Try flying from Milan - Bergamo Airport (Equivalent of London - Luton Airport ) and you would understand why you would want to go to Malpensa.

If this proposed railway track is built (it actually branches off from the main line at Mendrisio) then this is a really good option for flights from Ticino Region in both price and time. I would say the flights from Italy are cheaper than from Switzerland or France as well.

Why don't you stay in Lugano overnight and go down early the following morning on the bus? (buses take an hour, run hourly and start as early as 5.30am)
There's a cheapish but handsome place by the station: www.montarina.com, worth checking it out.

Wow, that looks lovely - thanks! Just the small matter of persuading hubby now ...

[QUOTE=Mrs. Doolittle;741641]Most men will never ask for directions anyways.



That's why astronauts are men!

Reporting back, just in case anyone else needs to do this or something similar in the future.

06.12 Trains: Walchwil to Zug/Zug to Arth Goldau (this saved us leaving home earlier and 40 mins waiting time at Goldau)/Goldau to Lugano - absolutely beautiful journey. Then bus from Lugano to Malpensa airport. All went without a hitch and we actually got to the airport early! I would never, ever consider undertaking such a journey with so many changes in the UK.

And thanks again for all your helpful suggestions.