Located in western Switzerland, Lausanne is easily accessible by air, train, or car. Below is some information about getting to Lausanne by plane or train. We recommend taking either of these modes of transportation as parking in Lausanne can be quite expensive and difficult to find.
Getting to Lausanne by train
A more sustainable (and perhaps less stressful) mode of travel is the train. Tickets can be purchased from your national rail agency or through Interrail or Eurail, depending on your passport and/or country of residence. (A Eurail Pass can only be used by non-European citizens or non-European residents.)
We recommend downloading the SBB app, which can be used to check schedules and buy tickets for all modes of public transportation, not just the trains.
You will also need to purchase a ticket for travel within the city if you are not staying near the Lausanne train station. You can purchase a public transit ticket at a t-l machine, on the SBB app, or via SMS by texting “GL” to 456. (Details on SMS ticket purchase can be found here.)
You will also need to purchase a ticket for travel within the city if you are not staying near the Lausanne train station. This can be done as part of your ticket from the airport (by choosing the nearest bus or metro stop as your final destination, rather than the main station). Alternatively, you can purchase a public transit ticket at a t-l machine, on the SBB app, or via SMS by texting “GL” to 456. (Details on SMS ticket purchase can be found here.)
Getting to Lausanne by air
Switzerland has two main international airports: Geneva and Zurich. (Basel Airport is smaller and receives fewer flights.) Geneva is closer but you can easily reach Lausanne from either airport by train.
You can purchase tickets ahead of time on the SBB website or at a machine in the station. We recommend downloading the SBB app, which can be used to check schedules and buy tickets for all modes of public transportation, not just the trains.
Note: return tickets are for same-day travel so buy a one-way ticket from the airport.
From Geneva Airport: The train station is a 5-minute walk from the baggage area. There are approximately 5 trains to the main station in Lausanne per hour for most of the day (most direct, some with connections). The journey takes 45-60 minutes. As of August 2022, a one-way ticket costs 27 CHF.
From Zurich Airport: The train station is a 10-minute walk from the airport. There are approximately 6 trains to the main station in Lausanne per hour for most of the day (one direct, most with connections). The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours. As of August 2022, a one-way ticket costs 78 CHF.
You will also need to purchase a ticket for travel within the city if you are not staying near the Lausanne train station. This can be done as part of your ticket from the airport (by choosing the nearest bus or metro stop as your final destination, rather than the main station). Alternatively, you can purchase a public transit ticket at a t-l machine, on the SBB app, or via SMS by texting “GL” to 456. (Details on SMS ticket purchase can be found here.)
Travelling within Lausanne
Lausanne has excellent public transportation. If you stay at a hotel and pay the city tax, you will receive a Lausanne Transport card valid for the duration of your stay (including the day you check out). This allows you to freely use all modes of public transit with the city and certain environs.
If you opt to stay in private accommodation, you will need to pay for public transit out of pocket. You can either use the app or text messages to buy single tickets or a day pass, or you can buy a prepaid card, available at the tourism office at the Lausanne train station and other points of sale. We recommend the day pass if you plan to use transit more than twice in a day, as this is more cost effective.
Accommodation
Lausanne Tourism has secured special conference rates for accommodation with some hotels in the city. Their booking platform is now closed.
There is also a hostel in Lausanne for those looking for less expensive accommodation: Lausanne Jeunotel.