Means of transport Lacs italiens

The Bergamo public transport company manages the network of urban lines, useful especially for getting around the lower city. Line n° 1 connects the centre to the railway station and the airport (every 20 minutes).

Funicular railway. The ATB also manages the two funiculars that connect the lower town to the upper town. The first runs from Viale Vittorio Emanuele II, the second joins the San Vigilio hill to the south of the city. Installed in 1887, it is the first one that you can take alternatively by bus to reach the historic heart of the city.

A private company that is an alternative to the services of Navigazione Lago d'Orta, to connect the island of San Giulio from Orta with beautiful boats. The company has been in existence since 1923 and allows the lake to be used every day of the year, thanks to its eight boats. But the company is also available for special excursions on request, and of course the rental or privatization of a boat for special events.

The boat is the best way to enjoy the lake and its landscapes but also, from Orta San Giulio, to reach the west coast, in particular Pella, San Filiberto and Lagna (with a stopover on the island of San Giulio) or the extreme north of the lake (Orta - Omegna). From April to September, about ten crossings a day make a loop serving these destinations, but only on Sundays in March and October, and none in winter. This local company has a fleet of three boats that can carry 70, 107 and 295 passengers respectively.

The funicular reaches the summit in 10 minutes. It runs from morning to evening with a departure every 30 minutes. It is more than a means of transport as it allows a panoramic flight towards Mount San Salvatore. Once you are on the top of the mountain, you will have a 360 degree view of the Lombardy plain and the Ceserio lake. Extend your break and recharge your batteries on the trails or by tasting the local specialities at the mountain restaurant.

The lake connections from Arona to Switzerland allow you to discover the beauty of the lake. It is easy to organize your own itinerary to explore the main points of interest: the Rocca d'Angera, the Sanctuary of Santa Caterina del Sasso, the Borromeo Islands, the gardens of Villa Taranto, Villa Pallavicino and Locano. Embarking on a boat with a large number of open-air seats allows you to admire the landscape. The fleet is vast, you only have to choose: modern boats, hydrofoils, catamarans and period ships criss-cross the lake.

Bicycle rental system set up in 2012 by the city of Verona, with several hundred bicycles spread over some thirty stations. The system works in a similar way to the Vélib' system in Greater Paris. To rent a bike, you have to register in advance on the Internet or at the tourist office. The registration fee is 2 €/day or 5 €/week. A simple and practical way to get around the city and avoid traffic jams. Be careful, the rules are strict: maximum use of 2 hours, from 6am to midnight (overruns penalized).

It is the largest railway station in Ticino. As a railway hub, it is the hub of many regular trains. The best-known regular lines are between Bellinzona and Lugano (in 30 minutes), and 1.5 hours from Locarno (with a change in Bellinzona). The Gotthard line provides frequent trips between Lugano and Lucerne (2 hours), Zurich (2 hours 15 minutes) and Basel (3 hours 20 minutes). From the station, you can take a funicular from Lugano to the city below in a few minutes. From Lugano you can also reach Italy.

The Italian city of Como is served by the ASF Autolinee bus company. The site also features an interactive map of the network and information on tickets and fares. Tickets can also be purchased online.

The advantage of the lakes is that you can get around quickly! An efficient and picturesque ferry service that allows you to reach Monte Isola and all the towns on the lake. The cruise (about 2 hours) goes all around: departure from Iseo, Lovere, Sarnico, Sultano, Sale Maresino, Marone. There are also night cruises with fireworks on New Year's Eve and August 15. This is an opportunity to visit the lake in a different way and to have a different view of the villages. Take the opportunity to admire the few gardens that overlook the lake!

Porta Nuova station is an important link on the Milan-Venice and Rome-Trento rail lines. It also provides regular services to Padua and Vicenza, as well as to Treviso, with connections to Mestre. The Frecciarossa train connects Verona to Venice in 1 hour 15 minutes, Verona to Bologna in 50 minutes, Vicenza in 25 minutes and Padua in 45 minutes. There are also numerous departures to Brescia and Peschiera del Garda. From the station, you can take ATV lines 11, 12 and 13, among others, to set down your suitcases in Verona.

International airport 16 km southwest of Verona. Domestic flights to several cities in central and southern Italy, as well as to major European capitals. However, there are no direct flights to Paris. The Aerobus shuttle bus runs between the airport and Porta Nuova station (15 min.) every day, every 20 minutes, between 5:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. approx. Ticket: €6, valid for 75 minutes on the entire Verona public transport network.

Tickets can be bought at tobacconists and newsstands. The Atv company provides connections between Verona and the towns on the eastern shore of Lake Garda (Peschiera, Lazise, Bardolino, Garda). The Saia company is responsible for linking Verona to the western shore in Lombardy (Sirmione, Desenzano, Brescia).

Buses on national or international routes (including Flixbus, which offers a daily trip from Verona to Lyon) mark their terminus near the bus station, on the very left as you leave the train station.

Locarno station is a 5-minute walk from the town center. There are regular trains between Bellinzona and Locarno (30 minutes) and between Lugano and Locarno (30 minutes). From another region, you'll need to pass through Domodossola, Italy, before returning to Ticino. As there can be many changes on some sections of the route by postbus, don't forget to ask the station ticket office for the itinerary before departure. You can also take the Gotthard Panorama Express from this station.

It's a bit like the "porta del Ticino", as it's the first station when you arrive in Ticino. If you take the Gotthard Panorama Express, this station is on the line. It is a fairly important station for freight and passenger transport. The station is a 10 minute walk from the historic centre. Regular trains between Bellinzona and Locarno (20 minutes). From another region, there may be many changes, so don't forget to ask for the itinerary of your journey at the station ticket office before you leave. A different way of discovering the area!

Regular flights to Geneva and Zurich. The airport is not the biggest in Switzerland, but it can be useful. It handles 175,000 passengers a year. It is 6 km from Lugano and only 30 km from the Italian border. It operates regional flights and cannot handle long-haul flights. The airport is easily reached by public transport, with the Lugano Ponte-Tresa train departing from Lugano station. Swiss operates the majority of flights to Lugano and from Zurich.

The Lake Lugano Navigation Society offers many themed excursions, for example a dinner on the water or a trip on the Vedetta 1908 (an environmentally friendly electric boat). To see the agenda and the events, go to the website with all the information. From April to October, many tours are organized to lake towns such as Gandria, Porlezza, Melide, Brusino, Morcote, Porto Ceresio

Like the Vélib' in Paris, Lugano has its own Publibike: 45 stations and 14 communes involved in the project. Cycling is very popular, as it's a great way to get around and enjoy the lakeside scenery. To date, 750 bikes have been distributed throughout the network. You can also rent a bike by the day for a small fee, using your credit card at the automatic pay station. Very easy to use and, above all, very practical. Everything is optimized to promote soft mobility. And don't forget to take your time when visiting the lake, because there's no rush!

From Lugano station, take a city bus to Cassarate. From there, a breathtaking climb of about 20 minutes to Monte Bré with its refreshing air awaits you, a journey of 1,599 metres and a difference in altitude of 629 metres. Since 1908, the funicular has been transporting the people of Lugano and visitors to the small village of Monte Brè. A beautiful walk that is also rewarded with an incredible panorama. On the heights, take a walk and admire the view over the valley. An experience to live!