Town in Vaud, Switzerland
Montreux
Elegant Lake Geneva town with the jazz festival, Chillon Castle and Lavaux vineyards nearby. Very safe and scenic, but among Europe's priciest and quiet for solo nightlife; trains make day trips easy.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$5,430–7,840Comfortable, one person · CHF4,500–6,500Details
- Value for money2/100Better value than 1% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Jul, 26°CDetails
- Internet281 MbpsFixed broadband, Switzerland medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent tap water from the lake and springs; public fountains are drinkable unless marked non-potable.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$121–241Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless work almost everywhere; carry some francs for markets, mountain huts and small cafés.Details
Where to stay in Montreux
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Montreux centre | Lakefront promenade, station and restaurants; easy walking |
| Territet and Veytaux | Quieter, steps from Chillon Castle and the funicular |
| Clarens | Residential lakeside area with cafés and cheaper rents |
| Vevey (next town) | Larger town with markets, cheaper hotels and more variety |
Apps that work in Montreux
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Listed for Montreux, Vevey and Lausanne; fares are high |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- SBB Mobile: All trains, buses, boats and tickets
- MeteoSwiss: Mountain weather and storm warnings
- Taxis: Taxis are expensive and fare-metered; trains and buses are cheaper. Book airport transfers by train or private driver.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Switzerland.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; carry some francs for markets, mountain huts and small cafés.
- Currency: Franc (CHF). US$1 ≈ CHF0.83 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs often dispense francs and euros; decline the machine's currency conversion and check your bank's foreign fees.
- Tipping: Service is included by law; rounding up or a few francs for good service is plenty.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; TWINT, the local payment app, needs a Swiss bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Switzerland is in Schengen but not the EU: 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area.
- The EU Entry/Exit System applies here too: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
Emergency numbers
Police 117 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 118 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, J · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from carrier shops, kiosks and supermarkets; passport registration required. Many EU roaming plans exclude Switzerland, so check before using yours. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Switzerland
Going to Montreux solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Montreux meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Montreux Riviera Tourism
- Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
- Hôpital Riviera-Chablais
- Montreux Oberland Bernois (MOB)
- CGN Lake Geneva boats
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.