What is the difference between a Z-Pass and a national ticket?

With the Z-Pass you purchase “space” and “time”. It is valid in the zones printed on it in almost all means of public transport. The route-related ticket for national transport, on the other hand, is only valid for a specific route and only for the means of transport selected. For journeys within the Z-Pass fare area, only zone tickets are issued. On the other hand, journeys between the various Z-Pass corridors are excluded from the zone system. Thus, for example, a national (SBB) ticket is issued for a journey from Zug to Schaffhausen.