HowToSwiss

Save money · Transport

How to Save on Public Transport in Switzerland

Switzerland has world-class trains, trams and buses — and at full price they're brutal. Halbtax, Supersaver tickets and city day passes can cut your transport bill in half.

1. Half-Fare Card (Halbtax)

CHF 185/year (first year often cheaper). 50% off all SBB trains, most buses, boats, regional cable cars.

Big saving

Break-even: Pays for itself once you spend CHF 370/year on transport — about 4 return trips Zurich–Bern.

  1. 1Open the SBB Mobile app and go to 'Tickets & Travelcards' → 'Travelcards'.
  2. 2Pick Half-Fare travelcard (Halbtax / Demi-tarif).
  3. 3Pay with TWINT, card or invoice — card is active immediately in the app.
  4. 4Optional plastic card arrives by post in 5–10 working days.

2. GA (General Abonnement)

Unlimited travel on SBB + most buses, trams, boats and many cable cars.

Pricing: 2nd class adult ~CHF 3,995/year. Under 25: CHF 2,780. AG family adult: CHF 2,780.

Annual transport spendCheapest option
Under CHF 370/yearSkip Halbtax — buy point-to-point
CHF 370 – CHF 7,000/yearHalbtax + tickets is cheapest
Over CHF 7,000/yearGA is cheapest, especially for daily commuters

3. Day passes & city passes

  • Moderate
    zurich: ZVV 24h Tageskarte (zones 110+121): CHF 17.20. ZVV 9 o'clock pass off-peak: CHF 13.60.
  • Big saving
    geneva: Unireso day pass (TPG + Mouettes): CHF 10. Free transport card included with any hotel stay.
  • Moderate
    basel: TNW U-Abo monthly (CHF 80) covers Basel-Stadt + parts of BL, including German/French border.
  • Moderate
    bern: Libero day pass zones 100+101: CHF 13.60.
  • Big saving
    lausanne: Mobilis day pass zones 11+12: CHF 9.60. Free transport with hotel stay.
  • Moderate
    lucerne: Passepartout day pass zones 10: CHF 9.40. 'Gäste-Ticket' free with hotels.

4. Supersaver tickets — up to 70% off

  1. 1Open SBB Mobile and search your route up to 60 days in advance.
  2. 2Look for the orange % icon — Sparbillette save 20–70%.
  3. 3Best discounts: Tue/Wed/Thu, mid-morning (09:30–11:30) and early afternoon.
  4. 4Set a price alert in the app to be notified when fares drop.
  5. 5Tickets are non-refundable and tied to a specific train.

5. Hidden perks & combos

  • Many employers reimburse a Halbtax or full GA — always ask HR before buying.
  • Junior & Children's Co-travelcard (CHF 30/year) lets kids 6–16 travel free with a parent.
  • Combine SBB rail + PubliBike for the last mile — see /save/bikes.
  • International: Interrail Global Pass beats single tickets for 3+ European cities in a month.

Combine train with the cheapest last-mile option — see free & cheap bike rentals.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Halbtax worth it in Switzerland?
Yes — for almost everyone. The Half-Fare card costs CHF 185/year and breaks even after about CHF 370 of train travel. Even one return Zurich–Bern–Geneva trip (CHF 200+) pays for half of it.
What is the difference between GA and Halbtax?
Halbtax (CHF 185/year) gives you 50% off every ticket. GA (CHF 3,995/year 2nd class) gives you unlimited travel. GA wins once your annual transport spend exceeds about CHF 7,000.
How do Supersaver tickets work?
SBB releases discounted tickets up to 60 days before travel for specific trains. You can save 20–70% off the standard fare. They are non-refundable and tied to that exact train.
Do hotels in Switzerland include free public transport?
Yes in many cities. Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, Lucerne and the Engadin issue free transport cards with any overnight stay. Always ask at check-in.
Can my employer pay for my Halbtax or GA?
Many do — UBS, Roche, Novartis, ETH and the federal administration commonly reimburse a Halbtax and sometimes a full GA. Check your benefits portal or ask HR before buying.

Build your free moving-to-Switzerland checklist

Combine the savings from this guide with the step-by-step checklist used by 10,000+ new arrivals — registration, insurance, taxes, all in one place.

Open the checklist