- Must visit
MASI Lugano at LAC
Lugano’s flagship art museum presents modern and contemporary exhibitions in a lakeside cultural centre. A top stop for architecture, art and temporary shows.
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£13
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£13
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
1 h 15 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
1 h 26 m
Buses on 05 Sept
6
Distance
45 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano will cost around £13 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £13.
On Sat 05 Sept, we found 6 buses from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano, including 6 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 45 km distance in an average of 1 h 26 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 15 m .
The slowest buses will take 1 h 35 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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FlixBusOmio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £16 For those with little time, consider booking a coach, which has an average total journey time of 1h 35m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £16, while a train costs an average of £36.
Distance: 45 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£16 Average Price Cheapest | £36 Average Price | £56 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 35m Average total duration Fastest 1h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 48m Average total duration 2h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano:
A coach is £20 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano costing on average £36.
Other travel options to Lugano take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 18m.
Tickets start at around £16 compared to roughly £56 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £40. The journey takes 1h 5m versus 1h 1m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by BlaBlaCar, FlixBus, GoOpti.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano coaches for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 17:55 Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T1 | 1h25 | 19:20 Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 18:05 Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T2 | 1h15 | 19:20 Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 21:10 Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T1 | 1h40 | 22:50 Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 21:20 Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T2 | 1h30 | 22:50 Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 5 September | |||||
FlixBus | 9:10 Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T1 | 1h35 | 10:45 Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 9:20 Ferno, Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa T2 | 1h25 | 10:45 Lugano, Via Ciani | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 5m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £13 if you book in advance.
There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 07:10, the last at 19:20. The fastest coach covers the 45 km distance in 1h 25m.
Distance 45 km |
Average bus duration 1h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price £13 |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 1h 25m |
First bus 7:10 |
Last bus 19:20 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Lugano — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Lugano trip today.
Lugano’s flagship art museum presents modern and contemporary exhibitions in a lakeside cultural centre. A top stop for architecture, art and temporary shows.
A lakeside museum in Villa Ciani with exhibitions on Swiss customs, arts and regional culture. It is a manageable visit near the city centre and park.
Museum of customs and smuggling history in Cantine di Gandria. It offers a distinctive local story in a scenic lakeside setting reached on foot or by boat.
Elegant central square facing the lake, lined with historic buildings and arcades. It is the classic meeting point for views, walks and city atmosphere.
Large lakeside park with mature trees, lawns, sculptures and open views. Ideal for a relaxed stroll close to museums, the waterfront and the city centre.
The main promenade along Lake Lugano, popular for walking, photographs and easy access to cultural sites. A simple way to enjoy the city’s lakeside setting.
Creamy polenta from maize meal, a staple in Ticino often served with braised meats or cheese. It reflects the region’s Alpine-Italian food heritage.
Slow-cooked beef braise in red wine, traditionally served with polenta. It is a classic celebratory dish in Ticino and northern Italian-influenced homes.
Air-dried raw salami from Ticino pork, seasoned and cured. It is a traditional local charcuterie eaten as an antipasto or with bread and wine.
Elegant dining room in central Lugano offering refined Italian cuisine, seafood and tasting menus in a formal atmosphere.
Historic grotto-style venue known for Ticinese classics, local wines and a relaxed traditional atmosphere near the centre.
Well-known lakeside restaurant serving fish, pasta and regional dishes with scenic views and a polished but approachable setting.
Lugano is pricier than many Swiss and Italian-border cities, with high hotel rates, dining costs and everyday expenses; public transport is efficient but not cheap.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for excellent service in restaurants; round up taxi fares; small change is fine in cafés.
Official public transport app
Lugano, Via Ciani -> Piazza Riforma, Lugano
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Lugano, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Milan Malpensa Airport to Lugano buses use the Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano to Lugano, Via Ciani station pair, with some services arriving at Agno, Lugano Airport (Parcheggio sosta breve). Use this guide to compare Milan Malpensa Airport and Lugano bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need