Moving to Switzerland and trying to make sense of the public transport system? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Swiss public transport is one of the best in the world, and SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) offers a variety of tickets and passes to suit everyone’s needs. In this guide, we’ll break down the most popular options—GA Travelcard, Halbtax, Saver Day Pass, and more—so you can choose the one that fits your lifestyle.
Visiting Switzerland? Don’t miss my other article tailored specifically for tourists.
🎫 GA Travelcard: Unlimited Travel, Zero Worries
The GA Travelcard (General Abonnement) is the gold standard for anyone frequently on the go in Switzerland. This pass gives you unlimited access to the Swiss public transport network, including trains, trams, buses, boats, and even some cable cars – check out the map for more detail. It’s perfect for people who explore different cities, commute daily, or just want total freedom without worrying about individual tickets.
How Much Does It Cost?
The GA comes in two travel classes—1st and 2nd—and prices vary based on age, some example prices:
- Adults (2nd class): CHF 355/month or CHF 3995/year
- Adults (1st class): CHF 565/month or CHF 6520/year
- Young adults (age 16-25, 2nd class): Starting from CHF 260/month or CHF 2780/year
You can pay monthly, but note that it requires at least a six-month commitment. While the GA is an investment, it’s a great deal for frequent travelers.
Why Choose the GA Travelcard?
- Spontaneous Trips: Want to hop on a train to Geneva one day and take a boat across Lake Lucerne the next? The GA makes it easy.
- No Hidden Costs: There’s no need to calculate fares or buy tickets for individual trips.
However, if your travel is irregular or limited to specific regions, other options like the Halbtax might be more economical.
To learn even more details, visit the official website.
🎫 1-month GA Travelcard: A Tourist’s Best Friend
While the standard GA is an at least 6-months commintment, Switzerland also offers a 1-month GA travelcard, perfect for exploring the country extensively during your visit. This travelcard allows you unlimited travel on the entire Swiss public transport network, including trains, trams, buses, boats, and even some cable cars just like the GA – check out the map for more detail.
How Much Does It Cost?
The GA comes in two travel classes—1st and 2nd—and prices vary based on age, some example prices:
- Adults (2nd class): CHF 440/month
- Adults (1st class): CHF 695/month
- Young adults (age 16-25, 2nd class): CHF 695/month
Why Choose the 1-month GA Travelcard?
- Travel Frequency: If you plan on doing a lot of day trips and exploring different cities and regions, the GA can be cost-effective compared to buying individual tickets for each journey.
- Length of Stay: A 1-month GA is ideal for month-long stays. If your visit is shorter, consider point-to-point tickets or regional passes depending on your itinerary.
Overall, the 1-month GA travelcard offers a convenient and potentially cost-effective way for visitors to explore Switzerland’s extensive public transport network and discover the beauty of the country at their own pace.
To learn even more details, visit the official website.
🧾 Halbtax: Half-Price Travel for Everyday Adventures
The Halbtax (Half-Fare Travelcard) is a budget-friendly alternative for those who don’t need unlimited travel but still want to save big on fares. With Halbtax, you get up to 50% discount on most public transport, including trains, trams, buses, and even mountain railways.
Who Is It For?
- Residents who travel occasionally but not daily.
- Individuals who explore Switzerland’s famous tourist destinations, like the Jungfrau region or the Glacier Express.
How Much Does It Cost?
An annual Halbtax costs CHF 190 (adults) if purchased online, making it significantly cheaper than the GA. While you still need to buy individual tickets, the discounts add up quickly for regular travelers.
When to Pick Halbtax Over GA?
If you don’t need unlimited travel but still want to explore Switzerland’s extensive network at a discounted rate, the Halbtax is a no-brainer. It’s particularly useful for residents who know their travel plans in advance and prefer buying tickets as needed.
To learn even more details, visit the official website.
✨ Half Fare Travelcard Plus: Supercharge Your Half-Fare Travel
The Halbtax Plus is stand-alone product, it can be combined with the Halbtax to extend its benefits, but you do not have to have it. In addition to the standard 50% discount on most public transport fares if you have Half Fare Travelcard, Plus offers preloaded credit for discounted ticket purchases:
How Much Does It Cost?
The Half Fare Plus comes with varying costs depending on the pre-loaded credit amount:
- Load CHF 800 to get CHF 1000 (20% discount).
