At what annual spend does the SBB Half-Fare card (Halbtax) pay for itself in 2026?

For an adult paying CHF 190 in year one, the Halbtax pays for itself after CHF 380 of full-price tickets (roughly three round-trips between Zurich and Geneva). Upon CHF 170 annual renewal, break-even drops to CHF 340.

When is an SBB GA Travelcard cheaper than a Halbtax?

An adult 2nd-class GA (CHF 3,995/year) becomes cheaper than a Halbtax + half-price tickets once you spend more than CHF 3,805 per year on half-price tickets (equivalent to CHF 7,610 at full fare, or commuting ≥160 days/year on a route costing CHF 24+ half-fare per day).

How much is the SBB Youth GA and Senior GA in 2026?

In 2nd class, the GA Youth (ages 16–25) costs CHF 2,780/year and the GA Senior (ages 64/65+) costs CHF 3,040/year.

SBB GA vs. Half-Fare (Halbtax) break-even calculator

Compare 2026 SBB GA Travelcard vs. Half-Fare (Halbtax) vs. full-fare tickets and find your exact annual break-even spend.

Annual full-fare public transport spend (CHF)

If you already have a Halbtax, multiply what you actually pay on tickets by 2.

CategoryClass

Cheapest option for your spend

SBB Half-Fare (Halbtax)

No card / yr

CHF 4'500.00

With Halbtax / yr

CHF 2'420.00

With GA / yr

CHF 3'995.00

Halbtax break-even: CHF 340.00 full-fare / yr

GA vs. Halbtax break-even: CHF 7'650.00 full-fare / yr

Halbtax savings vs full fare: CHF 2'080.00

Direct answer

In 2026, the adult SBB Half-Fare card (Halbtax) costs CHF 190 in the first year (CHF 170 on seamless renewal) and breaks even after just CHF 380 (or CHF 340) of full-price train/tram/bus travel per year. The adult 2nd-class GA Travelcard costs CHF 3,995 per year and becomes cheaper than a Half-Fare card once your full-price annual travel exceeds CHF 7,610 (or CHF 3,805 at half-fare prices).

Key statutory figures & facts

•Adult Halbtax 2026: CHF 190 first year (breaks even at CHF 380 full-fare spend) / CHF 170 renewal (breaks even at CHF 340)
•Adult GA 2nd class 2026: CHF 3,995/year (breaks even at CHF 7,610 full-fare spend vs. Halbtax)
•Adult GA 1st class 2026: CHF 6,520/year (breaks even at CHF 12,660 full-fare spend vs. Halbtax)
•Youth (16–25): Halbtax CHF 120/100; GA 2nd class CHF 2,780/year

How it's calculated

No-pass annual cost = your estimated annual full-fare ticket spend.
Half-Fare (Halbtax) total cost = annual Halbtax fee + 50% of full-fare ticket spend.
Half-Fare break-even = 2 × Halbtax fee. GA break-even vs. Half-Fare = 2 × (GA annual price − Halbtax fee).

Assumptions

Assumes standard 50% Halbtax reduction on routes; city zones with smaller percentage discounts or Supersaver tickets may shift your personal break-even slightly.

Frequently asked questions

At what annual spend does the SBB Half-Fare card (Halbtax) pay for itself in 2026?: For an adult paying CHF 190 in year one, the Halbtax pays for itself after CHF 380 of full-price tickets (roughly three round-trips between Zurich and Geneva). Upon CHF 170 annual renewal, break-even drops to CHF 340.
When is an SBB GA Travelcard cheaper than a Halbtax?: An adult 2nd-class GA (CHF 3,995/year) becomes cheaper than a Halbtax + half-price tickets once you spend more than CHF 3,805 per year on half-price tickets (equivalent to CHF 7,610 at full fare, or commuting ≥160 days/year on a route costing CHF 24+ half-fare per day).
How much is the SBB Youth GA and Senior GA in 2026?: In 2nd class, the GA Youth (ages 16–25) costs CHF 2,780/year and the GA Senior (ages 64/65+) costs CHF 3,040/year.