Day Trip to Lugano from Milan : The Ultimate Guide

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If you’re looking for a unique day trip that lets you experience two countries in one day, Lugano is the perfect destination. Nestled in the southernmost part of the Swiss Alps, Lugano offers a blend of Swiss and Mediterranean charm. Just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Milan by train, Lugano is an easy escape from Milan to Lugano.

On my first trip to Italy from France, I was captivated by the stunning views of Lake Lugano after crossing the splendid, snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps. The memories from that journey placed Lugano on my bucket list for future visits.

For those wondering whether Lugano is worth visiting, I can confidently say it absolutely is. Despite its location on the outskirts of the Swiss Alps, Lugano has a surprisingly Mediterranean climate, with palm trees, vineyards, and olive groves!

Where is Lugano?

Lugano, a Swiss town in the southernmost part of the Italian-speaking Ticino canton, sits on the shores of Lake Lugano at the outskirts of the Alps. Monte Brè, Monte San Salvatore, and Monte Generoso surround the town.

Nestled between Italy’s Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, Lugano offers memorable views just 35 minutes from Como, Italy.

How to Get to Lugano From Milan to Lugano by Train?

The fastest nonstop Regional Express train trips from Milan Central station take 1 hour and 15 minutes to cover 38 miles, traveling between Milan and Lugano. Trenord, Trenitalia, SBB, and Regiojet operate approximately 31 trips between Milan and Lugano. As of 2025, The first train departs at 5:32 am, and the last train departs at 11:25 pm from Milan.

Planning a trip to Milan? Don’t miss out on my other articles packed with travel tips, must-see attractions. Check out 1-Day Itinerary : Best Activities to Do in Milan and How to Get to Milan: Everything About Transportation

From Other Nearby Destinations to Lugano

Although Lugano has an international airport, most flights are connecting flights from various Swiss cities. Alternatively, Milano Malpensa has a direct train connection to Lugano and provides a wider range of international and connecting flight options.

Lugano from Milan Malpensa Airport

The Tilo S50 train connects Milan Malpensa Airport’s Terminals 1 or 2 directly to Lugano, with one stop in Varese along the way. For further information on Tile S50 train schedules, check the Tilo official site. The Tilo train company is a joint venture between Italian railway company Trenord and Swiss Federal Railways.

Lugano is just a short train ride from Como, Italy, taking 35 to 44 minutes depending on the selected itinerary. 

On our last trip to Lugano, after spending some time in the Lake Como area, we took the ferry to Como and then the train to Lugano from there. Como San Giovanni train station is about a 15-minute walk from the Como ferry dock area.

You can also drive or take a bus from Milan to Lugano. Various private tours are also available from Milan to Lugano. 

How to get to Lugano from Bellagio ?

While there is no direct train from Bellagio, travelers can take a ferry to Menaggio, situated on the opposite shore of Lake Como and bordering Switzerland. From Menaggio, one can take the ASF bus Line C12 from the Menaggio-Piazza Rome bus station to the Lugano Stazione FFS Piazzale Nord bus stop. The journey from Menaggio to Lugano takes less than an hour, with the earliest bus departing at 5:38 am from the Menaggio-Piazza Rome station.

Alternatively, you can also book a taxi to travel between Menaggio and Lugano. Several taxi companies offer services along this route, including transfers to Malpensa Milan airport. Taxi Lugano is one of the operators providing these services.

Uber is also available in the area, though availability may be sparse, and it may be more expensive than taking a bus.

Are you planning to visit Bellagio or Lake Como in Italy ? Check out my articles How to Spend an Unforgettable Day in Bellagio, Italy (Lake Como) and 33 Things to See and Do in Lake Como, Italy

Visiting Lugano and Como in One Day

It is possible to visit both Lugano and Como in a single day. The non-stop train ride from Como to Lugano takes between 35 and 44 minutes, depending on the itinerary.

