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• Free Travel Pass

Contact Information

The Free Travel Scheme is administered by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and all queries about the scheme should be directed to the Department by emailing [email protected] or calling 071 915 7100.

More details on the Free Travel Scheme can be found on their website.

About the Free Travel Pass 

The Free Travel Pass allows holders to travel free of charge on public transport services in Ireland including Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, Iarnród Éireann, Luas, TFI Local Link and Kilkenny Services operated by City Direct. The Free Travel Pass is also accepted by many commercial bus services.

You can find a full list of all operators and routes where the Free Travel Pass is accepted on gov.ie .

If you are using a PSC Free Travel Card, please hold the card to the validator until you hear a beep or see the green light.

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7 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear

As we head into the holiday season, there's no better time to arm yourself with tools to pass through the airport as quickly as possible — specifically the TSA security line at U.S. airports and the customs line when coming back from abroad.

I've written extensively about TSA PreCheck and Clear , both of which help travelers speed through TSA security.

PreCheck users pass through security using a dedicated line for PreCheck users only, in which they do not have to remove their shoes, laptop, liquids, belt or light jacket like passengers in the regular TSA line.

Like TSA PreCheck, Clear users also begin the security process in a Clear-only lane, where they are biometrically identified via fingerprint or iris scans, sparing them from having to show their ID anytime during security screening. Users are then taken to the front of the line for the security screening machines (either the front of the PreCheck screening line for those with Clear and PreCheck, or the front of the normal TSA screening line).

The third program, Global Entry , is useful for frequent international travelers, as it gives preapproved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival to the U.S. from abroad. Global Entry users can enter the country through automated kiosks at 75-plus airports .

Enrollment in the three programs costs money, including an annual fee for Clear. Memberships to TSA PreCheck and Global Entry last five years each.

While these programs may be worth their retail price tags in their own right, there's no need to pay full price if you don't have to.

At TPG, we aim to help you save money when traveling. We do this by sharing which credit cards you should have in your wallet , explaining how to leverage airline and hotel elite status levels, and showing you the perks of those frequent flyer memberships — including how to enjoy these programs at a discounted rate or even for free.

So before enrolling in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear, keep reading this guide for seven ways to save money on their associated fees.

How much do TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear cost?

Normally, a five-year membership to TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85, while five years of Global Entry runs you $100.

Two providers manage TSA applications. You'll pay $78 to apply through IDEMIA and $85 through Telos . Renewing costs $70 if you do it online through either provider.

If you have a Global Entry membership, you also receive the benefits of TSA PreCheck. Essentially, you reap the benefits of both programs for an extra $22 every five years.

An annual membership to Clear is $189. Together, using all these programs can add up if you don't take advantage of available discounts and credits.

If you're not yet familiar with the details of these different programs, check out our guides to TSA PreCheck , Global Entry and Clear to find the right one(s) for your travel needs.

'Free' TSA PreCheck and Global Entry via credit cards

Currently, there are 39 cobranded airline, hotel and other credit cards offering up to $100 in statement credit reimbursement for the application fees associated with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This credit is typically available every four to five years, though you should check the terms for your specific card for the exact frequency.

Some of the cards conveying free TSA PreCheck and/or Global Entry are:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• United Explorer Card
• Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees )
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
• United Club Infinite Card

See here for a complete list of credit cards that offer a discount for TSA PreCheck.

Your miles can pay for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

In addition to the aforementioned cards offering credits for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, some loyalty programs allow members to use points or miles in exchange for covering the membership fees. While these are options, the return per point is less than TPG point valuations , so they're not our top picks for ways to save on these memberships.

Those programs include:

• Radisson Rewards Americas : Members can redeem 65,000 points for an $85 application credit to TSA PreCheck only
• Orbitz Rewards: Platinum members get a free TSA PreCheck membership every five years
• Marriott Bonvoy : Members can redeem 25,000 points for an $85 application credit
• IHG One Rewards : Members can redeem 30,000 points for an $85 application credit
• United MileagePlus : Members can redeem 10,000 miles for a TSA PreCheck membership

'Free' Clear memberships via credit cards

Since Clear costs $189 per year instead of $85 to $100 every five years, there aren't nearly as many credit cards that provide a free Clear Plus membership as there are with the others. However, there are a few options if you want your travel credit card to pay for your Clear Plus membership.

They include:

• The Platinum Card from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express
• The Centurion Card from American Express
• American Express® Green Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Occasionally, there are targeted Amex Offers covering the cost of Clear Plus membership for those with different American Express cards, so keep your eyes peeled for limited-time offers like that.

The information for the Centurion, Green and Hilton Aspire cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Credit cards that save you money on Clear

If you don't have a credit card that makes Clear completely free with statement credits, some additional credit cards can at least reduce your annual Clear membership cost:

• All Delta SkyMiles cobranded Amex cards : $149 annual membership ($40 off the standard rate)
• All United U.S. credit cards : $149 annual membership ($40 off the standard rate)

Save on Clear with a frequent flyer membership

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines offer their frequent flyers free or discounted memberships to Clear.

Discounts from Delta SkyMiles

Top-tier Delta Diamond Medallion members can get Clear for free. The airline's Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion members can pay a reduced price of $149. The same price applies to those without a Delta credit card .

All Delta SkyMiles members without elite status can get a discounted membership for $179 — a $10 discount.

Similarly, United's Premier 1K members are entitled to free memberships in Clear, while United MileagePlus Platinum, Gold and Silver members can pay $149. Those with a United credit card receive this same discount.

United MileagePlus members without status can access Clear for $179 per year.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can enroll in Clear at a slightly discounted rate of $179 annually.

Mileage Plan members who sign up for Clear will also receive bonus miles: MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K members will receive 1,500 miles, plus an additional 1,250 miles each year they renew.

Clear discounts for families and students

For families, children under 18 can pass through Clear with you for free without needing to scan their eyes or fingerprints.

College students can use a discounted student Clear rate of $60 per year for up to four years.

Clear also has a family plan , and you can add up to three adults to your primary membership for $99 per additional person per year without incurring another full $189 fee for each person every year.

Try Clear for free with a referral code

TPG readers can try Clear for free for two months before deciding if it's worth keeping. Fair warning: In my experience, once you go Clear, you never go back.

