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Lausanne is a vibrant, beautiful city on the shores of Lake Geneva. The city offers a rich history, many museums, shopping, a lake, and picturesque views of the Alps, making it a must-see while visiting this region. Though Lausanne has so many activities to offer, those who spend several days there might still want to take day trips from the city. Below are some suggestions for the best day trips from Lausanne for those based there.
These day trips are typically two hours away from Lausanne by train. If you would rather stay closer to Lausanne, check out our other article on the must-see places to visit on Lake Geneva: 8 Best Places on Lake Geneva.
This article discusses the 10 best day trips from Lausanne. Let’s go!
10 Best Day Trips from Lausanne
1. Brig
Covering a distance of 150 kilometers, Lausanne and Brig are only an hour and 48-minute drive away from each other by car. Brig is one of the best day trips from Lausanne due to its picturesque town, the Stockalper Palace, and its thermal baths.
Brig is a charming town located in the Swiss Alps known for its picturesque landscapes, historic buildings, and access to nearby ski resorts. The historic town of Brig lies in the Upper Valais region of Switzerland. Brig, also officially known as Blig-Glis, is located in the Rhone Valley, 691 meters above sea level.
The most famous attraction in Brig is the Stockalper Palace. The Brigerbad Thermal Baths, the largest open-air thermal baths in the Alps, are perfect for those who love to soak and relax.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Brig |
| * Brig’s Old Town * Stockalper Palace * Brigerbad Thermal Baths * World Nature Forum, Naters |
If you would like to learn more about Brig, check out our article Brig, Switzerland: Where It Is and What You Need to Know.
How do you get from Lausanne to Brig?
The direct Interregio train runs twice hourly from Lausanne to Brig, with a total travel time of approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes. Brig is 150 kilometers away from Lausanne by car.
2. Verbier
Verbier is an easy day trip from Lausanne, located 100 kilometers away by car. It will take you about an hour and 21 minutes to get there. This is the best day trip from Lausanne for those seeking stunning mountain vistas, thrilling skiing opportunities, and a lively après-ski atmosphere.
4 Vallées is Switzerland’s biggest ski resort, covering Verbier, Bruson, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, and Thyon. It’s a winter wonderland with 410 kilometers of slopes and 92 lifts, so there’s something for everyone. It is a large, high-altitude ski resort.
Mont-Fort, which towers at 3,330 meters, is the highest with breathtaking panoramic views of the Swiss and French Alps. From Mont-Fort, you can take in the breathtaking views of the ski resort, including Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
With more than 200 snow machines, snow is guaranteed even at the foot of the runs from December to April. Piste de L’Ours is a legendary slope that has hosted numerous winter sports competitions. Verbier is famous for its marked off-piste trails, which add to its popularity. And for those who want to have fun, the longest bobsled run in western Switzerland can be found in La Tzoumaz.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Verbier |
| * Mont-Fort * Verbier 4 Vallées Ski Area * Verbier Snowpark * Bobsled in La Tzoumaz * Verbier Xtreme Freeride Competition * Les Attelas (2,733 meters above sea level) * Les Ruinettes (2,200 meters above sea level) |
In case you were wondering how expensive Verbier is, you can check out this article: Is Verbier Expensive? A Close Look at Its Price and Value.
How do you get from Lausanne to Verbier?
From Lausanne, take the Interregio train to Martigny. In Martigny, take the train to Le Châble VS, where you can change to the gondola that will take you to Verbier. The travel time from Lausanne to Verbier is 1 hour and 33 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes.
3. Interlaken
For a fun day trip from Lausanne, consider visiting Interlaken, which is just 163 kilometers away and can be easily reached within 2 hours by car. As you ascend Harder Kulm, you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Bernese Alps, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz.
Interlaken, Switzerland is an incredibly popular tourist hub in the Bernese Oberland. In Interlaken, you will find walking trails along the River Aare, many souvenir shops, a Japanese garden, and the local mountain Harder Kulm for spectacular views. A red funicular takes you from Interlaken to Harder Kulm in 10 minutes, with one departure every half hour.
As one of Switzerland’s most popular tourist spots, Interlaken is also a hot spot for outdoor sports enthusiasts. It is also conveniently located between two beautiful lakes – Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
For those who are into fun adventures, below are some of the most popular outdoor activities in Interlaken:
- Tandem Paragliding (GetYourGuide): Experience pure serenity as you float weightlessly alongside an experienced pilot and witness the breathtaking beauty of the Jungfrau region from the sky.
