The high cost of living in Switzerland is well known and Lausanne is no exception. However, if you are planning to move to this beautiful city, you should know that there are plenty of ways to save money. Let’s discover them together!
How much does it cost to live in Lausanne – and some tips for saving money
1. Accommodation
First of all, the monthly rent for a 85-square-metre furnished flat in Lausanne can vary between CHF 2,389 and CHF 3,059, while bills and various utilities (heating, gas, Internet, electricity) are usually added to the monthly rent and can amount to CHF 300.
However, if you want to save a lot of money, you can opt for a furnished ‘smart’ flat whose cost includes all expenses and even several on-demand services, as is the case with the solutions offered by City Pop!
2. Public transport
Switzerland also offers a reliable and efficient public transport system, which will save you money thanks to:
- The Lausanne Transport Card, available to guests of the city’s hotels, with which you can access transport free of charge;
- The Mobilis season ticket valid for train, bus and metro, which on a monthly basis costs between CHF 71 and 275, and annually between CHF 639 and 2475 – both depending on class and number of zones;
- TL tickets, for access to transport in Lausanne and the entire canton of Vaud, with attractive monthly rates ranging from CHF 78 (for a 2-zone pass) to CHF 145 (for a 4-zone pass), or annual rates ranging from CHF 702 to CHF 1305;
- Car sharing options, which offer subscriptions for all driving needs, with an activation cost starting at CHF 39.90 and variable rates depending on the vehicle and kilometres travelled.
3. Food and restaurants
Shopping in Switzerland is also more expensive than in other European countries: in Lausanne, a coffee costs about 4 to 5 CHF, while a lunch ranges from 22 to 100 CHF.
Nevertheless, you can save a lot of money:
- By eating in the many restaurants that offer fixed-price menus;
- Buying products that are about to expire, as Swiss supermarkets discount them by up to 25/50%;
- Accessing supermarket loyalty programmes, such as the Migros Cumulus Card and Coop Supercard;
- By hunting for supermarket coupons, such as the Coop Zeitung, online or in local newspapers;
- Opting for tap water, as it is drinkable;
- By buying from farms that sell fresh produce directly to the consumer at lower prices.
4. Leisure and hobbies
Finally, watching a film at the cinema can cost you around CHF 20, a theatre ticket around CHF 66, and a gym membership can range from CHF 92 to CHF 400 per month.
However, you can also take advantage of numerous free activities in Lausanne, such as:
- Visit the Mon Repos Park: a natural oasis with a neo-Gothic tower, waterfalls and a delightful meeting place called ‘La Folie Voltaire‘;
- Reach the Sauvabelin Tower: built entirely of wood in 2003 – which you can climb for free all year round to admire the 360-degree panorama of Lake Geneva and the Alps;
- Admire Lausanne Cathedral: visible from every point in the city, it is the largest Gothic-style monument in Switzerland, accessible free of charge all year round;
- Access museums for free every first Saturday of the month: the city offers 15 museums where you can discover unique works of art for free once a month;
- Explore the city while doing some healthy exercise: you can even enjoy Lausanne during your daily run, thanks to the free tours offered by the Urbirun app, in the city centre and on the lakeshore;
- Travelling around Switzerland: finally, you could take part in numerous free tours in various Swiss cities and visit their natural attractions, museums or monuments, such as the Federal Palace or the Rhine Falls.
- Activities to do indoors: if the weather is bad, Lausanne offers several alternatives to pass the time pleasantly, such as visiting the Olympic Museum or relaxing at the thermal baths of Lavey-les-Bains. The options for fun and entertainment indoors are numerous.
