Vilnius named Europe’s cheapest city for public transport in new study

Vilnius, Lithuania, has the cheapest public transport among 50 of Europe’s most populated cities, according to a new study by Radical Storage. A single ride across all transport modes averages €0.70 (about £0.60) in the capital, a mark not matched by other major European centers. The finding adds to a growing body of data suggesting that affordability of urban mobility varies widely across the continent, with implications for both residents and visitors.

Istanbul, Turkey, and Krakow, Poland, tied for second place in terms of cheapest transport, each averaging a single-ticket price of €0.90 (about £0.80). The study also highlights the differing price points for 24-hour passes, which often determine how much value travelers get from a day of sightseeing. In Lisbon, the most affordable 24-hour ticket averages €2 (about £1.75). Krakow’s 24-hour pass averages €2.80, while Nice, France, rounds out the top tier at €3 for a day pass. The research analyzed bus, tram, metro, and train tickets, wherever available, to determine a city’s overall affordability for single rides and day passes.

The study, which examined the prices of 50 of Europe’s largest urban transport networks, calculated the cheapest possible single-ride cost by considering only the central zones typically used by tourists. When a city requires separate pricing by transport type or zone, the researchers used the price for the smallest central zone available (for example, Zone 1 in London or AB in Berlin). If a given city did not offer all modes (some may lack a metro or a particular train service), the researchers averaged the prices that were available for that city.

The top ten list for single-ride prices reveals a broad spectrum of affordability across Europe. Vilnius leads at €0.70, followed by Istanbul and Krakow at €0.90 each. Split is priced at €1.00 per ride, with Budapest at €1.10, Prague at €1.20, and Gdansk at €1.20. Porto sits at €1.40, with Athens at €1.40 and Granada at €1.50 completing the ten-cheapest cohort. The spread underscores how quickly costs can add up for urban travel, even within relatively short city trips.

By contrast, Aarhus in Denmark stands out as the most expensive among the cities studied, with a single ticket averaging €6.20 across transport modes. The higher price likely reflects a combination of dense urban networks and policy choices that emphasize service quality alongside fare revenue. The study notes that some cities offer robust networks but limit certain modes within the same ticket structure, which can skew comparisons if only one mode is priced in a given city.

For travelers planning visits to Europe’s cities, the findings offer a practical lens through which to budget transportation. In Vilnius, visitors can expect to move around on relatively inexpensive single tickets, which may make short stays particularly economical. In Lisbon, while day passes are a bit pricier than Vilnius, the €2 24-hour option can still represent significant value for a full day’s worth of sightseeing, especially when compared with cities where daily costs can run higher.

The study’s authors emphasize that prices can fluctuate with changes in routes, fare reforms, or currency shifts, and that travelers should verify current rates before planning trips. Nevertheless, the research provides a useful benchmark for those weighing where to maximize mobility while controlling costs across Europe’s urban landscapes.