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Day Trips & Excursions from Montreux

Day Trips & Excursions from Montreux

Lake Geneva Region, Switzerland

Explore Nearby Destinations

Vevey (approximately 10 minutes by train or bus): A charming lakeside town west of Montreux, home to Nestlé headquarters, Chaplin's World museum, and a giant Fork sculpture in the lake. Vevey offers a more relaxed atmosphere. Frequent trains and buses connect the towns. You can also walk or cycle the promenade. CGN boats connect them scenically.

Lausanne (approximately 20-30 minutes by train): The capital of Vaud canton, situated on hills overlooking Lake Geneva. Frequent direct trains run from Montreux. Explore the majestic Lausanne Cathedral, the winding streets of the Old Town, and the impressive Olympic Museum near Ouchy port.

Further Excursions

  • Gruyères (approx. 1h 15m): A medieval village famous for its castle, Gruyère AOP cheese, and the unique HR Giger Museum.
  • Broc (approx. 1h 30m): Home to Maison Cailler, a famous chocolate factory with an interactive tour and tasting.
  • Evian-les-Bains, France (approx. 35m by boat): A spa town on the French side of Lake Geneva, known for its mineral water source. Passport required.
  • Plan your excursions for a half-day or full-day depending on your interest.

Natural Escapes & Cultural Exploration

Montreux's setting provides direct access to impressive natural wonders and rich cultural sites.

Discover Natural Escapes

Les Pléiades (approximately 45 minutes by MOB train): A mountain resort above Montreux with panoramic lake and mountain views. It offers hiking trails in summer and is known for the "Sentier des Narcisses" (Narcissus Trail) in late spring. It transforms into a destination for winter sports in the colder months.

Scenic Wonders

  • Enjoy extensive hiking and nature walks.
  • Excellent for winter sports activities.
  • Witness the beauty of the "Sentier des Narcisses" in spring.

Lavaux Vineyard Terraces

(UNESCO World Heritage Site) (adjacent to Montreux): Explore this vast area of ancient terraced vineyards. Paths for hiking or cycling are available, with opportunities to stop at local wine cellars for tastings. The striking landscape reflects centuries of viticulture, remaining beautiful throughout the year.

Wine Country Exploration

  • Discover traditional viticulture.
  • Hike or cycle through stunning scenery.
  • Sample local wines at a Caveau.

Go on Cultural Excursions

St-Saphorin Lavaux

  • A charming, picturesque wine-growing village.
  • Nestled within the Lavaux vineyards.
  • Features narrow cobblestone streets and a beautiful church.
  • Provides an authentic glimpse into Swiss wine country life.

Aigle Castle

  • A medieval castle in the Rhône Valley.
  • Houses the Vaud Wine Museum.
  • Showcases the region's winemaking history.
  • The castle structure is impressive.

Plan Multi-Day Extensions

  • Zurich and Lucerne:3-4 days for German-speaking Switzerland.
  • Zermatt and Matterhorn:2-3 days for iconic alpine scenery.
  • Interlaken and Jungfrau Region:2-3 days for adventure and mountains.
  • Italian Lakes:3-4 days for a cross-border cultural shift.
  • Direct trains to Zurich (2.5-3h).Direct trains to Lucerne (2.5h, 1 change).
  • Train Montreux to Visp, then Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Zermatt (2.5-3h).
  • GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken (3h 15m) for a scenic trip.
  • Direct trains Montreux to Milan (3h), then local trains to lakes.

Travel Tip

Switzerland's public transport system is highly efficient, making multi-day trips and excursions simple and enjoyable.

Beyond Montreux: Broader Horizons

Montreux's central location on Lake Geneva provides excellent connections for diverse regional explorations.

GoldenPass Express

A scenic train journey from Montreux to Interlaken, offering spectacular views of alpine landscapes.

Lake Geneva Cruises

CGN boats offer a charming way to see the lakeside towns and vineyards from the water.

Alpine Hikes

Trails around Rochers de Naye provide breathtaking vistas and fresh mountain air.

Cultural Insights

St-Saphorin (Lavaux): A small, picturesque wine-growing village in the Lavaux vineyards. Its narrow cobblestone streets and beautiful church offer a peek into authentic Swiss wine country life.

Village Charm

  • Explore traditional vineyards.
  • Walk charming cobblestone streets.
  • Admire the village church.

Historical Strongholds

Aigle Castle: A medieval castle in the Rhône Valley. It houses the Vaud Wine Museum, providing insight into the region's winemaking heritage and traditions. The castle structure itself holds historical interest.

Castle Exploration

  • Discover regional winemaking history.
  • Admire medieval architecture.
  • Situated in a scenic valley location.

Travel Distances & Times

Montreux to Vevey:10 mins (train/bus)
Montreux to Lausanne:20-30 mins (train)
Montreux to Gruyères:1h 15m (train/bus)
Montreux to Broc:1h 30m (train/bus)
Montreux to Evian-les-Bains:35 mins (boat)
Montreux to Les Pléiades:45 mins (train)

Plan Ahead

  • Check train and boat schedules for optimal planning.
  • Consider a Swiss Travel Pass for extensive rail and boat travel.
  • Some attractions have seasonal hours; confirm before visiting.
  • Factor in border crossing time for Evian-les-Bains.
  • Comfortable shoes are helpful for walking excursions.

Multi-Day Swiss Explorations from Montreux

Montreux's excellent transport links simplify trip extensions to other renowned Swiss regions.

Zurich and Lucerne

These cities offer a taste of German-speaking Switzerland. Zurich serves as a financial and cultural hub. Lucerne is noted for its picturesque old town, the Chapel Bridge, and its charming lake setting.

City Explorations

  • Explore urban landscapes.
  • Discover iconic landmarks.
  • Plan for 3-4 days to explore.

Zermatt and Matterhorn

An iconic alpine experience, Zermatt is a car-free village famous for its striking views of the Matterhorn. It provides opportunities for hiking, skiing, and unparalleled alpine scenery.

Alpine Adventures

  • Witness the majestic Matterhorn.
  • Enjoy hiking and skiing.
  • Plan for 2-3 days for exploration.

Interlaken and Jungfrau Region

Interlaken serves as a popular base for discovering the Bernese Oberland. It offers various adventure sports, stunning mountain excursions to Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn, and beautiful lakes.

Adventure Gateway

  • Access adventure sports like paragliding.
  • Travel to high alpine peaks.
  • Set aside 2-3 days for this region.

Italian Lakes Italy

The Italian Lakes are readily accessible from Montreux via the Simplon Pass route into Italy. Visit stunning lakes like Lake Maggiore or Lake Como. This offers a change of scenery and culture.

Cross-Border Charm

  • Discover picturesque Italian lakes.
  • Direct trains connect to Milan.
  • Plan for 3-4 days to visit.

Seamless Transitions

Switzerland’s excellent train network makes connecting between these regions simple and comfortable.

Efficient Travel

Frequent train services link all major cities and tourist destinations.

Scenic Routes

Many train journeys, like the GoldenPass Express, are attractions in themselves.

Planning Ease

Advance booking for popular routes is advisable, especially during peak season.

Smart Extension Advice

Consider a Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats, along with museum access.