Lugano Transportation

Lugano has a central big railway station.
From Lugano you can go everywhere in Switzerland by train.

You can even easily go to Italy, for example Milan if you like to.
Daily connections are available to main cities like Zurich and also from outside directly to Lugano.

If you accidentally need a car or motorbike technician in Lugano, i really suggest to call K-Moto.

Professional and really kind technicians are available to help you with your motorbike or car problems, no matter which model it is.
And in case you have a KTM motorbike... Well you have found an official dealer and technical center.

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If you are going to Ponte Tresa, then you have to catch a smiling train at Lugano FLP station which is sort of across the SBB station. Trains to Ponte Tresa run frequently and take 26 minutes, but if they are a bit late, then they will be late all day, as it is mostly single track. If you need to go to the Luganese airport Agno by public transport, then you can also take this train.

The railways website is in Italian only, but you can check timetable also on www.sbb.ch.

Lugano's airport is in Agno. It's an international airport but only planes up to a certain size can land because of the surrounding hills.

You can take the FLP train to Agno and walk for 15 minutes or alternatively take the shuttle bus from Piazza Manzoni or the railway station. For more information check the website below in English.

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This funicular takes you from the railway station which is up the hill down to the city center in a few minutes. The funicular was opened in 1886 and was originally a bit longer. Today it is 220 m.

It is actually easy to walk down the hill and there is San Lorenzo Cathedral on the way too.

Coming from the north a very pleasant option is the train compared to the car in which you have to sit in traffic jams - sometimes for several hours depending on the popularity of the day - and cross the tunnel, lets keep fingers crossed that there will be no more accidents.
The train from Zurich takes about 3 hours and on the way you will see one little church from 3 sides because the train takes a almost circular tunnel in the mountain. You may also see a huge rock sitting by itself, which is the devil's rock.

I recommend that you take this journey before the Gotthard basis tunnel is finished as it is much more scenic now.

Milan/Milano - Malpensa (MXP):
Location: 43 km/27 Miles NW of Milan City centre. Airport Overview: 2 terminals: Terminal 1 & 2. Most flights depart from Terminal 1. Trains run from the basement level and buses from the arrivals level.

By Taxi: To the city centre ?50-65/50-60 mins. By Limo: To the city centre ?85 & to Linate Airport ?95. Tel 0270200443.

By Bus:
Malpensa Shuttle to Milan City Route: Terminal 1 - Terminal 2 - Milan Fair - Piazza Luigi di Savoia, alongside the Central Railway Station in Milan City centre. Timings: Departs the airport at 0530, 0620 then every 20 mins until 2200, 2230, 2300, 2330, 0015, 0130, 0230, 0330 & 0430.

Air Pullman Milano Runs from Piazza Castello in Milan to Malpensa Airport 0730-2330, From Malpensa 0830-1730.
Sadem runs buses to Torino/Turin leaving Malpensa at 0700, 0900 & 1830. Cost ?15.50. Tel 011 3000611

Bus Express www.busexpress.com to Lugano operate buses to Lugano & Chiasso. One way to Lugano ?20, return ?35. Children 2-12 50% off, under 2's free. Buses leave Malpensa terminal 1 at 0700 0900 1030 1230 1430 1630 1830 2030 & 2245. They arrive at T2 10 mins later, Chiasso train station 40 mins after that and Lugano 20 mins later. Departures from Lugano station are at 0445 0635 0830 1030 1230 1430 1705 1830 & 2000 with similar timings. Tel +41 91 994 88 78. Buy tickets on board. Exit4/Stop 19

Malpensa Shuttle to Milan Linate Airport Runs to Linate airport , with stops at Gobba & Cormano. Departs Malpensa Terminal 1 at 0750, 0930, 1100, 1230, 1420, 1530, 1650, 1820, 2225 & 0025. Takes 70 mins. Stops at Malpensa Terminal 2 are on request only. Cost: Adults ?9, children (2-12) half price. Tickets can be bought on the bus. Tel 0331 25

Direct flights from the UK to Switzerland tend to be expensive so here is a good alternative. EasyJet flies from London Gatwick to Milan and at certain times of the year, flights are very cheap. My flight in March was £30 return. On arriving at Milan Linate Airport, catch the frequent shuttle bus to Milan Central Station and from there, take one of the comfortable and efficient trains direct to Lugano.

The bus company has split the town into 2 zones and you pay the bus fair depending on whther you wish to travel only in one zone or between the two zones.
The service they provide is 1st class with you never having to wait more than 15 mins for a bus to come along

Flights to Zurich and Geneva in Switzerland. Milan in Italy can also be useful for gettting into Lugano. There is also a rail service from the airport to Lugano - Trains depart at 8.30am, 11.30am, 4.30pm and 7pm.

During the summer (Apil-Oct) the Lugano Regional Pass gives free travel on trains and boats on and around Lago di Lugano (including funiculars up to San Salvatore and Monte Brè), with half-price discounts on transport around Locarno, for three days within seven (Fr.70) or seven consecutive days (Fr.92). Similarly, the Locarno/Ascona Regional Pass gives free travel on trains and boats in the Swiss basin of Lago Maggiore, plus half-price on funiculars, chairlifts and transport in and around Lugano, for three days in seven (Fr.50) or seven consecutive days (Fr.76).Discounts on these passes are available to Swiss Pass holders.