Travel to Montreux

Travel to Montreux

Situated on the north shore of Lake Geneva, Montreux was an important settlement in Roman times. A Roman road from Italy splits at Montreux, with one fork once going to Gaul and the other to Aventicum, the capital of Roman Switzerland. Bernese Swiss subjugated the region during the 15th century, and Napoleon I Bonaparte expelled the Bernese in the late 18th century. Montreux has been a major tourist centre ever since the 19th century.

Transportation to Montreux

The closest airport to Montreux is Geneva Cointrin International Airport, located near the western tip of Lake Geneva. By rail, it takes a little over an hour to travel between Montreux and the airport. Direct flights from here reach over 100 destinations worldwide. Luton-based budget airline easyJet also operates out of Geneva Cointrin International Airport. Airport facilities are very extensive; there are over 60 restaurants and services combined. In addition to sophisticated stores and duty-free shops, there are several banks and currency exchange outlets, several business centres, wireless internet, a hair salon, a dry cleaners and showers.

The airport is well equipped for disabled travellers, with wheelchair access and disabled passenger assistance. The car park can accommodate 4,500 cars. Most shops and services accept euros as well as Swiss francs, and the restaurants can take pounds sterling and US dollars as well.

Switzerlands rail network is very well developed, and travellers can easily visit other locations throughout Switzerland. Trains depart Montreux regularly for France and Italy as well as for the airport and Lausanne, a Swiss rail hub. A car or taxi to the airport takes about as long as taking the train, and the ferry from Geneva takes 2 hours 30 minutes.

What to see

Montreuxs blend of history, rock music, culinary arts and French and Italian influence provides tourists with a wealth of sights to visit. Chteu de Chillon is an old castle, originally 25 separate structures, which once adjudicated travel between Italy and the rest of Europe. Muse du Vieux-Montreux (Museum of Old Montreux), in the Old Town, occupies a 17th century building and offers a look at Montreuxs history, with an emphasis on the local tourist industry.

Casino Montreux holds a special place in rock and roll history. During a Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention concert, a rowdy fan burned the place down with a flare gun. Deep Purple, in town to record an album, chronicled the events in their hit song, Smoke on the Water. The Freddie Mercury Tribute Statue stands tall on the Lake Geneva shoreline, homage to the late lead singer of Queen.

Daytrips

Two rail tours, the Chocolate Train and the Wine Train, start out from Montreux and wind their way through the beautiful countryside. The highlight of Chocolate Train is a tour of the Nestl Chocolate Factory. The Wine Train takes passengers through wine country, and offers spectacular views of the lake, vineyards, the Rhne Valley and the mountains.

There are many tourist destinations outside of Montreux that are easily reachable by car. France and Italy are each only one hour away. Geneva is slightly more than an hours drive away, with Lausanne situated in between. Bern is 1 hour 30 minutes to the north and Basel is an additional hour after passing through Lausanne.

Activities and leisure

Ferry and motorboat cruises on Lake Geneva are popular during the warm summer months. The stunning view of the Alps and surrounding countryside is unimpeded from the centre of the lake. In summer, Lake Geneva offers cool water and numerous public swimming areas. Hiking is a common way to take advantage of the warm weather and enjoy the countryside at an unhurried pace. Skiing and snowboarding are top activities during winter. Two nearby ski resorts are accessible by bus, car or rail.

Safety issues

While Switzerland boasts one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, petty thieves operate in Montreux year-round. Be especially alert during high season, in crowded spaces and on public transport. Also, stay in the public swimming areas if you do decide to take a dip in the lake. The water becomes very deep and cold towards the centre of the lake. Switzerlands healthcare is top quality, and the costs reflect this. Take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy to ease the burden of unexpected hardships.