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The Swiss Half Fare Card is a tourist pass that allows you to purchase half-price tickets for trains, buses, boats, cable cars, and most mountain railways in Switzerland. It is valid for one month and can be purchased by non-residents of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The card can be bought online or at the counter, but can I buy it at Geneva Airport?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Discount | 50% |
| Validity | 1 month |
| Transport covered | Trains, buses, boats, cable cars, trams, gondolas, mountain railways |
| Ticket type | Print@home/eTicket |
| Price (2025) | CHF 120 |
| Price (2026) | CHF 150 |
| Child travel | Children under 6 travel free. Children aged 6-15 travel free if accompanied by a parent with a Swiss Half Fare Card. |
| Additional benefits | Swiss Family Card is free of charge. |
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy the Swiss Half Fare Card at Geneva Airport
The Swiss Half Fare Card gives you a 50% discount on all journeys in Switzerland by train, bus, boat, and most mountain railways. It is valid for one month and can be used to purchase first or second-class tickets. The card is also applicable for panoramic routes, gondolas, and public transport in more than 90 towns and cities.
You can purchase the Swiss Half Fare Card online or at a ticket counter. To buy the card at Geneva Airport, you can visit the Geneva Airport railway station and go to the ticket counter. Present your passport and specify that you would like to purchase the Swiss Half Fare Card. The card will be issued to you directly at the counter.
Alternatively, if you are unable to purchase the card before boarding, you can buy the card on the train from the conductor. Simply inform the conductor that you need to purchase the Swiss Half Fare Card and provide your passport or identification for the transaction.
It is important to note that the Swiss Half Fare Card is different from the SwissPass, which is only available to Swiss nationals. The Swiss Half Fare Card is a tourist pass and cannot be linked to the SBB app. The cost of the Swiss Half Fare Card is CHF 190 per year for adults and CHF 100 per year for youth.
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Benefits of the Swiss Half Fare Card
The Swiss Half Fare Card is a great option for tourists looking to explore Switzerland without breaking the bank. Here are some key benefits of the Swiss Half Fare Card:
Discounted Travel
The Swiss Half Fare Card offers a 50% discount on all forms of public transport in Switzerland, including trains, buses, boats, and mountain railways. This discount applies to both first and second-class tickets, allowing you to choose your preferred class of travel without paying a premium.
Flexibility
The card is valid for one month, giving you the flexibility to explore the country at your own pace. You can purchase tickets for specific journeys as you go, rather than being restricted to a set itinerary. This makes it ideal for travellers who want to make spontaneous plans or take detours during their trip.
Cost Savings
Compared to buying full-fare tickets, the Swiss Half Fare Card can result in significant cost savings. Even with the initial cost of the pass, you can quickly recoup your investment by taking a few long-distance journeys. This makes it a more economical choice than purchasing individual tickets, especially if you plan to explore different regions of Switzerland.
Family Benefits
If you're travelling with your family, the Swiss Half Fare Card offers additional benefits. Accompanying children under 16 can travel for free when you claim a free Swiss Family Card at the time of purchasing your half-fare pass. This makes it an attractive option for families looking to keep their travel costs down.
Wide Coverage
The Swiss Half Fare Card is accepted across more than 90 Swiss cities and towns, ensuring that you can explore a large part of the country at a discounted rate. This wide coverage means you can easily travel between popular destinations and experience the diverse landscapes and attractions that Switzerland has to offer.
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How much does the Swiss Half Fare Card cost?
The Swiss Half Fare Card gives you a 50% discount on all journeys in Switzerland by train, bus, and boat for one month. It also includes panoramic routes, gondolas, and most mountain railways. The card costs CHF 190 per year for adults and CHF 100 per year for youths. The Half Fare Travelcard discount may be less than 50% on short-distance routes because of the minimum price.
The Swiss Half Fare Card can be purchased at the Switzerland Travel Centre. It is also possible to purchase the card online via SBB Online.
