By Train to Ticino: Traveling to Southern Switzerland Without a Car

The best way to get to Ticino is to take your time getting there. First, Germany glides by the window; then the train climbs into the Alps; and suddenly (after a long tunnel), the rooftops are orange, there are palm trees on the platform, and you hear Italian. No rental car, no parking stress, no traffic jam at the Gotthard Pass.

I traveled by train from the Netherlands and used only public transportation once I arrived. It works just fine, and it’s more comfortable than it sounds. With the right app and pass, it’s not expensive either. Here’s how to do it.

Traveling to Ticino by Train: Your Options

There is no direct train from the Netherlands to Locarno or Lugano; you’ll always have to change trains at least once along the way. But the journey itself is an experience. Three ways:

• During the day, take the ICE through Germany. From Amsterdam, Utrecht, or Arnhem, you can travel via Frankfurt to Basel (about 7 hours) or Zurich (about 7.5 hours), with at least one transfer in Germany. There, you’ll transfer to a train heading south via the Gotthard Pass; the total travel time to Locarno or Lugano is about nine to ten hours.
• Overnight on the Nightjet. The ÖBB night train departs from Amsterdam in the evening (with stops in Utrecht and Arnhem) and arrives in Basel and Zurich in the morning. You can choose between a seat, a couchette, or a sleeper cabin; from there, you’ll transfer to the connecting train to Ticino. If you sleep on the way, you’ll save an entire day of travel.
• The Panorama Route. If you have the time, take the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lucerne: first by boat across Lake Lucerne (also known as Lake of the Four Forests), then by panoramic train over the Gotthard Pass to Bellinzona and Lugano (approx. 5.5 hours, daily except Mondays, mid-April through mid-October). Seat reservations are required.

The easiest way to book is through NS International or Nightjet.com. An added bonus: the Swiss railways run largely on renewable energy, mainly hydropower.

Our trip to Ticino without a car

On the way there, I boarded the train early in the morning in Amsterdam, with quite a few transfers. In Mannheim, I missed my connection due to a delay, but I was able to take the next train just half an hour later. At the station, I was able to rebook my reserved seats. And grab a quick cup of coffee.

• Amsterdam
• Duisburg
• Mannheim
• Basel
• Locarno
• Ascona by bus

On the way back, I had fewer transfers and traveled from Locarno to:

• Bellinzona
• Zurich
• Frankfurt

Through the Gotthard: Faster Than You Think

Once you’re in Switzerland, Ticino is surprisingly close. The Gotthard Base Tunnel (at 57 kilometers, the longest rail tunnel in the world) takes you from Zurich to Lugano in about two hours. And since the Ceneri Base Tunnel opened in 2020, the trip between Locarno and Lugano takes just 22 minutes. Distances within the canton are therefore short; you don’t need a car to get from the lakes to the valleys. We explored the Valle Maggia by bike from Locarno and Intragna by the Centovalli train.

And the best part is: what’s true for Ticino is true for all of Switzerland. The same extensive SBB network, the same Swiss Travel Pass, and the same scenic trains will take you just as effortlessly to the Bernese Alps, Graubünden, or the lakes of Central Switzerland. As far as we’re concerned, Ticino is the perfect first stop on a longer train journey through Switzerland. If you transfer in Bellinzona instead of getting off, the rest of Switzerland is wide open to you.

The SBB app: your most important travel companion

One app takes care of virtually your entire trip within Switzerland: SBB Mobile. It’s a door-to-door trip planner that includes buses, boats, trams, and cable cars, allowing you to buy a single ticket for a trip involving multiple carriers. You can see real-time platform information and delays right away. A few things that make a difference:

• Supersaver tickets: heavily discounted tickets (up to 70% off) for a specific train, especially during off-peak hours. You must purchase them in advance; they are valid only for that specific train.
• Saver Day Pass: a day pass for unlimited travel, starting at about CHF 52 (or CHF 29 with a Half Fare Card). The price goes up as the day gets busier, so it pays to book early.
• EasyRide: For spontaneous rides, check in when you leave and check out when you arrive; the app automatically calculates the best price. Handy if you don’t want to plan ahead.
• Digital SwissPass: You can store your travel passes and discount cards in the app, so you don’t have to print them out.

Which pass is right for you?

This is often a source of confusion, because there are three different tickets, and they overlap to some extent:

Ticino Ticket

If you’re staying at a hotel, hostel, or campground in Ticino, you’ll receive the Ticino Ticket for free with your accommodation. It gives you unlimited travel on all public transportation in the canton, plus discounts on cable cars, boats, and attractions. It’s ideal if you’re based in Ticino. I had no trouble using it to get all the way into the valleys.

Swiss Travel Pass

A national pass: unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat for a set number of consecutive days (3, 4, 6, 8, or 15), free admission to over 500 museums, and discounts on most mountain tours. In 2026, it will start at around CHF 254 (3 days, 2nd class). It’s especially worth it if you’re traveling extensively throughout Switzerland or taking the scenic trains.

You also have the Swiss Travel Pass Flex , which lets you choose your own travel days within a month for travel by train, bus, and boat. Choose from 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 travel days within a month.

Swiss Museum Pass

The pass that grants access to over 500 museums throughout Switzerland. And here’s where the misunderstanding lies: that museum access is already included in the Swiss Travel Pass (you automatically receive the Swiss Museum Pass with it). If you don’t travel much but mainly want to visit museums, you can also purchase the Swiss Museum Pass separately as an annual pass. So it’s not the Ticino Ticket that grants you access to the museums.

Practical Information on Traveling to Ticino by Train

Read here about our cycling trip along the Lake Route in Switzerland.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ticino Without a Car

Can you visit Ticino without a car?

Yes, that’s right. You travel by train to Ticino and use public transportation once you’re there; if you stay overnight, you’ll receive the free Ticino Ticket, which allows you to travel freely throughout the entire canton. Thanks to the base tunnels, the lakes and valleys are close together.

How long does the train trip from the Netherlands take?

During the day, the ICE will take you to Basel or Zurich in about seven hours, and to Locarno or Lugano in about nine to ten hours total, with at least one transfer. With the Nightjet, you travel at night and arrive well-rested; you’ll also transfer in Basel or Zurich.

Do you need a Swiss Travel Pass?

Not necessarily. For a trip that takes place mainly in Ticino, the free Ticino Ticket plus individual Supersaver tickets is often cheaper. If you’re traveling extensively throughout Switzerland or taking the scenic trains, the Swiss Travel Pass becomes a good option. Calculate the cost in the SBB app.

Do you really get free admission to about 500 museums?

Yes, through the Swiss Museum Pass. It gives you free admission to over 500 museums throughout Switzerland on your travel days and is automatically included with the Swiss Travel Pass. So it’s not the Ticino Ticket, but the Swiss (Travel/Museum) Pass that grants you that access.

What is the most scenic train route to Ticino?

The Gotthard Panorama Express, featuring a boat ride on Lake Lucerne and a panoramic train ride across the Gotthard Pass to Bellinzona and Lugano. It runs from mid-April to mid-October, except on Mondays, and seat reservations are required.