Milano / Milan / Mailand to Lugano by train

How to take a rail journey from Milano to Lugano

Despite its location over the Swiss border, beautiful Lugano is close enough to Milan to be a commuter destination for the city.
As a consequence the most frequent trains on this route are the Regional services, which have been significantly improved in recent years.
They're also generally a cheaper option, particularly if you will buying tickets at the last minute, and if you'll be traveling with an InterRail or Eurail pass, you can take these trains and avoid the comparatively expensive rail pass reservation fees on the EC trains; connecting in Lugano for the other destinations in Switzerland served by those trains.

The other rail travel option is to take the EC (EuroCity) trains, but despite being 'express' trains, they are not any faster on this route.
The plus of taking them is that seat reservations are complimentary when booking tickets, so not only are the seats more comfortable, they will also be assigned.
The Regionale trains can be busy, particularly in the late afternoon and early evening.

Share

Routes

Option 1: taking the regional trains

Travel Information

Final Destination: Locarno - connect for the Centovali Railway

All trains also call at: Chiasso and Lugano-Paradiso - connect for the Salvatore Funicular

On this particular route the EC 'express' trains aren't any faster, but because reservations are compulsory on the EC trains, you will have a guaranteed seat.
In contrast the evening departures by these regional trains can be particularly crowded.
However, when the discounted tickets for those EC trains have sold out, these trains are a (much) cheaper option - so if you will be buying tickets last minute at the station, target these trains.

These regional trains are no different to the 'local' commuter trains in southern Switzerland, they have exceptionally large windows, which help make the most of this scenic route.
This trains will be branded as Trenord or Ticino, as they are not operated, by Trenitalia.

Though rail passes can be used on these trains - if you will be travelling with an InterRail or Eurail pass valid in Italy and Switzerland, you can avoid the rail pass reservation fees that are charged on the EC trains.

1 x train per hour

Tickets

Book early and save: No

Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure.
(The train service is operated by Trenord and not Trenitalia - but the trains are branded Ticino)

If you will be buying tickets on the day of travel, these will be cheaper than the alternative EC trains.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trenord *

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLake viewsNot High Speed

The first half of this journey is unexceptional, but things become a tad more fabulous once the train has passed through Chiasso and crossed the border into Switzerland.

Once you're in Switzerland, look out for these three highlights (the video was taken from a train travelling in the opposite direction)

(1) The views from the left over Lake Lugano, as the train nears Lugano.

(2) The crossing over Lake Lugano - with great views from both sides of the train.

(3) South of Lugano station, the views over the lake switch to the right.

Option 2: taking the EC trains

Travel Information

Final Destination: Zurich or Basel

All trains also call at: Chiasso

The Giruno trains comprise the majority of departures, but on a few departures, particularly the train which is typically scheduled to leave at 17:10, a combination of Astoro and ETR 600 trains can be used.

10 x trains per day

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date

Reservations will automatically be assigned when booking tickets (but rail pass users will need to make reservations prior to boarding at a ticket office - they're not available from the Trenitalia ticket machines)

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day - so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

Rail pass users:

Avoid these trains if possible, the rail pass reservation fees on these trains are expensive, for such a comparatively short journey.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Italia rail from €24

Italia rail Guide

Italiarail lives up to its name by selling tickets for rail journeys within Italy and the core feature of its service is that it is primarily designed to be used by international visitors to Italy.
So the English translations of place names are used when looking up journeys and the terms and conditions for using each type of ticket are clearly explained.
It also clearly points out the additional costs of upgrading to other classes and types of tickets while spelling out the additional benefits of doing so.
Though Italiarail will charge a booking fee, typically of around €3.

The Early Bird service

Italiarail has launched an 'early bird' pre-booking service for journeys by Frecce trains.
Tickets can be booked up to a year ahead of travel at a flat-rate price per route, before the tickets have been released for sale by Trenitalia.
If when they are placed on sale, the price is cheaper than what you have already paid to Italiarail, it will automatically refund the price difference.
Conversely, if the price is more expensive, you won't be charged the price difference.
You can also have the peace of mind of securing your seat(s) on the Frecce train(s) when you are first planning a trip.
If before the tickets are placed on sale, you decide to change your plans, you can request a refund; but once the tickets are released for sale, you will then be bound by the terms and conditions of the ticket(s) you have booked.

Trenitalia from €24

Trenitalia Guide

Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:

  • Group Offers, provides for a discount of up to 50% when 3-5 Adults travel together.
  • Family Offer for when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 11 and under.
  • The Children Free Offer is available for journeys by Frecce trains, when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 15 and under.
    Those aged 15 and under travel for free, but the Adults will need to purchase full price 'Base' tickets.

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - NoLake viewsNot High Speed

Good to Know

On this particular route the EC 'express' trains aren't any faster, but the key positive are that reservations are compulsory when booking tickets, so you will have a guaranteed seat.
The alternative regional trains are no different to the 'local' commuter trains in southern Switzerland.

The first half of this journey is unexceptional, but things become a tad more fabulous once the train has passed through Chiasso and crossed the border into Switzerland.

Once you're in Switzerland, look out for these three highlights (the video was taken from a train travelling in the opposite direction)

(1) The views from the left over Lake Lugano, as the train nears Lugano.

(2) The crossing over Lake Lugano - with great views from both sides of the train

(3) South of Lugano station, the views over the lake switch to the right.

Take the stress out of your journey Everything planned to your specification, so sit back and relax… Try Concierge
hand-money

Please support ShowMeTheJourney

Help keep us advertising and paywall free!

Donate

This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.

We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.

Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.

So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.

See if there’s a unique journey guide for your trip, featuring info on the trains, tickets & stations.
Leaving From
Going To
ShowMeTheJourney

This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.