The old town and the lakefront are entirely walkable, and most visitors spend the majority of their time in this compact area. From the main train station, a free funicular drops down to the city centre — a useful detail given that the station sits noticeably above the lake. Public buses cover the wider city and suburbs.
The lake itself is a practical transport option: boats run across to Gandria and other lakeside villages, and the Swiss Pass is valid on the boat services. The cable cars to Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore run regularly throughout the day and require a separate ticket (or are covered by the Swiss Travel Pass). Taxis are available but rarely necessary for most visitors.