- Cars
- Climate
- Credit cards, banking and automats
- Currency
- Customs
- Electrical current and sockets
- Emergency numbers
- Exchanging
- Language
- Population
- Post offices
- Shopping
- Taxes
- Time difference
- Tipping
- Telephoning
- Public transport
- Vaccination
Cars
In Switzerland one drives on the right. Drivers wishing to use Swiss motorways must buy a motorway sticker in a customs office, a post office or at a service station. This sticker costs 40 Swiss francs and is valid for one calendar year.
Climate
Situated between the Jura and the Alps, Lausanne enjoys a temperate climate.
In July and August, average temperatures lie between 18°C 28°C, and in the months of January and February, between -2°C + 7°C.
Credit cards, banking and automats
The most popular credit cards in Switzerland are VISA, MasterCard and Eurocard. The banks are generally open from Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 12:15, and from 13:30 to 17:00, and closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Automats issuing Swiss banknotes, available 7/7 and 24/24 accept the main cards and world networks (Visa, Eurocard/Mastercard, EC, Postcard, Maestro, Cirrus, Electron, Plus, Eufiserv, Cash).
Currency
The Swiss currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF).
Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1, 2, 5 francs
Bank notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 1000 francs.
Prices are often indicated in Swiss francs and in Euro.The Euro is accepted by larger shops and service suppliers. Nevertheless, any change will be given in Swiss Francs.
Customs
There is no limit to the amount of foreign money that comes into Switzerland.
Travellers over 18 years of age may import 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 2 litres of strong spirits (of more than 15%).
Electrical current and sockets
In Switzerland, the electric current is 230 volts, 50 hertz.
Electric plugs used are the C-type universal plugs, for electric appliances, the three pronged plugs are type J.
Emergency numbers
Police: Tel: 117
Fire Brigade: Tel: 118
Ambulance: Tel: 144
General information: Tel: 1818
Taxi service: Tel: 0800 810 810
Exchanging
Cash and travellers cheques can be exchanged in the banks, at airports and railway stations and in most hotels.
Language
French is the official language of Lausanne's area.
Population
Swiss: 7,500,000
Lausanne: 130,000
Post offices
There are many post offices in Lausanne, in particular near the sites of the event (Malley, Place Saint-François, CFF station, Ouchy).
They are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00, on Saturday until 16:00 and closed on Sunday.
The cost of stamps for sending post cards and letters (up to 20 grams):
In Europe: CHF 1.20 (normal) and 1.40 (priority)
Outside Europe: CHF 1.40 (normal) and 1.80 (priority)
Shopping
In the city centre of Lausanne there are many shops, all kinds are represented (fashion, watches, food,…). There is also an open market each Wednesday and Saturday morning. Most of the shops are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 19:00, on Saturday until 18:00 and closed on Sundays.
Some general food shops offering a limited variety remain open in the evenings as well as on Sundays: Coop Pronto (Place Chauderon, CFF main railway station), Aperto (CFF main railway station). In the Ouchy area on the lakeside, Migros as well as a pharmacy close at 21:45, during the week and on Sundays.
Taxes
In Switzerland, the main consumer tax is value added tax (VAT). It is compulsorily included in the sale price.
An amount of 7.6% is imposed on all consumer goods except:
-2.4%: water, food and drink products, seeds and flowers, medicines, books and newspapers, radio and television, protection of plants.
-3.6%: accommodation, health, education, culture, insurances, money market operations, lotteries, permanent rental, air transport, transport of merchandise.
Time difference
Swiss time: Greenwich GMT + 1.
Summer time (April to end October): GMT +2
Sydney: + 9h
Tokyo: + 8h
Hong Kong: + 7h
Bangkok: + 6h
Moscow: + 2h
New York: - 6h
Chicago/Mexico: - 8h
Tipping
The prices of hotels, restaurants, taxis, etc., are calculated with taxes and services included. A tip is, therefore, not indispensable, but may be appropriate for good service.
Telephoning
The cost of local calls varies and is invoiced by the minute.For local as well as long distance calls, prepaid cards may be bought at post offices, kiosks, stations or Swisscom shops.
To call abroad from Switzerland: compose the international code (e.g. 0049 for Germany), then the area code without the “0”, finally the local number.
To call from Switzerland to Switzerland : do not dial the international code. Dial only the area code (for the Lausanne region: 021)
To call Switzerland from abroad : the international code for Switzerland is 0041.
Public transport
Switzerland and the Lausanne region, have an excellent public transport network.
Useful links:
- www.cff.ch : information on the Swiss network
- www.t-l.ch : information on Lausanne region’s network
Each visitor with accommodation in Lausanne receives a card, Lausanne Transport Card, which enables them to enjoy without restriction free use of the city’s public transport (bus, train, metro) for the duration of their reserved stay.
Vaccination
No vaccination is required when visiting Switzerland
