How to get to Lugano
Lugano is the largest city in Ticino, Switzerland’s Italian-speaking south. Its own airport at Agno has had no regular scheduled flights in recent years, so most travellers fly into Milan Malpensa or Zurich.
Milan Malpensa to Lugano
- Train: TILO S50 runs hourly from Malpensa Airport to Lugano with no change
- Bus: about 83 km, about 1 h 25, from about €14
- Private car: under an hour without traffic, about 1.5 hours at peak times
Zurich to Lugano by train or car
Direct trains from Zurich HB take about 1 h 57 through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, about CHF 65 one way in 2nd class. From Zurich Airport, change at Zurich HB. By road it is about 207 km and at least 2 h 20, and the Gotthard tunnel is often busy. The A2 needs the CHF 40 vignette.
Lugano taxi prices
The official tariff starts at CHF 6.00, then CHF 4.60 per km, or CHF 5.20 at night and on holidays. The minimum fare is CHF 18, luggage is CHF 1.50 per item and card payment adds 2.5%. Only 50 of about 200 taxis may wait at ranks, so booking ahead helps. In summer the Bernina Express bus links Lugano with Tirano for the train to St. Moritz.