Ahhh, suze, now that comment makes sense! Happy that we both agree that Gruyeres is worth the time -- whether a half day or an almost-full one!!

s

Well OP has just three days and though Gruyeres is neat I'd suggest going to Gstaad or other high Alps place to experience the Switzerland etched in many folks' minds - Montreux and environs can easily occupy the other two days but trying to do too much in short period I would not do Gruyeres and Gstaad on same day.

for a short distance, perhaps Gstaad, it doesn't seem to be too advantageous to buy the golden pass...

Actually the best part scenery-wise of GP scenic train is between Montreux and Gstaad and could be a wonderful way to go in those panoramic cars with commentary and unque swivveling seats in first class. Normal trains same scenery of course. But GP is not much extra and for a real treat book VIP seats that put you inseats next to driver's compartment so you can think you're driving the train - obviously those have to be booked far in advance on official Golden Pass site and cost more as demands a first-cass ticket to ride.

We took the steamer across Lake Geneva to Evian-les-Bains and had a menu du jour 20E for lunch at Hotel Les Cynges on the lake. Wonderful!

Yeah Evian-les-Bains in France is certainly neat again for a late-afternoon early evening experience - relax on boat and clean up at casino.

For a full day, you could do Evian les Bains and Yvoire. Yvoire is a beautiful flower-bedecked village good for a 1/2 day and lunch!

I'm madly researching based on all your terrific ideas.... I'm torn between Gstaard, Gruyeres and Rocher de N for the scenery bit!! We tend to argue when the arrangements are more complicated ( cos I get anxious and that annoys my son!) so looking to do easiest with maximum scenery return... I'm learning from experience how to handle our times together, he's not the easiest chap in the world!

An evening cruise sounds like a winner for day one I think. Has anyone done the tourist office walking tour of Montreux or are we better wandering along the lakeshore etc by oursel

Ourselves....iPad kept jamming sorry!

Well the "easiest" from Montreux by far would be Rochers de Naye. Because you just walk to the train station, to catch the tram, it's a different ticket office in the train station from the regular trains, but same building.

It is spectacular scenery IF the weather is clear... so I'm not sure how you'd make that decision much in advance, if you're basing it on the weather. To me Gruyeres was more about the castle and having lunch, not only "scenery" although the entire area is so fantastically beautiful... there's pretty much gorgeous scenery everywhere you look.

Rochers-de-Naye is easiest and really nice Alpine experience - nice mountain train - check your hotel if they have any discount cards. Gruyeres is just a nice old town - Gstaad really high Alps but long train ride each way then have to take gondolas into the high mountains.

As for the Montreux lakeshore, I can't imagine any need for a tour. FWIW, I loved the part near the Chateau de Chillon, but didn't find the part in town itself all that interesting. JMO.

Yeah but the tours sound great in making what you may not find interesting rather interesting - https://www.montreuxriviera.com/en/Z4773

But only at 10am-noon for OP would split up day where they could be going to Rochers-de-Naye, etc. But for others with time sounds cool.

Hi again,

I agree with kja that a tour might be overkill. You can easily read up on all the celebrities who have lived there (or nearby), so the tour could be a bit boring. I adore walking along the lake -- about 45 minutes to Chillon, then another 45 minutes from Chillon to Villeneuve. This last part is my favorite, as there will be fewer folks, and I just adore the lakeside beach at Villeneuve. There are a few interesting coves at Chillon as well, and often you'll see scuba divers getting into the water from there. You can then return to Montreux by bus #201.

As for Rochers-de-Naye, I'm pretty sure my opinion is clear. To me, it's not high-Alps enough to be interesting (about 2,000m); if you want a true Alpine experience, head to the Engadin or the Oberland (and I believe you have lived in Switzerland or have visited it a bunch of times, so that would not be new information for you).

To me, the landscape from Montreux to Gstaad is drop-dead gorgeous; I really prefer it to the high Alpine peaks. It's not dramatic, but it's rather feminine in beauty, with soft green rolling hills. It slays me every time. I don't agree with Pal that Gstaad is "really high Alps"; to me, it's still part of the Pre-Alps or maybe just at the end of the Pre-Alps where the big Alps start. The mountains around Gstaad are up to 2,000m while of course the Jungfrau is twice that.

Have fun!!

s

Hi, all of this is new info, I haven't ever lived there and only visted once or twice donkeys years ago. So enjoying all the info...

Thanks

Yikes! Sorry I got that wrong.

I really think it's actually a win/win decision :)! You can't go wrong either way!

s

swandav is right Gstaad not high Alps and only place for that nearby is Chamonix which trains or buses can get you to in a few hours - those are dtamatic high Alps - great scenic train route -Montreux-0Martigny than mountain train to Chamonix and glaciers tumbling nearly to the tracks - easily done. Tour may be good.

When choosing a train pass, consider that they offer more than just the tickets to and from...they offer discounts on lots of other things.

But, with just 3 days no train pass can be viable.