GA, Half Fare or tickets?
Most people in Switzerland travel with a Half Fare travelcard or a GA. Enter your commute and your other trips at full fare: the tool shows which card costs you the least, and from how much travel per year each one pays off.
Yearly cost by amount of travel
Each line shows what a year costs with one option, for any amount of travel. The solid vertical line marks your travel.
Your options
| Option | Card | Tickets | Total per year | Compared with the cheapest |
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How it works
- Prices from Alliance SwissPass and SBB. New prices apply from 13 December 2026, about 3.6% higher on average. Before that, the prices from December 2023 apply.
- Half Fare gives 50% off almost all trains, buses, trams and boats in Switzerland. On some short trips and special offers the discount is smaller.
- Half Fare PLUS: you pay for example CHF 2,100 and get CHF 3,000 of credit for Half Fare tickets, valid one year. Money you did not use is paid back, the bonus expires. The tool picks the best package for you, or none.
- The GA covers almost all public transport in Switzerland. Paid every month it costs a bit more, with a minimum of 6 months.
- Not included: local network passes (for example ZVV or Unireso), often the cheapest choice if you only travel inside one region, and Supersaver tickets, which lower your costs further with Half Fare.
Questions and answers
How much does the GA travelcard cost?
For adults, a 2nd class GA costs CHF 3’995 a year, and CHF 4’095 from 13 December 2026. In 1st class it costs CHF 6’520, and CHF 6’770 from 13 December 2026. You can also pay monthly, with a contract of at least 6 months.
When does the GA pay off compared with the Half Fare travelcard?
With the Half Fare travelcard you pay half price. From 13 December 2026 the 2nd class GA costs CHF 3’900 more than the Half Fare travelcard, so it pays off when your trips would cost more than about CHF 7’800 a year at full price.
What is the Half Fare PLUS?
A prepaid credit for trips at Half Fare prices: you pay CHF 800 and get CHF 1’000, CHF 1’500 for 2’000 or CHF 2’100 for 3’000. You need a Half Fare travelcard as well, and the credit is valid for one year.