Swiss Half Fare Card

For a limited time, when you book a Swiss Travel Pass in First Class, you’ll receive up to 2 bonus days of travel free of charge.

An extra day isn’t just a number on a ticket. It’s another sunrise in the Alps, another city to wander, another chance to stretch the journey.

• 4 days become 5

• 8 days become 10

• Price stays the same

Valid for trips starting 1 October 2025 – 31 March 2026. Promo ends 30 November 2025.

🚆 Why the Swiss Travel Pass?

One pass, endless doors opening.

• Unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats all over the country

• Free entry to 500+ museums

• Local transport in 90+ towns and cities

• Discounts on mountain railways (Rigi free, Jungfraujoch reduced)

• Free Swiss Family Card for children under 16

✨ The art of traveling First Class

Enjoy all the benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass, plus the comfort and exclusivity of 1st Class:

• Fewer seats per carriage = more privacy and calm

• Wider seats, extra legroom, generous luggage space

• Attentive staff and optional at-seat catering

• Convenient power outlets & Wi-Fi in many coaches

• Dedicated quiet-zone cars for tranquillity

🧳 Flexible & worry-free

• Buy now, travel up to 6 months later

• Refund free of charge until one day before validity

🎟 How to get your bonus days

• Buy a 4-day Swiss Travel Pass in 1st Class → Travel for 5 days

• Buy an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass in 1st Class → Travel for 10 days

👉 Book now by clicking 'Passes' on the booking widget on this page to unlock Switzerland with extra days on us.

If you're planning a longer Swiss adventure and want your travel budget to go further, the Swiss Half Fare Card, sometimes known as the half fare travelcard, could be your best friend. Ideal for travellers who plan to stay in Switzerland for up to a month, this card gives you a great 50% discount on most public transport across the country. It’s the smart, flexible way to explore Switzerland’s stunning landscapes without being tied to a fixed travel schedule.

Key benefits of the Swiss Half Fare Card

• Travel for half price: Enjoy tickets for trains, buses, boats and most mountain railways throughout Switzerland for 50% off the standard fare.

• Month-long validity: The card is valid for a full month from your chosen start date, giving you plenty of time to explore at your own pace.

• Total flexibility: Buy discounted Swiss train tickets as you go. You’re not limited to consecutive travel days, making it perfect for longer stays in one place.

• Family-friendly travel: Children aged 6 to 15 travel for free when accompanied by a parent holding a Swiss Half Fare Card and a free Swiss Family Card.

Train, bus & boat travel

Your Swiss Half Fare Card unlocks 50% savings on the entire GA (Generalabonnement) area network. Think of the GA area as your key to almost all of Switzerland’s public transport system. This includes SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) trains, most private railway lines, postbuses, and boats on Switzerland’s beautiful lakes. Simply buy a ticket for your chosen route, apply the half-fare discount, and you’re ready to go.

Mountain excursions

Many of Switzerland’s famous mountain railways and cable cars are included, allowing you to purchase tickets for half price. This means you can ascend breathtaking peaks like Mount Titlis or Mount Pilatus, making those unforgettable alpine views even more rewarding.

Museums & attractions

The Swiss Half Fare Card is designed specifically to save you money on transport. While it doesn’t include free entry to museums like the Swiss Travel Pass, the savings you make on getting to these attractions will leave you with more to spend on tickets and souvenirs.

This pass is the perfect choice for:

• Longer stays: Travellers spending a week, a month, or more in Switzerland.

• The 'Home Base' explorer: Anyone planning to stay in one town or region and take multiple day trips.

• Budget-conscious travellers: If you want maximum flexibility without committing to a more expensive all-inclusive pass.

Swiss Half Fare Card vs. Swiss Travel Pass

• Swiss Half Fare Card: You get a 50% discount on the tickets you purchase for a whole month. It’s best for longer trips or if you plan to stay in one area and take occasional day trips.

• Swiss Travel Pass: Offers unlimited travel on consecutive (or flexible) days, with no need to buy extra tickets for most journeys. It’s ideal for shorter, more intensive trips where you’ll be travelling nearly every day.

Swiss Half Fare Card vs. Saver Day Pass

These passes serve very different needs:

• Swiss Half Fare Card: A month-long discount card that gives you 50% off every journey.

• Saver Day Pass: A ticket for a single day of unlimited travel within the GA area. It’s great for a one-day travel blitz, but for a longer trip with multiple travel days, the Swiss Half Fare Card almost always offers better value.

Purchasing your Swiss Half Fare Card

Purchasing your Swiss Half Fare Card with Rail Europe is simple and quick:

• Select the number of travellers. If you have children aged 6 to 15, add them to get the free Swiss Family Card.

• Choose the Swiss Half Fare Card from the list of available passes.

• Confirm your selection and enter your payment details. Your pass will be sent directly to your inbox, ready for your trip.

Activating and using your Swiss Half Fare Card

Your pass is pre-validated for the start date you choose. Using it is easy:

• When you’re ready to travel, purchase your discounted ticket online or via an app before you travel.

• Make sure to select the ‘Half Fare’ or ‘50% off’ discount option when purchasing.

• Board your train, bus, or boat. When your Swiss train tickets are checked, simply show your Swiss Half Fare Card along with your discounted ticket. It’s a good idea to keep a valid ID with you, as it may be checked along with your pass and ticket.

A note on cancellations and seat reservations

• Cancellations and Refunds: The Swiss Half Fare Card is generally refundable up to one day before its start date. For full details, it's always best to check the specific fare conditions at the time of booking.

• Seat Reservations: For most train journeys in Switzerland, you don't need a seat reservation. However, for popular panoramic trains like the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and GoldenPass Express, reservations are mandatory and must be booked in advance for an additional fee.

The half fare travelcard shines when you plan to settle into a region and explore from a home base. Imagine you’re staying in Interlaken for two weeks. You might not travel every day, but you want the freedom to explore. On Monday, you could take a boat trip on Lake Thun. A few days later, you might ride the train to the scenic Lauterbrunnen Valley. Later in the week, a bus trip to a nearby village is a great option. With the Swiss Half Fare Card, you just buy a 50% discounted ticket for each of these journeys, saving money without the pressure of a fixed itinerary.

Tips for using your pass

• Always select the discount: When buying your tickets at a machine or online, be sure to actively select the "Half Fare" option. It’s an easy step to miss if you’re in a hurry.

• Keep your documents together: Always carry your Swiss Half Fare Card with you when you travel, as you’ll need to show it alongside your discounted ticket. It's also wise to have a form of ID with you.

• Reservations for scenic trains: Remember that for premium panoramic trains like the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, a seat reservation is mandatory and is a separate cost not covered by the half-price discount on the ticket fare.