Half Fare or GA? Making the most of Switzerland’s public transport system
Switzerland boasts the world’s best public transport system – if you know the right travel passes.
Redaktion swissexpat · 3 July 2026 · 4 min
Punctual, dense, right down to the last mountain village: Switzerland’s public transport is world-class – and with the right season ticket, it’s also affordable.
The big season-ticket question
The Half-Fare travelcard (around CHF 190/year) cuts almost every ticket price in half and already pays off from a few trips per month – for most newcomers it’s the obvious first purchase. The GA (General Season Ticket) becomes worthwhile from roughly CHF 8–9 per day of public-transport use, typically for commuters covering medium distances. In between come regional-network season tickets for towns and conurbations.
Editor’s money-saving tips
- Discount tickets: up to 70% off on certain routes – book early
- Seven25: under 25? After 19:00 almost everywhere for next to nothing
- Luggage, bikes, dogs: check the specific rules and tickets
- Occasional upgrades instead of a 1st-class season ticket
Add up your journeys for a week – the right season ticket will become obvious.
And give the system two weeks: once you’ve experienced a bus waiting for a train, you’ll understand why many here deliberately leave the car at home.
Prices rounded, status July 2026.
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