Monte Lema Cable Car, New 2026 Season: Extended Hours and Prices (cross-border guide)

Context

TL;DR

• Monte Lema Cable Car reopens March 28, 2026, earlier than 2025.
• Adult round-trip ticket price increases to 28 francs.
• Seasonal pass costs 180 francs, valid for 13 trips.
• Expected 110,000 passengers in 2026, 12% more than 2025.

Key facts

• Reopening Date: March 28, 2026
• Operating Hours: 08:00 to 22:30, seven days a week until November 1
• Adult Ticket Price: 28 francs for a round trip
• Seasonal Pass Cost: 180 francs, valid for 13 trips
• Expected Attendance: 110,000 passengers in 2026
• Main Engine Investment: 380,000 francs, 35% funded by DT
• Tax Deduction Limit: Up to 3,000 francs for cross-border commuters
• Work Tariff: 15 francs for a round trip, request by March 31

…

Operational details

Those who work in Ticino and reside in Lombardy can deduct the seasonal pass in the 'Other professional expenses' section of their 2026 tax return, up to a maximum of 3,000 francs. However, the AFC requires the taxpayer to demonstrate the professional usefulness: photographing company events or accompanying clients to the mountains is sufficient, and it is enough to attach a letter from the employer with a stamp. The corresponding IRPEF refund, calculated at 23% for an income between 65,000 and 85,000 francs, is 41 francs; if the income exceeds 120,000 francs, the deduction increases to 55 francs. The savings are not enormous, but they cover the cost of three dinners in a malga. For those who use the cable car to go to work (e.g., refuge manager, mountain guides), the 'work' tariff of 15 francs for a round trip applies, which can be requested at the sales office by March 31: a photocopy of the employment contract and the Suvap-B form are required. Payment is made by monthly invoice with a 30-day payment term. The cumulative 'Ticino Monte' subscription launched in 2025 also includes Monte Generoso and Monte Tamaro: it costs 290 francs, offers a 10% discount in affiliated malgas, and can be purchased online at montelema.ch or at the ticket offices in Capolago and Rivera. For cross-border commuters arriving from Como via the A2, the recommended exit is Rivera-Bironico (exit 47), 12 minutes by provincial road to Maglio di Colla. Parking P1 (200 spaces) is free for seasonal pass holders, while for others, it costs 5 francs per day. It is possible to pay with TWINT, card, or cash in francs and euros (1:1 exchange rate). From the parking lot to the ticket office, there are 180 meters of uphill climb with a 9% gradient: the alternative is the 321 bus (PostAuto line) that connects Rivera station to the terminus every 30 minutes from 07:45 to 19:15. The bus ticket is included in the 'Ticino Ticket' for those staying in a partner hotel. The most popular excursion remains the crossing to Monte Tamaro: 12 km, total elevation gain of 650 m, 4 hours and 30 minutes. Hiking boots and a water bottle are recommended, as the only water point after the Carassino refuge is 9 km away. The trail is marked with white and red signs, and the GPS track can be downloaded from montelema.ch/gpx. The upper BBQ area has 12 stations with stone or wood, and firewood is sold at a cost of 6 francs per 5 kg basket. The medical guard service in Lugano recorded 43 interventions for injuries on the trail in 2025: most were ankle sprains, so it's a good idea to bring an elastic band and a small first-aid kit.

Key points

💡 If you work in Lugano and leave the office at 18:00, in 25 minutes by car, you can reach Maglio di Colla: the evening trip allows you to have dinner in a malga and return with the last descent at 22:15. The 'Alpe di Lema' restaurant serves Ticino polenta for 16 francs and local merlot for 4.5 francs per glass. The menu is also valid for take-out: order by 20:30 to pick it up at 21:30. For families, the 'Trail dei Draghi' (2 km, 70 m elevation gain) is designed for children from 4 years old: ten illustrated panels, a stamp to collect at the refuge, and a small prize upon return. The trail is free, but you need to pick up the card at the ticket office. To photograph the sunset over Lake Maggiore, take the 19:00 trip: you'll have 40 minutes of golden light before it gets dark. Bring a lightweight tripod: the terrace is made of stone, and there's enough space. The sky is classified as Bortle 3, ideal for observing the Milky Way after midnight; the dedicated evenings include 200 mm telescopes provided by the Astrofili Luganesi Association, with the cost included in the ticket. Remember that the temperature at the summit is 7-10 °C lower than in the city center: a technical fleece is sufficient from May to September, but in October, it's better to bring a windbreaker. The weather service is updated in real-time on montelema.ch/meteo: if the wind exceeds 60 km/h, the facility calls passengers to postpone the descent. To calculate how much a seasonal excursion would cost for your family, use our simulator: enter the number of trips, city of departure (Como, Varese, or Milan), and fuel expenses: the tool includes the deductible value in the tax return and tells you if the subscription is convenient. Source: Baroni & Merzari SA press release of March 24, 2026, Il Giornale del Ticino.