Bottom line

Not only do TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear help travelers save time, it's possible to get memberships without breaking the bank. Before you sign up for one or more, see if you can get it for no cost or at a reduced cost through one of these methods.

Related reading:

• Best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck of October 2023
• How to sign up for Clear for expedited security at airports and stadiums
• Where is Global Entry accepted?
• 13 things you need to know about Global Entry
• Which airports and airlines use TSA PreCheck?
• Should you get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
• Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear — and how you can save on both
• Is TSA PreCheck worth it?
• Skip the wait: Enroll in TSA PreCheck at Staples, not the airport
• TSA PreCheck adds four carriers to program, bringing total to 90 participating airlines
• TSA announces Telos as latest TSA PreCheck enrollment provider

Service News

Thu, 10 Aug 23

Reserve your seat with your free travel pass

It's just the ticket to enjoy more!

If you have a Free Travel Pass, remember to use it on the Expressway Network. It’s perfect for connecting with friends and family and doing the things you love.   It's just the ticket to enjoy more!  

There's no better way of exploring what Ireland has to offer than with Expressway and our 14 routes nationwide! You can use your free travel card, on board the coach by simply presenting your free travel card to the driver or you have the option to book online at www.expressway.ie to reserve a seat and get priority boarding for only €2 per trip.  

If you don't want to book online that's ok too as we have ticket machines in stations and travel without a booking is more than welcome provided we have space on board. 

So what are you waiting for?   We can't wait to welcome you on board!

Click here to watch our new Free Travel video

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Wed, 27 Mar 24

All Together Now

Concert buses to All Together Now

Fri, 22 Mar 24

Eurolines 30% off promotion

Travel to and from the UK at a 30% discount with Expressway Eurolines!

Tue, 21 Nov 23

Eurolines Service Update

Eurolines service update from the week commencing 8th January 2024.

Free Travel Pass - If you qualify for Free Travel, your Public Services Card (PSC) will have FT (for Free Travel) in the top left-handed corner. Free Travel Pass is valid on all Citylink services. 

The letter following shows who you can take with you:

you can travel for free (Valid for Card Holder Only)

FT + S

your spouse, or civil partner can travel with you for free

FT + C

you can have a person (over 16) travel with you for free

Senior (65+) SmartPass

Northern Ireland Senior (65+) SmartPass is valid on Citylink/GoBus/Eireagle.com services.

When booking your ticket online please do not select the adult fare ticket. Please select the free travel pass option. 

** Free Travel Pass Holders MUST be in possession of their Travel Pass to give to Driver on boarding the Coach.  If you do not have your travel pass with you, you will be charged the applicable fare.**

Citylink is pleased to announce that we accept the Free Travel Pass (FTP) on all routes:

• Route No. 760 Galway - Dublin Airport
• Route No. 761 Galway - Dublin City & Airport Express
• Route No. 712 Limerick - Dublin Airport eireagle
• Route No. 763 Galway - Dublin Airport Multi-stop Serving Galway, Oranmore, Loughrea, Athlone, Moate, Kinnegad, Kilbeggan, Enfield, Dublin City, Dublin Airport.
• Route No. 251 Galway - Limerick - Cork - Cork Airport
• Route No. 923 Galway - Clifden
• Route No. 721: Castlebar-Dublin Airport
• Route No. 430: Galway-Ballina
• Route No. 660: Galway-Dublin City Express
• Route No. 707: Cork-Dublin City & Airport
• Route No. 720: Galway - Dublin City & Airport

Passengers with FTP / N.I. SmartPass cards can reserve and guarantee their seat for a specific journey by using our online booking facility or visiting our travel centres. Please note, a fee of €3 per seat is in place for Free Travel Pass tickets on our Multi-Stop routes and €5 per seat on our Express routes. You must carry your Free Travel Pass with you and show it to the Driver on Boarding . If you do not have your travel pass with you, you will be charged the applicable fare. 

To book an FTP ticket online, do not put anything under Adult, Student, Child etc, go straight to FREE TRAVEL PASS and from the dropdown menu. Select 1 if one person travelling or 2 if two persons travelling but must be covered on the same pass. If there are two persons travelling with two separate passes, then you need to make two separate reservations. Enter the 12 digit card number on the back of the FTP card, NOT your PPS number. We strongly recommend passengers reserve their seat in advance, especially when travelling to the airport.     A person must be 16 years or older to accompany a Free Travel Pass holder and only if the FTP card allows . Children accompanying a Free Travel Pass holder must make a seperate reservation on our website at www.citylink.ie. Children up to 14 years old must purchase a child fare and 14+ must purchase a student or standard fare as applicable. Tickets may also be purchased directly from the driver subject to availability.

Please note when boarding the coach you must present your valid FTP card.  

Need help booking your ticket? Watch our handy video tutorial below. 

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Free travel in Ireland

What is the free travel scheme, how to use free travel, where can i use free travel, how to qualify for free travel, how to apply for free travel, where to apply for free travel, senior smartpass for travelling in northern ireland.

The Free Travel Scheme allows you to travel, free of charge, on public transport and some private bus and ferry services.

Everyone aged 66 and over, living permanently in Ireland, can get the Free Travel Scheme.

People with disabilities and carers aged under 66 may also qualify for Free Travel.

If you qualify for Free Travel and you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, your partner may travel with you for free if you meet certain criteria (see ‘Spouses, civil partners and cohabitants’ below).

If you can’t travel alone for medical reasons, you may get Free Travel for a companion. This allows a person aged over 16 to travel with you for free.

Changes to the Free Travel Scheme in 2024

From 29 July 2024, you will qualify for the Free Travel Scheme if you are aged over 17 and under 66, and:

• Have never been able to drive due to a disability
• Have a driving licence and are medically certified as ‘not fit to drive’ for at least 12 months.

While the change won’t take effect until July, you can download and fill in an application form for Free Travel for people medically certified unfit to drive (FTM) (pdf) now.

In this case, your spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant cannot accompany you free of charge when travelling.

