Lugano has the mildest, sunniest climate in Switzerland, but you will still experience four distinct seasons – you will need warm winter clothing, rain gear, and comfortable footwear.

Expect rain in every season, cobblestone streets, steep hills, and plenty of wooded paths and green areas. Prepare to dress comfortably in a variety of landscapes and all types of weather.

The following suggestions are based on what our students usually bring to live in Lugano, and many students, faculty, and staff members shared their tips and suggestions. Other items, such as class materials and cleaning supplies, can be purchased in local shops. If you forget something, don't worry: many things can be purchased locally, shipped from home, or done without for the semester.

 

Packing Tips

Prioritize. Focus on the shoes and clothing you will actually wear, and think ahead to your calendar. If you are flying home in December, you may not need four months of winter gear.

Layer. Versatile pieces beat bulky ones. Academic Travel in October and March can bring sun, rain, and snow within the same two weeks, and layers handle all of it.

Know your limits. Check your airline's baggage weight allowances and weigh your bags as you pack. A small luggage scale saves money and airport stress (and comes in pretty handy when you are traveling during the semester).

Bring half. You might be able to manage with less than you think. Pack early, trim what you have not worn recently, and spend your final weeks at home with family and friends instead of stressing over your suitcase.

Plan your carry-on. Pack one full change of clothes, your medications, and a towel in your carry-on in case your checked baggage is delayed. Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on the flight to save luggage weight and space.

Consider space. We don't have luggage storage options on campus, so you will need to keep your suitcases and bags in your room.

Think ahead. Remember that what you bring into your apartment must eventually come out. At the end of the semester or year when you move out, everything you brought in will need to be packed, shipped, stored, given away, or discarded. We recommend that you consider this as you pack and as you make purchases once you arrive.

Mark your baggage. Sometimes things get lost or another person's bag might look similar. We recommend clearly marking your bag and, if it is a common color, tying a ribbon or something on it so you can spot it easily at baggage claim.

 

What to Bring

Bring your laptop computer. The campus is spread out, and students can take advantage of our campus-wide wireless network. 

Learn more about Information Technology at Franklin

Clothing

  • Casual: jeans, shorts, pants, comfortable shoes
  • Layers: cardigans, long-sleeve shirts, lightweight jackets
  • Dress: slacks, sport coat or blazer, tie, skirts and dresses, dress shoes
  • Athletic: sneakers, swimwear, hiking boots, skiwear
  • Winter: warm coat, sweaters, gloves, hats, scarves, boots
  • Rain: raincoat or rain jacket, windbreaker - quality rain gear costs more locally, so it might be worth it to buy it before you arrive
  • Other: bathrobe, sleepwear, slippers, hat with a brim

Shoes

Lugano is very hilly, and cobblestones are common in many European cities. Prioritize comfortable, supportive walking shoes for daily life, waterproof shoes for rainy months, and flats over heels for dressier occasions.

Bed and Bath

  • Bath towel and washcloth - At least one set should be packed in carry-on luggage for use on arrival - additional items can be purchased locally.
  • Toiletries - travel sizes are enough to get started, and the bottles will be useful later - shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and other toiletries are all easy to find locally.
  • Bed linen, pillow, and blanket - Students will receive information about the opportunity to purchase cleaned, used linens from the University before they arrive. We are offering a free bus to IKEA on the Friday morning and afternoon of Orientation, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you plan to buy linens at IKEA, bring something to sleep on for your first few nights. You can also check the Swap Shop on campus, where departing students leave bedding, kitchen items, and other household goods for new students to take for free.

Other Items

  • Electrical plug adapter - Switzerland uses Type C and Type J outlets at 230 volts. Adapters are cheaper and easier to find before you arrive.
  • Phone and laptop chargers (some students also recommend a power bank, but others don't bother)
  • Medium-size backpack for classes, day trips, and hikes
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Contact lenses - enough for your stay, plus backup glasses in case your prescription doesn't transfer easily
  • Travel umbrella or foldable raincoat - summer storms come and go quickly, so keep one in your backpack
  • Luggage scale
  • Lanyard or key ring for your room and mailbox keys
  • Small first aid kit with travel-size medicines
  • A few over-the-counter medicines from home - Swiss pharmacies might stock different brands, and sometimes when you're sick, you can avoid a trip to the pharmacy to figure things out
  • Scissors, tape, and a permanent marker - useful on Arrival Day
  • Sticky hooks for hanging things in your room - nails and tacks are not permitted on residence walls
  • Small padlock for securing your important items or for use in hostels with lockers
  • Reusable shopping bags - stores charge for plastic and paper bags
  • Some cash in Swiss francs and euros for unexpected situations
  • Photos of family and friends, or a small keepsake from home - something light and small that makes your new room feel like yours

