Europe’s long-term public transport passes have become markedly more expensive since 2023, with London topping the continent at about 162 euros a month and Amsterdam and Paris also among the priciest capitals, a trend that raises the cost of commuting for households and underscores pressure on city budgets and transport policy.
European transit passes rise, London highest at 162 euros
Greenpeace’s review of 30 European countries found monthly and annual ticket prices have risen in 14 capitals since 2023, while only four have gotten cheaper. The biggest jump was in Nicosia, where long-term fares climbed 67%, followed by Amsterdam at 55%, Madrid at 50% and Bratislava at 32%.
The price surge matters beyond commuters’ wallets. Higher public transport costs can slow adoption of mass transit just as European governments are trying to cut road and aviation emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Greenpeace is calling for cheaper “climate tickets” to make buses, trams and rail more attractive than private cars.
Tax policy is part of the burden. The group said public transport in the EU is taxed at an average 11% VAT, and seven countries have raised taxes on transit since 2023, adding to fare pressure at a time of broader cost inflation across cities.
London remains the clearest outlier on price, with Amsterdam next at 107 euros a month and Paris at 77 euros. At the other end of the spectrum, Dublin cut long-term ticket prices 42.5%, while Oslo, Bern and Budapest also lowered fares.
The rankings also show that affordability does not always match quality. Tallinn, Luxembourg and Valletta came out on top when price, coverage and inclusiveness were combined, ahead of Prague, Rome and Athens, with Vienna still in the top eight.
For investors, the data reinforces a structural split between urban mobility models: cities that subsidize and integrate transit may support higher ridership, while high-fare systems risk pushing more travelers toward cars, ride-hailing and short-haul flights. That is relevant for transport operators, municipal budgets and private mobility players such as Uber and Lyft, which compete with public transit for short city trips.
In Zagreb, a monthly pass costs 53.09 euros for combined ZET and HŽ transport, or 47.78 euros for ZET-only travel, though several groups including older residents, students and some low-income pensioners can ride for free. The broader European trend leaves pressure on governments to decide whether to absorb more costs themselves or keep passing them on to users.
| Entity | Gains | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| City commuters | ▲Better value where fares fall | ▼Higher monthly travel costs |
| Public transit operators | ▲Potential revenue from higher fares | ▼Ridership risk if prices rise |
| National and city governments | ▲Chance to fund greener transport | ▼Political pressure over affordability |
| Ride-hailing and car users | ▲More demand if transit is pricey | ▼Less if cheaper transit wins riders |
