Nestled among the Swiss Alps and facing out onto the majestic Lake Maggiore, the city of Locarno is a pictureseque meeting place for cinephiles every August. Here is everything you need to know to organize your trip to Locarno this summer.
Connected to the rest of Switzerland and Europe by an extensive rail network Locarno is an easy place to reach by train. You can purchase your ticket quickly and easily online or via the SBB app, at the railway ticket office, at the ticket machine or via SBB Contact Center (tel. +41 848 44 66 88, CHF 0.08/Min).
From August 7 to 17, enjoy a 20% discount on a day pass or a Piazza Grande ticket with the RailAway offer, which is redeemable for anyone travelling to the festival by public transports.
Starting from August 6th public transportation is included with any ticket or festival pass throughout the Arcobaleno integrated fare network for the duration of its validity.
For more information, please visit ffs.ch
Locarno can be easily reached from Milan Malpensa MXP (Italy) and Zurich Airport (Switzerland), which both offer comfortable onward travel by train to the city of Locarno. SWISS has multiple daily flights from all over Europe and is therefore a good alternative for those coming from afar. We recommend consulting the Swiss Federal Railway (SBB) timetable here or downloading the SBB App to plan your onward connection.
We strongly suggest arriving in Locarno using public transport, but should you arrive by car then you can make use of the Park and Ride, which has a free shuttle service (PardoBus 1) every 20 minutes from 8.30 AM to 9.30 PM. You can also find a list of parking lots in Locarno here and more information PardoBus routes here.
Take a trip up to Madonna del Sasso, one the most important religious and historical sites in the canton of Ticino. During the Festival, the funicular is available every 15 minutes from 8.05 AM to 8.10 PM and operates every 30 minutes from 8.10 PM until 0.25 AM. Anyone with an accreditation or a Festival Pass benefit from 50% discount on a return ticket for the Locarno-Orselina route. For more information, please visit their website.
After the screenings in Piazza Grande, the last trains to Lugano and Chiasso leave at 11:22 PM, 11:45 PM (with a connection in Giubiasco), 00:22 AM (Mon-Sat) and at 03.05 AM (Fri-Sat) (with a connection in Giubiasco), and at 00:15 AM on Sunday.
From August 7th to August 17th there is an additional train to Lugano and Chiasso (with a connection in Lugano) at 00:53 AM (Mon-Sat).
The last trains to Bellinzona leave at 11:45 PM, 00:15 AM, 00:45 AM (Mon-Sat) and 01:45 AM (Mon-Sat), and at 03:05 AM (Fri-Sat).
Further information and timetables on www.sbb.ch or on SBB mobile App.
It is important to always consult the SBB online timetable before traveling.
A special ride 20 minutes after the first and second screenings in Piazza Grande is available for free.
Every night the Gambarogno Tourist Office organizes a free bus service from Locarno to Gambarogno 30 minutes after the end of the first screening in Piazza Grande. The bus will be located in close proximity to the building of La Posta (Via della Pace).
For more information contact the Gambarogno Tourist Office at +41 (0)91 759 77 04.
During the Festival, the funicular is available every 15 minutes from 8.05 AM to 8.10 PM and operates every 30 minutes from 8.10 PM until 0.25 AM. Anyone with an accreditation or a Festival Pass benefit from 50% discount on a return ticket for the Locarno-Orselina route. For more information, please visit their website.
Every evening the last rides to Intragna on the Centovallina route leave at 11:19 PM and 00:19 AM. Further information and timetables on www.sbb.ch or on SBB mobile App. It is important to always consult the SBB online timetable before traveling.
The Pardo Bus is a free service that transits between Piazza Grande, the Park&Ride and the Spazio Cinema.
This service is available from 8.30 AM to 9.30 PM with a ride every 20 minutes
