- Must visit
MASI Lugano
Lugano’s leading art museum presents major modern and contemporary exhibitions in a striking lakeside cultural complex.
Cheapest price
€36
Average price
€45
Fastest journey
1 h 35 m
Average duration
3 h 36 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
251 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bologna Centrale to Lugano is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bologna Centrale to Lugano will cost around €45 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €36.
Of the 3 trains that leave Bologna Centrale for Lugano on Thu, Aug 27, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 27 the direct trains cover the 251 km distance in an average of 3 h 36 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 35 m .
On Thu, Aug 27 the slowest trains will take 4 h 52 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.






Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bologna Centrale to Lugano among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €5. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 56m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €5, and a flight costs an average of €135.
Distance: 155 miles (251 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€41 Average price | €29 Average price Cheapest | €432 Average price | €120 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 26m Average total duration Fastest 2h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 17m Average total duration 4h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 21m Average total duration 3h 21m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Bologna Centrale to Lugano:
A bus is €12 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bologna Centrale to Lugano costing on average €41.
A bus is €402 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bologna Centrale to Lugano costing on average €432.
Other travel options to Lugano take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 21m.
Bus takes on average 4h 47m.
The journey is about 23m faster (2h 56m by train vs 3h 19m by car) and roughly €79 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (€41 vs €120). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Trenitalia EuroCity.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Bologna Centrale to Lugano trains for tomorrow, Thursday, August 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:58 AM Bologna Centrale | 4h52 | 9:50 AM Lugano | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:06 AM Bologna Centrale | 4h22 | 12:28 PM Lugano | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:06 PM Bologna Centrale | 1h35 | 4:41 PM Lugano | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight 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.
Trains from Bologna Centrale to Lugano run on average 44 times per day, taking around 2h 56m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €13 but you can travel from only €5 by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:58, the last at 13:56. The fastest train covers the 155 miles (251 km) distance in 1h 35m.
Distance 155 miles (251 km) |
Average train duration 2h 56m |
Cheapest ticket price €13 |
Trains per day 44 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 1h 35m |
First train 4:58 AM |
Last train 1:56 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Mon |
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 presents major modern and contemporary exhibitions in a striking lakeside cultural complex.
Intimate museum inside the church complex, famous for Bernardino Luini frescoes and Renaissance religious art of exceptional local importance.
Museum and archive dedicated to writer Hermann Hesse in nearby Montagnola. It is essential for literary fans and lovers of the Collina d’Oro setting.
Lugano’s elegant waterfront park offers flowerbeds, sculptures, and lake views. It is one of the city’s most relaxing and photogenic walking areas.
The city’s famous shopping street is lined with arcades, boutiques, and historic buildings. It is ideal for strolling through central Lugano.
Main square facing the lake and city hall, often animated by markets and events. It is the natural hub of Lugano’s historic center.
A rich polenta dish from Ticino, often topped with braised beef, rabbit, or cheese. It reflects the region's Alpine farming roots and northern Italian influence.
Slow-cooked beef braise in red wine, commonly served with polenta. It is a hearty Ticinese classic suited to the cooler mountain climate.
Lake fish such as perch or pike-perch, usually simply grilled or pan-fried. It showcases the fresh catch from nearby lakes in southern Switzerland.
Elegant Michelin-starred dining at Villa Principe Leopoldo, known for refined Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with panoramic views over Lugano.
Historic lakeside restaurant serving polished Ticinese and Italian dishes in a classic setting near Parco Ciani.
Traditional grotto-style venue above Lugano, appreciated for local specialties, grilled meats, polenta, and a rustic hillside atmosphere.
Very high by Swiss standards: hotels, dining, and local transport usually cost more than in nearby Italian cities and many European lake destinations.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for excellent restaurant service. Round up small taxi fares and café bills.
Official public transport app
Lugano Stazione -> Piazza della Riforma
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bologna Centrale to Lugano by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Lugano, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bologna Centrale to Lugano trains use the Bologna Centrale to Lugano FLP station pair, with some services arriving at Lugano. Use this guide to compare Bologna Centrale and Lugano train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Bologna Centrale is 1 km from Bologna city centre. Public transport options include:
Bologna Centrale has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, A Cafè, VyTA Boulangerie, Venchi, Scambio, Juice Bar, KFC, Dispensa Emilia, Lavazza, Mokà, & more
Free Wi-Fi. . ATMs are aTM is located in the main hall.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 21:00. Information desks are customer service center is on the ground floor and open every day from 06:30 to 23:00.
Luggage storage is luggage facility, open daily from 07:00 to 22:00, is located in front of binario 7 Ovest (Track 7 West).
Available at Bologna Centrale: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bologna Centrale: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bologna Centrale: Accessible facilities including barrier-free restrooms, elevators and ramps. Sala Blu mobility assistance available from 07:45 to 22:30 with advanced one-hour notice.
Nearby hotels include Starhotels Excelsior, Millenn Hotel Bologna, UNA Hotels.
Lugano FLP has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Ristorante Grand Café Al Porto, Ristorante Trani
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Lugano FLP. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Lugano FLP. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Lugano FLP: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Lugano FLP: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Lugano FLP: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Lugano Dante Center, Hotel Federale Lugano, Hotel Pestalozzi Lugano.
Lugano has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Ristorante Grand Café Al Porto, Ristorante La Cucina di Alice
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Lugano. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Lugano. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Lugano: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Lugano: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Lugano: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano, Hotel Lugano Dante Center, Hotel Federale Lugano.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need