Major city · Switzerland
Montreux
Base here 2 nights: lakeside promenade, Chillon and a Rochers-de-Naye or Lavaux half-day. Day-trippers from Lausanne get the castle and promenade and skip the rest.
Montreux is a small lakeside town on the east end of Lake Geneva, 1 h by train from Geneva and 25 min from Lausanne. It is known for the Jazz Festival in early July, the Freddie Mercury statue on the quay, Château de Chillon 3 km south, and mountain railways up to Rochers-de-Naye. Two nights covers the town, the castle and one mountain or vineyard trip; the town itself is walkable in half a day.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- May–Sep (promenade, boats, mountain railways); early Jul for the Jazz Festival
- avoid Nov–Feb (many lakeside businesses quiet, mountain railways limited); mid-Jul–Aug crowds and heat
- Airports
- GVA · ZRH
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is in the Schengen area but not the EU: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is outside the EU customs area: allowances on meat, alcohol and tobacco are strict and checked at borders.
- Switzerland ↗Motorways need a vignette (sticker or e-vignette) before you drive on them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Montreux117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Montreux, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Swiss franc (CHF).Switzerland-wide
- SIM or eSIMSwisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.Switzerland-wide
- Tap waterTap and fountain water is excellent.Switzerland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service included; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.Switzerland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/J. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Switzerland-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a lakeside resort.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost CHF 1–2 (≈ US$2–3); restaurants and department stores are free for customers.Switzerland-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire · 144 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close early on Saturday in small towns and all day Sunday, except stations and airports.Switzerland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGVA Geneva Cointrin (Closest major airport; train from the airport station to Montreux about 1 h 10 min with a change at Geneva or Lausanne).
- Getting aroundThe centre, old town and promenade are walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a caféCHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8)
- Street or quick mealSandwich or salad from a Coop Pronto or MigrosCHF 6–12 (≈ US$8–15)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a supermarketCHF 6–9 (≈ US$8–12)CHF 2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekCHF 15–30 (≈ US$19–40)
- Museum or sight ticketChâteau de Chillon adult entryCHF 12.50 (≈ US$16)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCHF 45 (≈ US$60)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCHF 230 (≈ US$300)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCHF 400 (≈ US$500)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 90 (≈ US$120) · Mid CHF 160 (≈ US$200) · High CHF 300 (≈ US$400)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GVA Geneva Cointrin (Closest major airport; train from the airport station to Montreux about 1 h 10 min with a change at Geneva or Lausanne) · ZRH Zurich (About 3 h by train via Lausanne)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Care*
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Care
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Montreux: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre, old town and promenade are walkable. VMCV buses cover the town and the hills; a day pass is the easy option. Trains from Montreux Gare reach Veytaux-Chillon in 4 min, Vevey in 5 min and Lausanne in 25 min. The MOB narrow-gauge line (GoldenPass) leaves from platforms 5–6 for Les Avants, Château-d'Œx and Gstaad; the cog railway to Glion, Caux and Rochers-de-Naye leaves from the same station.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min by train
Train to Veytaux-Chillon (4 min) or walk the lakeside (about 45 min)
The country's most-visited castle, on a rock just off the shore. Go at opening to beat the coach groups.
Vevey
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Train from Montreux Gare, about 5 min, or the lakeside promenade walk
Charlie Chaplin statue, food market and the funicular to Mont Pèlerin.
Lavaux vineyards (Chexbres–Cully)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train to Vevey, then train to Chexbres-Village; walk down through the terraces to Cully
A half-day walk; steep stone paths, proper shoes. Wine tastings in the villages.
Rochers-de-Naye
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Cog railway from Montreux Gare to the summit, about 55 min
2,045 m viewpoint with the Marmots' Paradise enclosure and an alpine garden. Clear-day trip; last descent around 18:00.2,045 m viewpoint with the Marmots' Paradise enclosure and an alpine garden. Clear-day trip; last descent around 6:00 PM.
Door to door: About 25 min
Direct train from Montreux Gare
Old town, cathedral and Olympic museum; easy half-day or evening.
Château-d'Œx
goDoor to door: About 1 h 20 min
MOB GoldenPass line from platforms 5–6, change at Montbovon
Mountain village and balloon country; the panoramic coaches are the point of the ride.
Leysin
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Train to Aigle, then the Aigle–Leysin mountain railway
Worth it for hikers and summer tobogganing; a long transfer for a short visit.
Villars-sur-Ollon
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Train to Bex, then the Bex–Villars narrow-gauge line
Alpine village with summer trails; better as an overnight than a return day.
