From the airport to the city centre Lausanne
Lausanne has no airport. The easiest way is to land in Geneva and rent a car or take the train, which is 60 km away and takes around 50 minutes.
Low-cost airlines serve Geneva from many French cities
Arrival by train Lausanne
The Swiss rail network is extensive, efficient, punctual and particularly well thought-out. It's easy to reach Lausanne directly by train from Gare de Lyon in Paris. Journey time is 3 hours 40 minutes, or 4 hours with a connecting train. If you're coming from Lyon, it's even easier.
To get around the country, there are a multitude of trains in Switzerland. They're comfortable and their timetables are practical and precise. Small cogwheel trains are also part of the country's charm, and you'll be well served near Montreux. Lausanne has excellent connections to the Riviera and along Lake Geneva to the Simplon tunnel on the Italian border.
It's easy to find your way around the stations. You'll find large signs (one yellow for departures, one white for arrivals) indicating all timetables and the track number corresponding to your train, as well as electronic signs at the entrance to the sub-tracks. In Switzerland, track numbers do not change, so if you take the same train as the one you took on another day, the track will be the same. However, not all stops are indicated on signs or tickets. When making a journey with connections, remember to ask for more details at the ticket office or directly from the ticket inspector.
Check out the Swiss Railways website for discounts on transport fares and tourist activities. The Swiss Travel Pass also offers reduced transport fares. For more information, contact the Lausanne tourist office, which offers the Lausanne Transport Card or the City Pass with reduced fares on transport and tourist sites.
Bear in mind that the train is the ideal way to get around Switzerland, in terms of low prices, an excellent, extensive network, punctuality and the splendor of the landscapes you pass through.
Arrival by boat Lausanne
Sailing on Lake Geneva is a unique experience that's a must if you want to admire the breathtaking panorama. The only company operating on Lake Geneva is the Compagnie Générale de Navigation (CGN). It provides cruises or, more simply, city-to-city services. It's an ideal way to admire the vineyards of Lavaux and the palaces on the coast. Take a boat from Lausanne to Chillon, for example. After visiting the castle, hop back on a boat for Vevey and, finally, Lausanne. Unless, of course, you'd prefer to set off again on foot or by train along the wine trails..
From France, boats departing from Thonon and especially Evian (more routes) serve Lausanne daily. A large number of cross-border commuters from Thonon, Evian and the surrounding area travel to Lausanne for work. The journey takes about half an hour, and the lake crossing is magnificent.
Public transport Lausanne
If you're staying at a hotel, the "Lausanne Transport Card", valid for 15 days - including the day of arrival and departure - gives you free use of public transport - bus, metro and train - as well as access to the Terrasses de Lavaux and the Jorat nature park. You'll also benefit from discounts on many activities. The transport network is varied, reliable and plentiful, and we really recommend it. But be warned, if you're moving around a lot and with several people, it can quickly become a real budget!
What's more, the bus network is very efficient in Lausanne itself and between Vevey and Chillon. However, to explore the Lavaux region, it's best to take the train, as buses are rare and timetables very poorly indicated.
Bike, scooters & co Lausanne
With respect for the environment firmly entrenched in our culture, you'd expect to see plenty of bicycles... But the many hills may well discourage amateur cyclists! Unless you opt for a lakeside ride, in which case it's pure relaxation.
Despite the steep gradients, the Lausanne region and Switzerland in general are well equipped for cycling. Numerous cycle paths and fully signposted city-to-city routes enable you to cross almost the entire country on over 3,300 km of signposted cycle paths. You can also comfortably combine your tour with public transport, thanks to the recommended relay route timetables. By taking a train or bus, you can avoid a few dangerous climbs and crossings. However, be careful in the center of Lausanne, where cars have little regard for cyclists!
As far as itineraries are concerned, you can obtain brochures from tourist offices, and the website La Suisse à vélo is very well designed (www.veloland.ch). You'll also find several guides in bookshops. If you don't own a bike, there are several rental and loan services in Lausanne on the city's official website (www.lausanne.ch/velo).
By car Lausanne
Lausanne has very few traffic jams, and distances are so short that a car is not necessary. If you want to get to remote mountain areas, however, it may come in handy.
If you want to reach Lausanne by car from Paris, it will take you more than 5 hours, depending on your pace. Follow the A6 towards Lyon, then turn off onto the A40 towards Geneva and Lausanne.
From central or southern France, head for Lyon, then Geneva.
Of course, a car gives you a great deal of freedom, but be warned: it's not easy to find a parking space in Lausanne!
Motorway vignette. To be able to drive on the Swiss motorway and semi-motorway network, even for just a few meters, a vignette is compulsory for both cars and motorcycles. It costs CHF 40, is valid until January 31 of the following year, and can be purchased at Swiss customs posts, most service stations and post offices. If the price seems high, you'll never have to pay tolls again! (Except for certain Alpine road tunnels, including the Great St. Bernard)
Traffic rules. Speed limits are not quite the same as in France, and there are many speed cameras, particularly between Geneva and Lausanne (one every 5 km): so be careful to respect the speed limits.
- In town: 50 km/h
- Ordinary roads outside built-up areas: 80 km/h
- Freeways: 120 km/h
- The colors are also different: green for freeways, blue for trunk roads.
To drive in Switzerland, youneed a national or international driving license and a national vehicle registration certificate (carte grise).
Safety. Seat belts are compulsory in both front and rear seats, and children under the age of 12 (10 in France) must sit in the back. In the event of a breakdown, the safety triangle is compulsory, in addition to the hazard warning lights. Last but not least, pedestrians always have the right of way - and in Switzerland, that's not an option!
Fuel prices are lower than the European average.
For vehicles running on natural gas, the list of stations can be found at www.vehiculeagaz.ch.
Useful site for traffic information : www.tourismetcs.ch
Tolerance limit for drink-driving. Exceeding the speed limit
Warning: you can't drive if your alcohol concentration is equal to 0.5% - young drivers have no tolerance threshold. Failure to comply with this rule, like exceeding the speed limit, can be very costly, and your license can be withdrawn very quickly. A word of advice: as always, don't get into your car if you've been drinking.
Accessibility Lausanne
Lausanne and the Swiss Riviera are a model when it comes to facilities for disabled travelers. From public transport to museums, restaurants and excursions, a person with reduced mobility can travel in comfort.
By car, visitors can park in parking spaces reserved for the disabled. Vehicles specially adapted to the needs of the disabled can be hired from various rental companies.
For train travel, simply call the SBB Call Center for people with reduced mobility or other disabilities on 0800 007 102 (free number) one hour before the train's departure. Assistance will be provided for boarding and/or disembarking. For international travel, please call three working days in advance. This service is free of charge for all passengers in wheelchairs, people with reduced mobility, the blind or partially sighted, and the mentally handicapped.
