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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

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Take the train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano in 5 hours 53 minutes

If you want to travel from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano by train, you've come to the right place.

You can expect the journey from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano by train to take around 6 hours 32 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 5 hours 53 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll usually find around 21 trains per day running on this route, which spans 284 miles (457 km). There’s no need for any changes along the way, as there are direct trains available to Lugano. DB trains are the main operator of services on this route, so you're likely to travel with them for all or at least part of your journey to Lugano.

Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices and we'll show you how much you can save. Tickets from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano start from £54.51 when you book in advance.

If you want to know more about the journey, keep reading for timetables, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs, including first and last train times. Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today!

Trains to Lugano from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf

It takes an average of 6h 32m to travel from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano by train, over a distance of around 284 miles (457 km). There are normally 21 trains per day travelling from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano and tickets for this journey start from £54.51 when you book in advance.

First train

02:45

Last train

20:50

Departure stationFrankfurt (Main) Hbf
Arrival stationLugano
Journey time

From 5h 53m

Distance

284 miles (457 km)

Frequency

21 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £54.51

Train and bus operators

Deutsche Bahn, Flixbus, BlaBlaCar Bus

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano?

Want to know more about your journey from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do I travel from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano?

You can get from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano by train in 6 hours and 32 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 5 hours and 53 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano take?

The average journey time by train between Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and Lugano is 6 hours and 32 minutes, with around 21 trains per day running on this route. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

How much does the train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano cost?

Train tickets from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano can start from as little as £54.51 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book.

What's the fastest journey time between Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and Lugano by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano is 5 hours and 53 minutes.

What are the train times from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano?

Check out the next trains departing from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano for Tuesday 16th September 2025. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
05:5612:286h 32m, 3 changes
07:0512:585h 53m, 1 change
07:0513:286h 23m, direct
07:5013:586h 8m, 2 changes
07:5014:587h 8m, 1 change
08:5014:586h 8m, 2 changes
09:0515:286h 23m, 2 changes
09:5015:586h 8m, 2 changes
11:0516:585h 53m, 1 change
11:5017:586h 8m, 2 changes

Deutsche Bahn trains from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano

You can travel from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano on Deutsche Bahn trains. When you search for times and tickets, we might also show you some other options with multiple connections or operators if they’re available.

PhotoJoachimKohlerBremen, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0

The Deutsche Bahn Group is owned by the German State and controls the majority of rail traffic in Germany as well as in many border regions of the country. Every year, Deutsche Bahn transports several million passengers and many stations in Germany are served exclusively by DB trains, including the ICE, IC and EC fleet.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano?

If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, our Trainline team of experts have put together some tips to help you find cheap tickets. Booking on the day in Europe is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or travel class.

1. Book in advance

The price of train tickets from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Lugano starts at £54.51§ one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Most train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months ahead of time, so if you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find cheaper tickets.

2. Be flexible with your travel times

If you can, consider travelling outside of 'peak hours' (generally between 06:00 - 10:00 and 15:00 - 19:00 on weekdays) as many train companies increase their ticket prices during these commuter times.

3. Buy a rail pass

If you're visiting multiple locations on your trip, buying a rail pass can be cheaper than buying individual tickets. We're official retailers of Interrail Passes that are valid for travel within one country or multiple countries across Europe.

4. Choose a slower or connecting train

On some busier routes, you might have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have some extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare.

5. Look out for train ticket sales and discounts

Many train companies in Europe will often run sales on tickets throughout the year or offer discounts to senior/youth/group travellers, so keep an eye out!

6. Take a night train

Save on accommodation and use the night to travel by sleeper train to your next destination.

For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.

§Some train companies may not offer any Advance ticket types or cheaper deals for early bookings. On rare occasions, train companies may choose to release special offers closer to the date on last-minute or late-release tickets. This is dependent on the individual train operating company you travel with.

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