Is the Swiss Halbtax worth it?
It is worth it once your full fares would cost more than twice the card's price, because with the card you pay half the fare plus the card. For adults 25 and over, SBB lists CHF 190 for the first card and CHF 170 a year after that. It gives half price on most train routes, on boats and on Postbuses.
Ep. 44 · Ueli's Word · 53 seconds. Watch
The real rule
Why the Swiss laugh, and what it means if you're new here.
The Halbtax is the Swiss half-fare card: one card, valid for a year, that halves the price of most public transport tickets. As a newcomer, add up what you would spend on full fares in a year, and compare it with twice the card's price.
Blüemli's verdict: Ding. Half price. Under CHF 200 a year. Half price on most trains, buses and boats.
HALBTAX: literally: “half tax”; really: the card that halves most fares Ueli's Word
Be like Ueli. Do the maths once. Then buy the card.
Learn more: Arrival course, day 10: transport
The rule, explained
According to SBB, the Half Fare Travelcard, the Halbtax, gives half price on most SBB routes and those of most other railways, as well as on boats and Postbuses. It is valid for one year. For adults aged 25 and over, the first card costs CHF 190, and after that CHF 170 a year. From 13 December 2026 the prices are CHF 195 and CHF 175. The maths is simple: with the card you pay half the fare plus the card, so it pays for itself once your full fares would cost more than twice the card's price. Wikipedia notes that in 1987 the Swiss Parliament decided to cut the price of the Halbtax from 360 to 100 francs. That is the year Ueli did his maths.
Questions people ask
How much does the Halbtax cost?
For adults 25 and over: CHF 190 for the first card, then CHF 170 a year; from 13 December 2026, CHF 195 and CHF 175 (SBB).
Does the Halbtax work on boats and Postbuses?
Yes. It gives half price on most SBB routes and most other railways, on boats and on Postbuses (SBB).
More episodes
Previous: Why is everything closed on Sunday in Switzerland? Next: Why do Swiss neighbours leave notes?