How to travel from Zurich to Lugano

Sat, Jun 20
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Swiss
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Zurich to Lugano

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Zurich 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 flight which can get you there in 1h 47m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a flight costs an average of $102.

Distance: 96 miles (155 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Flight
Driving

$81

Average price

$20

Average price

Cheapest

$315

Average price

$100

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 42m

Average total duration

2h 12m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 44m

Average total duration

2h 14m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 47m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 47m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

2h 40m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

0.5 - 0.9kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

SBB

Most popular train company

BlaBlaCar

Most popular bus company

Helvetic Airways

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Zurich to Lugano is a bus with an average price of $20 (€16).

This is compared to other travel options from Zurich to Lugano:

A bus is $61 (€50) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Zurich to Lugano costing on average $81 (€67).

A bus is $295 (€242) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Zurich to Lugano costing on average $315 (€258).

The fastest way to travel from Zurich to Lugano is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 47m.

Other travel options to Lugano take longer:

Train takes on average 2h 12m.

Bus takes on average 2h 14m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Zurich and Lugano including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Zurich to Lugano among Omio's users.

Travel options
from Zurich to Lugano

How to get from Zurich to Lugano by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Zurich to Lugano is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • SBBIR 46 2437 | 2437 · IC 21 687 | 687
    8:05 PM1h53
    Zurich HB
    9:58 PMLugano, Stazione
    $481One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • SBBIR 46 2437 | 2437 · IC 21 687 | 687
    8:05 PM1h53
    Zurich HB
    9:58 PMLugano, Stazione
    $481One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • SwissLX1612
    8:55 AM0h55
    Zurich Airport
    9:50 AMMilan Malpensa Airport
    $8851One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • SBBIR 75 2588 | 2588 · S 2 21283 | 21283 · IC 21 691 | 691
    9:35 PM2h23
    Zurich HB
    11:58 PMLugano, Stazione
    $491One-way
    2 transfers
  • SBBIR 46 2441 | 2441 · IC 21 691 | 691
    10:05 PM1h53
    Zurich HB
    11:58 PMLugano, Stazione
    $501One-way
    1 transfer
  • SBBIC 2 895 | 895
    11:05 PM2h06
    Zurich HB
    1:11 AMLugano, Stazione
    $521One-way
    0 transfers
  • Ethiopian AirlinesET737
    9:00 PM1h10
    Zurich Airport
    10:10 PMMilan Malpensa Airport
    $1401One-way
    0 transfers
  • VuelingVY6249 · VY6330
    9:20 PM11h50
    Zurich Airport
    9:10 AMMilan Malpensa Airport
    $2411One-way
    1 transfer
  • VuelingVY6247 · VY6344
    9:30 AM12h20
    Zurich Airport
    9:50 PMMilan Malpensa Airport
    $2901One-way
    1 transfer

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from Zurich to Lugano

Travel to Lugano easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Zurich to Lugano.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Zurich and Lugano including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Zurich to Lugano is a bus with an average price of $20 (€16).

This is compared to other travel options from Zurich to Lugano:

A bus is $61 (€50) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Zurich to Lugano costing on average $81 (€67).

A bus is $295 (€242) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Zurich to Lugano costing on average $315 (€258).

The fastest way to travel from Zurich to Lugano is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 47m.

Other travel options to Lugano take longer:

Train takes on average 2h 12m.

Bus takes on average 2h 14m.

The distance from Zurich to Lugano is approximately 96 miles (155 km).
The average frequency per day from Zurich to Lugano is:
  • Around 39 flights per day.
  • Around 20 trains per day.
  • Around 4 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Zurich and Lugano as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Zurich to Lugano:
  • Flights mostly depart from Zurich Airport and arrive in Milan Malpensa Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Zurich HB and arrive in Lugano, Stazione.
  • Buses mostly depart from Zürich, Sihlquai Bus Terminal (Carparkplatz Sihlquai) and arrive in Como, Piazzale San Gottardo (Stazione San Giovanni).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Zurich to Lugano, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Helvetic Airways, Vueling, Swiss to go to Lugano by flight.
  • Travel with SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), Südostbahn to go to Lugano by train.
  • Travel with BlaBlaCar, Gruppo Di Maio to go to Lugano by bus.
Yes, there are direct services available from Zurich to Lugano with the following travel companies:
  • 7 direct flights per day with Helvetic Airways, Swiss.
  • 4 direct trains per day with SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS).
  • 4 direct buses per day with BlaBlaCar, Gruppo Di Maio.
Omio customers who travel from Zurich to Lugano often also extend their vacation to go to Milan, Como, Milan Centrale, Lucerne, Milan Malpensa Airport. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Lugano and these popular destinations at a great price.
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