Pick your city & ticket
What this solves
Most tourists either overpay (buying a 9-zone Tageskarte when they only needed 3 zones) or under-buy (a single ticket validated in zone 1 only, then a CHF 100 fine on exit). The Zurich system runs on concentric zones out from the city. The Geneva system is per-ride with a short transfer window. Basel and Bern have their own versions. Each city has a "fare trap" that tourist pages don't explain.
How to read
- Zürich ZVV: city centre is zones 1+2 combined. The airport is zone 2 (the airport train station is the only one outside zone 1). 9-zone ZVV ticket covers the whole canton.
- Basel BLT: zones are radial (no. 1, 2, 3). The airport is in zone 1. Day ticket at zone 1 covers most of what tourists need.
- Bern BernMobil: zone 100/101. Day ticket covers most of what you need including Thun + Interlaken with a regional supplement.
- Geneva TPG: no zones — single CHF 3 ticket gives you 1h unlimited transfers on the same mode. Day pass CHF 8 (free with Geneva Pass hotel card).
Limitations
- Zürich's fare system changed in 2024 — old "Kurzstrecke" 2-zone ticket no longer exists. All trips are point-to-point zones.
- Half Fare Card applies to ZVV/BLT/BernMobil/TPG but the discount is on the regular fare only.
- Swiss Travel Pass covers all city networks fully. If you have STP, ignore everything below.
FAQ
Can I buy the ticket in the tram?
Yes via SMS or app; if you buy from a vending machine it's CHF 5 surcharge. Some cities (Zürich especially) ticket you more often if you buy on board than if you validate before boarding.
What's a "Tageskarte"?
Day ticket. Unlimited rides on that day within the zones you bought. Almost always worth it if you take 3+ rides.
Sources
- ZVV — zvv.ch tariff
- BLT — blt.ch
- BernMobil — bernmobil.ch
- TPG Geneva — tpg.ch
About
Built after watching a tourist buy 3 single tickets in Zürich for CHF 8.40 each when a 24-hour 3-zone ticket at CHF 5 would have covered the same day.
Privacy
No tracking. See homepage privacy.
Disclaimer
2026 reference. Verify on city operator.