Swiss Public Transport Pass 2026: GA, Half-Fare & Regional

Key Takeaways

• GA Travelcard (Generalabonnement) 2nd class: CHF 3'995 per year for unlimited travel on the SwissPass network (approximately 250 operators).
• Half-Fare Card (Halbtax / demi-tarif / meta-prezzo): CHF 190 first year, CHF 170 on renewal. A CHF 99 promotion is currently offered by SBB for new customers.
• Junior Travelcard: CHF 30 per year per child 6-16 accompanied by a parent holding a GA or Half-Fare.
• Regional passes (ZVV in Zurich, libero in Bern, Mobilis in Vaud-Geneva, Arcobaleno in Ticino, TNW in Basel): CHF 540 - 2'400 per year depending on zones.
• The Saver Day Pass (Sparbillett-Tageskarte) remains the workhorse for occasional trips: from CHF 29 to CHF 89 depending on availability.

Data: May 2026. Official SBB and Alliance SwissPass tariffs. Verify on sbb.ch before purchase - tariffs change each December.

Which Swiss public transport pass should you pick in 2026?

The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) coordinate with the Alliance SwissPass a network of roughly 250 transport operators. The right pass depends on three variables: trip frequency, average distance, and geographic area. Here is how to position each option.

Quick overview

| Traveler profile | Recommended pass | Annual cost | |---|---|---| | Daily long-distance commuter | GA 2nd class | CHF 3'995 | | 1st class commuter | GA 1st class | CHF 6'520 | | 1-3 trips per month on the network | Half-Fare | CHF 190 | | Travel within a single region | Regional pass (ZVV, libero, Arcobaleno...) | CHF 540 - 2'400 | | Very occasional travel | Single tickets + Saver Day Pass | Variable | | Student or apprentice under 25 | Half-Fare Plus / GA 25 | CHF 120 - 2'780 |

GA Travelcard (Generalabonnement / AG / abbonamento generale)

The GA grants unlimited access to the entire SwissPass network: SBB trains, regional railways (BLS, RhB, SOB, MOB, etc.), trams, urban buses, and boats on most lake basins.

Official 2026 GA tariffs

| Category | 2nd class | 1st class | |---|---|---| | Adult (25-64) | CHF 3'995 | CHF 6'520 | | Young adult (16-24) | CHF 2'780 | CHF 4'450 | | Senior (women 64+ / men 65+) | CHF 3'040 | CHF 4'960 | | Person with disability | CHF 2'600 | CHF 4'195 | | Family member (with full-price GA) | CHF 2'600 | CHF 4'195 | | Dog | CHF 855 | — |

Source: SBB - GA Travelcard prices 2026. Check current tariffs on the official site.

GA break-even calculation

The classic rule: the GA 2nd class pays off when your annual ticket spending, including regional passes, exceeds approximately CHF 4'000. Concrete examples:

• Zurich - Geneva return at full price: CHF 176. The GA pays off after 23 trips per year on this route.
• Lausanne - Bern return: CHF 78. Roughly 51 trips annually.
• Daily commuter 5 days a week: if your daily journey exceeds about CHF 16, the GA pays off.

Payment options

SBB offers two main modalities:

• Annual lump sum: pay CHF 3'995 in one go.
• Monthly: CHF 333 per month for the adult 2nd class GA, interest-free, via direct debit or invoice.

Many Swiss employers contribute to the GA cost. A 25-50% subsidy is common in large companies and public administrations. Check your HR policy before paying full price.

Half-Fare Card (Halbtax / demi-tarif / meta-prezzo)

With a valid Half-Fare, you pay half price on nearly all SwissPass network tickets: national and regional trains, urban trams, certain mountain cableways, and several boats.

2026 Half-Fare tariffs

| Type | Price | |---|---| | Half-Fare 1st year (discovery) | CHF 190 (currently CHF 99 SBB promotion) | | Annual renewal | CHF 170 | | Half-Fare Plus 1'000 (prepaid) | CHF 800 - 1'500 prepaid | | Half-Fare discovery 2 months | CHF 33 |

Source: SBB Half-Fare. The CHF 99 promotion can change.

When is the Half-Fare worth it?

The math is simple: if your annual full-price ticket spending exceeds about CHF 380, the Half-Fare is already in the black. Example: three Zurich-Lugano returns (CHF 138 full price) are enough.

The Half-Fare Plus 1'000 is more restrictive. You pay CHF 800 up front and get CHF 1'000 of travel credit at half price. Interesting only if you are sure to use the credit within the year.

Junior Travelcard and Grandchild Travelcard

For families, these two cards are the most economical in the Swiss system.

• Junior Travelcard: CHF 30 per year per child 6-16 accompanied by a parent holding a GA or Half-Fare. The child travels free on the entire SwissPass network.
• Grandchild Travelcard (Enkel-Mitfahrkarte): same principle for grandparents traveling with grandchildren. CHF 30 per year.
• Children's Co-Travelcard (Kinder-Mitfahrkarte): free of charge. Children up to 16 accompanied by a parent travel free without a paid card. Request once at the station.

For a family with two children, annual savings can easily exceed CHF 1'500 on leisure trips alone.