If you qualify for Free Travel, your Public Services Card (PSC) will have FT (for Free Travel) in the top left-hand corner. The letter following it shows who can travel for free with you:

• FT-P - you can travel for free
• FT+S - your spouse, partner or cohabitant can travel with you for free
• FT+C - you can have a person (over 16) travel with you for free

You must show or scan your Public Services Card to the travel operator when you are travelling on public transport. Find out more about 'How to use your public services card for free travel' .

Paper travel passes are no longer being issued but you can still use your paper pass, if it is valid.

You can use your Free Travel on most Iarnród Éireann , Bus Éireann , Dublin Bus , DART and Luas Services and on certain private bus and ferry services (pdf) .

Free travel is also available on Dublin Bus Nitelink , Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI (Transport for Ireland) Local Link services .

Free travel does not include some special services such as Dublin Bus AIRLINK services .

You can find a full list of services where you can use Free Travel (pdf) on gov.ie.

There are no restrictions on the times you can use your Free Travel.

Living on the Aran Islands or Tory Island

If you are permanently living on any of the Aran Islands, you may get up to 12 single (or 6 return) air trips each year between the islands and Galway City.

People who live permanently on Tory Island (Co. Donegal) are entitled to 8 (or 4 return) free journeys on the seasonal helicopter service operating between the island and Falcarragh on the mainland.

If your public services card includes free travel for a companion, spouse, partner or cohabitant, they can also travel with you for free on the above services.

Going to Northern Ireland

You may also travel free of charge on certain cross-border services between Ireland and Northern Ireland. But to travel free in Northern Ireland, you must have a Senior Smart Pass – see ‘Senior SmartPass for travelling in Northern Ireland’ below.

To get Free Travel you must be living in Ireland and meet one of the following conditions:

• You are aged 66 or over
• You are getting Disability Allowance , Blind Pension , Carer's Allowance or an Invalidity Pension
• You are blind or visually impaired and meet the medical conditions for Blind Pension
• You have been getting Incapacity Supplement or Workmen's Compensation with Disablement Pension for at least 12 months
• You are a specified carer for a person getting Constant Attendance Allowance or Prescribed Relative's Allowance
• You are getting a social security invalidity payment (or similar payment) from a country covered by EU regulations or from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement for at least 12 months

Widow or widower or a surviving civil partner

If you are a widow or widower or a surviving civil partner aged 60 or over, living in Ireland and your late spouse or civil partner had Free Travel, you can get Free Travel, if you are getting one of the following payments:

• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Partner's (Contributory) Pension
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension
• One-Parent Family Payment
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Partner's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
• A similar social security pension or benefit from a country covered by EU regulations or a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement
• You are getting an ordinary Garda widow's pension

Spouses, civil partners and cohabitants

If you are entitled to Free Travel and you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, your partner may be able to travel with you for free.

Your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant cannot travel with you for free, if you are under age 66 and getting Free Travel because you are:

• Getting Carer's Allowance
• The nominated carer for a person getting Constant Attendance Allowance or Prescribed Relatives Allowance

Your PSC card must have FT-S on it to allow your partner travel with you. To add your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant to your Free Travel - see ‘How to apply for Free Travel’ below.

If you can’t travel alone

If you are unable to travel alone , you can have a person, over 16 years of age, travel with you for free. Your PSC card must have FT-C on it. To add a companion to your Free Travel, see ‘How to apply for Free Travel’ below.

Free travel companion card for children

A child with a visual impairment can get Free Travel for a companion if they are under 18 and they either:

• Satisfy the blindness condition for a Blind Pension, or
• Are registered with Vision Ireland or the National League of the Blind of Ireland

The person they travel with (companion) must be age 16 or over.

Work and Free Travel

You can keep your Free Travel for 5 years, if you moved from one of the following disability payments to work:

• Disability Allowance
• Invalidity Pension
• Partial Capacity Benefit (from Invalidity Pension)
• Disablement Benefit paid along with Incapacity Supplement

You can also keep your Free Travel for 5 years if you transferred from Disability Allowance or Invalidity Pension to a Community Employment , SOLAS or a Back to Work scheme.

If you are aged 66 or over and are getting a State pension, your Public Services Card (PSC) will be issued showing that you have Free Travel automatically.

If you are under 66, you will get Free Travel automatically issued on your PSC if you get one of the following payments:

• Blind Pension
• Carer’s Allowance

If you are married or in a civil partnership, your PSC will be issued with FT-S on it. If you are cohabiting, you must fill in Part 1 and 2 of the Free Travel application form FT1 (pdf) .

If you are not getting one of the payments above but you are eligible for Free Travel, you must fill in the Free Travel application form FT1(pdf) and send to the Free Travel Section in the Department of Social Protection.

If you can’t travel alone and need a companion

If you are unable to travel alone, you can apply for Free Travel for a Companion, using either of the following forms:

• Over 70 Companion pass form (pdf)
• Under 70 Companion pass form (pdf)

You can get an application form for Free Travel from the Department of Social Protection. The form is also available at your local post office and Citizens Information Centre .

Lost or damaged Free Travel pass or PSC

There are currently 2 types of Free Travel Pass:

• A paper Free Travel Pass
• A Public Services Card with Free Travel (with F-T written in the top left-hand corner)

Paper passes are no longer being issued so if you need a replacement for a lost or damaged paper pass, you must undergo SAFE registration and get a Public Services Card .

If your Public Services Card Free Travel is lost, stolen or damaged, you should telephone 0818 837 000 to request a replacement card.

Free Travel

Social Welfare Services College Road Sligo Ireland

If you are 66 or over and have Free Travel, you can travel free of charge on all bus and rail services within Northern Ireland using a Senior SmartPass card.

If you are 66 or over and have Free Travel, you do not need to meet the residency condition in Northern Ireland to apply for a Senior SmartPass card.

How to apply for a Senior SmartPass

To get a Senior SmartPass, you must fill in an application form (FTNI1). You can get this form from your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. It is not possible to get this form online .

You should not use a photocopy of the form as each form is barcoded. The application form must be filled in with black ink only and returned in person (not posted) to your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

You must bring each of the following items with your application form to your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office:

• Your Irish Free Travel pass/Public Services Card
• Proof of your address, (for example, a gas, electricity, phone bill or bank statement)
• Proof of your identity, (for example, your driving licence, passport or another form of photo identification)
• A recent passport standard colour photograph

It may take up to 6 weeks to process your application. There is further information on the extension of the Free Travel Scheme .