- Load CHF 1500 to get CHF 2000 (25% discount).
- Load CHF 2100 to get CHF 3000 (30% discount).
When Choose Halbtax Plus?
It’s worthwhile if you’re a frequent traveler and spend over CHF 1000 annually on transport.
However, keep in mind that you cannot use the credit for buying tickets to others only to yourself, and it is not valid on Special Offers such as Snow’n’Rail and the Municipalty Day Passes.
To learn even more details, visit the official website.
🌄 Saver Day Pass: Explore Switzerland for Less
Do you need unlimited travel for just one day? The Saver Day Pass is your go-to option. It lets you travel all day on the entire Swiss public transport network just like the GA, including some cable cars, making it ideal for day trips or spontaneous adventures. Check out the map for more detail.
What Does It Cost?
The earlier you book, the cheaper it gets! Prices start from:
- CHF 29 (2nd class) with a Halbtax
- CHF 52 (2nd class) without a Halbtax
You can combine these with the HalbTax Plus so you can snap an extra 20% to 30% on that price.
Why It’s a Winner
- Flexibility: You don’t need to commit to a long-term pass.
- Budget-Friendly: Perfect for occasional trips without breaking the bank.
However, since the Saver Day Pass is subject to availability, it’s a good idea to book it in advance, especially during peak seasons.
🏡 Gemeindetageskarte: Budget Travel from Your Municipality
The Gemeindetageskarte (Municipal Day Pass) offers unlimited travel within Switzerland at a discounted rate. These passes are offered by local municipalities and are a great alternative to the Saver Day Pass, check which is cheaper as they provide the same access to the network.
How It Works
You can see availabity on the website. The prices start depend on the day you buy it and if you have HalbTax or not.
- More than 10 days in advance: CHF 39 (2nd class) with Halbtax, CHF 52 without Halbtax.
- Less than 10 days in advance: CHF 59 (2nd class) with Halbtax, CHF 88 without Halbtax.
However, since the Saver Day Pass is subject to availability, it’s a good idea to book it in advance, especially during peak seasons.
Why It’s Worth Considering?
Check if it is cheaper than the Saver Day Pass, it can be interesting especially for people without HalbTax considering to book a date around 2-3 weeks before the travel and Saver Day Pass will be generraly more expensive by that time.
However, you will have to go one of the participating city’s municipal office to pick up the ticket personally in the opening time.
📣 Conclusion: Which Ticket Is Right for You?
Whether you’re a daily commuter or an occasional adventurer, Switzerland’s SBB ticketing system has something for everyone. The GA Travelcard is perfect for unlimited travel, while the Halbtax offers flexibility and savings. For day trips, consider the Saver Day Pass or Gemeindetageskarte. With so many options, you’re bound to find the right fit for your travel style and budget!
❓ FAQ About SBB
Where Can I Download the SBB App?
You can download the SBB app for free:
Can I Switch Between 1st and 2nd Class With my Ticket?
Yes! You can upgrade from 2nd to 1st class by paying the fare difference for a specific journey. This is useful for longer trips where you want to enjoy added comfort or in busy routes when 2nd class tend to get full.
Is It Possible to Cancel a GA or Halbtax?
Cancellation policies differ:
- GA Travelcard: Requires a six-month minimum commitment, but cancellations after this period are possible with notice.
- Halbtax: Non-refundable after purchase, and auto-renews. The cancellation must be made at least one month before the annual automatic renewal. You will receive a reminder of the cancellation deadline together with your annual invoice.
You will need to log in to your account and select “Cancellation information” under the “Travelcard” tab. From there, you can select “Send cancellation” and follow the instructions.
Can I Take an Earlier Train?
This depends on your ticket type:
- Standard and Point-to-Point Tickets: These are generally valid for travel anytime on the selected day and route, giving you the flexibility to take an earlier train.
- Saver Offers (Supersaver Tickets, Saver Day Passes, etc.): These are restricted to specific trains and times. You cannot take an earlier train with these tickets.
If your ticket includes a seat reservation, it will only apply to the specific train you booked. To check your ticket’s validity, open the SBB app and review the ticket details.
Are SBB Tickets Flexible?
The flexibility of your ticket depends on the type of ticket you purchased. Standard fare tickets offer more flexibility and can often be used throughout the day on your chosen route. Saver tickets, however, are tied to specific times and trains. For clarity, refer to your ticket details in the SBB app.
