Geneva to Lausanne by Train

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How to get from Geneva to Lausanne by train

Switzerland is filled with gorgeous lakeside cities, with Geneva and Lausanne being two of the finest examples. Both of these cities enjoy views over the shimmering waters of Lake Geneva, and they're only 31 miles apart as well. You can take an SBB train from Geneva to Lausanne in just half an hour - that’s even quicker than driving, plus you’ll get straight to the city centre, and you won’t have to worry about traffic nor parking!

In Lausanne, you'll get a totally different view of the lake, as well as enjoying the unique landmarks of the 'Olympic City', such as the Olympic Museum and Olympic Park. The city is also known for its hospitality industry and its luxury hotels. Don't forget to visit Lausanne's stunning cathedral before you head home too.

Still not sure about this journey? Scroll down and let us convince you to get from Geneva to Lausanne by train.

First train	7:31 am
Last train	9:15 pm
Departure station	Geneva
Arrival station	Lausanne
Journey time	From 7h 15m
Distance	31 miles (50 km)
Frequency	12 trains per day
Changes	2 changes
Train and bus operators	SBB CFF FFS, Eurolines_Switzerland

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Geneva to Lausanne?

Want to know more about your journey from Geneva to Lausanne? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do you get to Lausanne from Geneva?

To travel to Lausanne from Geneva, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 11 hours and 21 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 7 hours and 15 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information on routes and timetables.

How long is the train ride from Geneva to Lausanne?

Trains from Geneva to Lausanne take an average of 11 hours and 21 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 7 hours and 15 minutes. You'll usually find 12 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

What is the quickest journey time between Geneva and Lausanne by train?

The quickest journey time between Geneva and Lausanne by train is 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Are there direct trains from Geneva to Lausanne?

No there are no direct trains running from Geneva to Lausanne, you’ll usually need to make around 2 changes during the journey.

What's the distance between Geneva and Lausanne by train?

Who runs the trains from Geneva to Lausanne?

Can you travel from Geneva to Lausanne without taking a flight?

What is the best way to get to Lausanne from Geneva?

What time is the first train from Geneva to Lausanne?

What time is the last train from Geneva to Lausanne?

How often do trains go from Geneva to Lausanne?

Do you need to prebook train tickets from Geneva to Lausanne?

Is there a return trip from Geneva to Lausanne?

The Swiss rail network is operated by SBB. SBB train ticket prices are based on travel and not on the type of trains. You will find available return tickets (standard price, one way or round trip), Multiple journey tickets (for six individual trips on a pre-determined itinerary) and the City-Ticket (including a one-day transportation pass from the city of departure or arrival).

More information

What Intercity and Eurocity classes are there from Geneva to Lausanne?

Compare the different travel classes offered by Intercity and Eurocity when traveling from Geneva to Lausanne.

Intercity
Eurocity

Economy Class

Take advantage of the dining car which offers a menu made of high-quality produce. Traveling with kids? Choose your seats in the dedicated Family Zone.

Free WiFi
Power outlets
Dining car
Children's car
Power outlets at each seat
Extra baggage
Fold-down table
Quiet area

First Class

In First Class, you'll get to travel in comfortable seats, enjoy free WiFi, as well as more space for your luggage and individual power outlets (German + Swiss).

Free WiFi
Power outlets
Dining car
Children's car
Power outlets at each seat
Extra baggage
Fold-down table
Quiet area

Economy Class

Benefit from free WiFi, spacious seating, power outlets and air-conditioning in newer SBB's Eurocity trains.

Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Power outlets
Baggage storage
In-seat meal service
More legroom
Lounge access

First Class

Treat yourself in SBB's First Class and enjoy more legroom, access to First Class Lounges, in-seat dining and plenty of space for your baggage.

Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Power outlets
Baggage storage
In-seat meal service
More legroom
Lounge access

What are the onboard services on Intercity and Eurocity?

Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Geneva to Lausanne.

Intercity
Eurocity

What baggage limits are there?	You can take as much baggage as you want on SBB Intercity trains, provided that it fits in the baggage racks provided.
What food and drink is available?	Many SBB Intercity trains will have a restaurant or bistro car so you can buy food and drink throughout your journey. You may be able to sit at a table in the restaurant carriage or take your meal back to your seat.
What onboard entertainment is available?	There are power outlets on SBB trains. You can also enjoy free WiFi on Intercity trains via the SBB FreeSurf portal.
What facilities are there for travel with children?	There is stroller storage available on the train, as well as a baby changing toilet onboard. On Intercity trains, there is also a dedicated family car.
Can I bring a bike on board?	You can take your bicycle on board SBB Intercity trains. Between 21st March and 31st October, it's compulsory to reserve a bike space on some Intercity trains. You must also buy a ticket for your bike at a ticket office, ticket machine or online.
Can I bring pets on board?	Dogs under 30cm in height can travel for free if they're in a carrier and placed under your seat. Larger dogs can travel with you if you buy a Dog Day Pass for CHF 25, which can be purchased at a ticket office, at a ticket machine, online or on the SBB app. The pass is valid for a day on trains, ships, trams and buses in most Swiss cities.
What special assistance is available?	SBB Intercity trains have priority seats for passengers with reduced mobility, as well as a wheelchair-accessible toilet.
What else do I need to know?	There is a Business Zone and a Quiet Zone in First Class on SBB Intercity trains.