Travelling with a partner or companion

A spouse, civil partner, cohabitant or companion cannot travel with you for free on public transport within Northern Ireland.

However, your Irish Free Travel allows your spouse, civil partner, cohabitant or companion to travel for free on certain cross-border services between Ireland and Northern Ireland. For example, a cross-border train journey that starts in Ireland and ends in Northern Ireland or vice versa.

Renewing and replacing a Senior SmartPass

Your Senior SmartPass will expire after 5 years.

• If you have electronically used your card within the last 2 years, you will get a new card automatically in the post from Translink when your card expires.
• If you have not used your card in the last 2 years, you will be sent a renewal application form to fill in. The renewal form is not the same as a first-time application and you do not need to supply a photograph.
• If you have never used your card, you will not hear from Translink at all. If you wish to get it renewed, you must contact Translink by email at [email protected] , or telephone 00 44 289 075 9129 or 028 90 66 66 30 and they will send you a renewal application.

If you lose or need to replace your Senior SmartPass for travel in Northern Ireland, you can fill in form (FTNI 2) (pdf) .

Brexit and the Senior SmartPass

On 31 January 2020 the UK exited the EU . Senior SmartPass holders can continue to travel in Northern Ireland on the bus and train.

Related documents

• Tax-free purchases for non-EU travellers The Retail Export Scheme, allows visitors to Ireland (from outside the European Union) to buy goods in Ireland to take home with them and benefit from tax relief. 2872.7065
• Customs regulations for travellers to Ireland Find out about the important rules in place regarding customs regulations for people travelling to Ireland. 2636.0195
• Travelling from Ireland for healthcare in Europe Introduction to the options for Irish residents who wish to access healthcare in other countries in Europe. 2558.7217

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

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How to Get Free Flights (Or Close to It)

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

You may have seen or heard it. At the workplace water cooler, the holiday dinner table and just about every place else you go, proud travel hackers are boasting about scoring free flights to far-off destinations.

Ready to get in on the action? Here’s everything you need to know about how to get free flights, starting with a caveat: "Free flights” aren’t usually free. You often pay at least $5.60 each way for Transportation Security Administration fees on your ticket. For certain international flights, you'll also be on the hook for fuel surcharges , which can sometimes cost around $200 each way for economy class and more than $700 each way in business class.

Now that you know award travel means “mostly” free, here are the most reliable ways to get free flights.

5 ways to get free flights

With time, strategic spending and the right credit cards, you'll be well on your way to flying at deep discounts.

1. Earn miles or points by flying your preferred airline

Sign up for an airline loyalty program (joining is free). Every time you fly the airline, you will earn miles or points that can be redeemed for free flights.

» Learn more: How do airline miles work?

The number of miles you earn varies by airline. Most award you miles based on the cash price of your ticket. For example, United Airlines’ MileagePlus program members earn 5 MileagePlus miles per dollar spent on qualifying tickets. Premier members of the program get bonus miles on top of that.

Other airlines, such as Hawaiian Airlines, award miles based on how far you fly. A 2,397-mile flight from San Francisco to Honolulu, for example, puts 2,397 HawaiianMiles in your loyalty program account.

You can also earn miles with your preferred airline by flying on one of its partners . For example, if you fly JetBlue, you can use your HawaiianMiles member number when booking to earn miles on Hawaiian. Or, book a flight to Paris on Air France , use your Delta Air Lines SkyMiles number when booking and you’ll earn Delta miles for your trip. Determine which airlines partner with your preferred carrier to see all your options for earning miles.

» Learn more: Plan your next redemption with our airline points tool

So how many miles do you need to rack up before you have enough for a free flight? That depends on the airline miles you collect, where you’re going and when. Search your preferred airline’s website for sample award bookings for your travel dates and other dates to see how award prices can vary.

To give you an idea of how far your miles can take you, NerdWallet keeps a regularly updated chart showing the estimated cash value of each mile or point from some major airline loyalty programs.

2. Earn miles making everyday purchases with an airline credit card

Airlines partner with financial institutions to offer airline credit cards that award your spending with miles or points deposited directly into your loyalty program account. You can earn enough points or miles for an award flight without ever buying a plane ticket with one of these credit cards.

If you want to avoid paying out-of-pocket for a credit card, several no annual fee travel cards are worth considering.

The trick is to choose an airline card that offers the most points and miles for your spending style. For example:

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

$0 intro for the first year, then $95 .

$0 intro for the first year, then $150 .

• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and hotels (when booked directly with hotel).

• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming.

• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 6 points per $1 with JetBlue.

• 2 points per $1 at restaurants and grocery stores.

• 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

• 1 Mosaic tile per $1,000 spent.

Before you sign up for a card, think about where you spend most of your money. Then compare credit card annual fees, and find one that fits your budget and has valuable benefits.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

3. Earn thousands of miles as a credit card welcome bonus

The fastest way to get enough miles for a free flight is to snag a credit card “ welcome bonus .” These offers typically include a big stack of points or miles, often in the tens of thousands. You earn this welcome bonus when you sign up as a new cardmember then hit a spending minimum in a set period — usually the first three months after opening.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

4. Earn flexible points using a non-airline credit card

Chase, American Express, Capital One, Citi and other financial institutions offer travel credit cards that pay points. You can redeem points for flights on the issuer’s travel booking site or, for some of these programs, convert your points into your favorite airline's miles. Others allow you to redeem them for a statement credit to compensate for the cost of a flight or hotel.

For example, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card earns you 1.5 points per dollar. You can use those points to book a free flight in Bank of America’s travel booking portal, or you can purchase a flight using the credit card, then apply your points for a statement credit to offset the purchase.

These flexible rewards cards give you a more comprehensive selection of airlines to choose from. But they don’t offer some perks, like free checked bags or bonus miles for buying same-brand flights with an airline's co-branded card.

Airline-branded cards work best for travelers who favor a single airline, while broader travel rewards cards are better for those who aren’t loyal to one brand.

