Car Hire Lugano

Guide

Located just 50kms north of Milan, Lugano is the Swiss city, with an Italian flair, and is the most captivating of Ticino’s lake resorts. Looking out over Lago di Lugano, the city’s panoramic views are comprised mainly of forests, rolling hills and stunning reflections of the landscape in the water of the Lake. This is a beautiful place to explore, and there's no better way to explore than with a hire car. Book car hire in Lugano with us here today. Fill in the form above and we'll compare quotes from over fifty top suppliers to ensure we find you the best deals.

Explore Lugano

Beautiful old churches and spectacular art galleries, including the famous Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, are the main attractions. Enjoy a quiet stroll along the Lake taking in the views, a great place for taking some stunning photographs. A short bus ride from the city centre and you will reach the Villa Favorita, which is considered as one of the most expensive art collections in the world, obviously after Queen Elizabeth's.

Lugano’s culture, language and food are Italian, yet its accommodation facilities are spotlessly Swiss. This modern city is home to plenty of shopping malls, cafés, clubs and bars. Visit Lugano during the time of the spring festival, which sees well known jazz artists playing from all over the world.

The entire area of Ticino is gorgeous and best explored by car, so be sure to invest in car hire for the duration of your holiday. The town of Bellinzona, which exhibits many pretty ancient castles, great for history buffs, makes for a nice daytrip. Visit on a Saturday as there is an interesting open-air market, great for buying gifts.

Transport

By air
The nearest airports to Lugano are Zurich and Milan International Airport's. There are plenty of options for transport from these airports, such as taxis, buses, coaches, trains, trams, and car rentals.

Car hire
Depending on your point of entry to the region, you can arrange cheap car hire at either of these destinations and save on transfers. Opting for car hire in Lugano for the duration of your stay also provides travellers with a sense of freedom, so you don't have to bother with public transport services. Our prices are also cheaper than what you'll find at rental depots or desks at the airports.

By car
To get to Lugano from Zurich by car travel south along the N2 through the St Gotthard Tunnel, passed Biasca and Bellinzona. This journey should take around 2.5 hours. Crossair provides air links between Lugano Airport and several major cities in Switzerland, Italy and France.

By train
Many trains pass through Lugano, connecting with Milan and Zurich. Dozens of buses also operate around the city and further afield to villages where trains do not reach.

By bus
There are also long-range buses that come from Italian cities, including: Como (30 minutes), Venice (five hours) and Milan (1 hour, 30 minutes).

Funiculars
Another must-see during your holiday is to experience the funiculars, which are cliffside trains, taking you up to the peaks of Monte Brè (northeast) and also San Salvatore (South). The views are incredible with snow-capped mountains of the Alps in the distance. Not far away is the Metropolis of Zürich (235km away).