Medications

The University requires medical documentation from your doctor if you need regular medication. We recommend bringing enough medicine for one month and arranging to see a Swiss physician shortly after your arrival. Swiss pharmacies cannot fill prescriptions from other countries, and some medicines may not be available here. If this is the case, certain prescriptions may need to be changed by a local physician. For more information about medications in Switzerland and what can be brought or mailed, please email health@fus.edu. 

Always pack medications in your carry-on, never in checked baggage, in original packaging with your name on the label. Note that some airlines have restrictions on the amount of medication that can be brought on board, so check with your airline for details and have your doctor’s prescription with you when you travel. 

 

What Not to Bring

Franklin residences are furnished. Most have kitchenettes or a shared common kitchen with a few basic utensils and appliances, but students should plan to purchase their own kitchen items and cookware when they arrive. Your residence hall will have an oven, stove, and access to a refrigerator either in your apartment or in the common kitchen. The electrical system in Switzerland may be different from your country's, rendering your appliances inoperable. Necessary items should be purchased locally.

Prohibited or restricted items:

  • Pepper spray or mace - prohibited in Switzerland
  • Weapons and fireworks
  • Fresh meat, dairy, fruit, plants, or seeds - restricted by Swiss customs

Items we do not believe you will need to pack: 

  • Desktop computer
  • Electrical appliances
  • Personal appliances* like hair dryers, hair straighteners, trimmers/clippers
  • Hot plates or kitchen supplies
  • Furniture
  • Expensive jewelry or irreplaceable valuables
  • Multi-packs of toiletry items
  • Clothes hangers - you can buy them here
  • Laundry detergent and cleaning supplies - heavy to pack and easy to buy locally
  • Bulky items like skis or guitars, unless you know you will use them regularly
  • Lots of books - you can use the library or book-swap shelves 
  • Large amounts of cash or foreign currency
  • Bed linens and bulky decorations
  • Pets

* The Swiss electrical system uses 230 volts AC. The U.S. uses 120 volts. Plugging a lower-voltage appliance into a Swiss plug can ruin appliances and electrical outlets.

You can furnish your room affordably after you arrive. You can purchase cleaned, gently used linens from the University, visit the Swap Shop on campus, take the Orientation bus to IKEA, or browse tutti.ch, Switzerland's popular second-hand marketplace.

 

Shipping

You can lighten your luggage by sending parcels by mail. Surface mail is the cheapest way to ship personal items, and boxes generally take between four and eight weeks to get to Lugano from overseas.

All mail and parcels must be sent to:

Your Name and Last Name
c/o Franklin Switzerland
Via Ponte Tresa 29
6924 Sorengo
Switzerland

Customs and Import Duties

If you choose to ship personal items to Switzerland rather than carrying them in your luggage, keep the following rules in mind to avoid unexpected fees:

  • Personal Effects Sent by Post May Be Duty-Free. If a parent or the student is mailing the student's own used belongings (clothing, books, personal electronics), these can generally be imported duty-free if the parcel is clearly marked "personal effects" on the outside and the items have been in personal use for at least six months. See Swiss Post's FAQ on imports, customs, and VAT for details.
  • What is VAT? VAT (Value Added Tax) is a consumption tax applied to goods and services in Switzerland, similar to a US sales tax. If you buy new items online or ship goods that don't qualify as personal effects, Swiss customs charges VAT on the total value of the goods, plus shipping and insurance costs.
  • Beware of Carrier Clearance Fees. Even if your package is duty-free, shipping companies (Swiss Post, DHL, FedEx, UPS) charge a fee to process customs paperwork. This "clearance fee" is usually around CHF 13–16 plus a small percentage of the package value, which is billed to the recipient upon delivery.
  • Declare Contents Clearly. To avoid customs delays or having your package held at the border, ensure the sender includes a detailed, itemized list of the contents and an accurate estimation of their value on the customs form.

We strongly recommend checking the Swiss Post's FAQ on imports, customs, and VAT information page before sending items from abroad to Switzerland.