Locarno’s train station is 100m north of the lakeshore landing stage and 150m northeast of the main central square, Piazza Grande. Postbuses and local buses depart from the front of the station. The municipality of Locarno itself is quite small, and the city takes in the neighbouring contiguous districts of Muralto, just east of the station, and Minusio, further east still, both of which pop up regularly in listings as if they were separate towns.

The efficient but often crowded tourist office is in the Casino complex on Via Largo Zorzi, 100m southwest of the station (March–Oct Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 10am–4pm, Sun 10am–2pm; Oct–March Mon–Fri 9am–12.30pm & 2–6pm; 091/751 03 33, www.lagomaggiore.org), and has information on the city and the whole region; they can also make hotel bookings for you. Their guided walking tour starts from the office and takes in a tour of the churches of the Old Town and the Castello Visconteo (April–Oct Mon 9.45am; Fr.5).