You can get unlimited summer travel for US$9.50 a month in this European country
You can get unlimited summer travel for US$9.50 a month in this European country

A whole month of unlimited transport for just US$9.50 -- that's a great deal at any time, but in a time of fuel price hikes, rocketing car rental rates and a worldwide cost of living crisis, it becomes unbeatable.
So pack your bags, because the most affordable travel destination this summer, if we're going by transport, appears to be Germany.
The German government has today approved the creation of a €9 (US$9.50) monthly public transport ticket. It will be launched in June -- just in time for a summer trip.
The card can be used across the entire country, on local and regional transport -- trains, buses and trams, according to local media.
However, local means local -- so it can't be used for long-distance bus or train services. In other words, the popular IC, EC and ICE trains are exempt -- although you can combine a long-distance trip with regional transport covered by the pass. Trains marked RE are regional, and therefore part of the package.
The deal will run for the months of June, July and August, as part of a government energy relief package by incentivizing people to use public transport to get around this summer. €2.5 billion (US$2.6 billion) has been pumped into the project by the government. Each pass will be valid per calendar month -- so if you buy yours on the 14th, you'll still only be able to use it on the end of the month.
But though it's been designed for locals, tourists can buy the pass too.
Germany's national railway, Deutsche Bahn, has already added the passes to its website. They will go on sale on May 23.
The only catch? You can't make a seat reservation with this pass. But at this price, you'd probably happily ride on the roof.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | AFN rejects resolution calling for Chief Archibald's suspension
An emergency resolution before the Assembly of First Nations annual meeting to reaffirm the suspension of National Chief RoseAnne Archibald has failed in Vancouver.

Two young ER doctors quit Montreal jobs, blaming Quebec's broken health-care system and Bill 96
Two young emergency room doctors, raised and trained in Montreal, are leaving their jobs after only two years to move back to Toronto – and they say the Quebec health-care model and Bill 96 are to blame.
Tamara Lich breached conditions by appearing with fellow convoy leader: Crown
The Crown is seeking to revoke bail for Tamara Lich, a leader of the 'Freedom Convoy,' after she appeared alongside a fellow organizer in an alleged breach of her conditions.
Parade shooting suspect charged with 7 counts of murder
The man charged Tuesday with seven counts of murder for opening fire at an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago legally bought five weapons, including two high-powered rifles, despite authorities being called to his home twice in 2019 for threats of violence and suicide, police said.
Bank of Canada's rapid rate hikes likely to cause a recession, study finds
The Bank of Canada's strategy of rapidly increasing its key interest rate in an effort to tackle skyrocketing inflation will likely trigger a recession, says a new study released Tuesday from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Revised CAF dress code allows for face tattoos, long hair and beards
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has released further details about what will and won’t be allowed under its revised dress code expected to be enforced starting this fall.
Canada is the first country to ratify Finland and Sweden's accession to join NATO
Canada became the first country to ratify Finland and Sweden's accession protocols to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday.
Grab a seat: Passport lineups prompt Canada to urgently procure hundreds of chairs
As passport processing delays and long lineups persist at Service Canada offices, the federal government is looking to buy 801 chairs for people standing in line by the end of this week.
Cancelled flights have northern Ont. hospital risking ER closure
With doctor shortages causing emergency rooms around the country to shut down, a northern Ontario hospital is scrambling to stave off the same fate.