Switzerland's trains, buses, boats and most cable cars run as one integrated system. The tickets are the confusing part.
The three options
Point-to-point tickets. Fine if you are staying in one valley and making two or three journeys. Supersaver fares, released in advance for specific trains, can cut 30–70% off.
Half Fare Card. A month's validity, cuts almost every fare in half, including many mountain railways. It pays for itself in roughly three significant journeys — for most visitors this is the correct answer.
Swiss Travel Pass. Unlimited travel for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days, includes most museums, and discounts the big mountain excursions. Worth it only if you are moving nearly every day over long distances.
Worked example
A week based in the Bernese Oberland with three mountain excursions and one long transfer:
- Point-to-point: roughly CHF 480
- Half Fare Card (CHF 120) plus half-price tickets: roughly CHF 360
- 6-day Swiss Travel Pass: roughly CHF 460
The Half Fare Card wins comfortably. If instead you crossed the country every second day, the Travel Pass would.
Practical notes
- Seat reservations are not required on domestic trains, only on a few panoramic services.
- Connections are timed to the minute and platforms are printed on the ticket.
- The SBB app handles tickets, live platform changes and delays reliably.
For the walking, see walking hut to hut in the Swiss Alps.