Montreux to Lauterbrunnen or Lucerne (Luzern) first??
 

We want to vist both Lauterbrunnen (3-4 days) and Lucerne (2-3 days). Which of these two should we go to first from Montreux (we will be traveling by train)? We are not sure if the train goes directly to each place or if you pass through one to get to the next.

Thank you!

You'll want to go to Lauterbrunnen first. The train goes from Montreux to Interlaken ("Golden Pass", changing at Zweisimmen), then you take another train to Lauterbrunnen (a very short ride).

Lucerne is further east on the Golden Pass line. You'll return to the Interlaken station to get the train there.

we will be in Montreux in 2 weeks, what are the "please don't miss this places" ? Open to all advice, thanks

I would recommend going to Vevey for at least a few hours one day (quick train ride~15 mins from Montreux, or you could even walk there if you have a few spare hours). I was there in early March which isn't the best time of the year to enjoy it, but it is a beautiful town and is probably a bit more lively at this time of year. I believe you can also take a boat to get there via lake rather than rail.

I also loved spending a night at Lavey les Bains...a thermal bath not far from Vevey/Montreux:

http://www.lavey-les-bains.ch/

You would train from Montreux to St. Maurice (~30 mins) and then take a short bus ride to the hotel/baths. You can buy a day pass for the baths only if you don't want to stay overnight at the hotel.

Thanks great ideas. I was hopeful to go to a mountain area...is Gimmelwald too far for a day trip? Is it worth the time? Again..I apprecciate your knowledge!!!

From Montreux take the steamers on Lac Leman - even going over to Evian-les-Bains France for a bath or drink of local Evian water. Swiss Passes, which for your travels i would highly suggest you investigate, cover the boats in full. First class can sit on the open-air top deck; 2nd class down below, which is nice enough too.

olga63 -- Gimmelwald might be a bit far for a daytrip, although I think it's possible if you get up early enough ;). However, you'll want to double-check the timetables for the Golden Pass trains to make sure that you can do it in a day (you'll have to get off in Interlaken, then it's another hour by train/bus/tram to Gimmelwald; it's simpler than it sounds, though - you just buy one ticket for the Interlaken-Gimmelwald trip).

I think Gimmelwald is absolutely worth it -- the scenery is mind-blowing and the village is so tranquil and "real."

However, if you don't have time to do Gimmelwald, you should still take the train to Interlaken. The scenery along the way is wonderful.

As for Montreux, definitely walk down the Quai des Fleurs and visit the Chateau de Chillon. There's also the Rochers-de-Naye. You might be able to do a daytrip to Chamonix or Annecy in France as well.

Well, thanks to all for the replies....we have decided to go from Montreux to Lauterbrunnen, and then on to Lucern.

Lauterbrunnen is wonderful,, and I'm sure you will take the 15 minutes cog train up to Wengen.....another gorgeous town. From there you can hike or walk. On the other side of the valley is Murren, another nice day trip.
Oh, the whole area is beautiful and you have a great trip planned.

when you go to Lucerne be sure to take the slightly longer but much much more scenic route - the one that goes over the Bernina Pass to Lucerne and not the faster route via Bern.

The former is part of the ballyhooed Golden Pass train route with observation or panoramic cars. But regular trains go over the pass route hourly as well. Swiss Passes valid either route.