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Take the train from Lugano to Imola in 2 hours 52 minutes
If you want to travel from Lugano to Imola by train, you've come to the right place.
You can expect the journey from Lugano to Imola by train to take around 6 hours 58 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 2 hours 52 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll usually find around 12 trains per day running on this route, which spans 177 miles (284 km). You’ll have to make 2 changes along the way on your journey to Imola. Trenitalia 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 Imola.
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 Lugano to Imola start from £22.30 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!
Lugano to Imola by train
It takes an average of 6h 58m to travel from Lugano to Imola by train, over a distance of around 177 miles (284 km). There are normally 12 trains per day travelling from Lugano to Imola and tickets for this journey start from £22.30 when you book in advance.
FAQs about the train journey from Lugano to Imola
Want to know more about your journey from Lugano to Imola? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Can you take a train directly from Lugano to Imola?
How close is Lugano to Imola by train?
Which train companies operate from Lugano to Imola?
Is it possible to get from Lugano to Imola without flying?
What is the best way to travel from Lugano to Imola?
What time does the first train from Lugano to Imola leave?
What time does the last train from Lugano to Imola leave?
How often are trains from Lugano to Imola?
Do you need to book the train from Lugano to Imola in advance?
Trenitalia trains from Lugano to Imola
Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
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Trenitalia Eurocity classes from Lugano to Imola
Compare the different travel classes offered by Trenitalia Eurocity when travelling from Lugano to Imola.
Second Class
From spacious armchairs to at-seat power sockets and reading lights, you’ve got everything you need to enjoy your journey in EuroCity's Second Class.
- Seat reservation
- Power sockets
- Clothes hanger
- Reading light
- Luggage storage
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- More legroom
First Class
In addition to all the services available in Second Class, you’ll get to enjoy extra-wide and comfier seats, more legroom, and an at-seat catering service in EuroCity’s First Class:
- Seat reservation
- Power sockets
- Clothes hanger
- Reading light
- Luggage storage
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- More legroom
Onboard services on Trenitalia Eurocity
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Lugano to Imola.
- You can take your bags on board Trenitalia's Eurocity trains free of charge.
- In most cases, there are no luggage size limits – you can even travel with musical instruments and sports equipment. You’ll just need to make sure that your luggage is compatible with the space available on board.
- You’ll find a Bar-Bistrò on Eurocity trains that are travelling between Italy, Switzerland and Germany.
- A minibar trolley service is also available – you can choose from a wide range of snacks and drinks.
Free WiFi is available on Eurocity Giruno trains.
Children under 4 can travel for free if they're accompanied by an adult and don't occupy a seat.
Not all Eurocity trains allow you to take your bike on board – you’ll need to check in advance if you can travel with your bike. If that’s the case, you’ll need to buy a ticket and book your bike space before departure at the ticket office.
Guide and assistance dogs can travel for free and don't need a ticket.
All of Trenitalia’s Eurocity trains offer dedicated spaces to passengers with disabilities.
A quiet area (or Area Silenzio) is available on all Eurocity Giruno trains.
Cheap train tickets from Lugano to Imola
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Lugano to Imola by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.