MySwissAlps.com includes 
This page was last updated by 
Region: 
Recommended season: all year
Altitude: 495 m (1624 ft)
Town size: Big
This town is on a lake
Local language: French
There is a train stationTravel tips and city map 
How to reach Lausanne by train
Lausanne is easily accessible by train. From the central station, you'll reach the town center in 10 minutes on foot, or in just 2 minutes by taking the metro/subway.
Examples of train traveling times to Lausanne from the Swiss airports and other towns:
- 0h50 from Geneva Airport, 0h40 from Geneva
- 2h30 from Zurich Airport, 2h15 from Zurich
- 2h45 from Basel EuroAirport, 2h15 from Basel
- 0h25 from Montreux
- 1h15 from Bern
- 2h20 from Lucerne
- 3h10 from Zermatt
Direct trains also operate between Paris and Lausanne in about 4h00. Find details in my France-Switzerland travel guide.
With the Swiss timetable, you can plan all of your trips to, from, and in Lausanne.
Finding your way in Lausanne: challenging by car
In my opinion, navigation by car is quite challenging in Lausanne. The city is built on a slope, and an old river bed causes additional altitude differences.
Streets that may look like a crossing on a map, may actually be one road crossing the other by a bridge. The Pont Charles Bessières near the Notre Dame Cathedral is an example.
This unique terrain also adds to the city's attractiveness. The two rivers that once crossed town, the Flon and the Louve, are now covered over.
Public transport is convenient
If you can avoid traveling to and in Lausanne by car, I recommend you do. The city center is small enough to explore on foot, and there's excellent public transport:
- Lausanne is on the main rail line from Montreux to Geneva. Also, there are trains to Yverdon-les-Bains, Fribourg, and Bern.
- There's a local LEB train from Flon, in the center of town, to Echallens and Bercher north of Lausanne.
- Two metro lines connect the main city districts. One runs from Croisettes (on the northern slopes) via Flon to Ouchy (on the lake). The other runs from Flon to Renens in the west.
- There's a dense network of (electric) buses.
Local public transport is free for hotel guests
If you book a hotel, you'll receive a free Lausanne Transport Card when you check in. It grants free access to all public transport in and around Lausanne during your stay, with a maximum of 15 days. It also gets you discounts on various local activities.
In many cases, you'll want to travel outside of the limited area of validity of the Lausanne Transport Card. So check Switzerland's rail passes if you need better discounts or unlimited public transport in a wider region.
Popular travel routes in the Lausanne area
Italy to Switzerland
France to Switzerland
When to visit Lausanne
Lausanne is a nice destination all year.
Lausanne in spring, summer and fall
Lausanne is especially nice in spring (April-May) and autumn (October and early November). Temperatures in these months are usually pleasant, and the green hills on Lake Geneva look beautiful.
The summer months (June-September) offer the most activity options on and near the lake. Boats operate frequently. You can enjoy the town squares and terraces in the old town.
Lausanne in winter
From mid-November to March, the surroundings of Lausanne are a bit less attractive to me. Lausanne isn't a typical winter resort: don't expect low temperatures or snow. The main winter sports areas are 1h15 to 1h30 away by public transport.
Still, there's enough to see and do in the city itself, and in the nearby towns of Geneva and Montreux, for a multiple-day visit.
Weather in Lausanne and forecasts
What weather in Lausanne is like
Lausanne is in a mild and sunny region of Switzerland. Daytime temperatures during winter are about 5°C to 10°C. Frost and snow can occur, but it's not common.
In summer, you can expect a temperature range of 20°C to 28°C. It can get hotter than that.
Accommodation in Lausanne
You can choose a hotel in the old town center near the station of Lausanne. Or stay in the district Ouchy and find a hotel directly on the lake! Check my Lausanne hotel recommendations for all the options.
Find your hotel in Lausanne on Lake Geneva
Why (not) stay in Lausanne?
Lausanne’s top features
French-speaking Lausanne is one of the largest cities in Switzerland, and an attractive one if you like city trips and nightlife. There are plenty of fine hotels, shops, restaurants and museums.
The town and its location are appealing. Ouchy, the lower part of the city, is directly on Lake Geneva. You’ll find the historical town center on a hill, offering various views of the lake and the mountains.
Why you may decide against Lausanne
The city is not in the Alps, but day trips to the mountains north-east of the lake, the Lavaux vineyards, and Geneva are perfectly doable from here.
If you want to stay closer to the mountains, or prefer a smaller town, consider basing yourself more to the east. Montreux is a good alternative.
Lausanne FAQ
-
Is Lausanne worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely! It’s a vibrant Swiss city with a historic town center and great views of Lake Geneva. You can see quite a lot of the town during a 1-day trip.
In addition, Lausanne is a good base town if you want to explore both the western part of Lake Geneva (where Geneva is located) as well as the eastern part (where Montreux and higher hills can be found).
-
Is Lausanne expensive?
No, Lausanne isn’t necessarily more expensive than other Swiss cities.
Lausanne has quite some international residents and is relatively close to Geneva: an internationally oriented city too.
Living costs in Lausanne are high, but that doesn’t mean you as a tourist will have to may more than in other towns. There are fine budget hotels for example. And if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you can enjoy free boat rides and free access to about 10 museums in Lausanne.
-
What is Lausanne known for?
Lausanne is famous for its pretty location on Lake Geneva, its historical town center, and the Olympic Museum. Moreover, the city is home to the International Olympic Committee.
Sightseeing in and near Lausanne
Find your activities near Lausanne
What not to miss during your stay in Lausanne
My sightseeing tips:
- the cathedral (www.lausanne-tourisme.ch)
- luxury (window) shopping in the Rue De Bourg and the rest of the town center (www.lausanne-tourisme.ch)
- the Palais de Rumine in the town center: a beautiful building that hosts several museums (www.lausanne.ch)
- the Olympic Museum in Ouchy, on the lake (www.olympic.org)
- this Lausanne city walk, that we designed to see all of the center's highlight
- a walk in the Lavaux vineyards
- a boat trip on Lake Geneva
Winter activities in Lausanne
Lausanne is an attractive destination in late November and December. You can enjoy Christmas shopping in the decorated old town and watch the artistic light shows projected on buildings. There’s a Christmas market in town. Other Christmas markets are available in nearby Montreux and Yverdon-les-Bains.
Lausanne is at low altitude and in a mild climate zone. You’ll have to travel to reach snow and ski areas. The one closest to Lausanne is Les Paccots above Vevey. Other options are Leysin (about 1h10 by train), Champéry (about 1h30) and Glacier 3000 (about 2h15 by train, bus, and cable car).
- www.lausanne-tourisme.ch: Lausanne Tourism
- www.lausanne-tourisme.ch: Lausanne Transport Card
Montreux
Geneva