Are SBB Tickets Refundable?
The refund policy for SBB tickets depends on how the ticket was purchased and the type of ticket:
- Standard Fare Tickets: If you purchased while logged into your SBB account, you can refund or exchange your ticket for free before the validity period begins. For guest purchases (not logged in), refund options are limited and depend on whether the ticket has been used.
- Saver Offers (Supersaver Tickets, Saver Day Passes, etc.): Saver tickets generally cannot be refunded or exchanged. However, if purchased while logged in, they can be refunded or exchanged for free within 30 minutes of purchase. For guest purchases, refunds are usually restricted and require proof of non-use in specific cases.
- Non-Usage Refunds: If you can prove that a ticket hasn’t been used, you might be eligible for a refund even after the validity period, subject to a CHF 10 fee.
For detailed information and to initiate a refund, visit the SBB refund page or contact SBB customer service.
How Do I Refund a Ticket?
Refunds can be initiated either via the app or website:
- SBB Mobile App:
- Open the “Tickets & Travelcards” tab.
- Select the ticket under “Valid.”
- Tap the three-dot menu and choose “Refund ticket.”
- Follow the steps to process your refund.
- Website:
- Go to the Orders section of your profile.
- Select the ticket and click “Refund.”
- Confirm the details and issue the refund.
For guest purchases (not logged in), you must use the refund form on the SBB website. Saver tickets are refundable only up to 30 minutes after purchase, and free refunds aren’t available for guest purchases.
How do I Reserve a Seat?
Seat reservations in Switzerland are optional for most trains, except panoramic trains. You can reserve seats in the following ways:
- Online or Mobile App:
- Open the SBB Mobile app or visit SBB.ch.
- Select your route, travel date, and time.
- Choose “Seat reservation only” during the booking process and complete your purchase.
- Phone: Call the SBB Contact Center (note that fees may apply depending on your location).
- In Person: Visit a ticket counter at a major train station.
- Travel Agents: If your ticket was purchased through a travel agency, they may assist with seat reservations.
Seat reservations cost CHF 5 for most regular trains, while panoramic train reservations are priced higher, ranging from CHF 12 to CHF 49 depending on the train.
How Much Are Panoramic Train Seat Reservations?
Seat reservation costs vary by train:
- Glacier Express: CHF 44–49
- Bernina Express: CHF 20–36
- Gotthard Panorama Express: CHF 16 (includes a surcharge)
- Golden Pass Express: CHF 20 (optional)
- Lucerne-Interlaken Express: CHF 12–16 (optional)
How Can I Pay for Tickets?
SBB offers multiple payment options:
- By Invoice: Monthly billing for certain purchases (excluding travel cards and international tickets).
- By Credit Card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express Switzerland, and Diners Club are accepted.
- By Debit Card: PostFinance Card, Debit Mastercard, Visa Debit, and Reka Card are accepted. Note that debit cards from other providers may not be accepted.
What Does SBB Stand For?
SBB stands for Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (Swiss Federal Railways). It is also known as CFF (Chemins de Fers Fédéraux Suisses) in French and FFS (Ferrovie Federali Svizzere) in Italian.
Where is the SBB Station in Zurich Airport?
The SBB train station is located directly beneath the Airport Centre, under Terminal B. Follow the signs for the train station within the airport.
How to Reach SBB Trains from Basel Airport?
Basel EuroAirport is not directly connected to the railway system, but you can access nearby train stations:
- To Basel Central Station (Basel SBB): Take Bus No. 50, which connects the airport to Basel SBB station.
- To France (Mulhouse, Colmar, Strasbourg): Take the Distribus Shuttle No. 11 to Saint-Louis train station, then transfer to a train.
Timetables and additional information can be found on the BVB website or the TER Fluo website (for French train connections).
SBB vs. ZVV: What’s the Difference?
- SBB (Swiss Federal Railways): Operates trains across Switzerland, offering tickets for specific routes and a variety of ticket options.
- ZVV (Zurich Public Transport): Operates regionally within the Zurich area, using a zone-based ticketing system that covers trains, buses, trams, and boats.
If you’re traveling locally in Zurich, use a ZVV ticket. For intercity travel, opt for an SBB ticket. Both systems can be managed using the SBB Mobile app.