5. Earn an airline companion pass

Some airlines offer a chance to earn a “companion pass,” which lets a second passenger fly with you for free (not including taxes or fees). For example, you can earn the Southwest Companion Pass by flying 100 one-way flights or accumulating 135,000 qualifying points through purchasing flights or spending on a Southwest credit card . The Southwest Companion Pass lets you pick one person who can fly with you on the same itinerary for the cost of taxes and fees, which start at $5.60 each way. It’s valid for the remainder of the year in which you earned it, plus the entire following calendar year. You can even change your designated companion up to three times a year.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card also comes with a one-time-use companion fare each year, which gets your companion on a flight with you starting at just $122 (($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23).

If you want to fly for free ...

Travelers who want to join the ranks of those who get free plane tickets, plan your strategy carefully. First, consider where you’ll travel and on what airlines. Next, sign up for loyalty programs, then look at credit card welcome bonuses and other ways to earn miles. Even if you don’t make a lot of credit card charges, you can slowly work toward low-cost or nearly free airline tickets.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Welcome to Kali's Travel Guide

8 Easy Ways to Get “FREE” Amtrak Tickets (2022 update)

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8 Ways to Get “FREE” Amtrak Tickets

Whether you’re planning on a long vacation or a weekend getaway, vacationing by Train is an amazing experience.  Use these tips towards making your vacation free or more affordable. Even if the price is not an object, who wouldn’t want free Amtrak Tickets? Getting Free Amtrak Tickets or at a large discount to me makes Train Travel even more appealing!  Plus, with Amtraks 500 destinations what are you waiting for?

8 ways to Get Free Train Travel in the USA:

1. Join the Amtrak Guest Rewards Membership. This is a way to earn points towards free Train Travel or gift certificates. Plus, you will receive member-only coupons. No fee to sign up.

2. Purchase 1 Ticket, Get 1 Free for Saturdays with paired cities.

3. Amtrak “World Mastercard” & “Platinum Mastercard”: Get 1 complimentary ticket for signing up and 1 complimentary ticket every year that you renew your card.

4. Free travel for 1 child under the age of 2 per paying adult, as long as they don’t occupy a separate seat.

5. (My favorite Freebie) Multi-City tickets= Free 23.5 hour stopovers. Here’s how it works: Buy your ticket from point A to point B. Hop off at a stop in between, stay overnight or not, as long as you hop back on within 23.5 hours to complete your destination. You only pay for 1 ticket instead of 2 separate tickets. The only stipulation is the stop has to have more than 1 train stop per day to be within 23.5 hours.

6. When you upgrade to a Sleeper, the first person will pay full price. The 2 nd person will get the upgrade for free when sharing a room. The 2 nd person will only be paying for a coach ticket. Plus you both receive 3 meals a day in the dining car for free. Don’t forget the tip though.

7. Volunteer as a Guide: The Rails and Trails Education Program is onboard several long-distance routes. Similar to that of a tour guide. The volunteers make connections with other travelers to discuss valuable topics of the regions they are traveling through.

8. Amtrak does give away Free Amtrak Tickets to Cross Country trips through clever #amtraktakemethere advertising campaigns. It’s a Win-Win situation.

• 2022 This year Amtrak is continuing with the “Amtrak Take Me There” theme follow along @amtraktakemethere / #amtraktakemether to see 6 very different journeys aboard the rails
• 2021 This year’s Social Media campaign chose 8 people on board long-distance trains to showcase how different walks of life travel by rail
• 2019 campaign was called #amtraktakemethere. They gave away 8 free scenic long haul round trips that include a private Sleeper Car and $1000 of spending money

2018 campaign was “Amtrak Residency Program” a group of writers won a chance to travel across the country by train. Check out their work at blog.amtrak.com

Free Planner: 6 steps to Vacation by Train (USA)

7 Easy Ways to Reduce Travel Costs

Some other good Amtrak Discounts to check into:

How to Get Discounts on Amtrak Tickets:

Check out the Amtrak Smart Fare page for the advertised Weekly Specials. You may be able to get up to as much as 30% savings.

Regional “Promo Code” discount range from 10%-50% off

BOGO Promotions Buy 1, Get 1-50% off

Book early for the lowest ticket rates. You can book a ticket for up to 11 months in advance.

Book a non-reserved seat

Disabled passengers plus 1 companion are eligible to receive a 10% discount on tickets

National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) Membership 10% Discount

Group bookings of 20 or more could have a 20% savings

A Group of 4 can be eligible for a 35% discount

Children ages 2-12 are eligible to receive 50% off of the rail portion of Train Travel

Seniors age 65 and over are eligible to receive 10% off of the rail portion of Train Travel

Active Duty Military personnel, their spouses, and dependents are eligible to receive a 10% discount off of the rail portion of Train Travel

Age 60+ are eligible for a 10% discount on cross-border services that are jointly operated by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada

Various Student Discounts 15%-25% off

Using these tips for Train Travel is a great way to see other parts of the country that you might otherwise not get to see.

The only thing left to do is enjoy the journey!

To stay informed with the up to date deals and discounts Click Here: Subscribe and Save with Amtrak

*Always read the fine print. The discount and membership programs are subject to change without notice. Tickets must be purchased in advance to qualify. ID is required.

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Leave a reply below if you found this information helpul or have any additional ways to get free or discounted Amtrak tickets

On a Budget: Free Things to do in Philadelphia

Downtown Jim Thorpe, Best Small Towns in PA

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4 thoughts on “8 Easy Ways to Get “FREE” Amtrak Tickets (2022 update)”

Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for first-time blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.

Glad you’re enjoying my blog. I think the best tip for anyone starting a blog is to try to write a little each day.

So weird, I literally added Naomi Novik’s new book to my Goodreads earlier this week because I saw a review of Spinning Silver on another blog and wondered what she was up to next…and saw Deadly Education! I couldn’t find a non-EW cover at the time either, but looks like one is available on GR now if you want to switch it out – I don’t know your preferred image size, but that one looks okay to me ? I hate featuring watermarked covers too even though I understand why they have to do that.

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Guest cards and tickets

In most Swiss destinations, guests get a guest card if they book one night’s stay or more, or can buy one at a discount. Almost all of these allow you to use public transport for free and to benefit from discounts on numerous attractions and activities.

