Swiss Pass vs Half Fare Calculator 2026

This calculator helps you choose between two valid Swiss rail products that suit different travel styles. The Swiss Travel Pass is usually better for short, intensive itineraries where you are taking many rail journeys across consecutive days. The Half Fare Card can work better for slower trips with fewer journeys spread over longer stays because you pay a lower access fee and then 50% on each fare.

The decision is fundamentally about density: how much rail usage you compress into the valid period. Pass marketing often focuses on flexibility, but total spend is driven by trip count, average fare, and stay length. Reservations can still apply on selected IC/EC services even when a pass covers the base fare, so seat supplements should be treated separately from this baseline comparison.

Buy passes through official SBB channels or authorised distributors. The Swiss Travel Pass is tied to consecutive validity days selected at purchase, while Half Fare validity depends on the product type selected. Both products are available to non-Swiss residents, so tourists can use either option. After using this calculator, validate live pricing and reservation rules before checkout, especially for premium scenic services where supplements are common.

For broader rail planning, compare with the Eurail vs Italy calculator, then check route planning pages and the calculators index for additional cost tools.

Data verified March 2026.