You Can Now Travel Around Europe For Free This Summer Here's How

A new European Union initiative is offering young people the chance to travel around by train for free this summer, in exchange for documenting their travels on social media. The ultimate summer job? We think so.

After months of exam revision summer finally beckons and most young people around Europe would love nothing more than a month of travelling… there’s just one issue: country-hopping can involve a serious travel budget.
The European Union could have the answer. It has launched an initiative that will give thousands of young people the chance to travel for free around Europe this summer.
DiscoverEU is offering 15,000 interrail passes to 18-year-olds across the continent – as well as travel by ferries and buses for those applicants who live in remote areas.

“Seize this chance to experience freedom of movement, understand better Europe’s diversity, enjoy its cultural richness, make new friends and ultimately, discover yourself,” the DiscoverEU’s website says.
The initiative ties in with 2018’s European Year of Cultural Heritage, which will see events take place across Europe celebrating its countries’ distinct cultures and traditions.
And applicants will have to swot up on the European Year of Cultural Heritage if they are to be in with a chance of winning.

How to apply

Applications open at midday on Tuesday, June 12 and close at midday on June 26. They are open to 18-year-olds across Europe (those born between July 2, 1999 and July 1, 2000).
Applicants must hold the nationality of one of the EU’s 28 member states and start the journey in one of those countries between July 9 and September 30, 2018.
You can apply individually or as a group (maximum five people). The application process involves filling in your personal data and details of your planned trip. There are then five quiz questions linked to the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage and EU initiatives targeting young people plus a tie-breaker question used to rank applicants.
Winners will become DiscoverEU Ambassadors, reporting back on their travels on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.