National pass
Swiss Travel Pass
Switzerland · Swiss Travel System
Pass comparison
Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card?
The pass bundles travel in one period. The Half Fare Card reduces separate tickets for one month. Use the same routes to compare both.
Both options compared
| Criterion | Swiss Travel Pass | Swiss Half Fare Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Validity | 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days; Flex is separate | One month | |
| Journeys | No new ticket within the validity area | Buy a reduced ticket for every journey | |
| Upfront cost | Depends on duration and class | CHF 150 plus all reduced tickets | |
| Often suits | Many travel days and changes of base | Selected expensive trips or fixed bases | |
| Reservations | Pay separately where required | Pay separately where required |
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Tickets and passes
View both products
Compare the suitable option and your full itinerary cost, not the lowest visible card price.
Specific routes
Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card compared directly
The pass may include the fare, whereas the discount card requires you to buy a reduced ticket.
| Route | Swiss Travel Pass | Swiss Half Fare Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bernina Express | IncludedReservation separate | 50 % discountReservation separate |
| Glacier Express | IncludedReservation separate | 50 % discountReservation separate |
| GoldenPass Express | Included | 50 % discount |
| Gotthard Panorama Express | IncludedReservation separate | 50 % discountReservation separate |
| Lucerne–Interlaken Express | Included | 50 % discount |
| Rigi Railways | Included | 50 % discount |
| Pilatus mountain transport | 50 % discount | 50 % discount |
| Jungfraujoch railway | 25 % discount | 50 % discount |
| Gornergrat Railway | 50 % discount | 50 % discount |
| Matterhorn Glacier Paradise lifts | 50 % discount | 50 % discount |
Reservations and supplements remain separate even when the fare is included or discounted.
Compare the total cost
Calculate your itinerary with and without a pass
Table of Contents
Step 1: collect ordinary fares
List every longer train journey, boat and mountain railway with its date and class. Find the current prices without a pass or discount card first. Switzerland by train explains the main ticket categories. Include Supersaver Tickets only when you would genuinely commit to the selected connection.
Step 2: calculate the Half Fare version
Use the valid reduced fare for the same journeys and add CHF 150 for the Swiss Half Fare Card. Do not divide every price by two: selected fares are reduced by a smaller amount. Keep reservations and supplements separate.
Step 3: choose a pass duration
The consecutive Swiss Travel Pass days must fit the actual route. Do not automatically use the length of your entire holiday. A rest day still consumes validity on the standard pass; Flex has different prices and activation rules.
Step 4: compare more than price
The Swiss Travel Pass removes many ticket purchases within its validity area. The Half Fare Card can cost less but requires a valid ticket for every journey. Also compare spontaneity, a fixed budget and the risk of changing a train-specific saver fare.
When each product tends to fit
Many consecutive travel days across several regions point first towards the Swiss Travel Pass. A few expensive excursions from fixed bases point towards the Half Fare Card. A short city trip with one or two train journeys may need neither.
Updated August 2026. Check current prices and validity rules with SBB before booking.
Pass comparison
Common questions
At what spend does the Half Fare Card pay off?+
There is no fixed amount. Routes, class, saver fares, mountain railways and children all change the result. Calculate your actual itinerary.
Which option is more convenient?+
The Swiss Travel Pass removes many individual ticket purchases in its validity area. The Half Fare Card requires more transactions but lets you control each journey.
Can ordinary tickets beat both products?+
Yes. Neither a pass nor a discount card may be economical on a short or inexpensive itinerary.
Compare ordinary tickets too
Ordinary tickets and Saver Day Passes belong in the same comparison.