advice on train tickets Geneva to Lugano and then Lugano to Bolzano

Posted by KarenB (Santa Fe) on 05/07/23 10:56 PM

Hi! I'll be arriving at Geneva Airport at 7:30AM on a weekday in June and then taking the train to Lugano. Planning to purchase 1st class to be less crowded on the way. Any advice on making the purchase? Seems relatively straightforward since it's all in Switzerland.

After that, we'll train from Lugano to Bolzano on a Saturday morning. That definitely looks more limited and crosses the border. Seeking advice. The Swiss train is $$$; the Italian train less $. But there are not many choices.

Thanks in advance.

Posted by MaryPat

Irving

05/07/23 11:55 PM

3230 posts

There’s a train every hour from the Genève-Aéroport departing at 8:05, 9:05, etc. and requires a transfer. The total trip takes 5h.
From Lugano to Bolzano/Bozen requires a change too but most trains require two transfers. However, there is one that departs at 10:32a that requires a change in Verona (5h).
The further out you reserve a ticket the cheaper the price. I normally buy my ticket at the airport the morning I arrive and have never had a problem.

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

05/08/23 01:07 AM

21159 posts

You can buy the ticekt from Lugano to Bolzano at https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
Right now, you can buy tickets for that 10:32 EC train to Verona for 90 EUR for 2 nonrefundable on June 14 for example. The Regionale Veloce to Bolzano is always the same price with no reservations at 30 EUR for 2. The EC train includes seat reservations.

The train from Geneva Airport to Lugano sends you all the way to Zurich then train change to Lugano, using the Gotthard Base Tunnel. You could take and extra hour and some more train changes and go via Brig, Domodossola, Locarno. That uses the scenic Centovalli Railway between Domodossola and Locarno. Shame you are not flying into Milan Malpensa or Zurich. Direct trains from Malpensa and Zurich HB to Lugano.

Posted by WengenK

Wengen

05/08/23 04:56 AM

2497 posts

For Geneve - Lugano it is probably best to get a Saver Day Pass, and get it now. The longer you wait the more they cast.

Bought in advance a saver day pass costs 52,- and it is valid on all public transit in Switzerland, so you are free to chose your route and are not fixed to a departure.