On our trip to Lugano, we took an early train from Milan to Varenna to explore the Lake Como area before taking a ferry to Como. Keep in mind that public ferries from Varenna or Bellagio to Como can take up to four hours, offering spectacular views of Lake Como. If you want to reach Como more quickly from the northern towns, be sure to take an express ferry/hydrofoil, which reduces the travel time to about an hour.

Best Things to do in Lugano in One Day

Stroll around Lugano’s Historical City Center 

If you arrive in Lugano by train, the city center is a short walk from the Lugano FLP train station. You can either take the stairs adjacent to the Lugano Città–Stazione or take the Sassellina funicular from the train station to the city center.

From the train station, one can observe stunning vistas of Lugano town, including Lugano Lake and the terracotta rooftops of nearby residences. As you continue to take the stairs, the San Lorenzo (Saint Lawrence) Roman Catholic Cathedral appears on the right side. The bell tower of the cathedral is among the first notable landmarks visible from the train station.

If you arrive in Lugano by train, the city center is a short walk from the Lugano FLP train station. You can either take the nearby stairs or the funicular to reach the city center. From the station, you can see stunning views of Lugano, including lake Lugano and terracotta rooftops. As you descend the stairs, you’ll notice the San Lorenzo Cathedral on your right, with its bell tower being one of the first landmarks visible from the train station.

After passing the San Lorenzo cathedral, you find yourself in Lugano’s historical city center with architecturally unique buildings.

Piazza della Riforma is a must-see town square in the historical center of Lugano nestled with vibrant, architecturally beautiful historical buildings. 

Swiss Bank and City Hall buildings are some of the remarkable structures to see in Piazza della Riforma.

Explore Lake Lugano on Foot

Lugano offers an exquisite waterfront area with a public park along the shore of Lake Lugano. Visitors can enjoy tranquil and picturesque vistas of Lake Lugano, as well as the adjacent Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore. 

If you continue to walk left from the waterfront area, you will reach Ciano Park.

Historically, Lugano was under French occupation at the end of the 15th century. However, by 1512, Swiss forces took control of Lugano, and it has remained within Switzerland’s borders since that time. The influence of Italian culture is evident in Lugano, as Italian is the local spoken language. Additionally, the northern part of Lake Lugano falls within Italy’s borders. 

Where to Eat in Lugano?

• Ristorante Olimpia, located in Piazza Riforma I, is within a short walking distance from the waterfront area. On our last trip to Lugano, we dined at Ristorante Olimpia. The salmon and cod dishes were tasty. In addition to seafood dishes, the restaurant also serves a diverse selection of pasta and meat dish selection, including risotto, tagliatelle, and Osso buco dishes. 
  

Essential Travel Tips for Your Visit to Lugano

Border Crossing Tips from Milan to Lugano

Ensure you have your passport with you when crossing the border. Additionally, you will need your passport information when booking your train ticket to Lugano.

Even though Switzerland is not part of the European Union, it has been part of the Schengen area since December 2008, allowing travelers with a Schengen visa to enter Switzerland from any EU country within the Schengen zone. Due to ongoing security concerns, there might be occasional border checks despite all neighboring countries being in the Schengen area, so always carry your passport.

Additionally, US citizens don’t require any visa to enter Switzerland. However, starting in the last quarter of 2026, citizens from non-EU visa-exempt countries, including the United States, will need to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before traveling. The ETIAS is not a visa but an electronic pre-travel authorization with a small fee payment. The goal of ETIAS is to strengthen European border security.

Currency and Language

Lugano is located in the Swiss Italian Ticino canton of Switzerland; therefore, the main language in Lugano is Italian. Alongside French, German, and Romansh, Italian is one of the four official languages of Switzerland.

 The official currency used in Lugano is the Swiss franc. If you are only traveling to Lugano for a day, you can use your credit cards in many places, which may negate the need for currency exchange during your stay. Note that the Swiss Franc (CHF) has a higher value than the US Dollar and Euro, which means that Lugano, and Switzerland in general, can be relatively expensive.