Practical Information

Practical Information for your visit to EPFL Campus and your stay in Lausanne 

Click this link for detailed information. 

Mathematics (MA) Department ; EPFL interactive plan ; EPFL campus app ; SwissMeteo ; Bernoulli Center

Public Transport

Public transport in Switzerland is reliable, frequent, and easy to use. Trains, metro, buses, and boats are well integrated, allowing convenient travel between cities and within urban areas.

In the Lausanne region, buses and the metro connect directly with the railway network, making it easy to reach the EPFL campus from the city center or nearby train stations.

Many hotels in Lausanne provide guests with a free Lausanne Transport Card, which allows unlimited travel on public transport within the greater Lausanne area during your stay.

Tickets can be purchased at machines in stations, online, or via mobile apps. These apps allow you to buy a single ticket covering a complete journey, even when it involves multiple modes of transport (for example, train from Geneva Airport followed by metro or bus to EPFL).

Getting to EPFL from Geneva Airport

Geneva Airport is the closest international airport to EPFL.

Direct trains run frequently from the airport train station to the Lausanne region. The journey takes about 45–50 minutes.

Most trains from the airport now also stop at Renens railway station, which is often the most convenient station for reaching EPFL. From Renens, the campus is only 5–10 minutes away by metro (m1 line) or a short bus ride.

Alternatively, you can travel to Lausanne railway station. From there, take the metro line m2 to Lausanne-Flon station (first stop after Lausanne main train station) and transfer to the metro line m1 towards Renens. Lausanne railway station and Lausanne-Flon are also within walking distance (about 10 minutes uphill).

The main stop for the campus is: EPFL station (m1)

Mobile Data

Having a mobile data connection can be very useful during your stay in Switzerland.

If you are visiting from abroad, please check with your mobile provider whether your plan includes roaming in Switzerland. Although Switzerland is part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), it is not part of the European Union, and EU roaming policies do not always apply.

If roaming is expensive or not included in your plan, you may consider purchasing a local prepaid SIM card or eSIM from a Swiss mobile provider. These are widely available at airports, train stations, and mobile phone shops and usually offer short-term data packages suitable for visitors.

Shops & Supermarkets

Shops and supermarkets in Switzerland are generally closed on Sundays and on public/bank holidays and tend to close earlier than in the UK or US.

You can find everyday items such as toiletries, sun lotion, snacks, and other essentials at most supermarkets and general stores. For inexpensive or occasional-use items, smaller variety or discount shops in town can be convenient.

Tip for EPFL visitors: There are several supermarkets (Migros and Denner Express) and convenience stores within walking distance of the campus where you can quickly pick up essentials. For anything more specialized, the city center of Lausanne is easily accessible by public transport.

Useful Apps 

The SBB Mobile app is very useful even for local travel. You can purchase train and local transport tickets directly through the app and check schedules for almost all public transport in Switzerland.

Another convenient app is Fairtiq, which works on a simple principle: open the app at the start of your journey and stop it at the end, and it automatically calculates the best fare.

If you are not staying in a hotel and plan to travel frequently, consider purchasing a monthly travel card for unlimited travel in your region.

Visitors can also obtain a SwissPass at major train stations (requires a digital photo). Once activated, the SwissPass will appear in the SBB Mobile app, allowing you to use it for both regional and national transport.

Excursions & Social Activities

Switzerland offers plenty of outdoor and cultural activities around Lausanne and the EPFL campus. Here are some suggestions for hiking, walking, and day trips.

Walks & Short Excursions

  • EPFL and nearby areas: Short walks around the campus and towards the east offer a relaxing start.

  • Lausanne city: Visit the Lausanne Cathedral and combine it with a hike to Hermitage Park (Hermitage Museum is currently closed for renovation until Fall 2027).

  • Lake Ouchy: Stroll along the lake shore and explore the Olympic Museum grounds.

  • Chillon Castle: Reachable from Montreux on foot along the lake shore. You can also start from La Tour-de-Peilz and combine with a vineyard walk.

  • Wine region walks: Explore the Lavaux vineyards, with trails from Villette, Cully, Epesses, Rivaz, St-Saphorin, Vevey, Montreux, and more.

  • Local landmarks: L’Isle Castle (with a nearby café).

Hikes & Nature Trails

Useful Apps & Maps

The Jura

  • Orbe River Gorge: A scenic hike along the river with natural formations like the Marmites.

  • La Dent de Vaulion: Hike from Lac de Joux for panoramic views of the region.

Vineyard Walks (Lavaux Region)

  • Trails from Villette to Cully offer sunny vineyard walks.

  • Train stops along the lake include Pully, Lutry, Villette, Cully, Epesses, Rivaz, St-Saphorin, Vevey, La Tour-de-Peilz, Clarens, Montreux. You can combine walks with train trips.

  • Popular routes are Ouchy – Pully – Lutry along the lakeside, as well as Villette – Cully for vineyard views.

  • After vineyard walks, take the train from any nearby station to Montreux, then enjoy a lakeside walk to Chillon Castle.

  • An upper train line from Lausanne passes La Conversion and Grandvaux, where cafes and restaurants are available for a stop.