Finding a parking space in Lausanne

Lausanne is a dynamic city perched on the shores of Lake Geneva, attracting many visitors for its cultural events, business opportunities and beautiful scenery. However, parking in this city with its often narrow and steep streets can be a real headache, especially at rush hour. To help you avoid the stress of searching for parking spaces, here’s a handy guide to the best options for finding a parking space in Lausanne.

1. EasyP – Find a parking space anywhere in Lausanne in a few seconds

The EasyP App is a mobile app for sharing parking spaces, available throughout Switzerland. It enables people looking for a parking space to find one quickly, and to book it in advance or at the last minute. The app also allows people with private parking spaces to share them on the app when they do not use them, in order to receive compensation.

2. Public car parks in the city of Lausanne

Lausanne has a number of public car parks close to the main attractions, shopping centres and central districts. Here are some recommended car parks:

Parking du Centre : Ideally located right in the city centre, this car park is perfect for people who want to explore Lausanne’s historic centre or go shopping.
Parking Mon-Repos : Close to the eponymous park, this is a good choice for visiting the old town and accessing the city centre.
Parking de Montbenon : Just a stone’s throw from the station, this car park is ideal for travelling by train, but also for enjoying Montbenon Park and its views over the lake.
Parking Riponne : One of the city’s largest underground car parks, located beneath the Place de la Riponne, it provides easy access to the old town and several museums.

These car parks offer a practical solution, but are expensive and can sometimes be overcrowded, especially at weekends and during major events.

3. Outdoor parking zones in Lausanne

Lausanne is divided into several parking zones, identified by colour. These parking spaces have variable rates and limited parking times:

Blue zones: free parking spaces of limited duration (from one hour to several hours), for which it is compulsory to use a parking disc to indicate the time of arrival at the space.
White zones: paid parking spaces where you can park for a limited time. The price per hour varies according to the zone; the cost is higher in the central districts.
Yellow zones: these are private spaces reserved for residents or businesses. It is therefore forbidden to park in them without a specific permit. These spaces can be hired using the EasyP app, if the holders of these spaces have shared them on the app.

It is crucial to check the signs before parking to avoid fines.

4. Parking apps

More and more drivers in Lausanne are using mobile apps to find a parking space quickly and easily. These apps allow you to locate available car parks and pay directly from your smartphone.

EasyP : an app that lets you find parking spaces in advance or at the last minute, for short or long periods. Payment is made directly from the application.
PayByPhone : this app lets you pay for parking in outdoor parking zones.

These apps are particularly useful for saving time and avoiding unpleasant surprises.

5. Park-and-ride (P+R) facilities in Lausanne

For people who want to avoid driving into the centre of Lausanne, the park-and-ride facilities (P+R) are an ideal solution. They allow you to park on the outskirts of the city and take public transport to the centre. The main park-and-ride facilities in Lausanne include :

P+R Vennes : Located close to the motorway exit, this car park is directly linked to the M2 metro station serving the city centre.
P+R Bourdonnette : Convenient for people arriving from the west of the city, with bus or metro connections.
P+R Valmont : It is close to hospitals and has good bus connections.

These car parks are generally more affordable than those in the city centre and allow you to avoid the heavy traffic.

6. Private parking spaces in Lausanne

There are also private parking spaces in Lausanne, which are usually yellow zones when outdoors. These spaces can also be an interesting option for people looking for long-term parking. Platforms such as EasyP allow to book and rent such spaces through a mobile app, according to your specific needs.

7. Useful tips for parking in Lausanne

Avoid peak times: If possible, try to arrive early in the morning or later in the evening to find a seat more easily.

Use public transport : Lausanne has an excellent public transport network, with the metro, buses and trains quickly connecting all the districts. This can be a more convenient alternative to searching for a parking space for hours on end.

Take advantage of free parking offers: Some outdoor parking zones offer free parking at certain times (evenings or Sundays).

Conclusion

Finding a parking space in Lausanne may seem difficult at first, but with a little preparation and the right tools, it’s entirely possible to park your car without stress. Whether you choose to rent a parking space, a public car park, a surface parking zone or a more high-tech option via an app, this guide will help you avoid the hassle of parking and make the most of your stay in Lausanne.