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Basel to Lugano Train

17/11/2024
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Basel to Lugano by train

The journey from Basel to Lugano by train is 202.18 km and takes 4 hrs 46 mins. There are 17 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:52 am and the last at 9:43 pm. It is possible to travel from Basel to Lugano by train for as little as $14.21 or as much as $181.81. The best price for this journey is $14.21.

Lowest Price $14.21
Journey Duration 4 hrs 46 mins
Connection per Day 17
Lowest Price $14.21
Highest Price $181.81
First Departure 12:52 am
Last Departure 9:43 pm
Distance 202.18 km
Departure Basel
Arrival Lugano
Carriers SBB, TER

Basel to Lugano Train Times

Departure date
Sunday, 17 Nov 2024

Compare prices and tickets from Basel to Lugano

Cheap train tickets from Basel to Lugano
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from Basel to Lugano.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Basel to Lugano, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Basel to Lugano.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book Basel to Lugano travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Price as departure date approaches

Train companies may charge higher ticket prices as the date of departure approaches. Prices in the next days can range from around $39.58 to $85.67 but may be subject to change. Our advice is to book as early as possible to potentially save up to 54% on your trip!

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Basel to Lugano

The cheapest Basel - Lugano train tickets can be found for as low as $61.19 if you’re lucky, or $84.79 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $108.39.

Find the best day to travel to Lugano by train

When travelling to Lugano by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Carriers on this route

Find out more about the carriers on this route.

Swiss Federal Railways, or SBB, is the country's railroad organization. All around Switzerland, SBB offers passenger rail services with connections to nations including Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. SBB provides a range of train services, including high-speed trains, regional trains, and international trains, and offers different classes of service, from standard seating to luxurious sleeper cabins.

SNCF, the French national railway company, offers TER, a comprehensive regional train service. TER (Transport Express Régional) trains connect cities, and villages within regions of France, offering local transportation for commuters and tourists as they explore the regional culture, landscape, and attractions through its vast network of regional routes. TER trains are slower than the high-speed trains but offer a more affordable and comfortable alternative for shorter journeys within the regions.

TGV Lyria is a high-speed train service that operates between France and Switzerland. It is a joint venture between the French national railway company SNCF and SBB, the Swiss national railway company. TGV Lyria trains operate on several routes between major cities in France and Switzerland, including Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Basel, and Bern. The trains are known for their high speed, with some routes reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph), making them one of the fastest trains in Europe.

Ticket types and facilities from Basel to Lugano

Compare the different ticket types and the facilities provided by TER and TGV Lyria when traveling from Basel to Lugano.

Standard

TER train tickets have a fixed "Tarif Normal" fare and are valid for a single journey until midnight the day after validation in platform stamp machines. Some regions may offer off-peak discounts.
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Standard

STANDARD ticket provides an affordable 2nd class journey experience with three levels of exchange and refund flexibility - full, partial, and no flexibility - on all France - Switzerland international routes.
wifi WiFi
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Standard 1ère

STANDARD 1ÈRE ticket provides a value-for-money first-class journey with flexibility and access to all trains, available on all international routes between France and Switzerland.
wifi WiFi
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Business 1ère

BUSINESS 1ÈRE caters to passengers seeking a luxurious travel experience, with flexibility, tailored amenities and services, and is available on specific routes during weekdays and select times on Sundays.
wifi WiFi
quiet_zone Quiet zone
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Facility Description

Find out more about the different facilities available onboard with each carrier on this route.