Regional passes (Verbund-Abos)

For those who travel within a single region, the regional pass is often cheaper than the GA.

2026 indicative tariffs

| Network (region) | Annual pass all zones (2nd class) | |---|---| | Arcobaleno (Ticino) | CHF 540 - CHF 1'780 by zones | | ZVV (Zurich) | CHF 798 (1 zone) - CHF 2'232 (all zones) | | libero (Bern, Solothurn, Biel) | CHF 880 - CHF 2'400 by zones | | Mobilis (Vaud, Geneva, central Valais) | CHF 760 - CHF 2'380 by zones | | TPG (Canton of Geneva) | CHF 500 (young) - CHF 700 (adults) annual | | TNW (Basel City/Country) | CHF 832 (zone 10) - CHF 2'050 |

Source: official Verbund sites. Check with the relevant regional operator.

Zurich example

A Winterthur-Zurich commuter (ZVV zones 110+121) pays approximately CHF 1'700 per year, a saving of about CHF 2'295 compared with the GA. In return, the commuter must pay separately for any trip beyond ZVV zones. The choice depends on the volume of out-of-region trips.

Saver Day Pass (Sparbillett-Tageskarte)

The Saver Day Pass replaces the former municipal day pass. Sold in limited quotas by SBB, it offers a day of unlimited travel on the SwissPass network from CHF 29 (with Half-Fare) up to CHF 89 on the day of travel. Most options require a valid Half-Fare.

For an occasional long-distance trip with same-day return, this is often the cheapest option. To plan, see SBB Saver Day Pass.

Swiss Travel Pass: for visitors, not residents

The Swiss Travel Pass is reserved exclusively for people who reside outside Switzerland. It cannot be purchased by a holder of Swiss residence. For reference, 2026 tariffs run from CHF 244 (3 days 2nd class) to CHF 514 (15 days 1st class). If you host friends from abroad, this is the option to recommend to them.

How much do you actually save?

Three concrete cases based on the SBB tariff grid.

Case 1: Lausanne - Geneva commuter

• Full-price return: CHF 53
• 220 working days per year: CHF 11'660 without a pass
• With Half-Fare: CHF 190 + CHF 5'830 = CHF 6'020 (saving CHF 5'640)
• With GA: CHF 3'995 (saving CHF 7'665, optimal choice)

Case 2: occasional traveler based in Bern

• 12 long-distance returns per year, average price CHF 90
• Without pass: CHF 1'080
• With Half-Fare: CHF 190 + CHF 540 = CHF 730 (saving CHF 350)
• GA not worthwhile

Case 3: 22-year-old student, ZVV moves + weekend trips

• ZVV all-in 2 zones: CHF 1'080 per year
• Young Half-Fare: CHF 120 (CHF 99 with Junior 25 promo)
• Weekend trips: 30 journeys at CHF 25 average = CHF 750
• Total: CHF 1'950
• Alternative: GA 25 (CHF 2'780). Choice depends on actual volume.

Practical tips for 2026

1. Activate the card on the SwissPass app. Physical cards are being phased out.
2. Take advantage of the CHF 99 Half-Fare promotion. SBB reissues it regularly for new customers.
3. Ask about your employer subsidy. Many collective agreements include a contribution.
4. Combine smartly. For a total cost lower than the GA, you can add Half-Fare + regional pass + occasional Saver Day Pass.
5. Buy at the start of the tax year. Transport costs are deductible as professional expenses on Swiss federal direct income tax.

Compare before subscribing

For an impartial, personalized assessment, the independent comparator Moneyland.ch integrates SwissPass tariffs and computes your optimal profile in a few clicks.

To stay on top of your overall budget, also read our guide on the Swiss median salary 2026 and the dossier on family allowances 2026. For domestic stays, see cheap short trip Switzerland, which details hotel and combined-transport deals.

FAQ: Swiss public transport pass

Is the Half-Fare worth it from the first month?

Yes as soon as the total of full-price tickets exceeds about CHF 380 across the year. For someone taking three medium-distance returns, the payback is immediate.

Can I share my GA with my spouse?

No. The GA is nominative and includes a photo. However, the family tariff (CHF 2'600 per adult member with one full-price GA in the household) reduces the combined cost.

Does the GA cover mountain cableways?

Not systematically. The GA gives free access to about one hundred cableways (Saas-Fee, Pilatus, Rigi, etc.) and 50% off more than 200 others. The full list is on the SwissPass website.

How do I cancel the GA or Half-Fare?

The monthly GA can be cancelled by the end of the current month. The annual GA is generally not refundable. The annual Half-Fare remains valid until expiry, with no early refund.

What documents must I show to the conductor?

The SwissPass app and a photo ID. For physical passes, the SwissPass card and an ID or passport.

Will SBB prices rise in December 2026?

SBB has not announced any general increase for the December 2026 timetable change. The last increase dates from December 2024 (+3.7% on average). Verify in the SBB tariff communique in autumn 2026.

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Data: official SBB tariffs, Alliance SwissPass, Federal Office of Transport (FOT/BAV). Data: May 2026. Verify prices on sbb.ch before purchase.