Montreux on Lake Geneva: guide with sightseeing, accommodation and travel tips 

How to reach Montreux by train

The train is the easiest way to travel to Montreux. The station is right within the town center and there are frequent connections from the Swiss airports and major Swiss towns. Even a trip from Paris takes under 5 hours.

Examples of traveling times:

• 1h20 from Geneva Airport, 1h05 from Geneva
• 2h50 from Zurich Airport, 2h40 from Zurich
• 3h10 from Basel Airport, 2h45 from Basel
• 1h40 from Bern
• 2h40 from Lucerne via Fribourg and Lausanne, or 5h20 to 6h10 via the GoldenPass route
• 2h15 from Interlaken via Spiez and Visp, or 3h20 to 3h50 via the GoldenPass route
• 2h40 from Zermatt
• 4h35 to 4h55 from Paris

How to travel in Montreux

The actual center of Montreux is compact. The station is right in the center, so you can explore the shopping area and lake promenade on foot.

Buses and local trains get you to further districts and nearby sites, for example to Veytaux where the Chillon Castle is located.

From the dock "Montreux (lac)", which is a 5-minute walk from the train station, you can make boat trips. Common routes are those to the Chillon Castle, Villeneuve, Vevey, Lausanne, and St. Gingolph on the southern French shore of the lake.

Free and discounted travel: the Montreux Riviera Card and other rail passes

Hotels and many other accommodations provide a free Montreux Riviera Card when you check in. It allows free local traveling, discounts on traveling in the region, and discounts on local attractions.

But: many rail passes get you free travel in a much wider area, and usually better discounts on attractions. Our comparison guide helps you choose.

How to reach Montreux by car

Montreux is accessible by car. The main routes are:

• the A2 and A1 from Basel, Bern, and Fribourg in the north;
• the A1 and A9 from Geneva in the west;
• the A9 from the Rhone Valley in the south-west.

I recommend to park your car once you've arrived, and to get around in Montreux on foot and by public transport.

The best time to go to Montreux

The best months to visit Montreux are early April to late October and late November to late December.

• Nature and outdoor activities can be enjoyed from April to October.
• The holiday season in Montreux is appealing from mid-November to December.

Montreux in April, May and June

April to June are spring months in the Montreux area. The hills north of Montreux look green and fresh.

You'll still see snow on the higher mountain tops surrounding the Rhone Valley toward the east: a view we were impressed with during our stay in the nearby village Corseaux in late April and early May.

The Montreux boulevard is already adorned with colorful flowers.

Boat trips on the lake can be made year-round. They operate according to a spring timetable up to mid-June, with fewer options than in summer. But even this spring schedule offers plenty of boat rides on eastern Lake Geneva.

The Lavaux vineyards west of Montreux are starting to grow by late April or early May, but they usually won't be blooming yet. Late May and June provide better vistas with flowering vines, the lake and the hills.

Temperatures are usually pleasant, although heat waves may already occur in June.

Montreux in July and August

July and August are the top tourist months in Montreux. The town attracts visitors from many foreign countries, and the Swiss themselves enjoy school holidays too.

The town can get especially busy during the Jazz Festival in late June-early July.

These are also the warmest months. You can escape the (possible) heat by traveling into the mountains north of Montreux and by cooling down at the lake.

Montreux in September and October

September and October are less touristy months in Montreux. By October, you'll see the first signs of fall, which can result in beautiful colors on the hills of Lake Geneva. It's a perfect time to explore the town in peace and quiet.

Montreux during winter holidays

Montreux is a great place for winter holidays from mid-November to December. It’s home to one of the best Christmas markets in Switzerland, called ‘Montreux Noël’. The market is located on the lakeside promenade.

Montreux is not an obvious destination for a winter sports holiday. The town itself has mild temperatures, so snowfall isn’t likely.

You'll have to travel a bit to reach ski resorts in the mountains north of the town. If snow is your main reason to visit the surroundings of Montreux, travel in January or February.

3 must-do's in Montreux

If your time in Montreux is limited, try to do at least these 3 activities:

1. Stroll along the gorgeous lake boulevard.
2. Make a short boat ride.
3. Visit the Chillon Castle. Even if you don't have time to enter the castle, the site is still pretty and the quick journey from Montreux is pleasant.

Visit cities near Montreux

Montreux is a good base to explore these Swiss cities and towns:

• Lausanne
• Geneva
• Gstaad
• Gruyères

The Lavaux vineyards

The Lavaux is a region west of Montreux, on the northern banks of Lake Geneva. It's full of terraced vineyards, through which you can make easy walks. They're prettiest from mid-May to October.

My insider sightseeing and hiking tips

I greatly enjoyed the below activities that are off the tourist radar:

• hiking from Montreux to Glion through the fairylike Chauderon gorge;
• the funicular ride from Vevey to Mont-Pèlerin, where Arno and I walked to the Plein-Ciel lift and enjoyed the amazing roundabout view from the observation platform;
• the pleasant train ride up to Blonay and Les Pleíades, where you'll find a restaurant with pretty views;
• the scenic hike from Haut-de Caux to Glion, which are both stops on the mountain line to Rochers-de-Naye.

Christmas activities in Montreux

Montreux is home to one of Switzerland's prettiest Christmas markets. There are many other Christmas activities that are attractive for children: an elves’ square, Santa’s house at Rochers-de-Naye and a House of Wishes.

Christmas shopping and visits to Christmas markets in Lausanne or Yverdon-les-Bains are options too.

Ski holidays in Montreux

Snow in Montreux doesn't fall often. You'll have to travel to ski resorts at higher elevations in the mountains north of Montreux. Examples are:

• Rochers-de-Naye
• Dent de Jaman
• Les Avants-Sonloup
• Glacier 3000

Apart from Glacier 3000, these areas are not at very high altitudes, so snowfall doesn’t occur during the entire winter season.