Travel and Transit Information for Lausanne

Getting There:

By Air:

The easiest and most convenient way to get to Lausanne is to fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA) (+41 22 717 71 11 / http://www.gva.ch), which is located about 40 miles from Lausanne. Due to a needed runway expansion back in the 1950s, which could only go into the neighboring country, the Swiss struck a land swap deal and the French ended up with small portion of the one airport terminal and an access road to get there. Thus, you can take a domestic flight from France into Geneva and ascend the slopes of the French Alps without ever touching foot on Swiss soil. The terminal is divided by the Swiss Sector and the French Sector. Both sections are loaded with retail outlets including a wide array of duty free options, and cafes. The Skycom Business Center (+41 02 788 14 30) has 11 meeting rooms as well as the usual business services. Three banks, ATMS, and a post office are also onsite. Airlines include:

Aer Lingus (+41 44 286 9933 / http://www.aerlingus.com)

Air Baltic (+41 44 205 5070 / http://www.airbaltic.com)

Air Canada (848 24 7226 / http://www.aircanada.ca)

Air France (+41 22 827 8787 / http://www.airfrance.com)

Alitalia (+41 22 799 4009 / http://www.alitalia.ch)

American Airlines (+41 1 654 5256 / http://www.aa.com)

British Airways (825 825 400 / http://www.ba.com)

Continental (+41 22 417 7280 / http://www.continental.com) Delta Air Lines (800 552 036 / http://www.delta.com)

Finnair (+41 22 906 1015 / http://www.finnair.fi)

KLM (900 359 556 / http://www.klm.com)

Lufthansa (+41 22 929 5151 / http://www.lufthansa.ch)

Malaysia Airlines (+41 22 738 6363 / http://www.malaysiaairlines.com)

Qantas (0848 888 747 / http://www.qantas.com)

SAS (+41 44 205 5070 / http://www.scandinavian.net)

Singapore Airlines (+41 22 732 2205 / http://www.singaporeair.com)

Swiss Air (0848 852 000 / http://www.swiss.com) United (+41 1 212 4717 / http://www.ual.com)

Virgin Express (0848 560 151 / http://www.virgin-express.com)

Trains (0900 300 300 / http://www.cff.ch) run from Geneva to Lausanne every 20 minutes and the trip takes about 45 minutes. The Airport railway station is located 300 metres from the departure/arrivals levels.

Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals area, but considering the robust cost for the 40-mile trip, it is not necessarily the most frugal option, unless you are toting a lot of luggage. Cab companies at the Airport include:

Ambassador (+41 22 731 4141)

Europa (+41 22 906 7979) Taxiphone SA Geneva (+41 22 33 141 33)

Taxis des Bergues (+41 22 732 3032)

Renting a car is a popular option with an easy trip from Geneva to Lausanne via freeway N1. Rental Car Companies at the Geneva Airport include:

Avis (+4122 717 8430 / http://www.avis.ch) Budget (+4122 929 0330 / http://www.budget.com)

Europcar (+4122 717 8237 / http://www.europcar.ch) Hertz (+4122 798 2202 / http://www.hertz.ch)

Holiday Auto (+4152 675 7585)

National/Alamo (+4122 717 8430 / http://www.alamo.com) Sixt (+4122 717 8410 / http://www.e-sixt.com)

By Train:

Lausanne's railway station is connected to the Swiss, French, Italian and Germany railway networks including:

Swiss Federal Railways ( SBB/CFF/FFS ) (0900 300 300 / http://www.cff.ch)

TGV (High Speed Trains) (http://www.tgv.com)

National French Railways (SNCF) (http://www.sncf.com)

Italian Railways (FS - Trenitalia) (http://www.trenitalia.com)

German Railways (DB - Die Bahn ICE) (http://www.bahn.de)

By Car:

Lausanne is connected to the Swiss highway network and can be accessed from all surrounding countries. From Geneva, take the N1.

Getting Around:

The Metro is a convenient way of getting around Lausanne with trains running every 7-8 minutes during peak hours. Also, the Lausanne Public Transport Company has a tram and bus network that work with the metro. One-way and one-day tickets are available.

Taxis can usually be spotted along the streets of Lausanne or at one of the many taxi stands throughout the city. Major companies serving the city include:

Taxibus (0800 800 312)

Taxiphone (0800 80 1802)

Pedal boats (pedalos) are a fun way to get around and several rental kiosks are located at Ouchy and Parc Bourget at Vidy. Bicycles (0900 300 300) are also available for rent at the railway station.