- Must visit
MASI Lugano - LAC
Lugano’s leading art museum inside the LAC cultural center, with modern and contemporary exhibitions and a strong program of temporary shows.
Cheapest price
$17
Average price
$17
Fastest journey
1 h 15 m
Average duration
1 h 26 m
Buses per day
6
Distance
45 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano will cost around $17 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $17.
Of the 6 buses that leave Milan Malpensa Airport for Lugano on Sun, Jun 28, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 28 the direct buses cover the 45 km distance in an average of 1 h 26 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 15 m .
On Sun, Jun 28 the slowest buses will take 1 h 35 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 1h 7m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a train costs an average of $49.
Distance: 27 miles (45 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$21 Average price Cheapest | $50 Average price | $75 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 37m Average total duration Fastest 1h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 48m Average total duration 2h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano:
A bus is $29 (€24) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano costing on average $50 (€41).
Other travel options to Lugano take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 18m.
Tickets start at around $21 (€17) compared to roughly $75 (€62) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $55 (€45). The journey takes 1h 7m versus 1h 1m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by BlaBlaCar, FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:40AM | Arrival Time 02:10AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:40AM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:50AM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:10AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:10AM | Arrival Time 10:10AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 1h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 09:40AM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 12:10PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:10PM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:55PM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 1h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:05PM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:10PM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $3 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:50PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:10PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:20PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $17 |
The table below shows live departures for Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano buses for today, Saturday, June 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 5:55 PM Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T1 | 1h25 | 7:20 PM Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:05 PM Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T2 | 1h15 | 7:20 PM Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:10 PM Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T1 | 1h40 | 10:50 PM Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:20 PM Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T2 | 1h30 | 10:50 PM Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, June 28 | |||||
FlixBus | 9:10 AM Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T1 | 1h35 | 10:45 AM Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:20 AM Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T2 | 1h25 | 10:45 AM Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 7m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $16 (€13) if you book in advance.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 19:20, the last at 20:20. The fastest bus covers the 27 miles (45 km) distance in 1h 30m.
Distance 27 miles (45 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price $16 (€13) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 1h 30m |
First bus 7:20 PM |
Last bus 8:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Discover the best of Lugano — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Lugano trip today.
Lugano’s leading art museum inside the LAC cultural center, with modern and contemporary exhibitions and a strong program of temporary shows.
Historic branch of MASI in the old town, hosting rotating exhibitions in a palazzo setting close to other central sights.
Museum focused on extra-European art and ethnographic collections, especially known for African, Asian, and Oceanian works in Villa Malpensata.
Lugano’s signature lakeside park, loved for waterfront paths, mature trees, flowerbeds, and classic views over the lake and mountains.
The main square of Lugano, lined with pastel buildings and arcades, central to city life and a natural base for exploring the old town.
The lakeside promenade offers classic city-and-lake views, easy strolling, and some of the most recognizable scenes in Lugano.
A staple in Ticino made from slowly cooked cornmeal, often served creamy or sliced and grilled with cheese, mushrooms, or braised meats.
Creamy risotto prepared in the Lombard-Ticino style, often with local wine, butter, and cheese, reflecting the strong Italian influence of the region.
Slow-braised beef, commonly cooked with red wine, served with polenta. It is a classic hearty Ticinese comfort dish.
An established fine dining restaurant known for refined Italian cuisine, elegant presentation, and a polished atmosphere in central Lugano.
A classic hillside grotto outside the center, appreciated for traditional regional dishes, wine, and a charming old-fashioned ambiance.
A well-known traditional grotto serving Ticinese classics in a relaxed, rustic setting popular with locals and visitors.
Prices are high by European standards, especially for hotels and dining. Budget options exist, but everyday costs are still steep for most travelers.
Service is usually included in prices. Tipping is not required, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% for excellent service is appreciated. Round up taxi fares.
Official public transport app
Lugano, Via Ciani, Lugano -> Lugano FLP Station, Lugano
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Lugano, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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