Lausanne Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland)

Tourists holidaying in the city will find plenty to pass their time and if sightseeing is a must, then do enquire about the Lausanne Card. Available at the tourist offices at the train station and Ouchy harbour, the Lausanne Card offers good discounts for many attractions and unlimited travel on public transport.

Many tourists find this card provides good value for money, while others are unable to make full use of its savings during their brief stay. Also, night owls in Lausanne should look out for the inexpensive booklet known as 'Allons-y!', which can prove to be an invaluable guide to the city's rich nightlife.

Different view of Ouchy centre

Useful Contact Details

There are two main tourist information centres within Lausanne, at the city's central SBB Train Station and also at the Place de la Navigation, alongside the Ouchy metro station and the harbour. Hotel reservations can be made here for just a small charge, along with various excursion bookings.

Lausanne Tourism (Tourist Office at the SBB Train Station)
Place de la Gare 9, Lausanne, CH-1003, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 021 613 7373
Fax: +41 021 616 8647
Website: www.lausanne-tourisme.ch
Email: information@lausanne-tourisme.ch
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 19:00

Lausanne Tourism (Tourist Office at Ouchy)
Place de la Navigation 4, Lausanne, CH-1006, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 021 613 7373
Fax: +41 021 616 8647
Website: www.lausanne-tourisme.ch
Email: information@lausanne-tourisme.ch
Open hours: April to September, daily - 09:00 to 19:00; October to March, daily - 09:00 to 18:00

Lausanne Tourism and Convention Bureau
Address: Avenue de Rhodanie 2, Lausanne, CH-1000, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 021 613 7373
Fax: +41 021 616 8647
Website: www.lausanne-tourisme.ch
Email: information@lausanne-tourisme.ch
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 17:00

Bureau d'Information au Public (Lausanne Public Information)
Address: Escaliers du Marché 2, Lausanne, CH-1000, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 021 315 2555
info@lausanne.ch
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 07:45 to 12:00, 13:15 to 17:00

Picture of fountains in central Ouchy

Language and Dialect

Throughout Switzerland, various languages are spoken, such as French, German, Italian and even Romansch. However, in Lausanne, most locals tend to speak French, although many do understand English quite well. Learn some French phrases before you arrive and you will find that communicating to the locals in their native French tongue can be quite enjoyable.

Dos and Don'ts / Tourist Traps

Bookstores - if you are looking for English-language books and travel guides, check out the Librairie Payot book shop on the Place Pépinet
Internet Access - those wishing to check their email whilst holidaying in Lausanne can do so at the outlet of Espace Saint François, where computers can be hired on an hourly basis
Money and Foreign Exchange - a good place to obtain your Swiss Francs is at the popular exchange office at the railway station, and also at the numerous branches of the Banque Cantonale Vaudoise
Pickpockets - whilst your valuables are generally safe and not under threat, Lausanne is still a fairly busy city and care should always be taken in crowded areas and on public transport
Postal Services and Communications - the main post office in Lausanne is situated on the Place St. Francois and this building was interestingly once home to the famous English author, Edward Gibbon
Travel Agencies - an outlet of STA Travel can be found on the Boulevard de Grancy