we are doing the Golden Rail trip from Luzern to Montreux in August 2011. At the moment we are still planning where to go and what to do. We need to be back in Venice by the 8th August for a mediterrean cruise.
So we are limited as to what to do. We will have a rail pass and would appreciate it if anyone can suggest a hotel in Montreux within walking distance of the railway station. Have not been successful in locating the station where the train terminates after the pass trip.
as for accomodation after the tour,would we be better to go further on perhaps towards Milan ...any suggestions we would appreciate...

The Golden Pass trains will terminate in the SAME rail station used by the Swiss Federal railways....except that your train will arrive on one of the rear platforms. Believe me, that is minor since there are escalatros and the station isn't all that big so fear not on that score.

There is convenient train service from Montreux all the way to Venice although you would have to change in Milan almost undoubtedly. You can check schedules yourself using the www.sbb.ch website and click on the EN version at the top.

I know there are plenty of folks here who can help you with hotel locations. I would NOT make any alternative hotel location decisions UNTIL I checked on the train timings. Montreux is as goo a place to stay as any although you might consider getting a little closer and taking a train as far as Stresa..same sort of situation: pretty town and lakeside.

Hi aussietripfinder,

I love Montreux and have visited about a dozen times over the years, usually for at least a week (many times for two-three weeks). I can tell you that *most* hotels are within about a 10-15 minute's walk from the station, but the 4-star Suisse Majestic is just across the street from the station. They say their windows are sound-proofed, so you shouldn't hear any noise from the station.

If you give me your budget, I could help you with some hotel recommendations.

I will also add that, in August, Montreux is a total zoo. I would consider staying in Vevey, which is about a 10-minute train or bus ride away. In contrast with Montreux, Vevey is more old-Europe and more residential, while Montreux is much more like a walking resort.

Here are links to my "reviews" (w/photos) of my favorite activites around the lake:

Montreux old town
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Lavaux
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Promenade Fleuri
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Morges
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rges_Vaud.html

Have fun!

s

Hotel Helvetie is a faded grandeur kind of hotel right on the main street in Montreux. I've spent a day at the pool at the hotel on the lake with the Casino. Don't know the rooms but the location was great.
Agreeing with swandav above, Montreux is not that big, most any hotel will be a reasonable walk downhill from the train station.
I also strongly agree with the idea of looking at Vevey as your base instead. I love both towns, but have a preference for Vevey myself.

If you happen to be in the area go to Vevey on a Saturday AM, for the open air farmers market in the town square. It's very festive. AND at that time of year is "marche folklorique" where they have wine tastings for various local vintners for 6 weeks July/Aug between 9am to Noon as part of the market. It's really worthwhile and gives that peak of local life everyone's always looking for!

I second the Suisse Majestic - beautiful rooms, great views over Lac Leman with a lake view room, and very convenient. The rail station is across the street on one side and the lakeside park and dock for the boats to Castle de Chillon, Vevey, Lausanne, etc. on the other. We paid $300/night for a very large room with a balcony in September 2010. Breakfast and TV/Internet not included. Montreux was fun but as suggested, Vevey is very close and a really lovely place. We loved the old town and water front. Do take the Lavaux vineyards cruise - a real treat.

I'll be posting my trip report and photos for Montreux, Vevey, and Lausane soon, including photos of the Suisse Majestic.

Have a wonderful trip!

Thanks to Suze's advice we too stayed in Vevey some years back and loved it. We really enjoyed walking along the lake, especially in the evenings to enjoy a picnic with a bottle of wine.

We walked as far as we could along the beautiful lake front in the direction of Montreux then easily caught a bus to Chillon Castle. Another day we caught buses up to Les Paccots in the hills above and had an amazing lunch of local mushrooms in cream sauce. Bus back to Chatel St Denis, train to Lausanne for a cold citron granita then the paddle steamer back to Vevey - a most memorable day and all free with our Swiss Pass that we purchased in Aus before we left.

Oh yeah and that Farmers Market and the "Salet" cheese tarts are to die for (thanks again to Suze), just make sure you are there on a Saturday. You can get some yummy foods for your picnic.

www.hotelnegociants.ch/en - this is where we stayed, easy walk from the station and right in town. The Brassiere below was a little noisy some nights but would stay there again because of the location.

Hope you have a great time and you will fall in love with Switzerland.

If your budget allows, The Montreux Palace hotel is just fabulous, especially with a room overlooking Lac Lemon.

Also if you have the time, do one of the dinner cruises on the lake---one of our best memories.

Maudie~ hey thanks for the nice mention!

Aussietrip~ If you can't be in town on a Saturday for some reason, there's also a market day in Vevey on Tuesday (smaller than Saturday's and no wine served but better than nothing) and in Montreux on Friday AM. Besides all the wonderful food and things to look at, at these markets, especially in summer often you'll find live music going on.

(=Lake Geneva) spelling is Lac Leman (not lemon).

You say Leman---I say Lemon---sorry!

no worries, i got in trouble for spelling Cinque Terre wrong today on an Italy thread -haha.