Quick one-day Ticino trip to see the highlights 

Rail pass versus full-fare tickets

The price of this trip heavily depends on the type of ticket or rail pass you use. You can buy full-fare tickets for each stretch of the route, but this will be quite costly.

Chances are you will be staying in the region or in Switzerland for a longer time, and that you'll buy a rail pass to save money. Most of this Ticino day trip will be discounted or even free if you buy the right rail pass.

These resources can help:

• Our rail pass finder
• Learn how to find ticket prices and compare passes
• Traveling in the Ticino area

Prices for Monte San Salvatore and Cardada-Cimetta

Prices for both mountain trips can be found through:

• Monte San Salvatore - ticket prices
• Cardada-Cimetta - ticket prices

Prices for the boat trip Lugano-Melide

Find information about the boat fares on Lake Lugano through:

• Boat Lake Lugano - ticket prices

Prices for the train trips

If you don't have a rail pass that grants free travel in Locarno and Lugano, and between both towns, you'll need additional tickets for the train transfers. Info and prices can be found through:

• Swiss tickets and day passes
• Swiss timetable guide, with a detailed explanation of finding ticket prices

How long this day trip takes

You need at least 7 hours to complete this trip. This doesn't include any breaks. But it makes sense to plan photo stops and lunch or dinner breaks. So count on a full day of traveling.

I advise you to leave early: no later than 09:00.

How to use this itinerary

Our suggestion starts and ends in Lugano. Of course you can start and end anywhere along the route instead. Add or remove any of the side excursions in the Ticino as you wish.

Whatever you choose, plan your trip with the aid of the Swiss timetable.

The route description

Section 1: Lugano to Melide

From Lugano, you'll take a boat to Melide. This allows you to enjoy Lake Lugano for about half an hour. Then you'll walk to the train station of Melide in 10-15 minutes.

Approximate travel time: 0h45

Section 2: Melide to Monte San Salvatore

Take a short train ride to Paradiso. Walk to the funicular station in about 7 minutes. Take the funicular to the top of Monte San Salvatore and enjoy the view over the lake, the mountains and the city of Lugano.

Approximate travel time: 1h00 - 1h15

Section 3: Monte San Salvatore to Locarno

Take the funicular back down and walk back to the train station Lugano-Paradiso. Travel to Locarno.

Approximate travel time: 1h10

Section 4: Locarno to Cimetta

Walk to the funicular station in 2 minutes and take the funicular, cable car, and chairlift all the way up to Cimetta. Here, you can enjoy the view of Lake Maggiore, the mountains, and the towns Locarno and Ascona.

Approximate travel time: 1h00

Section 5: Cimetta to Madonna del Sasso

Take the chairlift and cable car back down, but only as far as Orselina. Walk to the historical church of Madonna del Sasso.

Approximate travel time: 0h40

Section 6: Madonna del Sasso - Locarno

After your visit to the sanctuary, either take the funicular to Locarno or walk down. Then explore Locarno on foot, and/or have dinner in the center of town or at the lakefront.

Approximate travel time: 1h15

Section 7: Locarno - Lugano

Take the train back to Lugano.

Approximate travel time: 0h30

Take a break from traveling!

If the weather is good, you'll have great views during all of this trip. But do plan breaks to take in the views even better. Good places to do so are Monte San Salvatore, Cimetta (or mid-station Cardada), and countless restaurants in Locarno. Shopping can be done in Lugano and Locarno.

Boat and mountain operation times

The regular trains run all year, but the cableways don't, and boat services can be limited in low season. Find operation dates and schedules for the other sections of this itinerary below:

• Boat Lake Lugano - schedules
• Monte San Salvatore funicular - schedules
• Cardada-Cimetta cable car and chairlift - schedules

How to plan your trip with the Swiss timetable

It's best to make a detailed schedule for your itinerary. You'll find each stretch in the Swiss timetable. If you're not familiar with it, this guide can help.

Use these names for each location:

• "Lugano' and "Locarno" for the rail stations in both towns
• "Lugano Centrale (lago)" for the boat station near the Lugano rail station
• "Melide Swissminiatur (lago)" for the boat dock at Melide
• "Melide" for the train station of Melide
• "Paradiso" for the smaller train station in Lugano near the Monte San Salvatore funicular

Check forecasts in multiple locations

Check the forecast for Lugano below. Have a look at the Locarno forecasts too: the towns are relatively close to one another, but the weather can still be different in both areas.

How to dress

Dress for the mountains: take sun glasses and layers of clothing, as temperatures will vary throughout the day. There can be significant differences between temperatures in Lugano or Locarno in the valley, and those at Cimetta, which is pretty high to Ticino standards.

What to do if weather isn't great

This trip is best in dry weather, and perfect if it's sunny. If there are many (low) clouds the views from Monte San Salvatore won't be that spectacular. And the panorama from Cimetta, which is at a higher altitude, may be entirely blocked by clouds.

If weather isn't good enough for both mountain visits, you can easily tweak the itinerary. Include other activities such as a town walk in Lugano or in Locarno, a visit to Swissminiatur or a longer boat ride on Lake Lugano or Lake Maggiore for example.