Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Back to Villars-sur-Ollon

In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.

Voykit pocket guide · Switzerland

Villars-sur-Ollon

Spend 1–2 days in Villars-sur-Ollon for skiing or family-friendly mountain activities; longer only if you base here for a ski holiday.

Villars-sur-Ollon is a mid‑altitude ski resort in Vaud with a compact village centre, family‑friendly facilities and good links to Bex, Aigle and Montreux. Most attractions fit in a half‑day to full‑day schedule, so a short stay of 1–2 days is sufficient unless you plan an extended ski week.

GenevaAarauAlbinenAndermattAppenzellArosaAsconaAvenchesBadenBaselBellinzonaBernBielBrigVillars-sur-Ollon50 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Switzerland
Best months
Dec–Mar, Jun–Sep
Avoid
Apr–May (limited snow), late July (high crowds)
Stay
1–2 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
CHF
Money
Currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere; euros are sometimes taken with change in francs.
Daily spend
Budget CHF 80–120 excl. bed · Mid CHF 120–180 excl. bed · High CHF 180+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.
Emergency
Police 117 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 118 · Rega 1414
Plugs
Types J, C · 230 V · 50 Hz · Swiss three-pin sockets are recessed: thin two-pin (type C) plugs fit, but thick German Schuko plugs do not — bring a Swiss adapter.
Tipping
Restaurant: Service included; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.; Café or bar: Round up.; Taxi: Round up.; Hotel: Optional; CHF 2–5 for porters.; Mountain guide: CHF 20–50 for a day, optional.
Water
Tap and fountain water is excellent. Restaurants usually charge for bottled water; ask for 'Hahnenwasser' / 'eau du robinet'.
Toilets
Station toilets cost CHF 1–2; restaurants and department stores are free for customers.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Coffee in caféCHF 4–6
Raclette plateCHF 25–35
Ski lift ticket (day)CHF 54 (adult)
Bus Aigle‑VillarsCHF 8–12

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

GVA · Geneva Airport
about 1 h 30 min by train via Aigle (check)

Typical fares

BVB Bex‑Villars‑Bretaye round‑trip
about CHF 30, 40 min each way (check)
Bus Aigle‑Villars
CHF 10, 35 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Village is walkable; Bex‑Villars‑Bretaye railway (hourly, 40 min from Bex) and hourly bus from Aigle (35 min).

See and do

Known for

  • Family‑friendly ski area linked to Gryon and Les Diablerets
  • Snowbombing spring festival
  • Traditional chalet architecture

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Gryon‑Les Diablerets ski areaTake the BVB train 15 min to Bretaye, then gondola to Roc d’Orsay; linked lifts to Gryon and Les Diablerets≈ 1 h total
MontreuxTrain Bex‑Montreux (via Bex) about 30 min, then bus or walk≈ 45 min
AigleHourly bus 35 min from village≈ 45 min

Sleep

Hotel Ecureuil
Single CHF 135/150, double CHF 190/240 depending on season; central location.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryExcusez‑moiexkuse mwa
Thank youMercimehr-see
How much is it?C’est combien ?say kom-byan
Do you speak English?Parlez‑vous anglais ?parlay voo ahn-glay
Where is the bus stop?Où est l’arrêt de bus ?oo eh lar-reh duh boos

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake; three cheek kisses among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting in shops
  • Punctuality: Be exactly on time; avoid: Running for the train expecting it to wait
  • Language: Greet in the local language, then ask for English; avoid: Speaking German in Geneva as a default
  • Quiet: Low voices in trains; quiet carriages are marked; avoid: Speakerphone calls
  • Money: Keep financial talk discreet; avoid: Asking people's salaries
  • Recycling: Separate PET, glass and cans; avoid: Leaving rubbish in hotel or flat bins unsorted

Scams and watch-outs

  • Winter ski lifts run only when snow is sufficient; check opening dates on the resort site.
  • French is the main language; basic phrases help in restaurants and shops.

Villars is a safe Alpine village; typical mountain risks are weather changes and occasional icy paths—wear appropriate footwear.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Villars-sur-Ollon yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Family‑friendly ski area linked to Gryon and Les Diablerets
  • Snowbombing spring festival
  • Traditional chalet architecture

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Villars-sur-Ollon

À cette adresse, s’il vous plaît

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US consulate in Geneva; other nations have representation in Zurich or Bern.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/villars-sur-ollon). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.