The quickest way to get to Lugano from most places abroad, is to fly into the small international airport of Lugano (LUG) which offers several daily direct connections to Zürich (ZRH) with Swiss International Airlines, Geneva (GVA) with Baboo Airways as well as to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) with Darwin Airlines.
The major international hub for Lugano is Milan Malpensa Airport. All major European airlines (over 70 in total) operate direct flights to Milan Malpensa Airport several times per day, including low-cost carriers. Shuttle buses run regularly between Malpensa and Lugano, making for a trouble-free journey. The shuttle trip takes 1 hour (round-trip fare is CHF 60).
Please find further info about shuttle bus services to and from Milan Malpensa Airport — Lugano here.
Another option is Bergamo's Orio al Serio airport, the local base for a large number of budget airlines. Bergamo is about 1 1/2 hours from Lugano by car. Alternatively, travelers can take a bus to Milan, then catch a train to Lugano.
Milan-Bergamo (Orio al Serio) Airport: www.sacbo.it
Lugano is served by the motorway axis that directly connects Northern Europe to the Mediterranean: the A2 motorway connects Lugano to Milan in 45 minutes and 2 hours to Zürich. Parking in Lugano is very limited so you are encouraged to use the park and ride system.
Rental cars are available at all above mentioned airports and in Lugano itself. However, parking places in Lugano are rare and expensive and the distances between the hotels and the conference site are short.
Traveling by train in Switzerland is easy and reliable. Lugano lies right on the North-South axis with trains running between Milan (Milano Centrale) and Zürich (Zürich Hauptbahnhof) every hour.
Train tickets inside Switzerland have fixed prices, there is no difference between pre-booking and getting your tickets at the vending machines. Ticket sales in the train are subject to higher fees.
From Milan it takes 1 hour to get to Lugano, while from Zürich traveling time is 2:37.
Note that the train from Milano Centrale to Lugano does not go via Malpensa airport. To travel to Lugano from Milan Malpensa airport please use a shuttle bus (as described above).
www.sbb.ch — Swiss Railways website (national and international train connections).
The University of Lugano is also reachable by bus (a few stops from the center). The nearest bus stops are:
| Line | From | Direction | Stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Train station | Cornaredo | Università |
| 5 | Downtown Lugano | Viganello | Università |
| 7 | Downtown Lugano | Pregassona | Sacro Cuore |
www.tplsa.ch — Lugano Public Transport (bus schedules and maps).
Bike rentals are available through the BikeSharing network, located in various places in Lugano, including Downtown Lugano and the conference site: BikeSharing Lugano
PMAA14 recommends the following hotels. All rates are in CHF per room per night.
| Hotel | Category | Rate | Walking distance/time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Inn Lugano centre | **** | 310.-- (double single use) | 2.8 km (1.7 miles) / 33 min |
| Hotel Lido Seegarten | **** | 260.-- (double single use) 280.-- (double single use, lake view) |
1.3 km (0.8 miles) / 17 min |
| Hotel Delfino | *** | 160.-- (single) 199.-- (double) |
2.6 km (1.6 miles) / 32 min |
| Hotel International au Lac | *** | 165.-- (single) 275.-- (double) |
1.6 km (1 mile) / 19 min |
| Hotel Colorado | *** | 130.-- (single) 150.-- (double) |
2 km (1.2 miles) / 24 min |
| Hotel Nassa Garni | *** | 175.-- (double single use) | 1.5 km (0.9 miles) / 18 min |
| Hotel Walter au Lac | *** | 145.-- (single) | 1.3 km (0.8 miles) / 15 min |
| Hotel Zurigo | *** | 110.-- (single) 150.-- (double) |
0.8 km (0.5 miles) / 11 min |
| Hotel San Carlo | ** | 128.-- (single) 138.-- (double single use) |
1.3 km (0.8 miles) / 16 min |
| Hotel Pestalozzi | ** | 110.-- (single) 180.-- (double) |
0.7 km (0.4 miles) / 8 min |
Ente Turistico del Luganese - Lugano
Riva Albertolli - Palazzo Civico
CH-6900 Lugano
Phone: +41 (0)58 866 66 00
Fax: +41 (0)58 866 66 09
Since 12 December 2008 Switzerland is an associated member state of the Schengen agreement and hence part of the Schengen area. Please check the visa requirements for your nationality under the following link: Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality. Schengen visas are valid for Switzerland and all other areas of the Schengen member states (providing nothing to the contrary is noted on the visa).
The Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police maintains a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding Visa issues. You can also find links to websites for Swiss embassies and consulates worldwide at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The embassy and consulate websites have very helpful information about procedures, timelines, communities served, required documentation, and fees.
International registrants should be particularly aware and careful about visa requirements, and should plan travel well in advance. Please send your request for a letter in support of a visa application to decanato [dot] inf [at] usi [dot] ch. Use the subject line “PMAA14 Visa” and include your name, mailing address, and fax number. Also make sure to indicate which embassy/consulate you are applying to. Authors of accepted papers/posters/etc. should also include the title. You can click on this link to pre-fill your email accordingly.
Due to the high volume of fraudulent visa requests in recent years, a request for a letter in support of a visa application from non-authors must be accompanied by
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