Thin, Thick and Dark Disks

Travel Information

The Monte Verita conference center can be reached via flights to Zurich airport or Milano-Malpensa airport (Italy). From either airport there is ground transportation by bus or train, which connects to the conference shuttle bus operating from Locarno train station to the Monte Verita conference (schedule below).

By air

The option from Zürich is to fly to Zürich International Airport (ZHR) and then take a train across the Alps through the scenic Gotthard route to Locarno. You may have to change train in Bellinzona. Travelling time from Zürich International Airport to Locarno train station is approximately 3 hours.

Alternatively, you can fly into Milan Malpensa (MPX), which is about 1.5 hours away by car. You may also use the Malpensa shuttle service, which will take you to Bellinzona train station, from which you will need to catch a train to Locarno train station (about 30 mins ride). Car rentals are available at the airport (drive time: 1.5 to 2 hours to Ascona. Be aware that you'll have to cross the border into Switzerland).
There is a train from Malpensa airport to Locarno with just one change in Cadenazzo, which runs roughly every two hours and take 2.5 hours (see timetable, below). They run from Malpensa at 1150 and 1350, so the bus below fills in the gaps, running at 1040 and 1240. The distance is short and the train fare inexpensive, but the train from MXP to Cadenasso makes many stops so travel time is only 30 minutes shorter than from Zurich airport. If you should stay a night in Milan, transportation from Milano Centrale to both Locarno and Malpensa is a bit better than Milano Porta Garibaldi.

You may also find a flight to Lugano Airport (LUG). There are direct flights from Geneva and Rome. If you are flying Swiss International Airlines you may have the option of connecting in Zürich to Lugano (45mins flight). This is worthwhile exploring as the cost may be cheaper than a full-fare rail ticket from Zurich when purchased together with an international or intercontinental flight . There is a shuttle bus from the airport to the train station in Lugano, from which the train to Locarno takes about 40mins (change in Bellinzona or Giubiasco). Car rental is available at the airport (drive time: 45 mins to Ascona).

By train

Most transatlantic flights arrive in Zurich before noon. Anticipating arrivals on Sunday, July 23, trains to Locarno leave from the airport train station as listed below. Alternative schedules can be found via Swiss Railways. A few shuttles will run from the train station to the center on Sunday afternoon. Please check this page for more information closer to the start of the conference. If you do not catch the shuttle you can catch a bus until ~6pm, or take a taxi.

Travel via Milan (Italy)

Train Schedule Malpensa Airport - Locarno

A shuttle runs from Malpensa to Bellinzona. The "Malpensa Express Shuttle Bus" schedule can be found here.

Travel via Zürich

Conference shuttle bus

On Sunday, 23rd July, shuttle buses will go from the Locarno train station to the Monte Verita conference center at the following times:

13:30, 14:35, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30

If your arrival time is much earlier than the first trip, see the public bus information, below. If you will arrive much later, there are several taxis available at Locarno railway station. The cheapest rates are usually with the EcoTaxsi.
Booking necessary: phone +41 91 792 21 01 or 0800 321 321 (free number only from Swiss phones). EcoTaxsi from Locarnoto Monte Verità - Duration: approx. 15 min. Cost: approx. 24 CHF.

Please see below for the conference shuttle bus times for departure day, 28th July:

Public bus
Bus Nr. 1 from Locarno railway station to Ascona (stop Ascona Posta) and then Bus Nr. 5 ("Buxi") from Ascona to Monte Verità.

Duration: 15-20 minutes for Line Nr 1. + 8 minutes for Line Nr. 5. Cost: 2.20 CHF for one way ticket from Locarno to Ascona + 2.00 CHF for a one way ticket of the Buxi from Ascona to Monte Verità

Schedules: Line Nr. 1 and Line Nr. 5.

By car
Drive along the federal highway A2 to Bellinzona, exit at Bellinzona Sud and follow the signs to Locarno. Before Locarno you will enter a tunnel that bypasses Locarno. When you exit the tunnel follow the signs to Ascona and when entering Ascona follow the signs to Monte Verità. Free parking is limited in Ascona, and car parks are quite expensive (> 25 EUR/day). At the Conference center there is only limited parking space. For travel planning click here.

Map of Monte Verità >>>

Conference shuttle bus schedule on departure day, 28th July, 2017

On Friday, 28th July, shuttle buses will go from the Monte Verita conference center to the Locarno train station at the following times:

13:20, 14:00, 14:40, 15:20, 16:00, 16:40

Live Webcam Ascona