🚂 Public Transport
Complete 2026 breakdown of Switzerland's world-class public transport network pricing and travelcards
1. The Half-Fare Travelcard (Demi-tarif / Halbtax)
The "Halbtax" or Demi-tarif is the foundation of Swiss public transport. Held by millions of residents, it grants a 50% discount on almost all SBB trains, regional buses, urban trams, boats, and even many private mountain railways.
| Category | First Year Price | Renewal Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (25+) | 190 CHF | 170 CHF | Automatic loyalty discount on renewal |
| Youth (16-24) | 120 CHF | 100 CHF | Special youth pricing |
| Tourists (Non-residents) | 150 CHF | — | 1-month Swiss Half Fare Card |
Half Fare Travelcard PLUS (Prepaid System)
Introduced recently, this is a prepaid wallet system that rewards frequent travelers with bonus credit. You deposit a base amount, and SBB adds a free bonus on top.
PLUS 1000
You deposit: 800 CHF
You get: 1,000 CHF
+200 CHF bonus
PLUS 2000
You deposit: 1,500 CHF
You get: 2,000 CHF
+500 CHF bonus
PLUS 3000
You deposit: 2,100 CHF
You get: 3,000 CHF
+900 CHF bonus
2. The GA Travelcard (Abonnement Général)
The GA is the ultimate "hop-on, hop-off" pass. It provides unlimited travel across the entire Swiss network (trains, buses, boats, and most urban transit) without needing to buy individual tickets.
Annual GA (Adult 2nd Class)
3,995 CHF
Per year - Unlimited travel across Switzerland
Annual GA (Youth/Student)
2,780 CHF
Per year - For those under 25 or students
1-Month GA (Adult)
440 CHF
Perfect for short-term intensive commuting
1-Month GA (Youth)
295 CHF
Youth pricing (under 25)
3. Special Youth Passes (Under 25)
SBB heavily subsidizes travel for young adults to encourage eco-friendly transport habits.
🌙 Night GA Travelcard
Formerly known as Gleis 7 / seven25
99 CHF/year
- ✓ Unlimited travel 7 PM – 5 AM (weekdays)
- ✓ Until 7 AM on weekends/holidays
- ✓ Entire Swiss network
- ✓ Anyone under 25
👥 Friends Day Pass for Youth
Group travel discount
80 CHF/day
- ✓ Up to 4 friends (all under 25)
- ✓ Travel anywhere in Switzerland
- ✓ Just 20 CHF per person
- ✓ No Half-Fare card needed
4. Day Passes (Carte Journalière)
If you don't have a GA, day passes are the cheapest way to do cross-country day trips.
Saver Day Pass (Carte journalière dégriffée)
This is a highly dynamic, airline-style pricing ticket available directly on the SBB app.
Booking Window
With Half-Fare
Without Half-Fare
Community Day Pass (Spartageskarte Commune)
The old physical paper passes sold at local town halls have been replaced by this new, digitized municipal quota system.
| Booking Window | With Half-Fare | Without Half-Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (10+ days before) | 39 CHF | 52 CHF |
| Level 2 (9 to 1 days before) | 59 CHF | 88 CHF |
How to Buy
- Check availability on spartageskarte-gemeinde.ch
- Purchase in person at your local commune/town hall
- Example: Espace Ville de Genève
⚠️ These tickets are highly sought after and sell out quickly!
5. Important SBB Ticketing Rules
- Swipe right before getting on any bus, train, or boat
- Swipe left when you get off
- GPS tracks your route automatically
- Charges you the absolute cheapest fare combination at the end of the day
Tip: This is the easiest way to ensure you always pay the lowest price!
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- Half-Fare Travelcard
- GA Travelcard
- Regional abonnements
- Museum passes
- Ski passes
Annual Cost Comparison
Comparison of different travelcard options for adults.
Sources & Resources
- SBB/CFF/FFS Official Tariffs (2025/2026 data)
- Alliance SwissPass - Integrated ticketing system
- Spartageskarte-Gemeinde.ch - Community day pass portal
- Ville de Genève - Local commune offices
Ready to Travel Switzerland?
Download the SBB Mobile app and get started with your SwissPass today. Enjoy one of the world's best public transport systems!