Travel Information

Travel Information

How to get to Lausanne

Plane

Lausanne is primarily served by Geneva Airport, located 60 km away (about 45 minutes by train or car) and served by more than 50 airlines from 120 destinations. For more details regarding flights to/from Geneva, please visit the official website: https://www.gva.ch/en/

The airports of Zurich and Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg also serve Switzerland and are each a little over 2 hours by train from Lausanne.

Train

The train stations of Lausanne and Geneva are accessible from many European cities. For more details regarding international train to/from Lausanne, please visit the official website: https://www.sbb.ch/en

Boat

Lausanne has a port on Lake Geneva served by the General Navigation Company (CGN). Several connections link Lausanne to Evian and Thonon (France). All information regarding navigation is available on the CGN website: https://www.cgn.ch/en/

Car

In Switzerland, a vignette is required to use the highway. It costs CHF 40 and is available at post offices or gas stations.

Airport Taxis

Participants may get a taxi on arrival at the airport. The service is very good, but taxis in Switzerland are particularly expensive (c. CHF 200 from Geneva Airport to Lausanne). It is advised to take public transportation; there are direct trains for a cheaper price.

Public Transportation

The bus and train network are extensively developed throughout the entire national territory, with a very good service. All connections, schedules, and fares are available on: https://www.sbb.ch/en

Lausanne boasts an efficient public transport system, encompassing both metro and bus services. Once participants arrive, navigating between hotels, the conference venue, and social events will be straightforward. All hotels in Lausanne offer guests the Lausanne Transport Card, which grants free access to all public transport (bus, train, metro) in Lausanne and its surroundings. Additionally, the card provides discounts at various museums and shops.

Car rentals

Participants may choose to rent a car during their stay and use it for airport transfers. Each major airport in Switzerland has a car rental hub, making it convenient to hire a vehicle upon arrival. However, please note that parking in Lausanne can be expensive. It is advisable to check with your hotel regarding parking accommodations if you decide to rent a car.

General Info

  • Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, but it maintains close ties through various bilateral agreements and is part of the Schengen Area.
  • Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Lausanne is situated in the French-speaking part of the country. English is widely understood, especially in tourist areas.
  • The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF).
  • The voltage in Switzerland is 230 volts, with socket outlets typically of Type C (European 2-pin) and Type J (Swiss 3-pin).
  • Telephone: Country code is +41. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased at post offices, kiosks, and retail stores.
  • Swiss pharmacies are well stocked with a wide range of medications.

Distances

From To Distance in km (miles) Distance in minutes (by public transport)
Geneva Airport (GVA) Lausanne 62 km (38.5 mi) 53 min
Zurich Airport (ZRH) Lausanne 230 km (143 mi) 2h30
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) Lausanne 207 km (128.6 mi) 2h54
Lausanne (city center) UNIL (venue) 5 km (3.1 mi) 12 min

Visa Information

Visa Requirements

You should apply for a visa in good time, in case of any delays during processing. If you require a visa invitation or confirmation letter, please email us at liber2025@vitalis-events.com.

Citizens of Schengen countries do not need a visa to enter Switzerland.

All concrete and valid information are available on the FDFA website: https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/einreise.html

Schengen Area as of 01/01/2023

54th LIBER Annual Conference