Zurich and its region

Zurich Card : Gives you free travel on public transport in the city of Zurich and the surrounding area, free or discounted admission to 43 museums and many other benefits. 

Cityticket Baden: Book one night’s stay or more for free use of public transport, along with other benefits and discounts. 

Bern region

Lenk-simmental.

Simmental Card : Book one overnight stay or more and benefit from a range of free or discounted offers. Summer and winter vary. 

Bern Ticket : Book one night’s stay or more in the city to get free travel on the public transport network in and around Bern.

Brienz guest card : Free village tour in Brienz and discounts on cable cars and mountain railways and on leisure activities.

Nature Park Card : Book one night’s stay or more and get free travel by PostBus, as well as a surprise gift made of Diemtigtaler wood and other benefits. 

Interlaken Guest Card : Free travel on public transport and various discounts at numerous excursion destinations when you book one night’s stay or more.

Habkern / Beatenberg

Guest Card : When you book one night’s stay or more, you can enjoy free travel on public transport and various discounts at numerous excursion destinations.

Lake Thun PanoramaCard : Book one night’s stay or more for free travel with the STI bus and PostBus in the Lake Thun region. In addition, numerous discounts on activities in and around Thun. 

Bernese Oberland

Berner Oberland Pass: Free travel by train, bus, boat and many cable cars and mountain railways, as well as discounts with various partners on the selected days. Only in summer.

Gstaad Card : Free use of public transport in Gstaad and the Lenk-Simmental region when you book one night’s stay or more, together with numerous benefits and discounted offers. Only in summer.

Graubünden Pass : Free train and bus travel throughout the canton of Graubünden, as well as discounts on cable cars and mountain railways and leisure activities on the days selected. 

Arosa Card : Book one night’s stay or more for free use of cable cars and mountain railways, public transport and leisure facilities, as well as various discounts.

Various guest cards : with each guest card, you benefit from discounts and free offers.

Lucerne - Lake Lucerne

Tellpass : The card gets you free travel on trains, buses, boats and several cable cars and mountain railways, along with discounts on leisure activities on selected days. 

Seetal Lucerne

Lucerne Region Guest Card : Booking one overnight stay or more gives you numerous discounts on cable cars and mountain railways, museums and other leisure activities. 

Lake Sempach region

Guest card : Book one night’s stay or more to get numerous discounts on cable cars and mountain railways, museums and excursions.

Lake Geneva area

Lausanne Transport Card: Book one night’s stay or more to get free use of public transport in the Greater Lausanne area, together with unique discounts and numerous benefits in museums and stores, and other leisure time offers. 

Montreux Riviera Card : free use of public transport and attractive discounts on excursions and leisure activities when you book one night’s stay or more. 

Geneva City Pass : Explore the city of Geneva for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Purchase of the City Pass allows free use of public transport as well as free or discounted admission to attractions and activities. 

Lake Geneva Region

Regional Pass : Buy a five or seven-day pass, and get free travel on public transport on two or three days, and a 50% reduction on the others. Only in summer.

Free Access Card: Free use of public transport in the region and other attractive discounts when you book one night’s stay or more. Only in summer.

Ticino Ticket : One night in a hotel, youth hostel or camp site entitles you to the Ticino Ticket free of charge. This allows free use of public transport as well as discounts on cable cars and mountain railways, boat trips and tourist attractions. 

OSKAR : Can be purchased for CHF 15 when two nights or more are booked (children half price). Guests benefit from free public transport within the Ostwind fare zone, as well as a host of free holiday experiences. 

Appenzell Holiday Card : Book three nights or more to get free use of public transport in and around Appenzell, attractive discounts on cable cars and leisure activities (additional offers vary depending on the season).

Basel region

BaselCard : When you book one night’s stay or more in a Basel hotel, free public transport and access to Basel Guest Wi-Fi and attractive reductions on leisure activities.  

Baselland Guest Pass : Free use of public transport in the Basel region if you book one night’s stay or more, as well as discounts on various leisure activities. 

Aargau Solothurn region

Wellness Pass in Aargau : When you buy the pass you get one admission each to Bad Schinznach, Thermalbad Zurzach and the Sole Uno Wellness World – a total saving of 15%.

Jura & Three-Lakes

Jura Pass : Gives you free use of public transport within the Vagabond fare zone when you book one night’s stay or more, as well as attractive discounts for a wide range of leisure activities. 

Neuchâtel Tourist Card : Free use of public transport in the canton of Neuchâtel when you book one night’s stay or more, as well as free admission to museums, and other discounts.

Vallée de Joux

ValPass: Book one night’s stay or more to get free use of regional public transport and discounted admission to several sights. 

Fribourg region

“Passeport La Gruyère” : Benefit by booking hotel accommodation through the regional tourism office. Free travel on public transport, as well as discounts on museums, cable cars and mountain railways, and various activities.

Cross-regional and nationwide offers

RailAway : Benefit from travel by public transport and discounted leisure experiences.

Adventure Card : Free travel on the entire MGBahn network, on BLS trains between Kandersteg, Brig and Domodossola, on the SBB line from Brig to Salgesch as well as on all PostBus routes in the Upper Valais on the selected days, plus various discounts. Only in summer.

• Public Transport

Geneva.info » Transportation » Public Transport » Geneva Airport Train Free Ticket

Geneva Free Ticket

You might be interested: Staying in Geneva's hotel, hostel or camp side entitle You for the free transport card for the lenght of Your stay.

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Apply for an older person's bus pass

If you live in england or wales.

In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age .

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In Wales you can get a bus pass when you reach 60.

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If you're 18 and a resident in an Erasmus+ Programme country, it's time to expand your comfort zone

Finding new teammates starts here

• Award decision
• Info-kit for travellers
• The Green Route
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• The New European Bauhaus Route
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The application round is currently closed . There are two applications rounds per year, one in spring and one in autumn. Keep an eye on this space so you can apply in the next round!

Are you 18 years old and a resident of one of the eu member states or third countries associated to erasmus+ get ready to explore europe , what is discovereu.

DiscoverEU is an action of the Erasmus+ programme that offers you the opportunity to explore Europe’s diversity, learn about its cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from all over the continent.  

