As an auxiliary, you will have a tight budget in Spain. Previously in the website, I discussed ways to increase your budget either by getting extra work, saving money on flights with a VPN, getting more bang for your buck with international transfers, or with the use of referral discounts for other services you would likely need anyway. One of the best ways to stretch a budget in Spain, however, is through youth discounts.
Even as non-citizens, residents in Spain are able to take advantage of the huge savings offered from various youth discounts. Age requirements can vary between discounts and regions. The typical age limits are anywhere from 25 to 30 years old.
You can expect to save anywhere from a few euros every grocery trip to 30%+ on transport costs. Below, I will list a handful of youth discounts, their benefits, and how to get them.**
**My list will not include temporary special offers nor every youth discount available (Many of these discounts apply to very specific regions and services).
Youth Discounts
- Transportation
Tarjeta Más Renfe Joven
Tarjeta Joven de Transporte - Groceries (Carrefour)
- Hostels (Spanish Youth Hostel Network Card)
Tarjeta Más Renfe Joven
If you plan on travelling around Spain, odds are you will take the train. The Renfe train system can take you all around Spain at speeds of up to 138 miles per hour. The rides are comfortable, clean, and you get to see the Spanish countryside.
For those of you that will take the train at least twice throughout the year, it will be worth it to get Renfe’s youth card. When booking a trip, all you have to do is add your card’s details to instantly receive a huge discount.
What is it? A discount card for Renfe trips (by train or bus).
What are the benefits?
A 30% discount on AVE (high speed train) – Larga Distancia and a 25% discount on other services.
Age limit: 25.
Requirements: Valid ID (passport works).
Cost: 50 euros. It can be renewed up to 2 months before its expiration date for another 50 euros.
Expiration: 1 year.
How to apply:
Access the following web page: https://venta.renfe.com/vol/ventaTarjeta.do
Enter your personal information.
Press continue and finish your purchase. After finalizing the purchase, you will receive an email with your card information.
When booking a trip, make sure to apply your youth discount before checking out.
Example: Go to https://www.renfe.com/es/es and book your trip.
When you make your selection, you can also click a check to request a silent section (I recommend this unless you like listening to phone calls).
In the next page, you will input your personal information, and just below that, you’ll be able to add your youth discount. My trip price went from €32 to €22.
Every round trip would save about 20 euros or more depending on the price. If you plan to travel with Renfe more than twice a year, you will save money with this discount. Additionally, by travelling with Renfe, you can accrue Renfe points. These points can be used for trips, groceries at Carrefour, and much more.
Tarjeta Joven de Transporte
Each region of Spain with a public transport system (that I know of) has a youth card to receive discounted prices for bus, metro, and sometimes short distance train trips. Public transit in Spain is already quite cheap. Getting a youth discount would even further benefit you.
Each youth discount card is a little bit different. Some provide a % discount on every trip, and others provide a subscription with unlimited trips for a discounted price. Personally, I believe that Madrid has the best offer: unlimited trips with buses, metro, and short distance trains within zones A to E2.
I can’t explain the specific process for each region, but I can explain general requirements, benefits, and leave links for a few regions.
What is it? A discount card for public transit.
What are the benefits? Ranges: 20%-30% discounts to unlimited trips with a small monthly fee.
Example: In Andalucía, when I recharge my youth transport card with €20, I receive €25 in my balance This card can be used for buses and the metro.
Age limit: It can vary. In Madrid, it is 26 and in Andalucía, it is 30.
Requirements:
Madrid: Valid ID (passport works) Andalucía: empadronamiento and TIE.
Cost: Usually free.
Expiration: Once you age out.
How to apply:
Usually, you can apply either in person or online. If you apply online, your card will be sent to your stated address within a week or 2. The application process will require you to scan certain documents to prove your ID, age, and depending on the region, your address.
Madrid (apply online or in person)
You can also easily find a youth card for your region by searching for “Tarjeta Joven de Transporte (Region)”.
Using your youth transport card will be identical to using a typical transport card. Scan and go.
Groceries (Carrefour)
For those of you with a Carrefour supermarket nearby, I highly recommend signing up for their youth card. It gives you all the advantages of Club Carrefour without having to sign up for their credit card. The youth card applies discounts and sales when checking out. On average, I get about a 4% discount on my weekly grocery trip. Personally, this saves me 100 euros a year.
It isn’t enough to justify doubling your commute distance to buy groceries, but for those with a Carrefour nearby, it is more than worth it.
What is it? A discount card for Carrefour.
What are the benefits? It applies discounts and sales to your grocery purchases. (on average about 4%)
Age limit: 30
Requirements: Valid ID (passport works)
Cost: Free.
Expiration: Once you age out.
How to apply: Online or in person. It’s easiest to do it in person since you can pick up the card immediately. Go to Carrefour with your ID, phone, and a pen. Usually near the entrance you can find Servicio al Cliente (sometimes it goes under other names such as Atencion al Cliente). At the service desk, you can request the Tarjeta Joven. You will present your ID and complete a simple form. They may need to send a confirmation code to your phone.
You can also apply online through the following link:
https://www.carrefour.es/clubcarrefour/tarjetas-el-club/joven/
At the link above, click “Hazte Socio”. Enter your email and personal information.
Select the product you are interested in (Tarjeta Joven). Take a selfie with your computer camera and validate your personal data. After finishing these steps, you card should be sent to your address.
Hostels
Many auxiliaries travel frequently while living in Spain. You can access huge discounts by having a CARNÉ DE ALBERGUISTA. Also known as a Spanish Youth Hostel Network Card (REAJ), this card provides significant discounts when staying at a hostel within the Red Española de Albergues Juveniles (4,000 hostels covering 90 countries).
What is it? A discount card for hostel stays and activities.
What are the benefits? Discounts up to 25%.
Age limit: There are a variety of plans for all ages.
Requirements: Valid ID (passport works).
Cost: Between 5 and 10 euros for a year or 8 and 16 euros for 2 years.
Expiration: 1-2 years depending on your plan.
How to apply:
Access the following web page: https://www.inturjoven.com/carnes
Scroll down and select your plan. After selecting your plan, enter your personal information and complete your purchase.
Example: Let’s say I want to enjoy a nice weekend in Cercedilla to go on a hiking trip. I would first go to reaj.com and select my destination.
The next webpage will give a list of options. You can browse and select your preferred destination.
After selecting your destination, you will find specific details about the hostel and any available discounts.
25% off!!!!
Being young has its benefits, so take full advantage of each discount available to you.
For additional tips on how to save money, you can also check out:
Saving Money and Being Environmentally Friendly
Also, check out my travelling posts: Fun Trips Around Madrid and Santiago de Compostela
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