How to travel from Zurich to Lugano

Tue, Nov 03
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SBB
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Marino Autolinee
Vueling
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SBB
Ethiopian Airlines
Marino Autolinee
Vueling
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 train, with an average ticket price of €69 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 28m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €69, while a flight costs an average of €531.

Distance: 96 miles (155 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Flight
Bus
Driving

€69

Average price

Cheapest

€531

Average price

€78

Average price

€82

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 28m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 58m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 53m

Average total duration

2h 53m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

4h 10m

Average total duration

3h 40m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 40m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.5 - 0.9kg

CO2 emissions

0.2 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

SBB

Most popular train company

ITA

Most popular airline

Marino Autolinee

Most popular bus company

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.

Compare ways to travel from Zurich to Lugano

Compare the available ways to get from Zurich to Lugano, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.

The cheapest way to travel from Zurich to Lugano is a train with an average price of €69.

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

A train is €10 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Zurich to Lugano costing on average €78.

A train is €462 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Zurich to Lugano costing on average €531.

The fastest way to travel from Zurich to Lugano is by train with an average journey time of 2h 28m.

Other travel options to Lugano take longer:

Bus takes on average 4h 10m.

Flight takes on average 4h 53m.

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.
Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 42m faster (1h 58m by train vs 2h 40m by car) and roughly €13 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (€69 vs €82). 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.

Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.

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.

  • SBBIC 2 869 | 869
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • SBBIC 2 869 | 869
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Helvetic AirwaysLX1638
    0 transfers

Other options

  • SBBIR 46 2421 | 2421 · IC 21 671 | 671
    1 transfer
  • SBBIC 2 873 | 873
    0 transfers
  • SBBS 6 18647 | 18647 · IC 2 873 | 873
    1 transfer
  • VuelingVY1229 · VY6042
    1 transfer
  • Turkish AirlinesVF54 · VF61
    1 transfer
  • VuelingVY1229 · VY6040
    1 transfer

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

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

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.

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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 train with an average price of €69.

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

A train is €10 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Zurich to Lugano costing on average €78.

A train is €462 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Zurich to Lugano costing on average €531.

The fastest way to travel from Zurich to Lugano is by train with an average journey time of 2h 28m.

Other travel options to Lugano take longer:

Bus takes on average 4h 10m.

Flight takes on average 4h 53m.

The distance from Zurich to Lugano is approximately 96 miles (155 km).
The average frequency per day from Zurich to Lugano is:
  • Around 42 flights per day.
  • Around 21 trains per day.
  • Around 1 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 ITA, British Airways, Air Dolomiti, Vueling, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Helvetic Airways, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, BA Cityflyer, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines, Air Baltic, AJet, Ethiopian Airlines, Lot Polish Airlines, Lufthansa Cityline, Smartwings, Avion Express Malta, Edelweiss Air to go to Lugano by flight.
  • Travel with Marino Autolinee to go to Lugano by bus.
  • Travel with SBB to go to Lugano by train.
Yes, there are direct services available from Zurich to Lugano with the following travel companies:
  • 6 direct flights per day with ITA, Helvetic Airways, Swiss, Air Baltic, Ethiopian Airlines, Edelweiss Air.
  • 1 direct buses per day with Marino Autolinee.
  • 4 direct trains per day with SBB.
Omio customers who travel from Zurich to Lugano often also extend their vacation to go to Milan, Como, Milan Centrale, Lucerne, Rome. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Lugano and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Lugano to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Lugano, you can enjoy scenic boat tours and lakeside promenades around Lake Lugano, with stunning views. Hike or take a funicular to Monte San Salvatore for breathtaking regional views, and explore vibrant local markets for Swiss culture and cuisine. Visit the Hermann Hesse Museum in Montagnola, stroll through the historic streets of Lugano's Old Town, or enjoy panoramic views from Monte Brè. Relax at Parco Ciani, experience culture at Lugano Arte e Cultura, and explore Swissminiatur's miniature landmarks. Discover Gandria, a charming village with traditional architecture.
To fully experience Lugano, including its scenic lakeside views, cultural attractions, and nearby hiking trails, 2 to 3 days are recommended.

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