Before you go

Your trip to Montreux.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Montreux – Vaud Destination Lausanne and Montreux about 27 km from Lausanne

How to get there

Aeroporto de Genebra (GVA) Genebra · 92 km
Montreux 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

From Lausanne the SBB train reaches Montreux in about 20–30 minutes; from Geneva it takes just over an hour. CGN boats run across the lake from Lausanne-Ouchy. The nearest airport is Geneva (GVA). Check before buying.

How many days

One day is enough for the waterfront, the Freddie Mercury statue, the Queen studio and Château de Chillon. With two days you can add the Rochers-de-Naye and Vevey. Three days allow for a trip on the GoldenPass Express or the Chocolate Train.

When to go

July hosts the Montreux Jazz Festival and the town becomes crowded: book early. From May to September the waterfront is in bloom and boats run more frequently. From late November until December 24 Montreux Noël takes over the quays. In winter, December to February, daylight hours are short.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The centre is walkable; buses and trains reach Chillon and Vevey, and the rack railway goes up to the Rochers-de-Naye. Panoramic trains and boats link Montreux to the rest of the country.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Montreux

Morning
Waterfront and Freddie Mercury
Walk down from the station to the quay, see the Freddie Mercury statue and the covered market.
Afternoon
Queen studio and Chillon
Visit 'Queen: The Studio Experience' at the casino, then walk along the waterfront to Château de Chillon.
Late afternoon
Return by the lake
Return to Montreux by CGN boat or by bus, with the castle in the background.
Evening
Dinner in the center
Dine in central Montreux, near the quay.

2 days in Montreux

Day 1

Morning
Château de Chillon
Walk along the waterfront to Chillon and visit the castle at opening time.
Afternoon
Waterfront and Queen
Have lunch on the waterfront, see the Freddie Mercury statue and the Queen studio.
Late afternoon
Glion
Take the rack railway up to Glion to see the lake from above.
Evening
Montreux town centre
Dine near the quay.

Day 2

Morning
Rochers-de-Naye
Take the rack railway to the Rochers-de-Naye and walk around the summit.
Afternoon
Vevey and Chaplin
Descend, take the train to Vevey and the bus to Chaplin's World.
Late afternoon
The Alimentarium fork
Walk along Vevey's waterfront to the fork stuck in the lake, in front of the Alimentarium.
Evening
Vevey
Dine in Vevey and return to Montreux by train.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Montreux far from Lausanne?

No. It’s about 27 km, and the train takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Can you do Montreux and Chillon in one day?

Yes. Chillon is 3 km from the centre, about a 40-minute walk along the waterfront.

Is it worth staying overnight in Montreux?

Yes, especially if you want to go up to the Rochers-de-Naye or catch the GoldenPass Express early. In July, during the festival, book in advance.

Is Vevey close to Montreux?

Yes, about 7 km away, just a few minutes by train or boat.

What language is spoken in Montreux?

French. English is widely spoken on the waterfront, in hotels and in museums.

Back to Montreux