Conet Pass and local public transport: how the service works in practice

Using a Conet Pass on local public transport is straightforward: receive your pass by email, activate it if your city requires it, and present the QR code or voucher each time you board a covered vehicle. The pass works on metro, bus and tram across all cities. Airport shuttle coverage depends on your specific city package – always verify before you board. Keep your confirmation email accessible throughout your trip and check your expiry time so you are not caught out on the last morning.

Before you start: what you need ready

Before using your Conet Pass on any transport line, make sure you have the following in order.

Your pass is in your email inbox

Conet Pass is delivered exclusively by email, as a voucher or QR code. Before you travel, open your confirmation email, locate your pass, and save it somewhere accessible on your phone. Your confirmation email also includes a free Ubigi e-SIM with 500 MB of preloaded data – valid in all Conet Pass cities. Ubigi is a global provider of cellular data connectivity via e-SIM. To use it, simply activate it on Ubigi’s website directly from your confirmation email. Having it active before you arrive means you will always have a connection at hand to access your pass and navigate the city.

You know whether activation requires an app

In some cities, your Conet Pass needs to be activated through a dedicated transport app before you can use it for the first time. In other cities, the email voucher alone is sufficient for boarding. This information is always stated in your confirmation email. Read it before departure so you know exactly what to expect when you land.

You know what your pass covers in your city

Coverage varies by city and by the specific package you purchased. Not all Conet Pass city packages include the airport shuttle. Before you board the first vehicle — especially if that vehicle is the airport bus or express rail — confirm that your pass covers that line. Check the coverage details in your confirmation email or on the Conet Pass website for your city.

How to use your Conet Pass: step by step

Step 1 – Locate your pass before boarding

Open your confirmation email and find the voucher or QR code attached to your Conet Pass. Do not wait until you are standing at the validator or in front of a transport officer to start searching for it. Have it open and ready before you join any queue or approach any gate.

Step 2 – Activate your pass if required

If your city requires app-based activation, open the relevant transport app and complete the activation process before boarding any vehicle. Activation typically takes under two minutes. Once activated, the pass is live and your validity period begins — so activate only when you are ready to travel, not hours in advance. If your city does not require an app, your email voucher is valid as-is from first use.

Step 3 – Board the vehicle

Board the metro, bus, tram or shuttle as you normally would. Do not purchase a separate ticket. Your Conet Pass is valid for all transport modes included in your city package for the entire validity period.

Step 4 – Validate your pass at the gate or on board

The validation method depends on the city and the transport mode.

• Metro: scan your QR code or show your voucher at the turnstile or electronic gate before accessing the platform. Some metro systems have validators on the platform; follow the signage.
• Bus and tram: validate your pass using the onboard QR scanner or show it to the driver or inspector on request. On some networks, bus and tram validation is by scanner only; on others, a visual check is accepted.
• Airport shuttle: if included in your package, validate in the same way as a bus. Always have your pass visible and ready when boarding airport services, as checks tend to be more frequent on these routes.

If you are unsure of the validation method on a specific line, show your pass to the driver or station staff. They can confirm whether you need to scan or simply present it.

Step 5 – Board without purchasing tickets for the rest of your stay

Once your pass is active and validated for the first time, continue using it for every journey throughout your stay. You do not need to validate again on every single boarding on all networks — some cities require validation at every journey, others only on entry to paid zones. Follow the standard local rules for the city you are visiting, applied to your Conet Pass in exactly the same way a local resident would apply them to their own transport card.

Transport Modes: how validation works on each

Metro

Most metro networks require you to pass through a turnstile or gate before accessing the platform. Scan your QR code at the reader or, where validators accept visual checks, show your voucher to the gate attendant. Keep your pass displayed until you are through. Do not attempt to follow another passenger through the gate without validating. Even with a valid Conet Pass, failure to validate independently constitutes fare evasion on most networks and can result in a fine.

Urban Bus

On urban buses, validation typically happens at the start of the journey, either at the front of the vehicle using the onboard scanner or via a handheld check by the driver. On some high-frequency routes, inspectors board mid-route to check passes and tickets. Have your pass ready to show at any point during the journey, not just when boarding.

Tram

Tram validation follows the same logic as buses in most cities. On some networks — particularly in Milan, Lisbon and Vienna — trams have onboard validators that you activate yourself. On others, driver or inspector checks are the standard. Follow local signage inside the vehicle.

Airport Shuttle

The airport shuttle is included in some Conet Pass city packages and not in others. If you are planning to use your pass to travel between the city and the airport, check your package coverage before boarding. If the shuttle is included, validate your pass in the same way as a bus when boarding. If it is not included, you will need to purchase a separate ticket for that journey.

What to do if there is a problem on board

The validator does not read your QR code

Increase your screen brightness to maximum and hold the phone steady at the scanner. Avoid tilting the screen. If the scanner still fails to read after two or three attempts, technical issues can sometimes occur due to the transport network’s own infrastructure. In that case, contact Conet Pass support immediately – explain what happened, indicate the line, the stop and the time of the incident, and attach a photo if possible.

You are not sure whether a line is covered by your pass

If you are at a stop or station and are unsure whether a specific line is included in your city package, do not board without confirming. Check your confirmation email, look up the coverage details on the Conet Pass website, or ask a member of station staff. Boarding a line that is not covered by your pass and being checked by an inspector puts you in the same position as a passenger without a ticket.

Practical tips for using your pass every day

Note when your pass expires. If you activated your pass at 9am on the first day of your trip and your pass has a 48-hour validity, it expires at 9am two days later – not at midnight. Keep this in mind for early-morning departures on the last day.

Do not try to share your pass. A Conet Pass is issued per individual traveller. Showing the same QR code to validate two entries is detectable by the network and constitutes fare evasion. Each person in your group needs their own pass.

Keep your confirmation email accessible throughout your trip. Even after activation, your confirmation email is your proof of purchase. If your phone dies and you need to recover your pass, or if you need to contact support, the email contains all the reference information required.

If you switch transport modes frequently, validate correctly on each. Some travellers assume that validating once on the metro covers a subsequent bus journey started immediately after. It does not – each boarding on a different vehicle requires its own validation, following the rules of that transport mode.

Frequently Asked Questions