we will be taking a bus from lugano to the malpensa airport in milan in order to catch a flight to amsterdam. will we go through customs anywhere when entering italy from lugano or is it open border?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Andrea, I've only travelled by train on that route, but I'm assuming travel by Bus will be the same. On the trip from Milan to Lugano, there were no Passport checks at all. However, it's common on ANY trains in Europe for Police (or whatever) to randomly check passengers. I've never seen that when travelling by Bus. As the previous post mentioned, border controls have mostly been removed. Your Passport will be stamped when you enter the E.U. and again when you leave, so you should be able to travel freely within the E.U. Happy travels!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8059 posts
Switzerland is now part of the Schengen Agreement, but not sure if they have removed all border controls. However even before they entered the agreement, customs, or I think you mean more Immigration control, was a non-event. The most I could remember is a pass through the train by security personnel they pick up at one station, they do a quick passport check, then get off at the next station. By car it may be different, but can't imagine that it would be more than a quick stop. Security at the Milan airport will be more stringent and time consuming by far.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles
34 posts
thanks!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Schengen, which removed immigration control for people between participating countries, and the European Union, which removed control of goods across borders, are not the same zones. UK is in the EU, but not a Schengen country; Switzerland is a Schengen country but not in the EU. So, whereas you shouldn't encounter passport checks going from Switzerland to Italy, it is possible, albeit unlikely, that you could have a customs check.