I am pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Maia, a member of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook. Maia is from England and submitted the following report about her solo trip to Lausanne, Switzerland. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Solo Travel Rating: 1 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Languages Spoken: French, German, English
Costs at Destination: Expensive (local transportation, dining, tours, events, and attractions)
Exploring a Dream Destination, Solo in Switzerland
Since before I completely knew what it was, Switzerland was on my bucket list. I had saved countless images of quaint picturesque towns nestled among towering, white-peaked mountains – without knowing where they were taken. When I discovered that these spots were all in Switzerland, I knew it was somewhere I had to go. Using the city of Lausanne as a base was one of the best decisions I made.
Lausanne lies in the west of Switzerland, in the predominantly French-speaking region. It sits on Lake Geneva (or Lac Léman), the bottom half of which actually borders France. Around the bend of the lake sits the much more famous Geneva. Geneva is, of course, much bigger and busier, and it may have a bit more to do. Lausanne has the same beauty whilst operating at a slower pace. There were plenty of shopping opportunities, especially on Rue de Bourg, the main shopping street, and it certainly was not lacking for not being as big a city. Yet, I most enjoyed myself when walking along the lakefront. A short walk down and it could almost be silent.
The city felt very safe for me, as a solo female traveler. I found it easy to navigate the city and the local metro alone and was very comfortable walking around. Although I have to admit I found the people on the German side of Switzerland to be slightly warmer, the people were all very friendly, willing to bear with my slightly broken French, and quick to offer recommendations. I truly did not feel out of place traveling solo and would jump at the chance to repeat the trip.
I stayed in the Agora Swiss Night by Fassbind Hotel. The hotel offers a free transport card around the city, which was incredibly useful. For me alone, it was no issue, but I did feel that from inside the room, it would be easy to see if someone was using the ensuite. I admittedly do not remember the precise details of the room – what sticks out to me is the breakfast buffet room. With a glass roof and walls, having my morning coffee overlooking the lake and mountains was an unmatched experience. The actual food was quite simple, but the views more than made it worthwhile.
For the more backpacker-style solo traveler, the hostel scene did not seem to be quite at the same level as some other European cities. The main youth hostel, Jeunotel offers rooms from around CHF 50 per night, on the more expensive side.
Free Walk Lausanne offers free (upfront, tips encouraged) walking tours around the city showcasing spots frequented by locals and explaining the history of the city. There are lots of other, paid group tours and activities available. Walking tours are a fantastic way to meet other solo travelers in Switzerland or anywhere, really.
It does have to be mentioned that Switzerland is ranked among the most expensive countries in the world. Although the whole country, including Lausanne, can definitely be done on a budget, be aware that this may have to be a slightly larger budget than you may be anticipating.
As a cheese lover, I couldn’t have been happier in Lausanne. One of my restaurant highlights was Café Romand, serving traditional Swiss dishes. Their fondue was one of the most indulgent, delicious meals I tried on my solo trip to Switzerland. Each Wednesday and Sunday morning, the local market in Rippone Square brings a huge variety of food from local vendors, including cheeses, baked desserts, and small dishes. I found it a very welcome and pleasant sensory overload. There are also plenty of bars and cafes along the waterfront, perfect for a quick drink or bite before having a dip. My favorite was The Lacustre, a café/bar right on the waterside, which becomes a lively spot at night. I personally cannot speak to the club scene, although there was no lack of buzzing bars open in the late hours.
As for activities, I first have to recommend the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Lausanne. Entry is free, and the entrance to the tower is a surprisingly affordable CHF 5. The views over the city are so incredibly worth it. Pastel houses, the stunning Lake Geneva, and the Alps in the distance cannot be beaten. I spoke to the woman working the tower ticket booth, who told me she is afraid of heights yet makes the climb every morning just for the view. The height personally did not bother me, but I would certainly be making the climb too, even if it did.
Another simple and free activity is to make use of the lake. As an ocean and beach loyalist, I felt like I was betraying the salty water. The clarity and freshness of the lake made for the most refreshing and beautiful swim, made only better by the view of the surrounding mountains. Getting out of the lake and lying down to read, I still felt incredibly fresh and clean. I may have loved the sea first, but I don’t feel guilty about cheating on it with the lakes.
There are also a plethora of gardens and museums, my favorite of which was the Olympic Museum. It was only when researching this museum that I learned that Lausanne is designated the Olympic Capital, and is home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters. With most museums coming to less than CHF 15 for entry, it is not a bad way to spend a day.
Although I did not end up making it on this trip, only seeing it on the train, the UNESCO-listed Lavaux Vineyards sit right next to Lausanne. It seems the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon, with terraces offering wine tastings overlooking the lake.
I also made good use of day trips. In my experience, everything they say about Swiss trains is absolutely true. Clean, quick, and punctual, taking the train to Bern in about 1 hour 15 minutes or to Geneva in about 45 minutes made for excellent day trips. Whilst an ambitious and slightly more complicated day trip, my personal highlight was going on to the town of Interlaken, which was about 2 and a half hours away. A smaller town right in the Alps, between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun (a glacial lake), it became a highlight of the trip upon arriving. Slightly too isolated for me to have as a travel base, I cannot recommend making the trip for a long day (or overnight) enough. Like everything else in Switzerland, train travel was expensive, so be sure to carefully research your transport options. If planning to travel by train frequently during a trip, the Swiss Travel Pass could save you money.
I adored my time in Lausanne. If you are willing to research and consider your budget, this is a perfect city for the solo traveler to explore in Switzerland.
Solo Travel Rating for Lausanne
- Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
- Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
- Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
- Culture – 1 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
- Average Rating – 1 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult)
Last updated: 15th October, 2024