Switzerland has three international airports: Basel (Bale), Zurich and Geneva (Geneve), the latter is the closest to Lausanne (about 40min train ride) and we highly recommend it. All airports have direct train connections that bring you to Lausanne’s main train station (Lausanne Gare).
The Swiss railway network is extensive, functional, and clean. Federal railways are referred to by their initials, which vary according to the local language of the region – CFF (Chemins de Fer Federaux) in French for the Lausanne area.
There are two train stations close to the EPFL, Lausanne CFF (the main one) and Renens CFF. From Lausanne-CFF there is a connection with metro (m2) to Lausanne-Flon, from where there is a connection with metro (m1) to EPFL. From Renens-CFF there is a direct connection to EPFL with metro (m1). Have a look at the Swiss Federal Railways.
The metro in Lausanne (m1) brings you either from Renens CFF or from central Lausanne (Lausanne-Flon) to the EPFL (stop EPFL). Another metro line (m2) connects Lausanne CFF train station with the m1 station in central Lausanne (Lausanne-Flon).
The bus Number 33 goes from Renens CFF train station to the EPFL. There is no direct bus from Lausanne CFF train station or central Lausanne to the EPFL. It is easier to use the metro. For timetables of both metro and bus, information can be found on tl, Lausanne’s transportation provider.
Cars are driven on the right. The Swiss have excellent motorways and secondary roads. Speed limits are 30 mph/50 kph in town, 50 mph/80 kph out of town and 75 mph/120 kph on motorways. Some rental cars companies: Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz. Coming on the motorway towards Lausanne, take the branch of the motorway towards Lausanne Sud (western side of Lausanne) and continue until the next exit which is UNIL / EPFL. Follow the EPFL signs to the guest parkings signified by white lines. EPFL uses a pay-meter system for guest parking that takes swiss francs (CHF) only.