Nyon
skipDoor to door: About 1 h
Train towards Geneva, change at Lausanne or direct depending on service
Pleasant lakeside town but little that Montreux and Vevey do not already give you.
Yverdon-les-Bains
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Train via Lausanne
Thermal baths and a small old town; only worth it if you want the spa.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Grand Rue / lakefront centre
Walk to the promenade, station and boats; most hotels and restaurants. Best for a first visit.
Montreux Gare area
Around Avenue des Alpes and Rue de la Gare; 5–10 min walk downhill to the lake, easiest with bags.
Territet / Veytaux (south)
Quieter, closer to Chillon and the Territet funicular; 25–40 min walk or a short train ride to the centre.
Hauts-de-Montreux (Glion, Caux)
Village hotels above the lake with the best views; reachable by cog railway or bus, cooler in summer.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CHF 90–140 (≈ US$120–180) excl. bed
- Mid
- CHF 150–230 (≈ US$190–300) excl. bed
- High
- CHF 250 (≈ US$350)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 2 nights × CHF 230 | CHF 460 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CHF 160 | CHF 640 |
| Train Geneva Airport → Montreux, one way2 × CHF 40 · check | CHF 80 |
| VMCV day pass, one day2 × CHF 8 · check | CHF 16 |
| Rochers-de-Naye cog railway, return2 × CHF 70 · check | CHF 140 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CHF 20 | CHF 40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CHF 138 |
| Trip total≈ CHF 379 per person per day, bed included | CHF 1,514≈ US$1,900 |
2026 estimate in Swiss francs; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | CHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Sandwich or salad from a Coop Pronto or Migros | CHF 6–12 (≈ US$8–15) |
| Plate of pasta or pizza in a mid-range restaurant | CHF 20–32 (≈ US$25–40) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a supermarket | CHF 6–9 (≈ US$8–12) / CHF 2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Château de Chillon adult entry | CHF 12.50 (≈ US$16) |
| Lake cruise, short hop on a CGN boat | CHF 10–25 (≈ US$13–35) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | CHF 15–30 (≈ US$19–40) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rochers-de-Naye trains stop running to and from the top around 18:00 and shut down early in bad weather: do not count on a late descent.Rochers-de-Naye trains stop running to and from the top around 6:00 PM and shut down early in bad weather: do not count on a late descent.
- Chillon is 3–4 km (1.9–2.5 mi) from the centre: walk the lakeside (about 45 min) or take the train to Veytaux-Chillon, not a taxi.Chillon is 1.9–2.5 mi (3–4 km) from the centre: walk the lakeside (about 45 min) or take the train to Veytaux-Chillon, not a taxi.
- The old town is on a steep hill with no funicular; a bus gets you partway up.
- Jazz Festival weeks (early Jul) push hotel prices up sharply and fill the lakefront: book months ahead.
- Swiss trains, boats and mountain railways are separate tickets unless you hold a pass: check what your Swiss Travel Pass covers.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
- Ambulance
- 144
- European emergency
- 112
- Rega air rescue
- 1414
Pocket card
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MontreuxMontreux
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Ambulance144
- European emergency112
- Rega air rescue1414
Embassy
Most countries run embassies in Bern and consulates-general in Geneva; the US and UK missions are in Bern and Geneva (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Geneva Airport → Montreux, train: about CHF 40 (≈ US$50), about 1 h 10 min
- Montreux → Veytaux-Chillon, train: about CHF 4 (≈ US$5), 4 min
- Montreux → Lausanne, train: about CHF 15 (≈ US$19), 25 min
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- S'il vous plaît — Please (seel voo PLEH)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYAN sa KOOT)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où est la gare ? — Where is the station? (oo eh la GAR)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Montreux. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (promenade, boats, mountain railways); early Jul for the Jazz Festival · avoid Nov–Feb (many lakeside businesses quiet, mountain railways limited); mid-Jul–Aug crowds and heat · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 10 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GVA: last train from Geneva airport to Montreux field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Grand Rue and the promenade, the old town, Territet and Veytaux, Hauts-de-Montreux.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Chillon, Rochers-de-Naye, Queen Studio Experience, Swiss Museum of Games) and eat pages with last orders.
- Jazz Festival and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialMontreux-Vevey official tourism
- officialVille de Montreux
- officialChâteau de Chillon
- officialSwiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)
- officialMontreux Jazz Festival
- officialCompagnie Générale de Navigation (CGN lake boats)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Montreux, revision 5287866 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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