How much does it cost to live in Lausanne as a student?

Lausanne has a relatively high cost of living, but offers a great quality of life. A student's monthly expenses can vary between CHF 1,200 and CHF 2,000. A room in a shared apartment can cost you an average of 700 CHF per month, while rooms in student residences can be found for around 500 CHF per month. Shopping costs about 300 CHF per month, while a public transport pass costs 50 CHF.

What’s student life like in Lausanne?

Student life in Lausanne is characterised by quality education in a safe, welcoming environment, with natural views worth admiring. You’ll have plenty of recreation, thanks to student associations such as the ESN, and cultural immersion in iconic places and local gastronomy is also guaranteed.

How much does student accommodation cost in Lausanne?

A room in a shared apartment can cost you an average of 700 CHF per month. Rooms in student residences can be found for around 500 CHF per month.

How much is the Erasmus scholarship to study in Lausanne?

Switzerland is classified as a country with a high cost of living. For students who go on Erasmus to a country in this group, the EU usually gives them a scholarship of around €350. Please note that this depends on your home country and university.

What App to download for my Erasmus in Lausanne?

We recommend you download our Erasmus Play app for your Erasmus in Lausanne. With it, it will be easier for you to find accommodation and, in addition, it can help you meet other students, so that you can share your experience with them.

Erasmus in Lausanne

Information and advice for Erasmus students in Lausanne


Private rooms Lausanne	3	2827/month

*:2024-11-08T08:38:01.928Z

Lausanne is a charming Swiss city located on the shores of Lake Geneva, with a population of around 140,000. The University of Lausanne (UNIL) attracts students from all over the world thanks to its academic reputation and innovative research programs. In addition to this, the city offers a combination of landscapes, mountains, lakes, and clean air ,perfect for outdoor activities throughout the year. Do you want to know why Lausanne is an ideal destination to go on an exchange? In this article we tell you everything about it. Keep reading!

Cost of living in Lausanne, Switzerland

Compared to other Swiss cities, Lausanne has a relatively high cost of living, but in return it offers a great quality of life in a safe environment.

Estimated monthly expenses for a student can vary between CHF 1,200 and CHF 2,000, depending on the lifestyle and type of accommodation chosen. For example, if you opt for a single room in a shared apartment, it can cost 700 CHF per month on average. Keep in mind that rooms in student residences are usually cheaper and can be found for around CHF 500 per month.

You can spend approximately 300 CHF per month on groceries, while a public transport pass costs around 50 CHF.

Student life, Erasmus parties and leisure in Lausanne

Lausanne offers a nightlife with a variety of leisure and party options for different tastes. For starters, Les Docks is known for its concerts and live events, both local and international artists. The MAD (Moulin à Danses) Club is one of the most famous nightclubs in the city, perfect if you enjoy dancing and varied music. Great Escape is also popular among students, for its outdoor terrace and good atmosphere, ideal for a quieter outing with your friends. And, without a doubt, you can't miss the activities and events organised by the ESN Lausanne, which include everything from theme parties to excursions and cultural activities. The ESN is the best ally of Erasmus students!

Culture and gastronomy in Lausanne

Lausanne is one of the most culturally attractive cities in Switzerland. One of the most emblematic sites is the Olympic Museum (Musée olympique), a tribute to the history and spirit of the Olympic Games, with interactive exhibits and collections of sports artefacts. In fact, it’s called the Olympic Capital. The Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts) houses an extensive art collection, from the Middle Ages to the present day. And the Museum of Photography (Photo Elysée), dedicated to photography in all its forms, with temporary exhibitions by renowned artists, is our favourite. In addition, the Palais de Rumine contains several museums, such as the Museum of Archeology and History (Musée cantonal d'archéologie et d'histoire), where you can visit exhibitions that range from Prehistory to the present day.

If you want to know the gastronomy of Lausanne, you have to try the traditional Swiss cheese “fondue”, which is made with a mixture of Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois cheeses. Another delight is the “raclette”, where melted cheese is served over potatoes, pickles, and onions. The "papet vaudois" is another specialty, composed of “saucisse aux choux” (cabbage sausage) accompanied by mashed leeks and potatoes. Dessert lovers must try the “tarte aux pommes” (apple pie), a classic Swiss dessert. Immersing yourself in the culinary wealth of Lausanne is an unmissable experience!

Advantages of doing Erasmus in Lausanne, Switzerland

It’s home to the University of Lausanne (Université de Lausanne – UNIL), one of the most prestigious in the country. In fact, Switzerland occupies the number two position in the world education ranking.
It’s located in the French-speaking part of the country. If your goal is to learn or improve this language, here you’ll also find great quality courses and institutions, while putting your knowledge into practice interacting with new local friends.
The city is an ideal place if you enjoy nature and sports or outdoor activities. It has cycling routes, is located next to the beautiful Lake Geneva and is surrounded by alpine landscapes offering hiking and skiing routes.
It has associations such as ESN Lausanne, part of the Erasmus network, which constantly organise events, activities and trips that facilitate integration and meeting other students.
Cities such as Geneva, Bern and Zurich are just a few hours away by train. This area has very good transport links making it easy to travel around Switzerland and Europe.

Cheap student accommodation in Lausanne

https://erasmusplay.com/en/search/lausanne.html?sort=cheapest

Do you need accommodation in Lausanne and are wondering how to get it? You can try our search engine! In Erasmus Play you will find flats, rooms and apartments for students, all verified and safe.

Frequently asked questions about doing Erasmus in Lausanne

How much does it cost to live in Lausanne as a student?
Lausanne has a relatively high cost of living, but offers a great quality of life. A student's monthly expenses can vary between CHF 1,200 and CHF 2,000. A room in a shared apartment can cost you an average of 700 CHF per month, while rooms in student residences can be found for around 500 CHF per month. Shopping costs about 300 CHF per month, while a public transport pass costs 50 CHF.
What’s student life like in Lausanne?
Student life in Lausanne is characterised by quality education in a safe, welcoming environment, with natural views worth admiring. You’ll have plenty of recreation, thanks to student associations such as the ESN, and cultural immersion in iconic places and local gastronomy is also guaranteed.
How much does student accommodation cost in Lausanne?
A room in a shared apartment can cost you an average of 700 CHF per month. Rooms in student residences can be found for around 500 CHF per month.
How much is the Erasmus scholarship to study in Lausanne?
Switzerland is classified as a country with a high cost of living. For students who go on Erasmus to a country in this group, the EU usually gives them a scholarship of around €350. Please note that this depends on your home country and university.
What App to download for my Erasmus in Lausanne?
We recommend you download our Erasmus Play app for your Erasmus in Lausanne. With it, it will be easier for you to find accommodation and, in addition, it can help you meet other students, so that you can share your experience with them.