- Adventure Park (GetYourGuide): Conquer 9 thrilling rope courses and zip lines soaring up to 23 meters above the ground, with the assurance of a comprehensive safety briefing and top-notch safety gear.
- Kayak Tour of Lake Brienz (GetYourGuide): Paddle through the crystal-clear waters of Lake Brienz with the guidance of an experienced coach, as you soak in the stunning views, including the picturesque Rinngenberg Castle. You may also book this activity in winter (GetYourGuide).
- Canyoning (GetYourGuide): Dive into the ultimate adrenaline rush with a canyoning expedition in Chli Schilere, featuring challenging rappelling, high jumps, fast slides, and an unforgettable adventure in one of the region’s top canyons.
- Scenic Jetboat Ride (GetYourGuide): Experience an exhilarating 45 to 50-minute jetboat ride on Lake Brienz near Interlaken, culminating at Giessbach Falls.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Interlaken |
| * Harder Kulm * Höhenweg * Interlaken-Harder Alpine Game Park * Lake Thun * Lake Brienz |
How do you get from Lausanne to Interlaken?
From Lausanne, take the Interregio train to Bern. In Bern, change to the connecting Intercity train to Interlaken Ost. The total travel time between Lausanne and Interlaken is between 2 hours 14 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes. Interlaken is 163 kilometers away from Lausanne by car.
4. Bern
One of the most important day trips you can take from Lausanne is to Bern, Switzerland’s de facto capital, which is just 100 kilometers away. It can be reached in 1 hour and 13 minutes by car.
Nestled along the banks of the Aare River, Bern offers a variety of attractions for all tastes, whether you enjoy history, art, animals, or simply relaxing in a beautiful setting. It is the federal city of Switzerland. There is much more to discover when you take the time to explore this charming city.
There is no better place in Bern to start your day than the Old Town, located across the Aare River. The Old Town of Bern, which consists of many well-preserved buildings from the medieval era, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. A famous symbol of Bern, which dates back to 1218-1220, can be seen right at the entrance to the Old Town: the Zytglogge.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Bern |
| * UNESCO World Heritage Old City of Bern * Parliament Building * Bern Minster Cathedral * Historic Museum * Bern Bear Pit (Bärengraben) * Bern Zoo (Tierpark Dählhölzli) * Zentrum Paul Klee * Gurten * Museum of Communication |
If you would like to learn more about Bern, check out our article How to Spend 1 Day in Bern, Switzerland.
How do you get from Lausanne to Bern?
Every hour, Lausanne and Bern are served by two direct trains. It takes 1 hour 6 minutes to 1 hour 12 minutes to travel from Lausanne to Bern. Bern is 100 kilometers away from Lausanne by car.
5. Lucerne
Lucerne, around 212 kilometers away from Lausanne, is a great choice for a day trip. A beautiful Swiss city with a medieval old town, a stunning lake, and the famous Chapel Bridge, it surely won’t disappoint.
The city of Lucerne is one of the most popular tourist spots in Switzerland. In Lucerne, you’ll find everything you’d want in a typical Swiss city. The beauty of its fjord-like blue lake, charming old town, and mountains are unbeatable. For those who want to spend some time in Lucerne city, there’s so much to see: the Transport Museum, the Lion Monument, the Rosengart Collection, and Chapel Bridge, just to name a few.
You can get around Lake Lucerne with the Lake Lucerne ship company. Various basins and bays provide exhilarating and changing views of the landscape on the lake – Stansstaad, Weggis, Buochs, Gersau, and Uri.
You can read more about other stunning places to visit near Lucerne such as Bürgenstock, Engelberg, Vitznau, and Weggis in this article 10 Beautiful Places Near Lucerne. And for those who wish to visit the mountains near Lucerne, you can find out about the Closest Mountains To Visit From Lucerne.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Lucerne |
| * Lion Monument * Chapel Bridge * Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus) * Rosengart Collection * Glacier Garden |
If you would like to read more about Lucerne, you can check out our article Why Lucerne Is Worth Visiting and What to Expect.
How do you get from Lausanne to Lucerne?
