Tortosa. However, trips between Barcelona and Tarragona, for example, did not make the list.
The introduction of this subscription is a long-awaited step for many residents and visitors of Spain. Traveling across the country has now become simpler and more affordable, especially for those who frequently commute between regions. However, as always, the devil is in the details: to avoid penalties, you’ll need to carefully read the rules and remember to cancel unnecessary reservations.
Impressions and expectations
The launch of a unified travel pass is not just convenient—it’s a real opportunity to save on transportation. It’s especially beneficial for those living near regional borders or traveling for business. Still, there are skeptics: some are unhappy with the restrictions, and others believe the price could be lower. Nevertheless, demand for the new subscription was high from day one, and ticket office lines stretched long.
Personally, I think this move was long overdue. Spain is a country where cities are far apart and the transportation system can be complex and confusing. The new subscription has the potential to make life easier—but only if passengers play by the rules. Otherwise, fines and account blocks won’t be far behind.
