⚡ TL;DR
- Swiss Travel Pass (from CHF 254/3 days): Unlimited rides + free museums + 50% off mountains
- Half Fare Card (CHF 150/1 month): 50% off all transport + 50% off mountains
- 2-3+ train rides per day → Travel Pass
- Occasional trains or just a few attractions → Half Fare Card
- Under 3 days → Half Fare Card is almost always cheaper
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Travel Pass | Half Fare Card |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Price (2nd class) | CHF 254–499 | CHF 150 |
| Validity | 3/4/6/8/15 days | 1 month |
| Trains/buses/boats | Free unlimited | 50% off |
| City transport | Free in 90+ cities | 50% off |
| Museums | 500+ free | Not included |
| Mountain railways | 50% off | 50% off |
| Glacier Express | Free (reservation needed) | 50% off |
| Bernina Express | Free (reservation needed) | 50% off |
| Eligibility | Foreign tourists | Foreign tourists |
| Mobile use | Yes (PDF QR code) | Yes |
2026 Prices in Detail
Sources: sbb.ch, myswissalps.com (Feb 2026)
Swiss Travel Pass
| Duration | 2nd Class | 1st Class | Per Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | CHF 254 | CHF 405 | CHF 85 |
| 4 days | CHF 309 | CHF 492 | CHF 77 |
| 6 days | CHF 399 | CHF 634 | CHF 67 |
| 8 days | CHF 439 | CHF 697 | CHF 55 |
| 15 days | CHF 499 | CHF 787 | CHF 33 |
Under 25: 30% Youth discount. Flex version (choose travel days) also available.
Swiss Half Fare Card
CHF 150 (2026 price, up from CHF 120) — Valid 1 month. 50% off all trains, buses, boats. Most mountain railways also 50% off.
Mountain Railway Discounts
| Attraction | Travel Pass | Half Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Jungfraujoch | 50% off | 50% off |
| Schilthorn | 50% off | 50% off |
| Mount Pilatus | 50% off | 50% off |
| Mount Titlis | 50% off | 50% off |
| Mount Rigi | Free | 50% off |
| Stanserhorn | Free | 50% off |
| Stoos | Free | 50% off |
| Glacier Express | Free (seat res. extra) | 50% off |
| Bernina Express | Free (seat res. extra) | 50% off |
| GoldenPass Express | Free (seat res. extra) | 50% off |
Decision Guide
Choose Swiss Travel Pass if:
- Staying in Switzerland 4+ days
- Traveling to different cities every day
- Want free museum entry
- Planning scenic train rides (Glacier Express, etc.)
- Under 25 (30% Youth discount makes it much cheaper)
Choose Half Fare Card if:
- In Switzerland for 1-3 days
- Not traveling by train every day
- Visiting just 1-2 mountain attractions
- Based in one city with occasional day trips
- On a tighter budget
Real Scenario Comparisons
Scenario 1: Zurich → Lucerne → Interlaken → Geneva (4 days)
Travel Pass 4 days: CHF 309
Half Fare + tickets: CHF 150 + ~CHF 100 = CHF 250
→ Half Fare Card saves CHF 59 (but Travel Pass includes museums)
Scenario 2: 8-day Swiss loop (Zurich→Bern→Montreux→Zermatt→Lugano→Lucerne)
Travel Pass 8 days: CHF 439
Half Fare + tickets: CHF 150 + ~CHF 280 = CHF 430
→ Nearly equal, but Travel Pass includes free museums + city transport — better deal
Scenario 3: 3 days in Zurich, Jungfraujoch day trip only
Travel Pass 3 days: CHF 254
Half Fare + tickets: CHF 150 + ~CHF 50 = CHF 200
→ Half Fare Card wins clearly
Calculate if you need a Swiss pass
🔍 Calculate Now — FreeFAQ
Can I buy both a Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card?
No need. The Swiss Travel Pass already includes all Half Fare Card benefits plus free train travel. Choose one or the other.
Which is better for mountain railways (Jungfraujoch, etc.)?
Swiss Travel Pass gives 50% off, Half Fare Card also gives 50% (some attractions 25%). If you also train a lot, Travel Pass is better; if just visiting a few mountains, Half Fare Card is enough.
Which is better for a short trip (under 3 days)?
Half Fare Card (CHF 150, valid 1 month). A 3-day Swiss Travel Pass costs CHF 254 — only worth it if you train heavily every day.