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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.
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Routes
Option 1: taking the regional trains
Journey Summary
1hr 9min
Daily
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.
13 x trains per day
There is usually one train per hour, but there is gap between 09:43 and 12:43
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
Travelling On
Journey Features
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
Journey Summary
1hr 18 min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Zurich or Basel
All trains also call at: Chiasso
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.
6 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Italiarail | from €24 | |
| Trenitalia | from €24 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
These EC trains currently don't plug the three hour late morning gap between the departures of the Regional trains
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.
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