In urban environments, public transportation is an essential utility for many people. Some rely on it for their daily commute, while others use trains and buses to run errands. It’s also a fantastic tool for both locals and tourists alike to explore a city — and it sure beats worrying about parking your car or getting stuck in traffic. But in case you weren’t convinced just yet, some cities have made public transportation free in an effort to attract more riders. Here’s a look at six cities where you can ride the rails or hop on a bus without paying a dime.
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Whether you’re a local resident or visiting just for a day, Luxembourg’s capital city has offered free bus, train, and tram service to everyone since 2020. As noted on the country’s official website, there’s no need to buy a ticket for any public transportation service; however, fees will apply for reserved first-class accommodations. In lieu of a ticket, you may be asked by a conductor to show identification.
This complimentary service not only applies to Luxembourg City, but also extends throughout the entire Luxembourgian countryside. This means that Luxembourg is the world’s first country to provide free public transportation anywhere within its borders. In addition to the standard bus and rail service, some municipalities in Luxembourg also offer an on-call bus known as Ruffbus, which will pick you up directly at your door. The nation makes it easy to travel with your bike, too, as it’s free to bring your bicycle aboard any train if space is available.
Belgrade, Serbia
On January 1, 2025, Serbia’s capital became the largest European city yet to provide free public transportation. Belgrade’s buses, trams, and trolleys are now free to all 1.7 million residents, plus the 1 million or so tourists who visit each year. The city’s historic tram system dates back to 1892 and covers nearly 80 miles of track.
Whether you decide to take the bus or train, you’ll find yourself just a few steps from some of the most popular sites in the city, such as the Nikola Tesla Museum, which houses the famous inventor’s ashes and working examples of his most impressive creations. Or you can hop off at the Church of St. Sava, the largest Serbian Orthodox church in the world.
In addition to free public transport, Mayor Aleksandar Šapić announced that the city’s entire fleet will be upgraded by the end of 2025, ensuring a high-quality and efficient travel experience for all riders. The city is also working on a new underground metro system that’s estimated to be completed by 2030, which should help to alleviate the gridlock that’s plagued Belgrade for years.
Kansas City, Missouri
In 2020, Kansas City became the first major U.S. city to implement free bus service. Five years later, the RideKC zero-fare program remains in place, as the city council has agreed to maintain its free fare program through April 2025. This covers the Kansas City bus system, paratransit for disabled and senior residents, and the KC Streetcar.
The free bus service mainly operates throughout downtown Kansas City on the Missouri side, with some lines extending out toward the suburbs and into Kansas. The free buses and streetcars will take you within walking distance of notable attractions such as the National WWI Museum and Memorial and the city’s Historic Jazz District.
If your upcoming travel plans include Kansas City, keep an eye on the status of the city’s free public transport initiative, as there are currently discussions on implementing alternative forms of free or affordable transportation in the near future.
Delhi, India
Since 2019, Delhi has provided a one-of-a-kind transportation program nicknamed the “pink pass,” which is targeted specifically to female residents. These free, one-way travel passes encourage use of the city’s bus system to women traveling through the region, and the program was expanded in 2024 to incorporate members of the city’s trangender community as well.
Pink passes are part of a larger citywide effort to boost female ridership, as many local women have found riding the bus to come with its fair share of safety concerns. While those issues still persist, the passes have led to increased ridership numbers among women.
According to a report from Greenpeace India, 75% of female bus riders in Delhi have said that the pink passes helped them save on daily transport, allowing them to put the savings toward household expenses, health care, education, and other important personal costs. From 2020 to 2021, pink tickets made up 25% of the city’s total bus sales. That number has since risen as high as 46% in 2023 and 2024. Keep in mind that the program is presently available only to residents of Delhi, though it may be expanded to tourists in the future.
Tallinn, Estonia
In 2012, 75.5% of voters opted in favor of free public transport throughout Estonia’s capital city. The system was implemented the following year, providing free bus, trolley, and tram service to registered Tallinn residents. Technically, there’s a small fee of 2 euros to buy what’s known as a “Green Card,” which is a personalized form of identification that allows residents to ride on any of the city’s public transport services for free. Despite some concerns over the success of the program, 90% of Tallinn residents are said to still support it.
If you’re visiting Tallinn, you can still benefit from discounted public transportation by purchasing the Tallinn Card. These passes are valid for periods of either 24, 48, or 72 hours, ranging in price from 45 to 78 euros (approximately $46 to $80 USD) for adults. While that may seem like a high up-front cost, the Tallinn Card provides unlimited rides on public transport services, along with free (and, in some cases, fast-track) admission to over 50 attractions throughout Tallinn. The list includes the Estonian Museum of Natural History and the onetime house of former tsar Peter the Great.
Dunkirk, France
Dunkirk, located on the northern coast of France, played a pivotal role in World War II, making it a must-see location for any history buff. If you visit, you can take advantage of the free citywide bus system, which Dunkirk has provided since 2018. DK’Bus is a complimentary service within the city limits, though it extends as far west as the commune of Gravelines. To the east, you can ride the bus for free as far as Belgium;it will take you to De Panne station just across the France-Belgium border.
The free bus routes in Dunkirk make it convenient to visit virtually every notable attraction in the city. Near the Frac Laac bus stop is the Musée Dunkerque 1940 Opération Dynamo, which chronicles the historic World War II-era Battle of Dunkirk, a turning point for Allied forces. Studies have shown the free Dunkirk bus program to be a big success, as 50% of riders once said they relied on buses for journeys they previously took by car. The program is part of a larger effort to revitalize the city by cutting down on vehicle congestion.
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