A direct train leaves once an hour from Lausanne to Lucerne, making it the easiest way to get there. Travel time by train is 2 hours, and 17 minutes if you take the direct route.
6. Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen, a picturesque Swiss village renowned for its beautiful valley, waterfalls, and outdoor activities, is one of the most picturesque day trips you can take from Lausanne.
Lauterbrunnen is an idyllic village in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland surrounded by waterfalls. As a matter of fact, the entire area is best described as a valley with 72 waterfalls. Lauterbrunnen is a great place to start exploring the Jungfrau Region.
Lauterbrunnen village is situated in the valley bottom of this magnificent U-shaped valley in Switzerland. Most of the residents of this valley are actually from Lötschental, the adjacent valley located in Valais. A road was said to have passed between the Eiger and Mönch on the way to Valais. It is said that the heights used to be much milder and more fertile.
By taking the train from Lauterbrunnen, you can reach the sunny car-free terrace of Wengen as well as Kleine Scheidegg. From Kleine Scheidegg, you can change trains to go to Jungfraujoch. You may access Mürren through Lauterbrunnen itself or via Stechelberg on the other side of Lauterbrunnen. In addition, if you keep ascending, you’ll reach Piz Gloria – the summit of Schilthorn at 2,971 meters above sea level.
Some of the other highlights of the Lauterbrunnen region include Staubbach Waterfall, Trümmelbach Waterfalls, Mürrenbach Waterfall, and Gimmelwald.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Lauterbrunnen |
| * Trümmelbach Waterfalls * Staubbach Waterfall * Mürrenbach Waterfall * Gimmelwald * Wengen * Kleine Scheidegg |
If you would like to plan a day in Lauterbrunnen, you can check out this article How to Spend 1 Day in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.
How do you get from Lausanne to Lauterbrunnen?
To reach Lauterbrunnen from Lausanne, take a train to Bern and then change to the connecting train to Spiez, which will take you to Interlaken Ost. From Interlaken Ost, take another train to Lauterbrunnen. Although there are many train changes between Lausanne and Lauterbrunnen, the travel time is only 2 hours and 35 minutes.
If you would like to read more about Trümmelbach Falls, you can check out our article Experience Trümmelbach Falls Once In Your Lifetime.
7. Solothurn
A 90-minute from Lausanne takes you to Solothurn, which is around 146 kilometers away. Solothurn is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities and well worth a day trip from Lausanne.
Solothurn is generally regarded as Switzerland’s most beautiful Baroque city. Solothurn is a city, municipality, and the capital of Solothurn, a canton in Switzerland. The city is situated along the Aare River and at the southern end of the Jura mountain range.
Combining French charm with German practicality, Solothurn is a fascinating small city. The old town is a pleasant place to walk among historical monuments, patrician houses, and strong fortifications. It is closed to cars and has many small shops and hotels. Aside from its impressive past, Solothurn offers a wide range of contemporary art and entertainment.
Those looking for a place with a stunning view should visit the St. Ursus Cathedral. With beautiful stained glass windows and interiors, this stunning Cathedral was built between 1762 and 1773 by the architects Gaetano Matteo Pisoni and Paolo Antonio Pisoni. It is the city’s main attraction.
If you would like to learn more about Solothurn, check out our article Solothurn – 9 Best Things to Do in this Beautiful Baroque City.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Solothurn |
| * St. Ursus Cathedral * Historic Old Town * St. Verena Gorge and Hermitage * Jesuit Church of Solothurn * Solothurn’s Clock Tower * Museum of the Old Arsenal * Weissenstein Mountain |
How do you get from Lausanne to Solothurn?
There are direct trains from Lausanne to Solothurn that depart every hour. It takes around 1 hour 18 minutes to get from Lausanne to Solothurn. Solothurn is 146 kilometers away from Geneva by car.
8. Lake Thun
One of the best day trips from Lausanne is to the turquoise lake of Thun, which offers a change of scenery and stunning alpine views that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Lake Thun is located 135 kilometers away from Lausanne and can be reached by car in just 90 minutes.
Switzerland is home to several beautiful lakes, including Lake Thun (Thunersee in German) in the Bernese Oberland. Located in the Aare Valley, it lies between the towns of Thun and Interlaken. 558 meters above sea level, the lake is around eighteen kilometers long and four kilometers wide.
