Skip to contentTrainline homepage
Business

No tickets in your basket.

Why not plan a trip?

My Bookings
Loading...
Loading...

Trains from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano

Booking.com

ExternalLinkExternalLink

Open Booking.com in a new tab with places to stay on your trip

Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

Compare prices from over 270 rail and coach companies in Europe

Icon of trainline-phone-tickets.svg

Buy your tickets with us and easily find them on your phone

Icon of trainline-safe-payments.svg

Safely pay with PayPal, Visa and all international payment cards

What customers say about Trainline

Read real reviews from real users

Trustpilot
  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano

About the train journey from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano

Want to travel from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano by train? Start your journey with us.

The train from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano usually takes 6 hours 35 minutes on average to travel 284 miles (457 km), although the quickest services can take as little as 5 hours 53 minutes. You can expect to find 23 trains per day running on this popular route. Good news! There are direct trains available to Lugano, so you can just make yourself comfortable as soon as you board the train and just enjoy the journey. DB are the main train operator on this route and will whisk you to Lugano in no time.

To help you get the best train deals, we'll highlight the cheapest train ticket prices from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano in our Journey Planner. Just remember, the sooner you book your tickets, the more you'll save!

Keep reading for more information about the train journey to Lugano, including FAQs, timetables with first and last train times and tips on booking cheap train tickets. If you’re ready to book, just start a search for tickets with us today.

Trains to Lugano from Frankfurt (Main)

First train

02:45

Last train

20:50

Departure stationFrankfurt (Main)
Arrival stationLugano
Journey time

From 5h 53m

Distance

284 miles (457 km)

Frequency

23 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Train and bus operators

Deutsche Bahn, Flixbus

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

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

How do I get from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano?

You can travel from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano by train in about 6 hours and 35 minutes. With around 23 trains running each day, taking the train is easy. Find out more in our Journey Planner.

How long is the train journey from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano?

On average, the train journey from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano takes around 6 hours and 35 minutes, with 23 trains per day. The duration may vary slightly depending on the specific train and any potential delays. Use our Journey Planner to check out more information.

What is the fastest train from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano?

The fastest trains from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano can cover the distance of 284 miles (457 km) in as little as 5 hours and 53 minutes.

Is there a direct train from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano?

Yes, you can travel on a direct train between Frankfurt (Main) and Lugano. There are usually 1 per day that are direct.

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

Check out the next trains departing from Frankfurt (Main) 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
05:5011:586h 8m, 2 changes
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

Deutsche Bahn trains from Frankfurt (Main) to Lugano

You can travel from Frankfurt (Main) 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.

Photo: JoachimKohlerBremen, 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.

More information

How do I find cheap train tickets from Frankfurt (Main) 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) to Lugano starts at § 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.

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.

Get a link