The cheapest and fastest trains from Geneva to Lugano
Cheapest price
$158
Average price
$169
Fastest journey
4 h 53 m
Average duration
4 h 58 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
217 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Geneva to Lugano is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Geneva to Lugano will cost around $169 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $158.
Of the 5 trains that leave Geneva for Lugano on Fri, Dec 05, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Dec 05 the direct trains cover the 217 km distance in an average of 4 h 58 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 53 m .
On Fri, Dec 05 the slowest trains will take 5 h 8 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.










Travel Information
Compare train, flight, and bus for Geneva to Lugano
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Geneva to Lugano among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €84. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 5m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €84, and a flight costs an average of €78.
Distance: 134 miles (217 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|
€116 Average price Cheapest | €219 Average price |
5h 20m Average total duration 4h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration Fastest 1h 5m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.7 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Geneva to Lugano train times
The table below shows live departures for Geneva to Lugano trains for today, Thursday, December 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:05 PM Geneva | 4h53 | 9:58 PM Lugano | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:38 PM Geneva | 10h24 | 6:02 AM Lugano | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:21 PM Geneva | 9h41 | 7:02 AM Lugano | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, December 5 | |||||
![]() | 4:54 AM Geneva | 5h08 | 10:02 AM Lugano | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:05 AM Geneva | 4h53 | 12:58 PM Lugano | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Geneva to Lugano by train, flight, or bus
Compare train, flight, 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.
Dec 05
Dec 06
Dec 07
Dec 08
Dec 09
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
Dec 15
Dec 16
Dec 17
Dec 18
Dec 19
Dec 20
Dec 21
Dec 22
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Why should you book Geneva to Lugano trains with Omio?
SBB as well as Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) offer trains services from Geneva to Lugano. Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Geneva to Lugano.
Why book with Omio vs SBB?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for SBB, but also compare tickets for the likes of Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) to find the best option for your trip from Geneva to Lugano.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare SBB with all available travel options, which are train, flight and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Geneva to Lugano.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Multiple travel company options: While SBB tickets can be bought on SBB's website or third party sellers, Omio allows you to compare with the likes of Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) to help you choose the right option for your journey from Geneva to Lugano.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, flight and bus to find the ideal travel option from Geneva to Lugano.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Geneva to Lugano?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Geneva to Lugano
Trains from Geneva to Lugano run on average 14 times per day, taking around 4h 50m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $104 (€84) but you can travel from only $96 (€78) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 00:03, the last at 23:08. The fastest train covers the 134 miles (217 km) distance in 4h 53m.
Distance 134 miles (217 km) |
Average train duration 4h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price $104 (€84) |
Trains per day 14 |
Fastest train 4h 53m |
First train 00:03 |
Last train 23:08 |
Train companies: SBB, Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) from Geneva to Lugano trainsSBB, Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) trains will get you between Geneva and Lugano from $96 (€78). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
SBB
Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)
FAQs: Trains from Geneva to Lugano
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Geneva 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.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Geneva to Lugano
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available nearby with access from Route de Chêne.
- Restaurant Le Jardin
- Café des Bains
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- CHF 1
- Hotel Diplomate
- Hotel Century
- Hotel Sagitta
- Located in the main hall
- 56 places, covered
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-2 for trains to France and regional destinations
- Tram: Line 12, Line 17
- Bus: Several lines available
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, with access from Rue de Lausanne.
- Restaurant du Parc des Bastions
- Café de la Gare
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 1
- Hotel Eden
- Hotel Mon Repos
- Hotel N'vY
- Located in the main hall
- 187 places, covered
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-2 for regional and international trains
- Tram: Line 15
- Bus: Lines 1, 11, 25, 28
- Train: SBB regional trains
- 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, accessible from Via Maraini.
- Ristorante Grand Café Al Porto
- Ristorante Trani
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- CHF 1
- Hotel Lugano Dante Center
- Hotel Federale Lugano
- Hotel Pestalozzi Lugano
- Located in the main hall
- 116 places
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-2 for trains to Ponte Tresa
- Hall 2: ticket office and waiting area
- Bus: Several lines available
- Funicular: Connection to Lugano city center
More options for your journey from Geneva to Lugano
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

