I need to buy train tickets for our upcoming trip in July 2026. I downloaded the SBB app to try to buy the tickets.
What is the GA Travel Card? I hadn't read anything about that in the travel tips. The app also mentions: Set up EasyRide. Is this new?
Terry
The GA travel card is primarily for Swiss residents.
You want to look at the passes available to tourists. Most get the Swiss travel pass or the half fare card. Sometimes combined with a regional pass.
If you’re just buying single ride tickets there is no need to buy ahead of time unless you are getting a super saver ticket which is for a specific train and time.
Regular tickets are good for any train and time. For example, if you buy a ticket for tomorrow for Zurich to Bern, you can take any train you want and sit anywhere you want in the appropriate class—first or second.
This link should take you to the forum discussion on the easy ride:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/switzerland/swiss-rail-easy-ride-app
A GA Travel Card is an annual pass, mainly for Swiss residents. As an example, a 1st class annual GA Travel Card costs 6520 CHF, about $8150 US. Compared with the annual cost of owning a car (Fuel, Insurance, Parking, Maintenance, Depreciation), it is somewhat competitive. It is also available monthly.
