By Train in Vaud

Regional trains along the waterfront, connecting major lake towns, are frequent and swift unless you board one of the S-trains that stops at every village. Travel time between centers like Geneva and Nyon, or Lausanne and Vevey is about 15 minutes; count on doubling that on an S-train. There are no conductors on the local lines to check tickets, but be assured there are random audits and stiff fines for those on board without paying. Tickets for all rail services can be purchased at automated machines on the station platforms.

There are also several private rail systems leading into small villages and rural regions, including the Montreux-Oberland-Bernois (MOB) Railroad, which climbs sharply behind Montreux and cuts straight over the pre-Alps toward Château-d'Oex and the Berner Oberland. Reserve space in one of their glass dome, panoramic cars and take in the countryside with food and beverage service brought to your seat. The historic Blonay-Chamby Railroad has steam-powered seasonal excursions as does the Rochers-de-Naye line. From Nyon, the red-and-orange cars of the Nyon-St-Cergue-Morez Railroad deliver passengers to St-Cergue in 30 minutes, before going on to the border town of La Cure and into France. To access the ski resorts of Villar-sur-Ollon and Les Diablerets, separate lines operated by Transports Publices du Chablais (TPC) connect through Bex and Aigle and take an hour.

The Swiss Pass is accepted on these private lines, but there may be an additional fee for panoramic excursions. Inquire at local tourist offices or train stations about a regional pass that combines rail, boat, bus, and cable car excursions on these private transports at a reduced fee.

Train Information

Blonay-Chamby Railroad (021/9432121. www.blonay-chamby.ch). Montreux-Oberland-Bernois Railroad (MOB. 021/9898181. www.mob.ch). Nyon-St-Cergue-Morez Railroad (NStCM. www.tprnov.ch/fr/pages/nstcm). Transports Publices du Chablais (TPC. 024/4680330. www.tpc.ch).