Swiss Travel Pass vs Half Fare Card 2026
The two most popular Swiss rail options — compared by price, coverage, and real CHF savings. Enter your trip below for an instant personalised answer.
The core difference
Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel — every SBB train, boat, urban tram, and bus — for a fixed consecutive-day period. You also get free museum entry and bigger discounts on mountain excursions (Rigi is fully free; Jungfraujoch is 50% off).
Half Fare Card gives you 50% off every ticket you buy for one month. No unlimited travel — you pay for each journey, just at half price. No museum access, and only 25% off some mountain excursions instead of 50%.
The Half Fare Card (CHF 120) is almost always cheaper for short or slow trips. The Swiss Travel Pass wins when you travel intensively across multiple regions in a short consecutive window.
Full comparison table — 2026
Prices from official SBB publications. Last updated: May 2026. Verify at SBB.ch before booking.
| Feature | Swiss Travel Pass | Half Fare Card |
|---|---|---|
| What you pay upfront | CHF 244–531 (3–15 day) | CHF 120 (1 month) |
| Train travel | Unlimited — all SBB trains, boats, buses | 50% off every ticket you buy |
| Urban transport | Free in 90+ Swiss cities | Not included |
| Museum entry | Free at 500+ Swiss museums | Not included |
| Jungfraujoch | 50% off (~CHF 106 from Interlaken) | 25% off (~CHF 160) |
| Mt. Rigi | 100% free (saves ~CHF 82) | 50% off (~CHF 34) |
| Mt. Titlis | 50% off (~CHF 47) | 50% off (~CHF 47) |
| Glacier Express | Base fare free (+CHF 29–49 reservation) | 50% off base fare |
| Bernina Express | Base fare free (+CHF 14–29 reservation) | 50% off base fare |
| Family Card | Free — children 6–15 travel free | Not available |
| Consecutive days only? | Yes (Flex version = non-consecutive) | No — use anytime in 1 month |
| Who can buy? | Non-Swiss residents only | Anyone, including Swiss residents |
| Best for | 4+ long journeys + excursions in consecutive days | Short trips, slow travel, 1–3 journeys |
Which wins for your type of trip?
Real scenarios with 2026 CHF numbers.
3-day Zürich + Lucerne weekend
1–2 long journeys, 1 day trip. Point-to-point with Half Fare Card: ~CHF 90 for 2 adults. Swiss Travel Pass 3-day: CHF 488. Half Fare Card saves CHF 398.
5-day classic highlights (first-time visitor)
Zürich → Lucerne → Interlaken → Jungfraujoch → Geneva. STP 4-day: CHF 309/person. Point-to-point equivalent: ~CHF 430/person. STP saves ~CHF 120 per person.
Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children, 6 days)
Children travel free with Family Card. STP saves ~CHF 400 vs. buying child tickets individually. Jungfraujoch excursion also 50% off for children.
7-day grand tour with Glacier Express
STP 6-day: CHF 362/person. Covers all trains + Glacier Express base fare + Rigi free + Jungfraujoch 50% off. Typical saving vs. point-to-point: CHF 200–300 per couple.
10-day full Switzerland loop
Zürich → Jungfraujoch → Zermatt → Lugano → Bernina Express → St. Moritz. STP 8-day: CHF 444/person. Saving vs. point-to-point: CHF 350–500 per couple.
How to decide in 30 seconds
Yes → Swiss Travel Pass + free Family Card wins in almost every case.
Fewer than 3 → Half Fare Card. 4 or more in consecutive days → Swiss Travel Pass.
Both → Swiss Travel Pass saves significantly (Rigi free, Jungfraujoch 50% off). One excursion on a short trip → Half Fare Card often still wins.
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Compare Now — freeAlways verify final prices at SBB.ch and MySwitzerland.com before booking.