There are 5 ways to get from Basel to Lugano by train, bus, rideshare, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
best- Take the train from Basel SBB to Luganotrain Ic21 / ...
2h 54mCHF 18–23Rideshare
cheapest- Take the rideshare from Basel to Lugano263.2 km
3h 23mCHF 13Bus
- Take the bus from Basel to Luganobus
7h 30mCHF 24–35Train via Biasca
- Take the train from Basel SBB to Biascatrain Ir26
- Take the train from Biasca to Luganotrain S10 / ...
4h 34mDrive 263.9 km
- Drive from Basel to Luganocar 263.9 km
2h 50mCHF 42–60
Basel to Lugano by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Basel to Lugano is to rideshare which costs SFr 13 and takes 3h 23m.
The fastest way to get from Basel to Lugano is to drive which takes 2h 50m and costs SFr 40 - SFr 60.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Basel and arriving at Lugano. Services depart twice a week, and operate Monday and Friday. The journey takes approximately 7h 30m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Basel SBB and arriving at Lugano. Services depart every three hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 54m.
The distance between Basel and Lugano is 252 km. The road distance is 263.9 km.
The best way to get from Basel to Lugano without a car is to train which takes 2h 54m and costs SFr 18 - SFr 23.
The train from Basel SBB to Lugano takes 2h 54m including transfers and departs every three hours.
Basel to Lugano bus services, operated by Gruppo Di Maio, depart from Basel station.
Basel to Lugano train services, operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), depart from Basel SBB station.
The best way to get from Basel to Lugano is to train which takes 2h 54m and costs SFr 18 - SFr 23. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs SFr 24 - SFr 35 and takes 7h 30m.
What companies run services between Basel, Switzerland and Lugano, Switzerland?
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) operates a train from Basel SBB to Lugano every 3 hours. Tickets cost CHF 75–140 and the journey takes 2h 54m. SBB GmbH also services this route once daily. Alternatively, Gruppo Di Maio operates a bus from Basel to Lugano twice a week. Tickets cost CHF 24–35 and the journey takes 7h 30m.
- Phone
- +41 848 446 688
- Website
- sbb.ch
Train from Basel SBB to Lugano
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 54m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- CHF 75–140
- Website
- https://www.sbb.ch/en
- Phone
- +49 (0) 7531 915109
- info@sbb-deutschland.de
- Website
- sbb-deutschland.de
Train from Basel SBB to Lugano
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 21m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- CHF 18–23
- Schedules at
- sbb-deutschland.de
- Phone
- +41 58 580 70 70
- info@sob.ch
- Website
- sob.ch
Train from Basel SBB to Biasca
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Schedules at
- sob.ch
- Phone
- +39 02 7249 4494
- my-link@trenord.it
- Website
- trenord.it
Train from Biasca to Lugano
- Ave. Duration
- 40 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- CHF 3–5
- Website
- https://www.trenord.it/en/
- Phone
- +39 0827 34 117
- info@gruppodimaio.it
- Website
- gruppodimaio.it
Bus from Basel to Lugano
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- CHF 24–35
- Schedules at
- gruppodimaio.it
- Phone
- +3 318 576 2228
- Website
- blablacar.com
Rideshare from Basel to Lugano
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 23m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- CHF 13
- Schedules at
- blablacar.com
Want to know more about travelling around Switzerland
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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More Questions & Answers
Basel to Lugano bus services, operated by Gruppo Di Maio, arrive at Lugano station.
Basel to Lugano train services, operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), arrive at Lugano station.
Yes, the driving distance between Basel to Lugano is 264 km. It takes approximately 2h 50m to drive from Basel to Lugano.
Book your Basel to Lugano train tickets online with Omio.
There are 6297+ hotels available in Lugano.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Basel and Lugano. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.

