You will be offered a travel pass and travel predominantly by rail. Check out the rules for people living on islands or in remote areas.

As a selected traveller, you will receive a DiscoverEU European Youth Card for a wealth of discounts on cultural visits, learning activities, sports, local transportation, accommodation, and food.

How does it work?

To be eligible, you need to:

• be 18 years old on the first day of the travel period;
• complete the correct identity card (ID), passport or residence card number on the online application form;
• one of the Member States of the European Union including Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), or      
• one of the third countries associated to the Erasmus+ programme: Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye. 

* For more information see the Rules section “2. Eligible applicants”

Then you will need to participate in a quiz (unless you apply as a group member).

If you have a disability or a health problem that makes your travel challenging, you will receive assistance and support. Check our FAQ C.13 to know more.

Can I travel with my friends?

Yes, you can! You can go solo or add up to 4 friends in your group provided they meet the eligibility conditions above. They will use your application code to submit their own application. Check out our FAQs B.5 to B.11 to know more.

You can also combine travel plans with other DiscoverEU travellers! The DiscoverEU Facebook Group is a good platform to do this. Join the Group now to chat with other participants.

Once you are selected, the Erasmus+ National Agencies will help you connect and learn, with the organisation of pre-departure meetings and travellers Meet-ups.

Share experiences

Selected participants automatically become DiscoverEU Ambassadors. As an ambassador, we will invite you to share your travel experiences on social media using #DiscoverEU. You may even decide to give a presentation at your school or local community.

I want to know more!

Interested in the previous application rounds? Check the DiscoverEU factsheets to read more about the action and the experiences of some of our young DiscoverEU travellers.

Europe is at your feet. Take the first step.      

Inspiring TedX video from Vincent-Immanuel Herr

Contact the EU

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We are doing essential maintenance from 10am to 7pm on Thursday 16 May. During this time you will not be able to redeem Swift voucher or discount codes.

Discounts and free travel passes.

We offer lots of discounts and passes. Children under the age of 5 can travel for free. You can get cheaper fares for children over 5 and under 16. Use our ticket finder to search for child tickets.

You'll need to pay an adult fare if you're 16 or over unless you qualify for one of these discounts, or passes.

Older person's travel pass

If you’re eligible, you can get free off-peak bus, train and tram travel in the West Midlands.

Disabled person's travel pass

Child photocard.

Swift child photocards are for children over 5 and under 16. You can get 50% off the adult rate with a child photocard.

16-18 photocard

You can get 50% off travel to school, college or work if you’re eligible.

Discounts for students

Students in full-time education can get travel discounts.

Discounts for jobseekers

Get half-price travel for 3 months when you start a new job if you're eligible.

£1 tickets for friends and family

If you have an nNetwork or nTrain season ticket, you can take 1 adult and up to 2 children with you on the train for £1 return.

Care Leavers Discount

Are you a care-leaver who is looking to travel within the West Midlands?

Stay up to date

Receive an email notification when this information changes.

Cycling for Everyone Go Cycle and Scoot

Apply for free West Midlands Cycle Hire and E-scooter credits.

Who is eligible for this ticket?

• Customers in possession of a valid open class ticket

What are the conditions of travel?

Customers who are already in possession of or purchasing on the day of travel a valid standard class ticket(s) such as Family Ticket, Day Return, Open Return, Weekly, Monthly, Annual or InterRail ticket can book on their chosen service by selecting the 'Reservation Only' option in the Passenger selection box. Customers are advised there is limited availability for seat only bookings online.

How do I buy this ticket? 

• Read our FAQ on how to book a seat only reservation .

Where can I buy this ticket? 

• You can purchase the ticket  above using our journey planner . Tickets can only be purchased up to 90 days in advance.

Where do I collect the ticket? 

See our  Ticket Collection  section.

• Free Travel/DSFA Pass Holders

Customers who hold a  Free Travel / DSFA Pass  can book on their chosen service by selecting the  'Free Travel Pass'  option in the Passenger selection box. Customers are advised there is limited availability for Free Travel bookings online.

• Please see our handy guide on how to book a 'Free Travel Pass' option .
• You can purchase the ticket  above using our Journey Planner . Tickets can only be purchased up to 90 days in advance.
• An allocation of bookings on all InterCity services can be reserved online without a fee for 'Free Travel Pass or valid ticket holders'. When this allocation is fully booked, all remaining seats can be reserved by 'Free Travel Pass or valid ticket holders' for €2.50 per journey. 

For more information on Online Tickets please see Ticket Information

There are a limited number of wheelchair accessible spaces on each train, book in advance to avoid disappointment.

passenger-seat icon Travel Pass or Travel Ticket holder

Is an option for customers who are in possession of Free Travel Pass, a valid standard class ticket(s), seasonal ticket(s), Taxsaver ticket(s) or InterRail to book onto a train in standard class. Customers who have a valid standard class ticket but wish to upgrade to First Class should also use this selection. For more information go to Tickets Explained section.

Please select the passenger(s) who require this ticket type

Booking a 'Free Travel Pass' or 'Reservation Only' option

For InterCity travel pre-booking is recommended.

Free Travel Pass   holders wishing to book their ticket should select the passenger option 'Free Travel Pass' when making their online booking. 

A ' Reservation Only ' option is an option for customers who would like to pre-book on a service and who are in possession of a ticket(s) such as Family Tickets, Single, Day Return, Weekly, Monthly, Annual, Taxsaver Monthly, Taxsaver Annual, InterRail and Free Travel pass holders/DFSA free travel scheme. 

A 'Free Travel Pass' or 'Reservation Only' option is not a valid ticket for travel on its own .

Customers are advised there is limited availability for 'Free Travel Pass' or Reservation Only' options online. An allocation of bookings on all Intercity services can be reserved online without a fee for 'Free Travel Pass' or 'Reservation Only' ticket holders. When this allocation is fully booked, all remaining seats can be reserved by 'Free Travel Pass' or 'Reservation Only' ticket holders for €2.50 per journey. Also please note tickets are only available up to 90 days in advance.

Looking for more information check out our FAQ  Where do I find Information on the Free Travel Pass?

