Swiss Travel Pass vs Half Fare Card – Which One Truly Saves You More?

What is the Swiss Travel Pass?

The most popular pass for travellers planning to spend one to two weeks in Switzerland is the Swiss Travel Pass . It allows you to travel without the hassle of having to purchase tickets per segment on the go and without the fear of being penalised for hopping onto the wrong train (which may not be unlikely)

Benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass:

● Unlimited travel on all modes of public transport

● Free rides on panoramic trains like Glacier Express, Bernina Express, etc (seat reservations need to be paid for, however)

● Free entrance to over 500 museums

● Substantial discounts on most mountain railways

● Great family benefits with kids under 16 travel free

Classes

1st and 2nd class

Duration

3,4,6,8, and 15 days that are used either consecutively or non-consecutively (Flexi pass) within a period of 1 month.

How to use the Swiss Travel Pass

Once you have purchased the pass, simply hop on the trains or buses and flash the card when asked by the ticket checker.

For mountain excursions, present your pass at the ticket counter to receive the applicable discount, or show your pass along with your pre-purchased mountain excursion ticket/voucher.

Swiss Travel Pass

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What is the Half Fare Card?

The Half Fare Card is a good option for those who want to stay in the country for a little longer (over two weeks) and enjoy more flexibility with their time.

Benefits of the Half-Fare Card

50% discount on all public transport

50% discount on mountain excursions, including Jungfraujoch

Great family benefits with kids under 16 travel free

Classes

1st and 2nd class

Duration

One month

How to use the Swiss Half Fare Card

Once you have purchased the Swiss Half Fare Card, you must purchase individual tickets for each journey. Keep in mind that the earlier you buy them, the better your chances of getting lower fares.

So…which pass should you choose?

Now that we have the basics, how do we choose our pass? Who should choose the Swiss Travel Pass, and who should choose the Half Fare Card?

When does the Swiss Travel Pass shine for you?

If you are traveling intensively for a short duration and, like any tourist (including myself), want to cram in as much as you can.

When you want total flexibility and the convenience of not having to purchase tickets on the go.If you want to ride the scenic trains, such as the Bernina Express or the Glacier Express.

If you are a fan of museums (and Switzerland has many great ones to explore).

If you don’t want the hassle of planning a specific train for each journey, and prefer to play it by ear. When you don't want to worry about hopping onto the wrong train and having to repurchase a ticket for the correct one.

When you are the spontaneous type and will make a quick decision to visit, say, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Paradise or take a ride on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express on a day that you have kept free to relax.

When is the Half Fare Card the better choice?

When you are willing to do a bit of math, plan well in advance, and pre-purchase tickets for every journey. When you have a stay that exceeds 15 days, which is the maximum duration of the Swiss Travel Pass.

When your plans are fluid. If you haven't made a detailed plan and are unsure if the Swiss Travel Pass is worth the investment.

When Jungfraujoch is a definite inclusion, the Half Fare Card gives a 50% discount on the Jungfraujoch (versus the Swiss Travel Pass, which offers a 25% discount).

Jungfraujoch

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Families and groups, solo travellers and couples. Which one?

Well, this is an entirely personal choice.

For families, although both the Swiss Travel Pass and the Half Fare Card offer the same family benefits, the Swiss Travel Pass is the better choice for large families or groups.

This is simply because of the convenience and the zero risk if you miss or skip a train due to crowds.

Yes, it may be a tad more expensive, especially if you don't need to travel daily. Still, it makes up for this in convenience, flexibility, and value-added features, such as complimentary museum entrances.

For solo travellers and couples, if the daily program is well-planned in advance and you are willing to spend time searching for good deals and booking specific trains, the Swiss Half Fare Card will likely be a slightly cheaper option.

Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card Prices by Duration

Let's have a look at the prices before proceeding to see how they work for us

With these pass costs in mind, let's examine two short itineraries to see how we can make the most of them.

Swiss Travel Pass versus Half Fare Card: Sample itineraries and costs

Let's take a fast-paced 4 night/5 day program (in fact, this was my very first program in Switzerland before getting hooked and coming back for longer ones year on year 😀)

Day 1: Arrive in Zurich and Visit the Rhine Falls

Day 2: Travel to Lucerne and visit Mount Titlis

Day 3: Travel to Interlaken and visit Jungfraujoch

Day 4: Free to explore Interlaken and visit Harder Kulm

Day 5: Travel to Zurich airport

In this case, the Half Fare Card is the right choice and is around 17% cheaper.

Now, let's take a 2-night/3-day program specifically to cover the Glacier Express journey.

Day 1: Arrive in Geneva and travel to Zermatt

Day 2: Glacier Express to St Moritz

Day 3: St Moritz to Zurich

In this case, the Swiss Travel Pass is the winner, offering a lower price of around 11 percent.

Costs for these two itineraries are in Swiss Francs, valid for travel in October 2025, and based on purchasing segment tickets with the Half Fare Card approximately 3 weeks in advance.

So, as we can see from these two programs, the pass that you should choose will depend on a couple of things -

-Places, mountain excursions, and panoramic trains in Switzerland that you want to include.

-How far in advance do you purchase the sector tickets? The earlier you buy them, the lower the prices (if you are prepared to commit to specific trains).

Can we combine the Swiss Travel Pass and the Half Fare Card?

For most itineraries, either one of the passes will cover most of what you want to do. However, if you plan on an extended stay (around 1 month or more), then combining the two passes can make sense.

With a combination of the two, you can use the Swiss Travel Pass or the Flex version on days that you are doing scenic trains and museums, and use the Half Fare Card for other days. Consider combining the Swiss Travel Pass with another regional pass if you plan to travel extensively within a particular region.

These details have helped you move closer to finding the ideal pass. With a bit of thought and planning, you’re sure to find the perfect travel companion to carry you seamlessly through the white Alps, emerald lakes, and clear blue Swiss sky!