Lugano is situated in the south of Switzerland, close to the Italian border. The city is well connected; it's linked to the major motorway network, it also sits directly on the railway track that links northern Switzerland with Italy via the Gotthard pass, and it has four airports serving Lugano and nearby areas.
By car
Lugano is served by the motorway axis that directly connects Northern Europe to the Mediterranean: non rush hour travel time on the A2 Motorway from Lugano is approximately 45 minutes to Milan and 2 hours to Zurich. Parking in Lugano is very limited – we encourage visitors to take the train or use the “park and ride” option.
Online maps: www.ch.map24.com or www.viamichelin.ch
Swiss Highway
All vehicles traveling on the highway must be equipped with the Highway Vignetta. This pass costs 40 CHF and it allows vehicles to use on the entire Swiss highway system. Highway passes are sold at any Swiss Customs office.
By train
Traveling by train in Switzerland is easy and reliable, thanks to one of the world’s best railway systems. Lugano lies right on the North-South axis, with trains running between Milan (40 minutes to 1 hour) and Zurich (2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours) every hour.
Swiss train website: www.ffs.ch
By plane
Lugano (LUG) Airport
The most convenient way to get to Lugano from most places abroad is to fly into Lugano’s small international airport (Agno) via Zurich or Geneva with Swiss International Air Lines. If you book your flight well in advance, Swiss Air Lines offers suitable prices from all major European cities. There is a shuttle bus service between Lugano and Agno. The small size of this airport makes check-in and arrivals easy and stress-free.
Flying into Lugano offers an additional bonus: On a clear day, there are spectacular views of the snow-covered Alps, including the iconic peak of the Matterhorn.
Zürich (ZRH) Airport
An attractive option is to fly into Zürich city, which hosts Switzerland's most important international airport. Then take the train to Lugano and enjoy a memorable journey through the picturesque Swiss countryside. Check the Swiss National Railway website for train connections.
Milan Malpensa (MXP) Airport
The major international hub for Lugano is Milan Malpensa Airport. All major European airlines (over 70 in total) operate direct flights to Milan Malpensa Airport several times per day, including low-cost carriers such as Easyjet. Shuttle busses (Giosy Tours, Lugano Servizi/AddaTours and SPT - Società Privata Trasporti) run regularly between Malpensa and Lugano, making for a trouble-free journey. The shuttle trip takes 50 minutes (round-trip fare 50 EUR).
Milan Bergamo Airport
Another option is Bergamo (Orio al Serio) Airport, the local hub for a large number of budget airlines. Bergamo is about 1 1/2 hours from Lugano by car. Alternatively, travelers can take a bus to Milan, and then catch a train to Lugano.
