Rome2Rio

How to get fromCologne to Luganoby train, bus, car, or plane

Find Transport to Lugano

See all options

There are 12 ways to get from Cologne to Lugano by train, bus, car, or plane

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train

    best
    1. Take the train from Köln Hbf to Basel SBBtrain train 43 / ...
    2. Take the train from Basel SBB to Luganotrain train Ic21 / ...
    7h 48m
    CHF 98–287

  2. Train to Düsseldorf International Airport, fly to Milano Malpensa Airport, train

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Koeln Hbf to Duesseldorf Flughafentrain train
    2. Fly from Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) to Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP)plane plane DUS - MXP
    3. Take the train from Malpensa Aeroporto T1 to Luganotrain train
    6h 37m
    CHF 39–169

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Köln to Zürich Bus Stationbus bus Ivano-Frankivsk
    2. Take the bus from Zürich Hbf to Lugano Stazionebus bus
    10h 30m
    CHF 58–65

  4. Drive  749.9 km

    1. Drive from Cologne to Luganocar car 749.9 km
    6h 49m
    CHF 125–180

  5. Fly Cologne Bonn Airport to Milano Malpensa Airport, train

    1. Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP)plane plane CGN - MXP
    2. Take the train from Malpensa Aeroporto T1 to Luganotrain train
    5h 49m
    CHF 57–216

  6. Train via Karlsruhe

    1. Take the train from Köln Hbf to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhoftrain train 43 / ...
    2. Take the train from Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof to Basel SBBtrain train 12 / ...
    3. Take the train from Basel SBB to Luganotrain train Ec
    8h 13m
    CHF 86–291

  7. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Köln Süd to Freiburg im Breisgau Train Stationtrain train Nightjet
    2. Take the bus from Freiburg to Luganobus bus FlixBus N474
    11h 28m
    CHF 77–141

  8. Fly Cologne Bonn Airport to Zurich Airport, train

    1. Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Zurich Airport (ZRH)plane plane CGN - ZRH
    2. Take the train from Zürich HB to Luganotrain train
    5h 57m
    CHF 130–292

  9. Train to Düsseldorf International Airport, fly to Milan Linate Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Koeln Hbf to Duesseldorf Flughafentrain train
    2. Fly from Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) to Milan Linate Airport (LIN)plane plane DUS - LIN
    3. Take the train from Monza to Luganotrain train
    6h 59m
    CHF 102–262

  10. Fly Cologne Bonn Airport to Il Caravaggio International Airport, bus, train

    1. Fly from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Il Caravaggio International Airport (BGY)plane plane CGN - BGY
    2. Take the bus from Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport to Piazza Luigi di Savoiabus bus
    3. Take the train from Milano Centrale to Luganotrain train
    6h 32m
    CHF 71–247

  11. Train to Frankfurt, fly to Milan Linate Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Köln Messe/Deutz Bf to Frankfurttrain train
    2. Fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Milan Linate Airport (LIN)plane plane FRA - LIN
    3. Take the train from Monza to Luganotrain train
    6h 35m
    CHF 53–207

  12. Train to Dortmund Airport, fly to Milano Malpensa Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Koeln Hbf to Holzwickedetrain train
    2. Fly from Dortmund Airport (DTM) to Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP)plane plane DTM - MXP
    3. Take the train from Malpensa Aeroporto T1 to Luganotrain train
    7h 29m

Cologne to Lugano by train

Calendar76Weekly Trains
Duration7h 48mAverage Duration
TicketCHF 98Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Cologne to Lugano.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 745.6 km
  • Duration: 7h 48m

What companies run services between Cologne, Germany and Lugano, Switzerland?

You can take a train from Köln Hbf to Lugano via Basel SBB in around 7h 48m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Köln to Lugano Stazione via Zürich Bus Station and Zürich Hbf in around 10h 30m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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.

Related travel guides

Italy Travel Guides

Read the travel guideItaly Travel Guides

Booking & Getting There