Getting Around Locarno with a Dog

FART (Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi) runs the city's bus network from Locarno station outward to Ascona, Losone, Tenero and the suburbs. Small dogs in a carrier ride free; larger dogs leashed (muzzle optional in Ticino) at CHF 2 per ride or included in a day ticket. Single tickets CHF 2.30 for short trips; day pass CHF 7.30 plus dog ticket.

NLM Navigazione Lago Maggiore operates passenger boats on Lago Maggiore from spring through autumn, with regular service from Locarno to Ascona, Brissago, the Brissago Islands, Vira Gambarogno and Italian ports Cannobio, Cannero, Stresa and Isola Bella. Leashed dogs ride free on all boats on the open deck areas. Single fare Locarno to Ascona CHF 8, Locarno to Brissago Islands CHF 20. A calm transport option for nervous dogs.

Locarno Bahnhof is served by SBB direct trains from Zurich via the Gotthard Base Tunnel (3 h) and Italian Trenord trains from Milan via Domodossola. The scenic Centovalli FART railway is the headline ride: a narrow-gauge train Locarno to Domodossola in 2 h through 100 valleys of UNESCO-listed Italianate landscape, dogs accepted muzzled at SBB half-fare or in a carrier free. The nearest airport is Lugano-Agno (LGN) 1 h south by SBB train.