How to get to Monte Verità...

Address

Centro Stefano Franscini
Monte Verità
Via Collina
CH-6612 Ascona

Website: http://www.csf.ethz.ch

From abroad to Switzerland

You can reach Switzerland either by train (check the international timetable) or by air. The main Swiss airports are Zurich-Kloten (recommended airport if you need to get to Ascona) and Geneva-Cointrin.

The Italian Milano-Malpensa airport is another option, you can find more information here.

By train from Zurich Airport

Trains leave Zurich Airport for Zurich Main Station (a ten minute ride) several times every hour from the train station just beneath the main airport building .

From Zurich Main Station to Locarno:

On odd hours:
At Zurich Main Station, change to a train to Bellinzona. Trains to Bellinzona leave at 9 minutes past every hour (takes about 2 hours and 27 minutes). In Bellinzona change to a local train to Locarno. This leaves from platform 3 about four minutes after you arrive - don't worry if your train from Zurich is a bit late, the train to Locarno will usually wait for it. The journey time to Locarno is about 26 minutes.

On even hours:
We recommend a train connection with changes in Arth-Goldau and Bellinzona. (Depending on the time of day there are also direct connections to Bellinzona or even to Locarno, but they (i) are slower and (ii) do not have direct connections in Locarno to the local bus to Ascona).
At Zurich Main Station, change to a train to Arth-Goldau (continues to Bellinzona and sometimes to Locarno) leaving at 9 minutes past every hour. In Arth-Goldau change to a train to Bellinzona, which leaves from platform 5 about four minutes after you arrive in Arth-Goldau. In Bellinzona change to a local train to Locarno, which leaves from platform 3 about four minutes after you arrive in Bellinzona.
Don't worry if your train is a bit late, the connecting trains usually wait.

In all cases you can enjoy a spectacular train ride through the Gotthard mountains with the world famous helical tunnels.

Check the time-table of the Swiss Federal Railways for your individual train connection.

From Locarno - Ascona / Monte Verità

Free shuttle bus from Locarno to Monte Verità: Sunday at 3, 4, 5, and 6 pm - maximum two runs per hour.

You can reach Ascona from Locarno train station by bus (bus stop Ascona Posta), leaving Locarno, Stazione every 30 minutes (at 12 minutes and 42 minutes past every hour, Bus No. 31).

From Ascona Posta to Monte Verità you can either walk (15 min. uphill!), take a taxi for 10 CHF or the BUXI (Bus & Taxi) for 1 CHF at limited times (leaving opposite the Otello Cinema, on the right).

A taxi from Locarno train station to Monte Verità costs approximately 30 CHF (regular taxi) respectively approximately CHF 17 (EcoTaxi, Phone 0800 321 321).

By car from the north

Follow the freeway to Gotthard-Italy until the exit "Bellinzona-Sud". Take the road to Locarno which goes first along and then across the Magadino plain and then into a tunnel to bypass Locarno. Do not take the Locarno exit at the end of this tunnel, but stay in the left lane and follow the signs to Ascona, Brissago.

After crossing the river, take the Ascona exit, cross the roundabout and the intersection that follows it and drive along the main road towards the old town of Ascona . When you cannot continue straight because you arrive at the pedestrian zone, take a sharp right up the hill and follow this winding road all the way up to Monte Verità (there are occasional white signs "Centro Monte Verità").

Shortly after passing the Hotel Michelangelo on your left, you will see a number of round black signs announcing the conference center and, on your right, a red house. Take the cobblestone road between the two and follow it all the way up the hill. There are parking lots just before you come to the main white building or just after you pass it.

By car from the south

Follow the freeway to Chiasso-Lugano-Gotthard until you come to the exit "Rivera" (next exit after "Lugano Nord"). Take the very scenic local road down to the Magadino plain (Cadenazzo) and turn left onto the road to Locarno. This takes you across the Magadino plain and into a tunnel to bypass Locarno. Then follow the directions given above for the approach from the north.

If you come on the local road from Verbania, exit right shortly after coming out of the tunnel which passes under Monte Verità and follow the above directions.