Best Winter Lake Cruises from Montreux Harbor

For practical details and last-minute changes, use Ville de Montreux.

For practical details and last-minute changes, use Château de Chillon.

Cruises often depart several times a day from the main pier near the busy city center. You will see the famous Lavaux vineyards covered in a very light layer of frost. These terraced slopes are a famous UNESCO World Heritage site that every visitor should see. The boat glides past many charming villages along the shoreline during the cold winter months.

Tickets are available online or at the harbor ticket office located near the main boat pier. Prices for a short loop usually start around fifteen Swiss Francs for an adult ticket. Children and Swiss Travel Pass holders often get significant discounts on these scenic winter boat trips. Check the CGN Lake Geneva website for daily winter timings and updated ticket prices.

Iconic Castle Cruises to Chillon

The cruise to Chillon Castle is a top activity for anyone visiting Switzerland in the winter. This route takes you from the main harbor directly to the very historic island fortress. You will see the ancient castle walls rising directly from the cold lake water. It looks especially dramatic against a backdrop of the massive and jagged snow-capped mountains.

The boat ride takes about fifteen minutes from the main Montreux pier to the castle stop. You can enjoy the crisp winter air on the open deck for a few minutes. Most visitors combine the boat trip with a very thorough castle tour of the interior. This makes for a perfect half-day winter excursion for travelers of all ages.

Return boats run frequently throughout the afternoon and the early evening hours in the winter. You can also choose to walk back along the famous flower-lined promenade to the city. The path is very flat and offers many great photo spots of the lake. This is one of the most popular winter day trips from Montreux for tourists.

Gourmet Fondue and Dining Cruises

Nothing beats eating hot cheese while floating on a beautiful lake during the cold season. Special gourmet cruises operate during the busy winter season in 2026 for hungry travelers. These evening trips feature traditional Swiss cheese fondue and delicious local wine from the region. It is a very cozy way to spend a cold evening with your friends.

The dining boats usually depart from the harbor just before the sun starts to set. You can watch the bright city lights twinkle on the water from your warm table. The atmosphere inside the main cabin is always very festive and warm for the guests. Reservations are highly recommended for these popular dining experiences during the peak winter months.

Expect to pay around fifty to eighty Swiss Francs for these special dinner cruises. This price usually includes the boat ride and the full cheese fondue meal for you. Drinks are typically sold separately at the small bar located on the boat deck. These cruises are ideal for couples or small groups looking for a unique Swiss experience.

Exploring the Scenic Vevey Route

The boat trip toward the town of Vevey offers a different perspective of the lake. You will pass by the famous giant fork statue that stands in the water. This route showcases the grand hotels built during the elegant Belle Époque era of history. It is a relaxing way to see the neighboring town without using a car.

Vevey is home to the famous and very interactive Chaplin's World museum for fans. You can disembark at the Vevey Marché pier for a quick visit to the town. The boat ride itself takes about twenty minutes each way from the Montreux harbor. It is a very scenic and affordable winter activity for the whole family.

The views of the mountains are spectacular from this specific angle on the lake. You can see the high peaks of the Dents du Midi very clearly today. Many photographers prefer this route for the soft afternoon light during the winter months. The sun sets behind the mountains and creates a beautiful golden glow on the water.