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 | Person of interest identified in Chicago-area July 4 parade shooting that left 6 dead
Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen said Monday afternoon that police have identified 22-year-old Robert E. Crimo III as a person of interest and cautioned he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Former Sask. premier Brad Wall gave strategic advice to key convoy organizer
Former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall was in contact with a key organizer of the Freedom Convoy anti-mandate protest, providing strategic advice before and after the Ottawa occupation began, according to court records obtained by CTV News.
Daughter of Toronto Blue Jays coach killed in 'terrible accident' while tubing in U.S.
The 17-year-old daughter of the Toronto Blue Jays' first base coach died in a 'terrible accident' while tubing in the U.S. this weekend.
U.S. man to be charged with kidnapping, rape after Edmonton teen found: Oregon police
A 41-year-old man will be charged with kidnapping and rape after an Edmonton girl who was missing for more than a week was found, Oregon City Police said.
'It's the real deal': Doctors warn about future wave fuelled by Omicron variants
COVID-19 cases are rising again in Canada, with the two fast-spreading Omicron sub-variants known as BA.4 and BA.5 to blame. CTVNews.ca has a guide to what you need to know about the new variants.
NEW | Saanich, B.C. bank shooter was rejected by military, CAF says
One of the twin brothers who was killed in a shootout with police outside a bank in Saanich, B.C., last week had applied to join the Canadian Armed Forces but was rejected, a military spokesperson confirmed Monday.
Canada signs $20B compensation agreement on First Nations child welfare
The federal government says it has signed a $20-billion final settlement agreement to compensate First Nations children and families harmed by chronic underfunding of child welfare.
Canada Soccer makes new compensation offer to its national teams
Canada Soccer says it has made a new compensation offer to its men's and women's national teams.
Canadian airlines, airports top global list of delays over the weekend
Canadian airlines and airports claimed top spots in flight delays over the July long weekend, notching more than nearly any other around the world.