PostBus line 321 is the only public transport up the Verzasca Valley. It starts at Locarno station, passes Tenero, the Verzasca Dam and Vogorno, stops in Lavertezzo and ends at Sonogno. The timetable on search.ch, checked in November 2026, shows a journey of 1 hour 10 minutes from Locarno to Sonogno, so you get to Lavertezzo in about an hour.
This page covers the bus itself: where to board, the stops that matter, how often it runs, how to buy a ticket and how to plan walks around it. If you are still deciding how to arrive in Ticino, start with the nearest airport guide or the Malpensa to Lavertezzo page, then come back here for the last leg. The wider overview of roads and parking is in how to get to Lavertezzo.
Line 321 at a glance
| Item | What we found (checked November 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Locarno - Tenero - Verzasca Dam - Vogorno - Lavertezzo - Corippo area - Sonogno | Ticino transport map, Money.it |
| Journey time to Sonogno | 1h10 | search.ch timetable |
| Departures | Three weekday morning departures 30 minutes apart (07:03, 07:33, 08:03) | search.ch |
| Frequency stated elsewhere | “Roughly once an hour” | Money.it |
| Stops in Lavertezzo | Lavertezzo, Monda (near parking); Lavertezzo, Paese (village) | Swiss Family Fun and other guides |
| Ticket | Buy in the SBB app or at sales points; free with Ticino Ticket | SBB, Money.it |
Frequency is the item to treat carefully. Two reliable sources describe different patterns, and the service changes between summer, winter, weekdays and weekends. Do not assume a bus every half hour all day. Look up your actual date and the last return departure.
Before you go: a five-minute checklist
- Look up the first and the last departure for your exact date, not only the next bus.
- Note the stop name where you will get off and the one where you will return from.
- Download the ticket before the valley, because mobile coverage can drop in narrow stretches.
- Carry water, sun protection and a rain layer; storms build quickly in the mountains.
Where to board in Locarno
The timetable lists the departure as “Locarno, Stazione”, the bus stop at the railway station, so the train and bus changeover is short. Confirm the exact platform on the SBB app. Departures are listed as “Locarno, Stazione” in the search.ch planner. In the SBB app the line appears as 321 or sometimes as 62.321, which is the full Swiss timetable number.
The stops that matter
The line serves most of the valley’s villages, but for visitors four places matter:
- Verzasca Dam (Diga) - useful if you want to see the wall and the bungee jump site on the way up. The info shop is a few steps away.
- Lavertezzo, Monda - the stop reported next to the parking area, a few minutes’ walk from the Ponte dei Salti.
- Lavertezzo, Paese - in the village, closer to the lanes, restaurants and the start of the riverside path. See the Lavertezzo village guide.
- Sonogno - the end of the line and the top of the valley, where the Lavertezzo to Sonogno hike begins or ends.
Between those, the bus also stops near Corippo and Brione. See Sonogno and Corippo and Brione Verzasca for what you can do at each.
How to buy a ticket
- SBB mobile app. Search Locarno to Lavertezzo and buy the ticket on your phone. This also shows the stop name and live departure times.
- Ticket machines and counters. Check the SBB or PostAuto sales points at Locarno station.
- On the bus. Ask the driver whether tickets are sold on board; do not rely on it at busy times.
- Passes. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass or a similar pass, check whether the line is included before you pay. We have not confirmed pass coverage for this line, so ask SBB.
- Ticino Ticket. Money.it reports that the Ticino Ticket gives free travel on this line if you stay at least one night in Ticino. Your accommodation issues it at check-in, so ask when you book.
Prices change, so we do not quote a fare. The app shows the exact price for your date.
Using the bus for one-way hikes
Because the bus climbs the valley, it is ideal for walks that end somewhere else. Take the bus up to Sonogno and walk back down the Sentiero Verzasca along the river to Lavertezzo, then return by bus. The hike guide gives the route, and the general hikes page lists shorter alternatives. Plan the return: check the last bus from Lavertezzo to Locarno before you start walking, and have a fallback such as a taxi.
Bus or car in the valley?
The bus is the better choice on hot weekends. Parking near the bridge is scarce and charged, and the valley road jams. The car wins if you want the dam, Corippo and Sonogno in one day without waiting for connections. Compare the two in our car rental and parking guide.
From the airport to the bus
From Milan Malpensa you need a train to Locarno first (through Lugano or Bellinzona), then the bus. From Zurich you travel by train through the Gotthard route to Bellinzona and Locarno. Search flights if you have not booked yet:
Trains and buses from Italy to Locarno can be compared here:
If you miss the last bus
Evening service is thin. If you miss the last departure, call a local taxi from Locarno or book a transfer for the late return. The easier fix is to sleep in the valley or in Locarno. Our hotels guide lists places in and near Lavertezzo.
Find a place to stay in the valley
Tours that include transport
If bus timetables do not fit your day, a guided tour with transport from Locarno or Lugano can cover the dam, Lavertezzo and the villages without you managing connections.
Safety on arrival
Many visitors step off the bus and head straight for the river. Check the water level first and never swim during or after rain upstream. The swimming safety guide explains the signs. Bring cash or a card for small purchases, because mobile coverage can be patchy in the narrow valley.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the bus from Locarno to Lavertezzo take?
The search.ch timetable we checked in November 2026 shows about 1h10 from Locarno station to Sonogno, the end of line 321. Lavertezzo comes before that, so allow roughly 50 minutes to an hour. Traffic on summer weekends can add time.
How often does PostBus 321 run?
Sources differ: Money.it describes roughly one bus an hour, and the search.ch timetable we checked showed three consecutive morning departures 30 minutes apart on a weekday. Frequency changes by season and day, so check the live timetable the day before.
Which bus stop is closest to the Ponte dei Salti?
Guides name Lavertezzo, Monda near the parking area and Lavertezzo, Paese in the village as the useful stops. Confirm the exact stop names in the SBB or PostBus app before you board, because stop names can change.
Is the PostBus free with the Ticino Ticket?
Money.it reports that the Ticino Ticket covers public transport, including this line, if you stay at least one night in Ticino at a participating accommodation. Ask your host to confirm that they issue it.
Can I take a bicycle or a dog on PostBus 321?
Rules for bicycles, dogs and luggage depend on the vehicle and the season, so check the PostBus conditions on the day. On busy summer weekends the buses fill, and space for large items is limited.
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