- Must visit
MASI Lugano
Lugano’s leading art museum presents major modern and contemporary exhibitions in a striking lakeside cultural complex.
Cheapest price on Sep 02
$66
Average ticket price on Sep 02
$81
Fastest journey on Sep 02
5 h 51 m
Average journey duration on Sep 02
7 h 2 m
Trains on Sep 02
31
Distance
288 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Nice to Lugano is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Nice to Lugano will cost around $81 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $66.
It's difficult to get from Nice to Lugano without transferring at least once.
Regionale Veloce 3019+
EuroCity 178
Regionale 12267 · Regionale Veloce 3021+
EuroCity 36
86033+
Regionale 12271 · Regionale 12429 · Regionale Veloce 3040
86027+
Regionale Veloce 3371 · Regionale Veloce 3040+
EuroCity 28
86023+
Regionale 12267 · Regionale Veloce 3021+
EuroCity 26
Intercity 505 · Intercity 662+
EuroCity 150
Regionale Veloce 3019+
EuroCity 178
Regionale 12267 · Regionale Veloce 3021+
EuroCity 36
86039+
Intercity 635+
EuroCity 28
86037+
Intercity 635+
EuroCity 28Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Nice to Lugano among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $47 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 18m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $47, while a flight costs an average of $569.
Distance: 178 miles (288 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$47 Average price Cheapest | $99 Average price | $569 Average price | $192 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 4m Average total duration 6h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 22m Average total duration 7h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 18m Average total duration Fastest 3h 18m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 53m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.9 - 1.7kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() 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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Nice to Lugano:
A train is $52 (€42) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Nice to Lugano costing on average $99 (€80).
A train is $521 (€422) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Nice to Lugano costing on average $569 (€461).
Other travel options to Lugano take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 34m.
Bus takes on average 7h 52m.
Tickets start at around $47 (€38) compared to roughly $192 (€156) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $145 (€118). The journey takes 6h 34m versus 4h 53m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Nice to Lugano trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Regionale Veloce 3019+ EuroCity 178 | 5:09 AM Ventimiglia station | 6h41 | 11:50 AM Lugano FLP | 1 transfer | |
Intercity 505 · Intercity 662+ EuroCity 150 | 6:37 AM Ventimiglia station | 5h51 | 12:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86013+ Intercity 745+ EuroCity 24 | 8:23 AM Nice-Ville | 10h05 | 6:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86013+ Intercity 745+ EuroCity 36 | 8:23 AM Nice-Ville | 11h05 | 7:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86013+ Intercity 745+ EuroCity 22 | 8:23 AM Nice-Ville | 9h05 | 5:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86015+ Intercity 745+ EuroCity 24 | 8:54 AM Nice-Ville | 9h34 | 6:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86015+ Intercity 745+ EuroCity 36 | 8:54 AM Nice-Ville | 10h34 | 7:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86015+ Intercity 745+ EuroCity 22 | 8:54 AM Nice-Ville | 8h34 | 5:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86017+ Intercity 745+ EuroCity 24 | 9:23 AM Nice-Ville | 9h05 | 6:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86017+ Intercity 745+ EuroCity 36 | 9:23 AM Nice-Ville | 10h05 | 7:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86017+ Intercity 745+ EuroCity 22 | 9:23 AM Nice-Ville | 8h05 | 5:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86019+ Regionale 12267 · Regionale Veloce 3021+ EuroCity 26 | 9:54 AM Nice-Ville | 10h34 | 8:28 PM Lugano FLP | 3 transfers | |
86019+ Regionale 12267 · Regionale Veloce 3021+ EuroCity 36 | 9:54 AM Nice-Ville | 9h34 | 7:28 PM Lugano FLP | 3 transfers | |
86019+ Intercity 635+ EuroCity 28 | 9:54 AM Nice-Ville | 11h34 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86023+ Intercity 635+ EuroCity 28 | 10:24 AM Nice-Ville | 11h04 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86023+ Regionale 12267 · Regionale Veloce 3021+ EuroCity 26 | 10:24 AM Nice-Ville | 10h04 | 8:28 PM Lugano FLP | 3 transfers | |
86023+ Regionale 12267 · Regionale Veloce 3021+ EuroCity 36 | 10:24 AM Nice-Ville | 9h04 | 7:28 PM Lugano FLP | 3 transfers | |
86025+ Regionale 12267 · Regionale Veloce 3021+ EuroCity 36 | 10:53 AM Nice-Ville | 8h35 | 7:28 PM Lugano FLP | 3 transfers | |
86025+ Intercity 635+ EuroCity 28 | 10:53 AM Nice-Ville | 10h35 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86025+ Regionale 12267 · Regionale Veloce 3021+ EuroCity 26 | 10:53 AM Nice-Ville | 9h35 | 8:28 PM Lugano FLP | 3 transfers | |
86027+ Regionale Veloce 3371 · Regionale Veloce 3040+ EuroCity 28 | 11:23 AM Nice-Ville | 10h05 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 3 transfers | |
86027+ Regionale 12271 · Regionale 12429 · Regionale Veloce 3040 | 11:23 AM Nice-Ville | 10h05 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 4 transfers | |
86027+ Intercity 635+ EuroCity 28 | 11:23 AM Nice-Ville | 10h05 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86033+ Regionale 12271 · Regionale 12429 · Regionale Veloce 3040 | 12:26 PM Nice-Ville | 9h02 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 4 transfers | |
86033+ Intercity 635+ EuroCity 28 | 12:26 PM Nice-Ville | 9h02 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86033+ Regionale Veloce 3371 · Regionale Veloce 3040+ EuroCity 28 | 12:26 PM Nice-Ville | 9h02 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 3 transfers | |
Regionale 12267 · Regionale Veloce 3021+ EuroCity 36 | 12:28 PM Ventimiglia station | 7h00 | 7:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86035+ Intercity 635+ EuroCity 28 | 12:55 PM Nice-Ville | 8h33 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86035+ Regionale 12271 · Regionale 12429 · Regionale Veloce 3040 | 12:55 PM Nice-Ville | 8h33 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 4 transfers | |
86037+ Intercity 635+ EuroCity 28 | 1:24 PM Nice-Ville | 8h04 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
86039+ Intercity 635+ EuroCity 28 | 1:55 PM Nice-Ville | 7h33 | 9:28 PM Lugano FLP | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, 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 Nice to Lugano run on average 5 times per day, taking around 6h 34m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $13 (€11) if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:45, the last at 18:10. The fastest train covers the 178 miles (288 km) distance in 4h 58m.
Distance 178 miles (288 km) |
Average train duration 6h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price $13 (€11) |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 4h 58m |
First train 4:45 AM |
Last train 6:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
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 Nice 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 Nice to Lugano trains use the Ventimiglia Stazione to Lugano FLP station pair. Use this guide to compare Nice and Lugano train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need