Top 5 best scooter rentals in Lausanne

Picture swapping the steep climb from the lakefront up to the old town for a quick, breezy ride instead. Lausanne rewards that kind of freedom: one minute you're gliding along the Ouchy waterfront promenade with Lake Geneva stretched out beside you, the next you're winding up to Lausanne Cathedral for a look over the rooftops, all without waiting on a bus timetable. Rent a scooter in Lausanne and the whole city — lake, hills and vineyards alike — opens up on your own schedule.

Lausanne is famously steep, with the old town sitting several dozen meters above the lake, so what looks like a short walk on the map often turns into a genuine climb. A scooter erases that problem, letting you cover the waterfront, the historic center and the hillside viewpoints in a single afternoon. Parking is easy too — nothing like hunting for a spot with a car in the old town's narrow lanes.

Top 10 things to see in Lausanne by scooter

1. Ouchy waterfront promenade — a flat lakeside ride along Lake Geneva, past cafés, the harbor and the marina.
2. Olympic Museum (Musée Olympique) — a landmark right on the Ouchy waterfront, with lakeside gardens and a sculpture park.
3. Lausanne Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame) — the Gothic cathedral crowning the old town, with a terrace that gives you the whole city in one view.
4. Place de la Palud — the old town's historic square, home to the animated clock and fountain and the hub of the pedestrian center.
5. Sauvabelin Tower and forest (Tour de Sauvabelin) — a wooden lookout tower tucked in a hillside forest, with sweeping views to the lake and the Alps.
6. Signal de Sauvabelin viewpoint — arguably the best panorama over Lausanne, the lake and the Alps beyond.
7. Vidy beach and park (Parc de Vidy) — a lakeside park and beach west of Ouchy, perfect for rounding off a waterfront loop.
8. Lavaux vineyard terraces — UNESCO-listed terraces along the lake just east of the city, one of the classic scenic rides in the region.
9. Château Saint-Maire — the striking brick seat of the cantonal government, standing near the cathedral in the old town.
10. Chexbres viewpoint — a hilltop village above the Lavaux terraces, reachable as a longer scenic ride, with some of the finest views over the vineyards and the lake.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Lausanne?

For scooters capped at 45 km/h you'll need a moped licence (category M); anything faster requires a motorcycle category, though a full car licence usually covers the smaller machines — rental shops set their own minimums on top of this, commonly between 18 and 25 years old. Expect a deposit, typically held on your credit card, with the amount scaling to the size of the scooter. An International Driving Permit isn't legally required in Switzerland, but it's a sensible extra to carry, especially if your home licence isn't in Latin script.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Lausanne?

Average scooter rental in Lausanne runs CHF 5-8 per day in low season and CHF 10-15 per day in high season, with premium models going for CHF 15-25 per day.

• Prices climb through July and August, when lake tourism peaks.
• They drop back down from November to February, the quietest and cheapest stretch to book.

When to book a rental scooter in Lausanne?

High season runs June through September, when the lakefront is busiest and prices sit at their yearly high. Low season stretches from November to March, with cooler, wetter weather but the best rates for a scooter hire in Lausanne. If you're coming in summer, book ahead — outside those months you can usually find a scooter with little notice.

Local traffic rules in Lausanne

Switzerland drives on the right, and helmets are mandatory for every rider and passenger on a scooter, moped or motorcycle. Dipped headlights must stay on at all times, even in daylight. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on rural roads and up to 120 km/h on motorways, with plenty of 30 km/h and 20 km/h zones through residential streets — watch for them in the old town. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, so it's best to keep riding and drinking well separated.

If you want to rent a scooter in Lausanne, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!