Swiss Half Fare Card Guide: Benefits & Alternatives

By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 20 February 2026 | Updated: 20th February 2026

If you are planning on a trip to Switzerland, then you know it isn’t the cheapest place to visit, and public transport is no exception. That being said, there are ways to make it cheaper, one of which is the Swiss Half Fare Card. Having lived in Switzerland for a little while now, we get a resident’s version of the Half Fare Card called the Half Fare Travelcard every year, as it saves so much on transportation costs (after only a couple of trips, you can easily make your money back and then some!).

So here is our guide to the Half Fare Card, what it is, how to use it and where to get it.

What is the Swiss Half Fare Card?

The Swiss Half Fare Card is what is says, a public transport card for Switzerland that gives you up to a 50% discount on the cost of your transport. It is worth noting that not all locations give a discount, those that are locally run and not on the SBB network will require a full price payment and others may offer different discounts.

Can tourists buy a half-fare card in Switzerland? / Is the Half Fare Card in Switzerland for tourists?

Yes tourists can buy a Swiss Half Fare Card, (you can only get it if you are a permanent resident outside of Switzerland or Liechtenstein), and it can be very beneficial in comparison to the Swiss Travel Pass depending on where you plan on visiting.

How much is the Half Fare Card?

The Half Fare Card costs CHF 150 and is valid for one month. If you have children ages between 6 and 16 you can add them to your card and you will get a free Swiss Family Card for each child.

Where to buy the Swiss Half Fare Card

How to use the Switzerland Half Fare Card

The easiest way to use the Half Fare Card is to load it onto the SBB Mobile App, so each ticket you purchase gets automatically discounted. It doesn’t need any other kind of activation; it’ll be activated when you first use it. If you are purchasing mountain transport tickets, or any tickets at the point of sale, (which is sometimes much easier!), then simply show your Half Fare Card to get the discount. You may also need to show proof of residence outside Switzerland, so make sure to always have your passport on you as well.

The benefits of getting a Swiss Half Fare Card

📍Up to 50% off public transport throughout the country.

📍The Half Fare Card can be used all year, so no waiting for summer or winter passes.

📍You get a free Swiss Family Card for any accompanying children under the age of 16.

📍You can purchase the Half Fare Card at any train station, on the SBB Mobile App or online here.

📍Valid for one month!

Is the Swiss Half Fare Card worth it for your trip?

City Trip Only

Don’t bother buying any kind of train pass – Instead use the local city or guest card that allows you free public transport throughout the city during your stay. All of these cities off this card: Bern, Basel, Chur, Lausanne, Lucerne, Ticino – the whole canton and Zurich*

*If staying in Zurich, and your accommodation doesn’t provide the Zurich Card, then we recommend purchasing one for 24 or 72 hours.

If staying in Geneva it is worth purchasing the Geneva City Pass for 24, 28 or 72 hours, which will then give you free public transport and free or discounted admission to attractions.

For travelling between cities get individual tickets as you go OR utilise the Saver Day Pass depending on which is cheaper when you book.

Zurich – 1 to 3 days

🎫 If zero excursions and staying in the city only – Do not buy a train pass, use the Zurich Card instead.

🎫 If taking excursions along Lake Zurich or to nearby locations – Zurich Card and individual tickets as you go. It is not cheaper to buy any travel pass. The only exception to this is if you do a day trip to Rheinfall, Schaffhausen & Stein am Rhein, then a Saver Day Pass may be cheaper depending on when you book.

Lucerne – 1 to 3 days

🎫 If zero mountain excursions and staying in the city only – Do not buy a train pass, use your Lucerne Guest Card instead.

🎫 If 1 mountain excursion from Lucerne –

Saver Day Pass if one of the following mountains: Klewenalp, Mount Rigi, Stanserhorn or Stoos.

2 Day Lucerne Travel Pass if one of the following mountains: Burgenstock or Mount Pilatus (it is cheaper than buying individual tickets!)

🎫 If 2 to 3+ mountain excursions from Lucerne – 3 Day Lucerne Travel Pass.

