Train to Bellinzona - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Currency: Swiss franc (CHF). Payment cards are accepted almost everywhere, and cash comes in handy at the Saturday market.

• Best time to go: spring and early autumn, when the daytime temperature is 15–22°C and there is less tourist traffic than in summer.

• How long to go for: a weekend city break of 2–3 days is enough for the three castles, the old town and a train trip to Lugano or Locarno.

• Practical tip: there is a local produce market every Saturday in Piazza Nosetto, so it's best to arrive on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

It is best to choose spring or early autumn, as it is then 15–22°C during the day, and you will meet fewer tourists at the castles and in the old town than in summer.

Spring (March–May)

• Daytime temperatures are 10–20°C, making it easier to walk up to the castles.

• In the gardens of Villa dei Cedri you will see flowering plants from April onwards.

• The Rabadan Carnival takes place before Lent, usually in February or March.

• Accommodation prices are lower than during the summer peak.

Summer (June–August)

• In June, the Piazza Blues Festival takes place with international performers.

• In July, there is an open-air cinema in the Castelgrande courtyard.

• Daytime temperatures reach up to 27°C and afternoon thunderstorms occur in August, so a light rain jacket is useful.

• Accommodation prices rise, so it is better to book in advance.

Autumn (September–October)

• During the PerBacco festival and cheese fair, you can taste Merlot del Ticino wines and local cheeses.

• The daytime temperature is 16–22°C and the valleys around the town turn golden.

• Tourist traffic is moderate and accommodation prices drop relative to summer.

Winter (November–February)

• There is a Christmas market in the old town with handicrafts and local products.

• The daytime temperature is 4–9°C and the castles remain open, although visiting hours are sometimes shorter.

• Outside the festive period you can visit more quietly and without long queues.

You can reach Bellinzona with a connecting train in Zurich or Milan, and also directly from Milan. The town lies on the main railway axis connecting Zurich and Milan via the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

From Milan

• From Milan the journey to Bellinzona takes 1.5–2 hours.

• You have direct connections as well as single-change options available.

• Trains depart from Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi station.

• You travel through Lugano and will see views of the lake on the left side of the carriage.

From Zurich

• From Zurich the journey to Bellinzona takes 2–2.5 hours.

• Along the way you pass through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which at 57 km is the longest railway tunnel in the world.

• SBB trains run regularly throughout the year.

• On the section through Arth-Goldau you will see alpine valleys and lakes.

From Warsaw and other cities in Poland

• From Poland you travel to Bellinzona with a change, usually in Zurich or Milan.

• From Warsaw, the journey takes anywhere from several hours to over twenty hours, depending on the route and the number of connections.

• You can take an overnight train to Vienna or Zurich and change to a Ticino service in the morning.

• The route via Milan works well if you want to combine a trip to Switzerland with a short stay in Italy.

You can buy tickets on Europodróże without registering – enter your route, choose your connection, pay, and your ticket is sent to your email and by SMS. 30 minutes before departure you receive an SMS reminder with a link to your ticket. Seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. Refund and exchange rules depend on the carrier – for PKP Intercity tickets, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure. See the refunds and exchanges policy page for details.

You mainly get around Bellinzona on foot, as the three castles, the old town and Villa dei Cedri are all close to the centre. The most challenging part is the uphill walk to the castles.

You can reach Castelgrande from the old town on foot or take the rock lift from the old town side. Castello di Montebello sits higher above the centre and is reached via a path from the old town area. Castello di Sasso Corbaro stands highest of all – you can get there by city bus or climb on foot, but the approach is steep.

City buses serve the outlying districts and surrounding towns. A single ticket costs a few Swiss francs, and a day ticket a few more. Taxis wait at the station and are useful when you have luggage or when it is raining.

From Bellinzona you can reach Lugano by train in 20–30 minutes and Locarno in 20–25 minutes. Such a trip can easily be combined with a day excursion and a return to Bellinzona in the evening.

Where to stay:

• The centre (old town) - the most convenient base for visiting the castles and the market, higher accommodation prices, close to all attractions.

• Station area - a good choice for early departures or late arrivals, with easy access to connections to Lugano and Locarno.

In Bellinzona, the three UNESCO castles, the old town and Villa dei Cedri are all well worth a visit. The town lies at the confluence of the valleys leading to the Gotthard, San Bernardino and Lukmanier passes, which is why its fortifications were of great strategic importance.

