Even if you're only in Switzerland for a couple weeks the half fare card (CHF 185 for a year) can make sense. Considering that a 1st class return ticket from Z

Even if you're only in Switzerland for a couple weeks the half fare card (CHF 185 for a year) can make sense. Considering that a 1st class return ticket from Zurich to Bern is 180 Francs (2nd class 102) just three or four longer train rides can make it worthwhile. The better option (if you're not living in Switzerland) may be the Swiss Travel Pass[1], which gives you free travel for a number of days on virtually the whole Swiss train and public transport network (excluding the most mountainous connections and cable cars, which are usually private and there you get a 50% discount) plus a number of other goodies. Prices are comparable to what you pay for a JR Rail Pass in Japan. And that's a helluva buy. In any case practically nobody pays full price for longer range train travel in Switzerland. [1] https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/planning/transport-accommodation/tickets-public-transport/swiss-travel-pass/ https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/planning/transport-accom...