>> I’m looking to travel from Menaggio (lake como area) to Lugano by bus on monday june 19th. Looks like the #12 bus but I’m having a hard time finding out information on where the bus picks up and drops off.
You can get from Menaggio to Lugano on the #12 bus (Italian bus) or on the Palm Express (Swiss PostBus). You can see pick-up and drop-off stops on the timetables, and look for the stop locations on Google Maps.
>> What Bus # do you recommend?
>> and can I use my swiss train pass?
If you want to use your Swiss Travel Pass, the Palm Express is the only option. It runs once per day, and reservations are mandatory. You can make a free reservation online here:
http://www.postauto.ch/en/exc ursion-tips/palm-express
If the timing of that bus doesn’t suit you, you would need to take bus #12, on which your Swiss Travel Pass is not valid.
>> what is the bus schedule?
The schedule for the Palm Express is here (near the end of the page):
http://www.postauto.ch/en/exc ursion-tips/palm-express
The schedule for the #12 bus is here, but is only valid until 8 June, so you will need to check for the summer timetable closer to your travel date:
http://www.sptlinea.it/conten t/it/orari-rete-extraurbana
>> how do I buy tickets?
If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you will not need a ticket, just the mandatory reservation via the link I posted above.
Information about ticket outlets for bus #12 is here:
http://www.sptlinea.it/conten t/en/tickets-offices
Alpenrose