Top 5 best bicycle rentals in Lausanne

Lausanne rewards anyone willing to see it from two wheels instead of a tram window. Roll out from the Ouchy waterfront, past the sculpture gardens of the Olympic Museum, and the lake opens up beside you all the way toward Pully — a stretch of shoreline that's flat, paved, and made for pedalling rather than trudging. Push further east and the vineyard terraces of Lavaux climb the hillside above the water, one of the most photographed rides in French-speaking Switzerland. If you want to rent a bike in Lausanne, this is exactly the kind of morning it buys you.

Lausanne itself is famously steep, and no rental will change that fact about the old town's staircases and switchbacks. But the lakefront corridor from Ouchy to Pully and on to Lutry sits almost entirely flat, which is where a bicycle earns its keep: it covers ground a walker would tire of long before reaching the vineyards, and it reaches spots the metro and buses simply don't go. A bike also stitches together the lake, the old town, and the forested heights of Sauvabelin into a single afternoon, without a car and without waiting on a timetable.

Top 10 things to see in Lausanne by bike

1. Olympic Museum (Musée Olympique) and Parc Olympique — a lakefront museum with sculpture gardens sitting right on the Ouchy waterfront path.
2. Ouchy Promenade — a flat, paved lakeside path along Lake Geneva, easy and scenic for casual riders.
3. Lausanne Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame) — a Gothic landmark in the old town with a viewpoint over the city rooftops.
4. Sauvabelin Tower and Forest (Tour de Sauvabelin) — a wooden lookout tower above the city with panoramic Alps and lake views, reached via a climb through forest.
5. Vidy Roman ruins and Parc de Vidy — a lakeside park with Roman archaeological remains, a popular flat riding and picnic spot.
6. Lavaux vineyard terraces (toward Lutry, Cully, Vevey) — UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards along the lake, the classic scenic ride east from Lausanne.
7. Signal de Sauvabelin / Chalet-à-Gobet area — a popular uphill route for road cyclists after elevation and forest scenery above the city.
8. Morges lakeside path — a flat westbound ride along Lake Geneva to a smaller lakeside town with a castle.
9. Place de la Palud and the old town core — a cobbled medieval centre with the animal-fountain clock and market square, worth a short walk-and-lock stop.
10. Ouchy to Pully cycle path — a continuous flat waterfront route east, good for a relaxed shorter ride.

What do you need to rent a bike in Lausanne?

For a normal bicycle or a pedal-assist e-bike capped at 25 km/h, no licence is required at all — and no IDP either. Faster e-bikes, the ones assisted up to 45 km/h, legally count as mopeds and need a moped licence plus a yellow insurance plate, so check which type you're booking. Minimum age is generally set by the rental shop rather than the law, and you should expect a deposit, usually held on a credit card, though it's modest for a standard city or road bike.

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

A standard bicycle typically runs CHF 15–20 per day in low season, rising to CHF 25–40 per day in high season, and CHF 45–60 per day for e-bikes or road bikes if you want the vineyard climbs without the effort.

• Prices climb steadily from spring, peaking in June–August.
• They drop back down from November through March, the cheapest window to book.
• E-bikes carry a premium year-round but pay off on the Lavaux and Sauvabelin climbs.

When to book a rental bike in Lausanne?

June to September is high season around the lake, when demand and prices both peak, so booking a few days ahead is worth it if you're set on specific dates. November to March counts as low season for bicycles, with the lowest rates of the year, though the flat lakefront stays perfectly rideable even then. May and early October sit comfortably in between — good weather, thinner crowds, and softer prices.

Local traffic rules in Lausanne

Switzerland drives on the right. Helmets aren't legally required for riders on an ordinary bicycle, though we'd always recommend one, and they become compulsory the moment you're on a fast 45 km/h e-bike. Built-up areas are capped at 50 km/h for any motorised traffic sharing the road with you, dropping to 30 km/h or even 20 km/h in parts of the old town, so cars tend to move slowly and predictably around cyclists. The general blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, stricter still for young or novice drivers. Our website works with rental partners across Lausanne who'll hand you a well-kept bike and a helmet on the spot — just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of bikes available

On our website you can rent the following types of bicycles: classic bikes, tandems, road bikes, carbon, cyclocross, touring, trekking, hybrid, mountain bikes (MTB), cruisers, comfort, city, commuter, urban, Dutch bikes, lady, bike for kids, folding, tricycles with three wheels, bikes with basket, with gears, with suspension, with rear rack, fat-tire bikes, electric bicycles.

Models of bicycles available

On our website you can hire a bike of the following manufacturers: Avanti, Batavus, Bianchi, Trek, Cannondale, Cube, Diamant, Felt, Scott, Gazelle, Genesis, Giant, GT Bicycles, Ideal, K2, Diamondback, Schwinn, Jamis, Raleigh, Kona, Kross, Merida, Mongoose, Next, Orbea, Órbita, Murray, Roadmaster, Rocky, Miele, Rover, Shimano, Vélo, Specialized.

Which insurance is provided with my rental bicycle?

Bicycle rentals typically come with basic cover for third-party damage, but theft and damage terms vary from one provider to another. Some include simple loss or damage protection in the price, while others cover it through your deposit; always check the exact terms on the booking page before you confirm.

Extra services available

When you make a reservation of a bicycle you also can order the following extra services and equipment: helmet, GPS navigation, clip pedals, side cases, rear rack, basket, light, gloves, speedometer, individual guide or tour, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to the address of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

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

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