Major city · Italy
Campione d'Italia
Go for one night, not a base: a 2 km (1.2 mi) exclave with a casino, a lakefront and four small churches, 20 min by bus from Lugano.Go for one night, not a base: a 1.2 mi (2 km) exclave with a casino, a lakefront and four small churches, 20 min by bus from Lugano.
Campione d'Italia is an Italian exclave on Lake Lugano, ringed by Swiss Ticino. It is about 2 km long and 1 km wide, so you walk it in an afternoon. Swiss francs are the working currency, Swiss phone and postal systems apply, and the nearest big town is Lugano, 20 minutes by bus. Most travellers come for one night, a casino evening or a lake swim, then move on.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and crowds), Nov–Mar (many places shut early)
- Airports
- LUG · MXP
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
- Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
- Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Campione d'Italia112 ▾
- All emergencies (EU-wide)112
- Police (Italy)113
- Fire (Italy)115
- Ambulance (Italy)118
- Swiss emergency (fire and ambulance serve Campione)144
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Campione d'Italia, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Italy-wide
- SIM or eSIMTIM, Vodafone, WindTre and Iliad sell prepaid SIMs in shops and at airports; a passport and an Italian tax code (codice fiscale…Italy-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe unless signed otherwise; Rome's nasoni fountains run all day.Italy-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Coperto or service may already be on the bill; leave €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) a person or round up for good service.Italy-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Italy-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a town of about 2,200 people; the real risks are the border paperwork, the steep mountainside and casino losses.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €1 (≈ US$2).Italy-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies (EU-wide) · 113 police (italy) · 115 fire (italy) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany state museums close on Monday; the Vatican Museums close on most Sundays.Italy-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLUG Lugano (About 20 min by road to Campione; small airport, few routes.).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a barFr. 3–5
- Beerdraught / can from a minimarketFr. 6–9Fr. 2–4
- Metro or bus rideBus 439, Campione to LuganoAbout Fr. 3 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekFr. 15–30
- Museum or sight ticketLido Comunale entryFr. 5–7 (check)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personCHF 45 (≈ US$60)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, hotel or holiday let, a night, per roomCHF 200 (≈ US$250)
- High-end bedDouble room, hotel or holiday let, a night, per roomCHF 350 (≈ US$450)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 80 (≈ US$100) · Mid CHF 150 (≈ US$190) · High CHF 280 (≈ US$350)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LUG Lugano (About 20 min by road to Campione; small airport, few routes.) · MXP Milan Malpensa (About 1 h 15 min by road to Campione; the practical long-haul gateway.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Campione d'Italia: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The exclave is 2 km long and 1 km wide, and most of it sits along the shore; the mountainside above rises to about 600 m with little to see. Bus 439 (Arcobaleno) links the casino terminus with Melide and Lugano, about 20 min to Lugano. Boats on Lake Lugano stop at Campione in season.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Bus 439 from the casino terminus, or a lake boat in season
The obvious half-day: old town, lakefront and funicular up Monte San Salvatore.
Melide and Swissminiatur
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Bus 439, about 10 min
Short hop across the border; also the rail station for trains toward Bellinzona and Chiasso.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus or train via Lugano and Chiasso, then Trenord or SBB
Doable as a long day, but the border and two changes eat the time; better as an overnight.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Train from Melide via Chiasso, or SBB from Lugano
A full day out; go early and come back on a late train.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Train via Lugano and Mendrisio, then regional rail
Nothing here that Lugano or Como does not do better on a short trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Campione centre (Piazza Roma and the lakefront)
Walk to the casino, port and churches; very few rooms, book ahead.
Bissone and Melide (Switzerland)
Just across the border, 10–20 min by bus or car; more choice and often cheaper.
Lugano and Paradiso (Switzerland)
Widest choice of hotels and restaurants; 20 min by bus 439 or boat.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Fr. 80–130 excl. bed
- Mid
- Fr. 130–220 excl. bed
- High
- Fr. 220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, hotel or holiday let1 × 1 night × CHF 200 | CHF 200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CHF 150 | CHF 300 |
| Bus 439, Campione to Lugano, both ways2 × CHF 6 · check | CHF 12 |
| Lake Lugano boat, Campione to Lugano, one way2 × CHF 15 · check | CHF 30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CHF 20 | CHF 40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CHF 58 |
| Trip total≈ CHF 320 per person per day, bed included | CHF 640≈ US$800 |
2026 estimate in Swiss francs; flights excluded. Campione runs on francs, so budget in francs even though it is Italy. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a bar | Fr. 3–5 |
| Plate of pasta or a grotto lunch | Fr. 18–30 |
| Beer: draught / can from a minimarket | Fr. 6–9 / Fr. 2–4 |
| Lido Comunale entry | Fr. 5–7 (check) |
| Bus 439, Campione to Lugano | About Fr. 3 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | Fr. 15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Swiss francs are the working currency; euros are often accepted but at a poor rate. Carry francs.
- Phone and post run on Swiss systems: +41 dialling code, Swiss postcode CH-6911, Italian code I-22060.
- Campione moved into the EU customs territory in 2020, so customs checks are possible at the border even though both sides are in Schengen.
- The casino is the main evening draw and the main employer: check dress code and entry rules before you go.
- The mountainside above town is steep and mostly trees; do not plan a viewpoint hike without a map.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies (EU-wide)
- 112
- Police (Italy)
- 113
- Fire (Italy)
- 115
- Ambulance (Italy)
- 118
- Swiss emergency (fire and ambulance serve Campione)
- 144
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Campione d'ItaliaCampione d'Italia
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
A questo indirizzo, per favoreTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies (EU-wide)112
- Police (Italy)113
- Ambulance (Italy)118
- Swiss emergency (fire and ambulance serve Campione)144
Embassy
No embassies in Campione. Most countries keep embassies in Rome and consulates in Milan; Switzerland handles some services locally. Check your own embassy's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 439, Campione casino → Lugano: about Fr. 3, about 20 min (check)
- Boat, Campione → Lugano: about Fr. 15, about 20 min (check)
- Train, Melide → Lugano: short hop on TILO; buy at the station (check)
Say or show
- Scusi — Excuse me / Sorry (SKOO-zee)
- Grazie — Thank you (GRAH-tsyeh)
- Quanto costa? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KOS-tah)
- Posso pagare con la carta? — Can I pay by card? (POS-soh pah-GAH-reh kon lah KAR-tah)
- Dov'è il bagno? — Where is the toilet? (doh-VEH eel BAH-nyoh)
- Il conto, per favore — I would like the bill (eel KON-toh per fah-VOH-reh)
Campione runs on Swiss francs and Swiss phone and post systems, so treat it as a Swiss-Italian hybrid: francs for cash, +41 for calls.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Campione d'Italia. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and crowds), Nov–Mar (many places shut early) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MXP and LUG: last bus 439 departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Piazza Roma and the port, the casino and Piazzale Milano, Santa Maria dei Ghirli and the entrance arch.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Oratory of Saint Peter, Civic Gallery, parish church, Santa Maria dei Ghirli, entrance arch) and eat pages with last orders.
- Border and customs fixtures so gates A–D can go green.