The area around Lake Thun is filled with many things to do, including the towns of Thun and Interlaken, as well as Spiez. Alternatively, you can take a cruise around the Lake, visit St. Beatus Cave and Beatenberg, or go up to Niederhorn for panoramic views.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Lake Thun |
| * Old Town of Thun * Lake Thun Cruise * St. Beatus Cave * Niederhorn * Spiez * Thuner Wasserzauber (September/October) |
If you would like to learn more about Lake Thun, check out our article 8 Best Things to Do in Lake Thun, Switzerland.
How do you get from Lausanne to Lake Thun?
I recommend traveling to Thun from Lausanne and then exploring the surrounding area from there. You can get from Lausanne to Thun via Bern or Visp. The total travel time from Lausanne to Thun is 1 hour 32 minutes to 2 hours 13 minutes. Thun is 135 kilometers away from Lausanne by car.
9. Fribourg
In just an hour, you can drive 77 kilometers to the lovely town of Fribourg from Lausanne. It is one of the most interesting day trips that you can do from Lausanne. In this city, you will see the cultural bridge between the country’s German- and French-speaking regions.
In Switzerland, Fribourg is a bilingual city that serves as a cultural border or bridge between German and French-speaking areas. The city has a picturesque alpine setting, an ancient castle, and many historically significant buildings. The city is also home to Fribourg University, the only bilingual university in Switzerland.
Located on the banks of the Sarine River, the city features both a preserved old town and modern structures. One of Fribourg’s most famous landmarks, St. Nicholas Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
For fantastic views of the city, you can walk up to Chapelle de Lorette, a Baroque-style building dating back to 1648.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Fribourg |
| * St. Nicholas Cathedral * Pont du Milieu * Old City of Fribourg * City Fortifications * Chapelle de Lorette |
If you would like to learn more about Fribourg, check out our article How to Spend 1 Day in Fribourg, Switzerland.
How do you get from Lausanne to Fribourg?
Direct trains connect Lausanne with Fribourg easily. Two direct trains per hour can take you from Lausanne to Fribourg in 43 to 49 minutes, depending on which train you take. Fribourg is 77 kilometers away from Lausanne by car.
10. Grimentz
In just one hour and 41 minutes, you can drive 132 kilometers to the lovely village of Grimentz from Lausanne. With its charming alpine village adorned with red flowers on balconies, stunning scenery, and excellent skiing and hiking opportunities, Grimentz makes for one of the best day trips from Lausanne.
At 1,570 meters above sea level, Grimentz is located in Val d´Anniviers. Grimentz is one of the most beautiful villages in Valais, Switzerland.
The traditional Valaisan houses with their red flowers are such a picturesque sight. Maybe because the village is far away from the city, there aren’t a lot of tourists. Away from the city’s hustle and bustle, you can enjoy the fresh air and mountain views here.
Also nearby is Lac de Moiry, a turquoise lake with several scenic trails, as well as Moiry Glacier.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier, the Grimentz Ski Area has 52 km of slopes for you to choose from.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Grimentz |
| * Grimentz Village * Lac de Moiry * Moiry Glacier * Grimentz Ski Area |
If you would like to read more about Grimentz, you can check out our article The Picturesque Village of Grimentz, Switzerland.
How do you get from Lausanne to Grimentz?
You can get to Grimentz via Sierre/Siders and Vissoie. In Vissoie, take the bus to Grimentz. If you’re heading to the ski area, get off at Grimentz, télécabine. The trip from Lausanne to Grimentz takes 2 hours and 19 minutes to 2 hours and 39 minutes. Grimentz is 133 kilometers away from Lausanne by car.
Summary: Best Day Trips from Lausanne
For those who are staying for a couple of days in Lausanne, Switzerland, and wish to venture out to other places, we hope that this list was helpful.
To summarize, if you are looking for large cities with lots of activities, Bern, Lucerne, and Fribourg are great choices. Brig and Solothurn are for those who want something a bit smaller and more laid back.
Grimentz and Lauterbrunnen offer some of the most picturesque landscapes for photographers. Verbier and Interlaken are suitable choices for those who want to visit the mountains. Lastly, for those interested in visiting another lake region in Switzerland, Lake Thun is a great place to see.
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Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.
Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.