Austrian 18-year-olds are to get a free KlimaTicket

One of the targets of the national 2024 budget is to encourage young people to use public transport. As a result, each 18-year-old in Austria will get a free KlimaTicket, which is valid for one year. The initiative is valued at EUR 120M.

Each person will have a maximum of 3 years after turning 18 to claim the ticket from the government. Those who already have a KlimaTicket will have to wait until their current one expires before they can receive the free one.

The general KlimaTicket for people aged 25-65 costs EUR 1,095 per year, or about EUR 3 per day. It applies to all means of public transport in Austria, including the inter-city ÖBB. It is even possible to go to select international border towns using this ticket.

Individuals under the age of 25 or over the age of 65, and those with disabilities pay a reduced price of EUR 821 for the KlimaTicket. Regional tickets can also be bought at a discounted rate.

According to Austrian Climate Protection Minister, Leonore Gewessler, young people will have more freedom of travel thanks to the free KlimaTicket.

At the moment, there are approximately 245,000 KlimaTicket holders in Austria.