Switzerland: 50% Discount on Train Passes (= Two Months for €36, Travel by June)

Traveling by train in Switzerland is quite expensive, but there are various ways in which you can save a lot of money when traveling with the SBB or other Swiss railway companies.

One of these solutions is the half fare card. Cardholders save 50% on ticket purchases. The half fare travel card even offers a full 50% discount on saver fares (Sparbillet). In addition, the half fare travel card is fully recognized on private railways, buses, and ships in Switzerland. There is even often a 50% discount on mountain railways and cable cars!

Normally, however, the half fare travel card is only available as an annual subscription for CHF 190 (~€206), which makes it rather unattractive for tourists. The Schnupper-half fare card, which is an often offered trial period, is interesting. This gives you all the benefits of a half fare travel card for two months without it being automatically extended.

At the moment, it’s that time again. An online voucher can be used to buy a two-month trial half fare card for CHF 33 (~€36). The costs are usually covered by a 50% discount after one or two train journeys.

SwissPass Required

The trial Half Fare Card is now only issued on the SwissPass. While this is not an issue for Swiss residents, it is less convenient for tourists. When applying for a SwissPass for the first time:

• You need to provide a passport photo
• The physical SwissPass card is sent by post to your home address (free of charge)
• You will receive a temporary paper SwissPass, but it is only valid for 14 days

After those 14 days, you must either present the plastic card or, if possible, use the SwissPass via smartphone.

The good news: This process is only required once. After that, you can use future offers with the same SwissPass card.

Terms & Conditions

• Redemption period: Until April 30, 2026
• To redeem, the offer with order code must be presented (printed or digital)
• The first day of validity can be chosen freely within the redemption period
• Validity: 2 months from the selected start date (i.e. until the end of June 2026 at the latest)
• Only available on the SwissPass Only valid for residents of Switzerland or neighboring countries (Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy, or France)
• If you purchase an annual subscription after the trial Half Fare Card expires (within max. 5 months of purchase), you will receive a discount of 33 CHF (adults) or 19 CHF (youth)

How it Works

1. Save or print the offer from Post.ch
2. Visit a public transport sales point in Switzerland by April 30, 2026, bringing the offer (printed or on your smartphone) and a valid ID. These are available at major train stations, including Swiss Federal Railways travel centers.
3. Present or apply for a SwissPass:
   • Already have one? Simply show your card or number
   • Don’t have one yet? Then:
     • You need a passport photo (printed or digital)
     • The physical SwissPass (red plastic card) will be sent to you by post (also abroad)
     • You will receive a temporary paper SwissPass valid for up to 14 days
4. Pay CHF 33 (~€36)(adults) or CHF 19 (~€21) (youth) by cash or credit card
5. The 2-month trial half fare card can start immediately or on a chosen future date. It does not renew automatically.
6. You will then receive 50% off all train tickets in 1st and 2nd class (with a few exceptions for certain special fares, but including saver tickets), as well as on boats, cable cars, and more throughout Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Railways network map shows all routes where the discount applies.