Lugano Airport serves the Ticinese city, the main center of Italian-speaking Switzerland, located on the lake of the same name.
It is a gateway to the Alps of Ticino and the Mediterranean climate of the region.
How to get to Lugano Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to LUG
Parking near Lugano Airport
In front of the terminal is a parking lot of modest size.
Rates are high, in line with Swiss cost of living.
How to get to Lugano from LUG
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Lugano Airport
Not all car rental companies are represented: only some have a desk here.
A driving licence, passport and credit card are needed; EU citizens do not need the International Driving Permit.
Hotels near Lugano Airport
Lugano centre and lakefront
Bus 16 (PostAuto) from the airport to the centre in 10-14 minutes; by train on line 60 about 13 minutes; by taxi the trip takes about 10 minutes.
Best for: Any stay: it's the only area with a substantial hotel offering, 10-15 minutes from the airport by bus, train or taxi.
- The lakefront, Via Nassa and the lake boats are nearly all reachable on foot from the central hotels
- Very short distances from the airport: even staying in the centre you lose no time on transfers
- The hotels near the SBB station, handy for onward train travel, are uphill from the lake
- In high season (spring-summer) the lakefront and Via Nassa get very busy, with prices rising accordingly
Recommended hotels
- Best Western Hotel Bellevue au Lac On the Paradiso lakefront for over a century, a few steps from the historic and shopping centre; heated outdoor pool with views of the lake and mountains. View availability
- Acquarello Swiss Quality Hotel On Piazza Cioccaro, at the top of the funicular that climbs from the SBB station, right in the pedestrian zone: Via Nassa and Piazza della Riforma are 2 minutes on foot. View availability
- B5 Boutique & Design Hotel - Adults Only 5 minutes on foot from Lugano's SBB station and 10 from the centre, in a 1923 building redesigned by architect Dario Franchini; adults only, 20 rooms. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, of compact size, mainly handles flights to European destinations.
Before boarding it is advisable to allow 2 hours margin for flights.
Map of Lugano Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How do you reach downtown Lugano from the airport?
With the FLP regional train (Lugano-Ponte Tresa), which connects the airport directly to Lugano's central station in about 20 minutes.
Q. Is Lugano in Italian-speaking Switzerland?
Yes, it's the main center of Ticino, Switzerland's Italian-speaking region, with a milder climate than the rest of the country.
Q. Is Lugano airport connected to the train station?
Yes, the FLP train arrives directly in front of Lugano's central station.
Q. Why do palm trees grow in Lugano despite being in Switzerland?
Because of Ticino's mild microclimate, sheltered by the Alps and facing the lake: conditions that allow palm trees and Mediterranean vegetation to grow, a feature that surprises many visitors used to a colder image of Switzerland.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