Step by Step guide to booking a 'Free Travel Pass' or 'Reservation Only' option

• Step 1 - Enter your origin and destination in the 'From' and 'To' fields, select a 'Single' or 'Return' ticket and select your date(s). Select the passenger drop down arrow. A box will appear listing the passenger types.
• Step 2 - Navigate to 'Free Travel Pass' or 'Reservation Only', use the plus and minus arrows to add the amount of Free Travel passengers including companion passengers or Reservation Only passengers. Please note, an 'Adult' fare will be automatically added. If you do not have a fee paying adult travelling with you, please select the minus button to remove this fare. Once you have all the required fields filled out select 'Apply'.

• Step 3 - click here to skip to step 3, continued below.  

Step by Step guide to booking a 'Free Travel Pass or valid ticket holders' option on our alternative Journey Planner

• Step 1 - Enter your origin and destination in the 'From' and 'To' fields, select a 'Single' or 'Return' ticket and select your date(s). Select the type and number of passengers travelling on the journey eg 2 Adults 1 Student.
• Step 2 - To book, select ' Free Travel Pass or Valid Ticket holders ' a pop-up will appear on your screen(see images below). If you are travelling with multiple passengers please tick the box for each passenger that is entitled to free travel. 

Once you have all the required fields filled out select 'Go'. You will then receive a full list of available services and the total price for all passengers travelling will be displayed.

• Step 3 - Choose the service(s) you wish to travel on by selecting one of the fares presented and select 'Book Tickets'. If you are looking for further information like intermediate stations, select the 'Trip details' button.
• Step 4 - Log in -  If you have an existing Irish Rail account then you need to enter your email address and password and select 'Login'. If this does not work select "forgotten password" option and follow the instructions on screen. If you don’t have an account you can continue as a  ‘Guest’ to the 'Passenger Details' page.
• Step 5 - Passenger Details -  Enter name(s). If you don't have an account, don't worry, you can register for an online account by simply ticking 'Yes, I wish to create an Iarnród Éireann account' under 'Customer details'. Once your booking is complete you will receive an email with your password, please ensure that you copy and paste the password from the email to avoid making a mistake typing in the password. You can update your password under ' My Account ' if you wish.
• Step 6 - Payment Overview -  Read and agree to the terms and conditions then click  'Pay Now'
• Step 7 - Confirmation - You have now reached the confirmation page, please ensure to either take note of your 'Ticket Collection Number' or download your QR ticket. You will also receive an email confirmation of your booking with the details included. You can now add the booking to your calendar for convenience!
• Step 8 - Collect or download your Ticket - Depending on your selected ticket fulfilment method, use your 'Ticket Collection Number' to print your ticket at the train station you are travelling from or download your QR ticket via the link in your confirmation email. For more information on collecting your ticket(s) click here .

Customers experiencing difficulty booking a 'Free Travel Pass' or 'Reservation Only' option, please contact us . 

Wealth of Geeks

10 Ways to Visit National Parks for Free in 2024

Posted: April 10, 2024 | Last updated: April 10, 2024

From the luscious, towering forests of Yosemite to the vast canyons of the Grand Canyon, America’s national parks offer some of the world’s most breathtakingly beautiful sights.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or want to enjoy a day in nature, you probably want to add a few of the country’s National Parks to your bucket list. Free entry into one of these parks is the travel deal you didn’t know you needed in 2024.

Visit on Free Admission Days

There are certain days that all national parks in the United States waive their admission fees and allow visitors in for free. Mark these six days on your calendar to score a free day of adventuring in one of the many magnificent parks across the United States.

• Jan. 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• April 20: First day of National Park Week
• June 19: Juneteenth
• Aug. 4: Anniversary of the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day
• Nov. 11: Veterans Day

Plan a Trip to the Free National Parks

There are 63 breathtaking national parks across the United States, and while many require an admission fee, there are a select few that are entirely free to visit.

Popular parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon charge an entrance fee, but fortunately, there are 16 awe-inspiring national parks that you can explore for free.

Bring a Fourth Grader Along

If you have a fourth-grade student in your family who can tag along with you to a national park, you’ll get in for free.

Every Kid Outdoors offers printable vouchers on their website that can be exchanged at a national park for a fee-free pass for the fourth grader and their family for the year.

Show a Military ID

As a military member, show your ID card and get a free annual pass .

Current military members serving in the U.S. armed forces will receive a Military Annual Pass valid for them and their families.

Show a Veteran ID

Those who have served in the military are eligible for a free pass to enter national parks in the U.S.

All you need is valid identification, which can include a Veteran Health Identification Card, Veteran ID card, or state-issued ID with the veteran designation on it. You’ll receive a Lifetime Pass that grants you a lifetime of free access to national parks.

Get Your Volunteering Hours In

If you’re passionate about the outdoors, why not volunteer at one of the many Interagency Pass Program federal agencies and get a free annual pass? After logging 250 hours, you’ll have free access to the national parks and entry to over 2,000 federal recreation areas.

These federal agencies include the Bureau of Land Management, the USDA Forest Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation.

Visit Your Local Library

Did you know you can check out free park passes at participating libraries? In some libraries, you can use your library card to borrow a state library park pass that gives you a free vehicle day-use pass for a car with nine people or less.

California, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Georgia, and Colorado all participate in the pass program.

Have Proof of Permanent Disability

U.S. citizens or permanent residents who can show proof of permanent disability are eligible for a free lifetime Access Pass .

By showing proof of disability and applying in person, by mail, or online, you’ll gain access to America’s breathtaking national parks fee-free. You’ll also benefit from discounts of up to 50% on park amenities like camping.

Show Your Student ID

Some libraries have unique park passes for students to take full advantage of the beautiful national parks during the summer break.

For example, Idaho offers a Youth Explorer Ticket to Adventure that gives students free access to Idaho State Parks.

Present Your ID for Proof of Age

People in certain age groups can score free access to some of the country’s national parks. If you were born before Sept. 1, 1930, and live in Texas, you can get a Senior Full Passport that allows you to enter any Texas state park for free with a plus one.

In New York, residents who are 62 years of age or older can visit parks for free during the weekdays. In Louisiana, New Jersey, and Maryland, visitors who are 62 and older have free access to parks, and those in Maine can visit free of charge if they are 65 years or older.

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