What baggage limits are there?	You can take as much baggage as you want on SBB Eurocity trains, provided that it fits in the baggage racks provided.
What food and drink is available?	Many SBB Eurocity trains will have a restaurant or bistro car so you can buy food and drink throughout your journey. You may be able to sit at a table in the restaurant carriage or take your meal back to your seat.
What onboard entertainment is available?	There are power outlets and free WiFi on SBB Eurocity trains.
What facilities are there for travel with children?	There is stroller storage available on the train, as well as a baby changing toilet on board.
Can I bring a bike on board?	You can take your bike on board SBB Eurocity trains provided that you can fit it into the storage space onboard, but you'll need to buy a ticket for it. You'll also need a reservation for the Swiss part of your journey when traveling internationally. You can make a reservation online or at a ticket office.
Can I bring pets on board?	Dogs under 30cm in height can travel for free if they're in a carrier and placed under your seat. Larger dogs can travel with you if you buy a Dog Day Pass for CHF 25, which can be purchased at a ticket office, at a ticket machine, online or on the SBB app. The pass is valid for a day on trains, ships, trams and buses in most Swiss cities.
What special assistance is available?	There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet on board, plus priority seating for passengers with reduced mobility.
What else do I need to know?	There is air conditioning on board newer SBB Eurocity trains, so you can travel in comfort.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Geneva to Lausanne?

If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, our Trainline team of experts have put together some tips to help you find cheap tickets. Booking on the day in Europe is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or travel class.

1. Book in advance

The price of train tickets from Geneva to Lausanne starts at ^§ one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Most train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months ahead of time, so if you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find cheaper tickets.

2. Be flexible with your travel times

If you can, consider traveling outside of 'peak hours' (generally between 06:00 - 10:00 and 15:00 - 19:00 on weekdays) as lots of trains companies increase their ticket prices during these commuter times.

3. Buy a rail pass

If you're visiting multiple locations on your trip, buying a rail pass can be cheaper than buying individual tickets. We're official retailers of Eurail Passes that are valid for travel in one country or multiple countries across Europe.

4. Choose a slower or connecting train

On some busier routes, you might have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have some extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare.

5. Look out for train ticket sales and deals

Many train companies in Europe will often run sales and offers on tickets throughout the year, so keep an eye out!

For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.

^§Some train companies may not offer any Advance ticket types or cheaper deals for early bookings. On rare occasions, train companies may choose to release special offers closer to the date on last-minute or late-release tickets. This is dependent on the individual train operating company you travel with.

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.

Getting from Geneva to Lausanne by train in less than an hour

Sophie Sauze

11/12/2023

Taking the train from Geneva to Lausanne in Switzerland is super easy – simply follow the signs and you shouldn’t have any problem getting to your destination. However, if you do have any difficulty, you can always ask a member of staff at the station for help.

The journey time is relatively short (between 35 and 50 minutes), with trains departing every 20 minutes.

Departing from Genève Cornavin station

There are two main stations in Geneva – the Geneva Airport station and Genève Cornavin station, which is located in the city centre. If you’re travelling from the airport, the fastest way is to take a direct InterRegio (IR) train operated by SBB, the main Swiss train company – you’ll be in Lausanne city centre in about 50 minutes. As I was already at Cornavin station, I took a RegioExpress (RE) and I reached my destination in about 35m.

Genève Cornavin station is quite small, but it offers all you need, including free WiFi, luggage storage and plenty of boutiques and restaurants – waiting for your train won’t be boring at all! Plus, departure boards are located all around the station, so you can keep an eye on departure times while doing your shopping.

The journey to Lausanne

In Switzerland, ticket prices are based on the route you take, so there’s no need to book your train ticket in advance, unless you want to find a Supersaver ticket (be sure to check it out – you can travel on many Swiss routes with a discount of up to 70%). The number of Supersaver tickets per journey is limited though, so you need to book in advance if you want to travel at a reduced price.

Although I couldn’t get my ticket at a discounted price – I didn’t book very far in advance – I still paid around €20, which is great when you consider travelling by train means you can get straight to the city centre in no time at all. I bought my ticket with Trainline and downloaded an eticket to keep on my phone – this way I didn’t have to queue at the station to collect my ticket and simply had it scanned at the check-in.

Once you arrive at Lausanne station, there are plenty of transport options for onward travel. You can easily take a bus or taxi to your final destination or the M2 metro line, located right in front of the train station next to McDonald's.

Sophie, a former Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between Geneva and Lausanne.

* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.

Trains from Geneva to Lausanne

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How to get from Geneva to Lausanne by train