Conference Venue: University of Lausanne – Bâtiment Extranef, Rooms 126 (Plenaries) and 118.1 (Parallel sessions)
(Metro stop “UniL-Chamberonne”, see also map)
Geneva Airport (GVA) to Lausanne Central Station
Trains leave directly from the Terminal. After exiting the luggage delivery hall, turn left until the end of the Terminal to access on the right the train station (CFF, SBB station).
Trains leave from any of the 4 platforms. Train ticket machines are available on-site at the entrance of the station.
There are intercity and regional trains, which take between 46 and 55 minutes. IC, IR are typically faster than Regio. All trains to the main destinations stop in Lausanne: Zurich HB, St Gallen, Brig, Luzern.
Prices are around CHF 28 for a 2nd Class, one-way ticket. The airport gives free transportation tickets in the luggage delivery hall, but they are valid only in the Geneva city area.
Please visit the Swiss railway website for online purchase and offers (offers might be available up to 18/24hs prior to train’s departure time).
Your arrival to and way around Lausanne
The train to Lausanne will take you on a scenic route through the towns of Coppet, Nyon, Rolle, Morges. Right out of Geneva, on the right in the direction of travel the Mont Blanc will be visible on a clear day.
The arrival station is Lausanne Gare Central. The taxis stand is outside the main entrance.
The subway M2 can be accessed either across the station square, or on the underground level. If you want to access it underground, follow the direction ‘Centre Ville/M2’.
Lausanne is roughly divided into two by the station: City centre and ‘sous gare’. On the M2, direction ‘Ouchy Olympique’ takes you south to the lake, direction ‘Croisettes’ takes you north to the city centre. The M2 trains follow a steep route up and down the hill, cog railways being a national pride in Switzerland. Hold onto the handrails 😉
Tickets can be bought at ticket machines. No need to validate them, for they are time-issued. Price is CHF 4.80 for the GL (Grand Lausanne) area which includes M1, M2 and buses. Please see the link to the network map below Day tickets are available too. Typically hotels will give you a free transportation pass for the duration of your stay, so consider just buying a one-way ticket on arrival.
Your way to UniL campus
The conference venue is located at stop ‘UNIL – Chamberonne’ on line M1 which goes from Lausanne Flon to Renens VD gare. The journey from Lausanne Flon takes around 20 minutes. To take the M1 from the railway station: travel one stop direction Croisettes (Lausanne Flon) and walk up the stairs in front of you. The M1 platforms are at the end of the hall. M1 trains run typically every 5/6 minutes.
Your stay in Lausanne
An unmatched view of the Alps comes at a price. Accommodation in Lausanne can be very expensive for this reason it is recommended to book early. Prices are (from) 63 CHF per night for a hostel and (from) 130 CHF per night for a hotel.
Hotels:
Elite https://www.elite-lausanne.ch/en/
Hôtel du Marché https://www.hoteldumarche-lausanne.ch/en/
SwissTech (located on campus, on M1 EPFL stop. It is around 20 minutes by subway from the city centre) https://www.swisstech-hotel.com/en/home
Hostels:
Youth Hostel https://www.youthhostel.ch/de/hostels/lausanne-jeunotel/
Lausanne Guesthouse and Backpacker http://lausanne-guesthouse.ch/
The usual websites for your accommodation (e.g. Booking.com, AirBnB) will provide additional information.
For all other purposes, the Ville de Lausanne website has an official page on living costs in Lausanne.