Packaging machine for optionally packaging products in cardboard material and/or film material, wherein the packaging machine includes: - an entry-side product inlet for supplying products which are to be packaged; - an exit-side multipack outlet arranged downstream of the product inlet, as seen in the product-transporting direction, and adapted to deliver multipacks formed in the packaging machine; - a cardboard-packaging station, which is arranged between the product inlet and the multipack outlet, and a film-packaging station arranged downstream of the cardboard-packaging station, as seen in the product-transporting direction; and - a product bypass, adapted to supply products at the product inlet which are optionally fed directly to the film-packaging station, bypassing the cardboard-packaging station in the process, wherein the product bypass has a transporting device with at least one transporting belt (11, 12) which is adapted to be driven preferably in circulation in the product-transporting direction; and wherein the packaging machine can be operated in a first operating mode in which the transporting device of the product bypass is adapted to connect the cardboard-material outflow of the cardboard-packaging station to the multipack outlet of the packaging machine such that products packaged in cardboard material in the cardboard-packaging station can be transported through the film-packaging station to the multipack outlet of the packaging machine and can be delivered there in the form of a cardboard-tray/film multipack; and wherein the packaging machine can be operated in a second operating mode, in which the transporting device of the product bypass is adapted to connect the product inlet of the packaging machine to the multi pack outlet of the packaging machine such that products supplied from the product inlet of the packaging machine can be transported through the film-packaging station to the multipack outlet of the packaging machine, without passing through the cardboard-packaging station or without being wrapped in cardboard material in the cardboard-packaging station, and therefore the products can be delivered at the multipack outlet of the packaging machine in the form of film multipacks, characterized in that the transporting device of the product bypass has a first region, which is formed from at least one transporting belt and connects the cardboard-material outflow of the cardboard-packaging station to the multipack outlet of the packaging machine, and a second region, which can be switched on optionally and, in the switched-on state, extends the first region of the transporting device as far as the product inlet of the packaging machine or connects a product-inlet end region of the first region of the transporting device to the product inlet of the packaging machine. - an entry-side product inlet for supplying products which are to be packaged; - an exit-side multipack outlet arranged downstream of the product inlet, as seen in the product-transporting direction, and adapted to deliver multipacks formed in the packaging machine; - a cardboard-packaging station, which is arranged between the product inlet and the multipack outlet, and a film-packaging station arranged downstream of the cardboard-packaging station, as seen in the product-transporting direction; and - a product bypass, adapted to supply products at the product inlet which are optionally fed directly to the film-packaging station, bypassing the cardboard-packaging station in the process, wherein the product bypass has a transporting device with at least one transporting belt (11, 12) which is adapted to be driven preferably in circulation in the product-transporting direction; and wherein the packaging machine can be operated in a first operating mode in which the transporting device of the product bypass is adapted to connect the cardboard-material outflow of the cardboard-packaging station to the multipack outlet of the packaging machine such that products packaged in cardboard material in the cardboard-packaging station can be transported through the film-packaging station to the multipack outlet of the packaging machine and can be delivered there in the form of a cardboard-tray/film multipack; and wherein the packaging machine can be operated in a second operating mode, in which the transporting device of the product bypass is adapted to connect the product inlet of the packaging machine to the multi pack outlet of the packaging machine such that products supplied from the product inlet of the packaging machine can be transported through the film-packaging station to the multipack outlet of the packaging machine, without passing through the cardboard-packaging station or without being wrapped in cardboard material in the cardboard-packaging station, and therefore the products can be delivered at the multipack outlet of the packaging machine in the form of film multipacks, characterized in that the transporting device of the product bypass has a first region, which is formed from at least one transporting belt and connects the cardboard-material outflow of the cardboard-packaging station to the multipack outlet of the packaging machine, and a second region, which can be switched on optionally and, in the switched-on state, extends the first region of the transporting device as far as the product inlet of the packaging machine or connects a product-inlet end region of the first region of the transporting device to the product inlet of the packaging machine.