A Day Trip From Geneva on Switzerland’s Belle Epoque Steamers

Last Updated on April 5, 2024

A great day trip from Geneva on a Belle Epoque steamer…

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Updated for 2023

By Jim Ferri

With more than its rightfully fair share of magnificent Alpine scenery, Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. But while marveling at its beautiful Alps and visiting its lovely mountain villages and towns, many travelers overlook an experience that is uniquely Swiss – the opportunity to sail on one of Switzerland’s Lake Geneva boat tours – an experience you’ll find nowhere else. It is a wonderful day trip from Geneva.

These beautiful old boats, the largest Belle Epoque fleet in the world in terms of capacity, sail on six Swiss lakes – Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne, Lake Zurich, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and Lake Constance, the latter shared with neighbors Germany and Austria.

While all of the boats provide a wonderful experience, one of the most worthwhile trips is on Lake Geneva, Switzerland, the largest lake in the country, which is known as Lac Léman to Francophiles. It not only provides spectacular scenery but also the largest fleet of the Belle Epoque steamers.

On Lake Geneva, The Haute–Lac, Aboard a Belle Epoque Lake Steamer

The real attraction of a lake steamer day trip from Geneva is the opportunity to visit the haute–lac, the upper part of Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Montreux, the latter home to the world-renowned Jazz Festival of the same name that is held very July. En route to Montreux, with the magnificent Alps as a backdrop, you’ll see the beautiful Lavaux vineyards. They are a spectacular UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site where the vines tumble down to the lakeside.

You can take the ferry from Geneva to Montreux, but the trip will take 4-5 hours one-way. Unless you desire a long day trip from Geneva, it’s much more worthwhile to instead take a train from Geneva to Lausanne and board the ferry there. The ferry Lausanne – Montreux takes only 1½ hours and you’ll still get to see the best scenery along the way.

Trains leave Geneva about every 15 minutes and the price of tickets for the 35-minute ride to Lausanne start at approximately $7.25 one way. Later in the day you can take a train from Montreux to Geneva or wherever you are staying in Switzerland.

A Day Trip From Geneva, Touring in Belle Epoque Style

For a special experience on your Lake Geneva day trip, plan on having lunch aboard the boat. The restaurants on the steamships are first-class and are exceptionally pleasant. And their prices are similar to those of quality Swiss restaurants on shore.

You can bring along your own picnic since picnicking is allowed out on the open decks. But you’ll find that the onboard restaurant experience really enhances the trip. If you opt not to dine on board you can also have coffee and cake in the restaurant as seats become available. Book in advance since space can be limited.

Compagnie Générale de Navigation, better known by its acronym CGN, runs the steamer cruises on the lake. Be aware that although there are cruises offered by other companies, CGN is the only one allowed to drop passengers off at ports along the way; the others will bring you back to where you embarked. Tickets can be bought at CGN ticket windows or on board. Cash and credit cards are accepted, with prices the same for each of the ships.

Cruise April – October

You can cruise Lake Geneva mid-April to mid-October, the most popular months being mid-June to mid-September. During the winter months sailings are quite limited.

Check with your hotel concierge regarding sailings of the large Belle Epoque boats. Second and first class seating is available on most of the boats. When the weather is good, however, the first-class seating on the upper decks is more enjoyable. The seats in second-class have limited deck space.

The cost of a one-way ticket from Lausanne to Montreux is CHF 26 second-class, and CHF 37 first-class (due to the value of the dollar, also approximately $26 / $37), and is the same for all boats. There are also many discounts available.

A Day Trip From Geneva, Combined With A Tour of Montreux

Once you step off the ferry in Montreux you have several good options. One is a 15-minute train ride back to the Lavaux Vineyards to wander about the little villages. They are great places to visit if you enjoy good food and wine.

If you don’t dine on the ferry you could also opt to have lunch in Montreux where you’ll find plenty of good restaurants . Afterwards take a tour of the lovely small city, especially around the old city, where in season a profusion of flowers spills from terraces and fountains along the old streets.

Montreux is a good place to visit almost any time of year. The climate is so moderate palm trees grow along the lake shore, amazing some visitors, and giving the area its nickname of the “Montreux Riviera.”

See Chateau de Chillon

Leave time to take a walk along Lake Geneva out past the palms to the 800-year-old Chateau de Chillon, the most visited attraction in all of Switzerland. Made famous by Lord Byron in his poem “The Prisoner of Chillon,” the Chateau de Chillon is spectacularly located on a little shore-side island.

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You may also enjoy: Montreux, Switzerland’s Little Riviera / Best Places to Visit in Switzerland / The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces in Switzerland

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Tour this former home of the Dukes of Savoy and you’ll see the dank dungeon where Byron carved his name on one of the pillars. You can also visit the banquet hall and various small displays. If you’d rather not take the 2+ mile walk to the castle you can take a bus from Montreux proper.

Another option on this day trip from Geneva, is to take a 55-minute trip on a cog railway up to the summit of the nearby Rochers de Naye, one of the towering Alps. There are spectacular views (and a restaurant) when you reach the 7,000-foot summit.

Back in Montreux

Back down in Montreux don’t miss taking a stroll along its picturesque lakeside. There you’ll find pieces of outdoor art all along the manicured shoreline. One of the most popular is the Freddie Mercury statue, a life-size tribute to the late lead vocalist of the rock band Queen, on the quay near the Montreux Casino. The people of Montreux loved Mercury after he adopted the city as his home. He lived there until his death in 1991. They continue to revere him still, as you’ll see by the candles and bouquets left at his statue.

Later on in the day you’ll find it to be an easy 10-minute walk from the lake up to the station to catch a train back to Geneva.

If you go:

Montreux-Vevey Tourisme
Rue du Théâtre 5
Case postale 251
1820 Montreux 2, Switzerland
Tel: +41 848 86 84 84
http://www.montreuxriviera.com/en/

Rail Europe
https://www.raileurope.com
Tel: (888) 438-RAIL (7245)

CGN Ferries
https://www.cgn.ch/en/