Is the Halbtax worth it?

Almost certainly yes. At CHF 185/year, you only need a few medium-distance trips to break even. It also gives discounts on city transport, boats, and cable cars.

Can I use my GA on city trams and buses?

Yes — the GA covers virtually all public transport in Switzerland, including trams, buses, boats, and many mountain railways.

How do I buy tickets?

SBB Mobile app (recommended), ticket machines at stations, or online at sbb.ch. You can also buy at staffed counters for a small surcharge.

Swiss Train Tickets & Travel Passes

Written by HowToSwiss EditorialReviewed April 2025

Verified · Last updated April 2025

8 min readCHF 5–3,995/yearLast verified: April 2025RECOMMENDED

Switzerland has one of the world's best public transport systems. Understanding ticket types, passes and savings options will save you hundreds of francs per year.

Step by step

1
Get the SBB Mobile app
Download the SBB Mobile app — it's the single best tool for buying tickets, checking connections, and managing passes. Available on iOS and Android.
2
Understand ticket types
Point-to-point tickets, day passes (Tageskarte), and multi-ride cards (Multi-Fahrten). Always buy before boarding — controllers fine CHF 90+ for no ticket.
3
Consider the Halbtax (Half-Fare Card)
CHF 185/year. Cuts all public transport prices in half. Pays for itself in just a few trips. The single best investment for anyone living in Switzerland.
4
Evaluate the GA (General Abonnement)
CHF 3,995/year (2nd class). Unlimited travel on all trains, buses, boats, and most city trams. Worth it if you commute or travel more than 2-3 times per week.
5
Use Supersaver tickets
Available on SBB Mobile for specific trains. Up to 70% off standard fares. Book early — the cheapest ones sell out fast. Non-refundable and train-specific.
6
Explore regional day passes
Gemeinde Tageskarten: your local commune sells discounted day passes (often CHF 40-52 for a GA-equivalent day). Check your Gemeinde website.