Jungfrau Region – Interlaken, Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen

🎫 1 to 3 days – Swiss Half Fare Card and pay reduced rates for any mountain excursions.

🎫 3 to 8 days – Jungfrau Travel Pass (available from 3 up to 8 days so pick which one is best for you).

🎫 Over 8 days – 8 Day Jungfrau Travel Pass AND the Swiss Half Fare Card just be sure to use your Jungfrau Travel Pass over 8 consecutive days, and for days you want to experience mountains included in the pass otherwise you will have to buy them at reduced rates with the Half Fare Card instead.

Zermatt – 1 to 3 days

🎫 Cheapest option: Individual tickets plus the Swiss Half Fare Card 🎫

🎫 More expensive but more convenient option: Zermatt Peak Pass plus the Swiss Half Fare Card 🎫

Lucerne & Jungfrau Region – 1 to 3 days in Lucerne plus 3 to 5 days in the Jungfrau Region

🎫 Lucerne Travel Pass plus Jungfrau Travel Pass 🎫

1 to 3 days in Lucerne – 2 or 3 Day Lucerne Travel Pass – depending on what mountain excursions (if any) you choose.

Travel between Lucerne & the Jungfrau Region – Lucerne Tell Pass includes travel to Interlaken Ost where your Jungfrau Travel Pass can then take over.

3 to 5 days in the Jungfrau Region – 3, 4 or 5 Day Jungfrau Travel Pass (depending on your number of preferred days in the area).

Zermatt & Jungfrau Region – 1 to 3 days in Zermatt plus 3 to 5 days in the Jungfrau Region

🎫 Swiss Half Fare Card plus Jungfrau Travel Pass 🎫

1 to 3 days in Zermatt – Individual tickets plus the Swiss Half Fare Card

Travel between Zermatt & the Jungfrau Region – Swiss Half Fare Card plus individual ticket OR Saver Day Pass depending on which is cheaper when you book.

3 to 5 days in the Jungfrau Region – 3, 4 or 5 Day Jungfrau Travel Pass (depending on your number of preferred days in the area).

Lucerne, Jungfrau Region & Zermatt – 1 to 3 days in Lucerne plus 3 to 5 days in the Jungfrau Region plus 1 to 3 days in Zermatt

🎫 Lucerne Travel Pass plus Jungfrau Travel Pass plus Swiss Half Fare Card 🎫

1 to 3 days in Lucerne – 2 or 3 Day Lucerne Travel Pass – depending on what mountain excursions (if any) you choose.

Travel between Lucerne & the Jungfrau Region – Lucerne Tell Pass includes travel to Interlaken Ost where your Jungfrau Travel Pass can then take over.

3 to 5 days in the Jungfrau Region – 3, 4 or 5 Day Jungfrau Travel Pass (depending on your number of preferred days in the area).

Travel between Zermatt & the Jungfrau Region – Swiss Half Fare Card plus individual ticket OR Saver Day Pass depending on which is cheaper when you book.

1 to 3 days in Zermatt – Individual tickets plus the Swiss Half Fare Card

Full Switzerland – 10+ days throughout Switzerland

🎫 Cheapest option: Individual tickets plus the Swiss Half Fare Card & Saver Day Passes

🎫 More expensive but more convenient option: Swiss Travel Pass OR Swiss Travel Pass Flex depending on your length of stay and how many days you will be travelling.

Alternatives to the Swiss Half Fare Card

Switzerland Half Fare Card FAQs

Is it worth getting a Swiss Half Fare Card? Which is better, Half Fare Card or Swiss Pass?

This is very much dependent on where you plan on visiting during your time in Switzerland, and how long you plan on staying in Switzerland as well. If you plan to visit for up to 1month then the Half Fare Card is a great option, if you plan on visiting for less time then the Swiss Travel Pass may be better for you. Check out our Swiss Travel Pass Guide for more information.

Conclusion: Switzerland Half Fare Card

So there is our guide to the Switzerland Half Fare Card, when it is best to get it for your trip and how to use it to it’s full advantage. We use it every trip we take, be it a short 30 minute trip or a longer 3 hour trip and with the savings we make each time we could not be happier!

Gemma Tedaldi

Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.