The Half Fare Travelcard is also valid for international travel. As a rule, the discounts apply to the Swiss portion of the route.
When buying a Half Fare Travelcard, you take out an indefinite contract. The advantage is that your travel card is automatically renewed when your year-long validity period ends. Your SwissPass card is valid for several years and your Half Fare Travelcard remains activated on the same card.
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How does the Swiss Half Fare Card work?
The Swiss Half Fare Card is a tourist pass that offers a 50% discount on all journeys in Switzerland by train, bus, boat, and most mountain railways. The card is valid for one month and allows you to purchase unlimited half-price tickets for trains, buses, boats, and public transport in more than 90 towns and cities across Switzerland. This includes panoramic routes and gondolas.
The Swiss Half Fare Card is particularly beneficial for families travelling with children. With the free Swiss Family Card, children aged 6 to 15.99 travel for free when accompanied by at least one parent who has a Swiss Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass/Flex. To obtain a Swiss Family Card, simply select the number of children travelling with you during the booking process. It is important to note that the Swiss Family Card is only applicable when a parent and child are travelling together, and it does not extend to other relatives such as grandparents, aunts, or uncles.
To purchase tickets with the Swiss Half Fare Card, you can book directly through SBB Online or present your valid card at the counter to receive the 50% discount. Remember to present your Swiss Half Fare Card along with any additional tickets during inspections.
The Swiss Half Fare Card is different from the Half Fare Travelcard on the SwissPass, which is only available to Swiss nationals. When buying the Half Fare Travelcard, you enter into an indefinite contract, with automatic renewal at the end of the year-long validity period. The card is available at a loyalty price of CHF 170 for adults and CHF 100 for youth.
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Swiss Half Fare Card vs. Swiss Travel Pass
Yes, you can buy a Swiss Half Fare Card at Geneva Airport. The Swiss Half Fare Card is a great option if you're looking to save some money on your travels around Switzerland. The card costs 120 CHF for one month and gives you a 50% discount on all your trips, including trains, buses, boats, and most mountain railways. It's perfect for families too, as children under 16 travel for free when accompanied by a parent with the Swiss Half Fare Card.
On the other hand, the Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited access to all public transport in the country, including trains, buses, boats, and mountain railways. It also includes free admission to over 500 museums. The pass is available in two versions: the classic version, which is valid for 3 to 15 consecutive days, and the flex version, which gives you 3 to 15 days of travel to use over a month. While it offers great flexibility and convenience, the Swiss Travel Pass is more expensive.
So, which one should you choose? Well, it depends on your travel plans and preferences. If you plan to travel extensively throughout Switzerland, especially over long distances, and want the convenience of unlimited travel without the hassle of buying tickets for each journey, the Swiss Travel Pass might be worth the investment.
However, if you're looking to save money and don't mind purchasing individual tickets, the Swiss Half Fare Card could be a better option. It's particularly advantageous if you're visiting mountain destinations, as both the Swiss Travel Pass and the Half Fare Card offer similar discounts on mountain lifts and trains. Additionally, if you're travelling with children, the Swiss Family Card, which you can obtain for free with either the Swiss Travel Pass or the Half Fare Card, ensures that children under 16 travel for free when accompanied by a parent.
Ultimately, the best option depends on your specific itinerary and preferences. You can try calculating the costs for each option based on your planned journeys to determine which pass makes the most financial sense for your trip.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy the Swiss Half Fare Card at Geneva Airport.
The Swiss Half Fare Card costs CHF 120 in 2025. The price will increase to CHF 150 per adult from 1 January 2026.
The Swiss Half Fare Card entitles you to 50% off tickets for trains, buses, boats, trams, cable cars, and most mountain railways in Switzerland. It is valid for one month and can be used for first or second-class tickets.
You can buy tickets with the 50% discount by booking directly at SBB Online or by presenting your valid Swiss Half Fare Card at the counter.
