Montreux at a glance
Montreux lies at the eastern end of Lake Geneva, on a sheltered shore where palm trees grow along the promenade and the mountains drop steeply to the water. It is a resort town of Belle Époque hotels, flower-lined quays and terraces facing the Alps of Savoie across the lake. Its name is known worldwide thanks to the Montreux Jazz Festival, and its surroundings include the Château de Chillon and the vineyards of Lavaux.
For Geneva Transfer Booking, Montreux is a frequent destination from Geneva Airport, for hotel stays, the festival, conferences, clinics and day trips along the lake.
A short history
Montreux grew in the 19th century, when travellers on the Grand Tour discovered the mild climate of the eastern shore of the lake. Grand hotels were built, and writers, artists and aristocrats came to stay; the novelist Vladimir Nabokov lived for many years at the Montreux Palace. In 1967, Claude Nobs founded the Montreux Jazz Festival, which became one of the most famous music festivals in the world. Queen recorded several albums in Montreux, and a statue of Freddie Mercury now stands on the lakeside promenade.
When to come
Summer is the high season, with the Montreux Jazz Festival in July, lake swimming and boat trips. Spring brings the flowers along the quays and the daffodils on the mountain meadows above the town. Autumn is the season of the grape harvest in Lavaux. In winter, the Christmas market, Montreux Noël, fills the promenade, and the Rochers-de-Naye are home to a Father Christmas grotto for children.
From Geneva Airport to Montreux: the route
The trip covers about 90 kilometres. Google calculates about an hour and five minutes without traffic. The motorway follows the northern shore of Lake Geneva to Lausanne, then runs above the Lavaux vineyards and Vevey, with spectacular views over the lake, before descending to Montreux. At rush hour, the motorway between Geneva and Lausanne can be busy. The whole route is in Switzerland: no border to cross.
The Montreux Jazz Festival
For two weeks in July, the festival brings concerts in the halls of the congress centre, free stages along the promenade and a lively atmosphere throughout the town. Hotels are booked far in advance, and traffic near the lake is restricted. Book your transfer early, and give us the address of your hotel; your chauffeur drops you as close as access allows.
What to see around Montreux
- The Château de Chillon, a medieval castle on a rock in the lake, a few minutes from the town.
- The lakeside promenade, its flowers, its palms and the statue of Freddie Mercury.
- The Rochers-de-Naye, reached by cog railway, with a view over the lake and the Alps.
- Vevey, the Alimentarium and Chaplin's World, the museum in the former home of Charlie Chaplin.
- The Lavaux vineyards, listed by UNESCO, between Montreux and Lausanne.
- The GoldenPass panoramic train towards Gstaad and Interlaken.
At the table
Montreux's restaurants serve filets de perche from the lake, Vaud dishes such as papet vaudois, and the Chasselas of Lavaux. The palace hotels have renowned restaurants, and many terraces face the lake.
Advice by type of traveller
Festival visitors. Book early for July; give us your hotel and the time of your concert.
Hotel guests. Your chauffeur drops you at the hotel entrance and helps with the luggage.
Clinic patients. We drive patients and their families to the clinics of the region, discreetly.
Day visitors. Combine Montreux, Chillon and Lavaux in one day with an hourly booking.
Vehicles
A Mercedes E-Class suits one to three passengers; the S-Class offers the most comfort; the V-Class takes up to six or seven passengers with luggage. For larger groups, the Sprinter is available on request.
Booking
The prices on this page are calculated by our booking engine for a one-way trip from Geneva Airport to Montreux. Book online to see the exact price for your hotel. Book the return at the same time and the booking engine applies a 10% reduction to the round trip.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the transfer from Geneva Airport to Montreux?
About an hour and five minutes for about 90 kilometres without traffic.
Do we cross a border?
No. The whole route is in Switzerland.
When is the Montreux Jazz Festival?
Usually in the first half of July, over about two weeks. Book early.
Can we visit the Château de Chillon on the way?
Yes. Tell us when booking; the stop adds time to the trip.
Can we spend a day in Montreux and Lavaux?
Yes. An hourly booking keeps the car and chauffeur available for the day.