Castelgrande

The oldest and largest of the three castles. From the courtyard you can see the old town and the surrounding valleys. Inside there is a small museum dedicated to the history of Bellinzona's fortifications. You can take the rock lift from the old town or walk up on foot. The visit takes 45–60 minutes. Entrance fee applies.

Castello di Montebello

The second castle, situated higher above the town. Inside there is an archaeological and historical museum with exhibits from the Ticino region. From the walls you can see Castelgrande and the valley. The visit takes 30–45 minutes. Entrance fee applies.

Castello di Sasso Corbaro

The highest of the three castles, built in 1479 after the Battle of Giornico. From the top you will enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Ticino valley. The climb is steep, but the view makes it worthwhile. The visit takes 30–45 minutes. Entrance fee applies.

Old town (centro storico)

Arcaded streets, frescoed townhouses and squares lined with cafés. Do visit the church of Collegiata dei SS. Pietro e Stefano with its Renaissance interior. Every Saturday a market with local produce is held in Piazza Nosetto. Entry is free.

Villa dei Cedri

An art museum in a 19th-century villa surrounded by a garden with cedars and a vineyard. The collection features paintings and sculpture from the region. Entrance fee applies.

Teatro Sociale

A historic 19th-century theatre, one of the oldest in the canton of Ticino. Check the programme before you go, as it hosts concerts, plays and film screenings.

One-day itinerary

Start the morning at Castelgrande: take the rock lift from the old town and visit the museum and courtyard. The visit takes 45–60 minutes. At midday, walk through the old town, see the Collegiata church and browse the market in Piazza Nosetto if it falls on a Saturday. In the afternoon, head up to Castello di Montebello and explore the archaeological museum and the view over the valley. The visit takes 30–45 minutes. In the evening, have dinner near Piazza Nosetto and try the risotto and Merlot del Ticino wine.

Weekend itinerary (2 days)

You can plan the first day exactly as described in the one-day itinerary above.

Day 2: In the morning, climb to Castello di Sasso Corbaro, from where you will see a panoramic view of the entire valley. The visit takes 30–45 minutes. In the afternoon, take the train to Lugano or Locarno. The journey takes 20–30 minutes each way, leaving time for a walk by the lake and a return to Bellinzona in the evening.

In Bellinzona you will eat Ticinese cuisine, which combines Italian and Swiss traditions. In the restaurants you will order risotto, polenta, ossobuco, local formaggi ticinesi cheeses and wines from the region, especially Merlot del Ticino.

Grottoes are a traditional type of Ticinese restaurant - stone buildings, often tucked away in side streets or outside the strict centre. On the menu you will find seasonal dishes, local wine served in ceramic boccalino jugs and cheeses. Prices are sometimes lower than in restaurants in the main squares.

The market in Piazza Nosetto every Saturday is the best place to buy regional produce - local cheeses, cured meats, vegetables, honey and wine straight from the producers. The biggest choice is in the morning.

During the PerBacco festival and cheese fair, producers from all over the canton display wines and cheeses in the old town, which you can taste and buy on the spot.

Where to eat:

• Grotto - traditional ticinese restaurants in side streets, lower prices, local wine in ceramic boccalino jugs.

• Market in Piazza Nosetto - every Saturday morning, regional cheese, cured meats, honey and wine straight from the producers.

Souvenirs

• Merlot del Ticino wine - regional wine available at the market, in shops in the centre and directly from producers during festivals.

• Ticinese cheeses - buy local cheeses at the Saturday market or at the cheese fair.

• Swiss chocolate - available in shops in the city centre.

For a weekend in Bellinzona, it is worth setting a higher budget than for a similar trip in Poland. Switzerland remains a more expensive destination, with accommodation and restaurants typically accounting for the highest costs.

Budget option: hostel or hotel outside the centre at a lower price, eating in bars and at the Saturday market, sightseeing on foot, entry to 1–2 castles.

Mid-range option: three-star hotel close to the station, lunches and dinners in restaurants, tickets to all three castles and Villa dei Cedri.

Comfort option: four-star or boutique hotel in the centre, dinners in a grotto with local wine, taxi in bad weather or with luggage.

Amounts do not include the cost of the train ticket.