wifi WiFi open icon close icon
TER trains are currently without WiFi services.
power_sockets Power sockets open icon close icon
Modern TER trains come equipped with power sockets.
luggage Luggage open icon close icon
TER trains have no restrictions on the size of bags, as long as they are within your personal handling capability and can fit in designated luggage areas.
accessibility Accessibility open icon close icon
Accès TER' offers specialized assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, ensuring a seamless travel experience.
food_and_drink Food and drink open icon close icon
TER trains do not provide onboard catering; consider bringing your refreshments.
bicycle Bicycle open icon close icon
Traveling with a bike on TER trains is free, simply hang it or store it in designated areas on a first-come, first-served basis, booking not available.
wifi WiFi open icon close icon
Connect to _WIFI_LYRIA for free WiFi and access the TGV Lyria Portal via your browser.
quiet_zone Quiet zone open icon close icon
A quiet car exclusive to TGV Lyria BUSINESS 1ERE, perfect for focused work or relaxation.
air_con Air conditioning open icon close icon
Carriages are air-conditioned, with air filtered every three minutes and fully refreshed every nine minutes.
power_sockets Power sockets open icon close icon
All seats in both classes have 2-pin, 230v power sockets for laptops and mobiles.
luggage Luggage open icon close icon
On TGV Lyria trains, you can bring hand luggage that's easy to carry and fits neatly in the designated spaces. This ensures everyone has room for their belongings and can enjoy a smooth ride
accessibility Accessibility open icon close icon
First Class carriages 1 or 11 have 2 seats for passengers with reduced mobility. Book these seats in advance, or a standard seat if they're taken. Station assistance for wheelchair storage is available upon request.
food_and_drink Food and drink open icon close icon
On TGV Lyria trains, choose between 'Le Deli' available in the café-bar or at your seat with a STANDARD ticket, and 'La Table' for a French-Swiss meal with a BUSINESS 1ÈRE ticket.
bicycle Bicycle open icon close icon
On TGV Lyria trains, you're welcome to bring a variety of items with you. This includes folded bikes (no larger than 130 x 90 cm), kids' pushchairs, skis, foldable scooters (both electric and manual), surf and snowboards, encased musical instruments, and wheelchairs (manual or electric) for those with mobility challenges.
Services on board SBB, TER and TGV Lyria from Basel to Lugano
Compare services on board when travelling from Basel to Lugano by train.
Facilities SBB TER TGV Lyria FlixBus
quiet_zone Quiet zone check cross check cross
wifi WiFi check check check check
power_sockets Power sockets check check check check
luggage Luggage check check check check
accessibility Accessibility check cross check check
food_and_drink Food and drink check check check check
air_con Air conditioning check cross check check
bicycle Bicycle check cross check check
sleeper_couchette Sleeper check cross check cross

Basel to Lugano CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
14.15kg
Bus
15.16kg
Flight
40.44kg
Car
32.35kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Basel to Lugano by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Basel and Lugano are 14.15kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Basel and Lugano? By taking the train between Basel and Lugano you will save 26.29kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 1.01kg compared to a bus and 18.2kg compared to a car.

Anything we can improve?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Basel to Lugano?
A train ticket from Basel to Lugano is $125.31. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as $14.21.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Basel to Lugano?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Basel to Lugano is $14.21. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between Basel and Lugano by train?
Basel to Lugano is 202.18 km.
How long does the train between Basel and Lugano take?
Basel to Lugano is on average 4 hrs 46 mins. However the fastest option will get you there in 2 hrs 55 mins.
Which companies operate from Basel to Lugano?
The train journey from Basel to Lugano is covered by 3 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: SBB, TER, TGV Lyria and FlixBus.
How many train connections per day go from Basel to Lugano?
Basel to Lugano has 17 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Basel to Lugano leave?
The earliest train from Basel to Lugano departs at 12:52 am. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last train from Basel to Lugano depart?
The latest train from Basel to Lugano departs at 9:43 pm. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from Basel to Lugano in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest train ticket we have found is $14.21 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
How many direct connections depart from Basel to Lugano?
There are on average 1 direct connection(s) from Basel to go to Lugano.
What's the fastest journey time between Basel to Lugano by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Basel and Lugano is 2 hrs 55 mins.
Is there a direct train from Basel to Lugano?
Yes, there is a direct train between Basel and Lugano.
What are the CO2 emissions for Basel to Lugano by train?
The train journey from Basel to Lugano creates 14.15kg of CO2 emissions.