Renfe Seasonal Passes Update: Free and 50% Discounts Across Cercanías, Rodalies, and Avant

New complimentary season passes are being offered to Renfe users, including those traveling on high-speed services. The 50% reduction, approved under the anti-crisis decree aimed at cushioning the impacts of the war in Ukraine and rising energy costs, becomes available for purchase starting Wednesday, August 24.

Registration on Renfe and Renfe Cercanías platforms, including their websites and mobile apps, has been open since August 8. The process required to acquire subscriptions will take effect next week. Regular Renfe users who save their details within the tools are already prepared for this step.

From September 1 through December 31, Cercanías, Rodalies, and Conventional Middle Distance passengers may begin using the new season tickets. For new passes in the high-speed and Avant categories, the validity extends an additional month, running until January 31, 2023. Purchases can be completed between today and December 31, 2022.

The government estimates that savings from free commuter and medium-distance passes, along with the 50% reductions on Avant and certain AVE services, could reach up to €1,000 per family between September and December (Renfe communications).

A refundable deposit is required at the time of subscription. For Cercanías and Rodalies, the deposit is 10 euros, preferably paid by credit card. If the traveler completes at least 16 trips, the refund is automatically credited back to the same card (Renfe policy). If fewer than 16 trips are taken, the deposit acts as compensation and is not returned. Cash deposits can be refunded only by requesting a refund at ticket offices or Renfe customer service desks (Renfe after-sales service).

Modifications to the subscription, including the deposit amount or the user’s ID and mobile number, can be made; a large family discount may apply if eligibility criteria are met (Renfe terms).

During the marketing period for the new recurring subscription, sales of other regular subscriptions will be paused. Existing purchases remain valid and usable as issued.

The season pass is issued for each Cercanías core and allows unlimited travel between any origin and destination within that core. Passes can be obtained at ticket offices, self-service machines, or via the Renfe Cercanías app. In certain cores, physical collection is restricted to Asturias and Santander regions (Renfe operational notes).

A QR code is downloaded to the user’s mobile device, enabling direct passage through turnstiles at Cercanías centers in Madrid, Malaga, Murcia/Alicante, Valencia, and Zaragoza. A seven-digit code will also be generated to purchase or load the season ticket on physical media at ticket offices or self-service machines in Cádiz, San Sebastián, Bilbao, Seville, and Barcelona. Renfe staff will provide assistance at all centers during the rollout (Renfe customer support).

middle distance

For Conventional Middle Distance services, the standard deposit is typically 20 euros with a refund upon completing at least 16 trips (Renfe guidelines).

Free passes will be obtainable at self-service kiosks, station ticket offices, vending machines, and through the Renfe website and app (Renfe system).

During the four-month introductory period, the sale of regular subscriptions is paused, yet customers who already purchased them retain their validity. Pro-rata refunds may be requested for eligible journeys (Renfe after-sales guidelines).

The free Middle Distance subscription runs from September 1 through December 31 of the current year, with applicability restricted to the specified origin-destination routes. It provides unlimited trips in both directions between the requested points (Renfe scheduling notes).

For the deposit on the Medio Distancia line, a 10-euro deposit applies to routes such as Villarrubia-Córdoba-Rabanales-Alcolea, with refunds issued after 16 trips. A separate 10-euro deposit exists for Rodalies de Lleida between Tarragona and Girona stations (Renfe deposits policy).

Avant season tickets

Regarding new high-usage passes, the period of validity runs from September 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023.

Avant service obligations include a 50% discount for recurring travelers on all Avant multi-trip tickets (Card Plus, Card Plus 10, or Card Plus 10-45) sold from today through December 31, 2022, for travel from September 1 to January 31, 2023 (Renfe program details).

Previously purchased passes used during the covered travel window may be eligible for a 50% refund on each trip taken within that period through Renfe’s after-sales channels. Discounts for large families or other organizations are applied following the 50% base reduction (Renfe refunds policy).

Advance Card Plus options (30-50) have a three-month validity from the date of travel activation, with 60 days allocated for use. Avant Card Plus 10 Regular and Student options provide 30 days for the first validation and 20 days for subsequent use. The Avant Card Plus 10-45 has a 45-day validity from purchase (Renfe fare rules).

New multi-trip season tickets

Renfe Viajeros will also introduce a new season ticket tied to specific routes, designed for journeys where the shortest travel time is under 100 minutes. This option does not correspond to a declared route under the Avant framework but fits within the broader public service commitments.

Sales run from this Wednesday through December 31, 2022, for travel between September 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023. It covers 10 trips in both directions between the origin and destination, with 30 days of validity for the first activation and 20 days for subsequent activations.

These passes are offered at station cabinets, vending machines, on the Renfe website, and at Renfe agencies. Eligible routes include Madrid-Palencia, Madrid-Zamora, León-Valladolid, León-Palencia, Burgos-Madrid, Burgos-Valladolid, Ourense-Zamora, Palencia-Valladolid, Huesca-Zaragoza, León-Segovia, Segovia-Zamora, Palencia-Segovia, and Medina del Campo-Zamora, among others (Renfe route list).