2412 posts
Hello Joejax,
Thank you for sharing your plans.
Train journey times, which you may have probably discovered whilst researching, are not that huge between Geneva-Lausanne-Montreux. Gruyères is approximately 1h 8 minutes from Montreux and 1h 14 minutes from Lausanne by train. You can research frequency of the trains via the timetable link: https://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
The cheese factory is right next to Gruyères rail station, so very convenient: https://www.myswissalps.com/lamaisondugruyere and Maison Cailler is located in Broc: https://www.myswissalps.com/maisoncailler
Geneva, did you manage to have a read through our activity suggestions for Geneva? https://www.myswissalps.com/geneva/activities.
Here are also the activity links for Lausanne and Montreux:
Basing yourself in Montreux, you can easily reach both Lausanne and Geneva at ease. Personally I really love Lausanne and Montreux. Geneva, I have only spent time there, in passing. It was much larger and busier of the three, and from what I could see, lots to see.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
93 posts
Yolanda
,thank you for your quick response. I went through your links and they are very helpful. Regarding the things to do in Geneva, I observed that nearly all of the activities are day trips and we were planning to be there just 2-3 hours which made those trips a little unpractical. I was hoping to find activities that we could do in a couple of hours including a stroll around Old Town and lunch. I noticed several museums but since we like modern art, none of them seemed to display that. Does anyone else have any advice of what to do in a 1/2 day in Geneva?
2412 posts
Hello again Joejax,
Perhaps keep an eye on the MAMCO museum in Geneva, they may have an interesting exhibition when you visit in September.
Or when in Lausanne, the MCBA:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
93 posts
Yolanda,
Thank you. These 2 museums could be good additions to put on our itinerary in Geneva and Lausanne.
Joejax
72625 posts
I shall be there this weekend – yippee!
Try the Botanic Gardens; Maison Tavel (Museum with fabulous scale model of Medieval Geneva); Jet d’Eau water spout, UN, Carouge old town:http://www.geneva.info/carouge/
various other museums: http://www.geneva.info/museums/
641 posts
Hi Joejax,
There is quite a bit to see in the Lausanne/Montreux area also. There is quite a bit of hiking in and around the vineyards, the Olympic Museum, the village itself, just in the Lausanne area. Gruyers, and the chocolate factory, as mentioned above, are easily accessible from either Montreux or Lausanne.
The train to Geneve from Montreux is in the area of an hour fifteen, twenty. I personally wouldn’t count out the area. It’s quite beautiful with the lake and the mountains in the background. It wouldn’t be the worst thing if you missed going to Geneva in spite of wanting to. It’s so hard to squeeze everything in, in spite of being such a small country, but you would need to decide if it’s worth it to go to Geneva for just a couple hours as versus other destinations/towns (Gruyers, etc). Montreau also offers the Chillon Castle, the Rochers de Naye, (which boasts the most beautiful view of the lake), and easy
access to the Glacier 3000, via Aigle. Also, high above Aigle, is the charming town of Leysin, with beautiful views of the lake as well.
As far as planning goes, the train to Zermatt from Montreux is just about two and a half hours, with a change at Visp. Hope you have a wonderful trip.
Regards,
Danielsan
2412 posts
Thank you Danielsan. I always enjoy reading your contributions 🙂
641 posts
No problem, Yolanda. Thank You.
93 posts
Thank you to all that contributed to my post. All of the information helped me very much. I now believe a day trip of Geneva, Chocolste factory, Lousanne and boat ride back to Mobtreux will be too much or even possible in 1 day. I believe we will train to Lausanne, enjoy the city and boat back to Montreux for a relaxing beautiful day.
Joejax
2412 posts
Thank for the update Joejax.
You will have a wonderful time. Plus you have the very convenient Swiss Travel Pass so you can easily make last minute changes should you wish to do so.
Enjoy!
Kind regards,
Yolanda