Day itinerary
From a lunchtime arrival to an evening return
Lausanne → Rivaz vineyards → Vevey → Montreux → cruise → Lausanne. The map below connects the locations by their coordinates.
When you arrive at Lausanne station, change to a regional train for Rivaz. You have 14 minutes to transfer, so head straight to the platform rather than stopping at a café. Rivaz station is by the lake; the village and vineyards are uphill from the station.
Depart Lausanne at 12:34 → arrive in Rivaz at 12:50. Check that the train stops at Rivaz rather than relying on the train number.
Walk uphill from Rivaz station toward the village for views of the vineyards and Lake Geneva between the stone walls. Follow the marked paths around the village and turn back at around 13:50. Returning to the station by 14:35 leaves time to wait for the next train. The area around Lavaux Vinorama on the map is one possible walk; you don’t have to go all the way there.
This is a walk that starts and ends at Rivaz station. It does not cover the entire official 2.8 km trail as a round trip.
From Vevey station, walk past the Grande Place and down to the lake. The Charlie Chaplin statue and the giant fork stuck in the lake are close together and easy to see on the same walk. Alimentarium, behind the fork, is a food culture museum. Skip the indoor visit, walk along the lakeside, and leave for the station at around 15:50.
Depart Rivaz at 14:50 → arrive in Vevey at 14:56. The walk from Vevey station to the fork takes about 10 minutes each way. Return to the station by 16:10.
Walk down from Montreux station to the lakeside and buy your boat ticket first. The ticket office is scheduled to be open until 17:20 in summer 2026. After buying your ticket, see the Freddie Mercury statue and walk along the lake. Rest at a café near the landing stage from 17:20. Finish paying by 18:05 and reach the landing stage by 18:15.
Depart Vevey at 16:16 → arrive in Montreux at 16:21 (RE33). The walk from the station to the landing stage takes about 10 minutes.
Take a CGN boat from the Montreux landing stage and get off at Lausanne-Ouchy. This is a chance to see the lakeshore and vineyards you walked by earlier from the water. The coordinate map marks the boarding and disembarking points separately. Ouchy is Lausanne’s lakeside area; take the metro once more to reach the main station.
Depart Montreux at 18:35 → arrive at Lausanne-Ouchy at 19:45. The trip takes about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Walk from the Ouchy landing stage to Ouchy-Olympique metro station, take the m2, and get off at Lausanne Gare. Allow about 25 minutes for the walk and wait so you have time at Lausanne station before your return train. If you’re going back to Zurich, aim for the IC5 below.
After traveling from Ouchy to Lausanne station, take the 20:34 IC5 → arrive at Zurich HB at 22:56. If you’re staying in Lausanne, end your day at the station.
Who this route is for
Lavaux is a vineyard region overlooking Lake Geneva, and Rivaz is a small village within it. Walk through the vineyards in Rivaz, then visit the lakeside areas of Vevey and Montreux in that order. In Lausanne, use the station and the Ouchy landing stage; this itinerary does not include sightseeing in the Old Town.
Transport costs and what to prepare
Eurail pass holders must activate their travel day and register their journey before boarding the train. For the CGN cruise, show your Eurail pass to buy a discounted ticket separately. Have a valid Mobilis local transit ticket ready for the Lausanne m2. If you have a Lausanne Transport Card from your accommodation, check where it is valid.
It’s about 7 hours 25 minutes from your 12:20 arrival in Lausanne to your 19:45 return by boat. Including the return to Zurich, it’s a long day ending at 22:56, so it’s better to schedule the museum visit for another day.
The cruise budget is based on summer 2026 fares: CHF 27 for second class, or CHF 13.50 with the 50% Eurail discount. Check the actual amount with CGN. The m2 ticket and café or meal costs are extra.
The vineyards in Rivaz are private property. Stay on marked paths and don’t walk between the vines. Take care on stone steps, which can be slippery after rain. Wear shoes suitable for sloping paths, and bring water, a sun hat, and a light layer for the boat.
If plans change
Check the next train that stops at Rivaz and shorten your vineyard walk. As soon as you arrive in Rivaz, check the train time for Vevey.
If it rains, cut back on the uphill vineyard walk and spend more time in Vevey or Montreux. If the cruise isn’t running, take a train from Montreux station back to Lausanne.
Small tip
To leave enough time for a vineyard walk, have lunch before arriving in Lausanne and stop at a café in Montreux. Keep your walk in Rivaz short, taking the uphill and downhill route into account. In Montreux, buy your boat ticket first, then take a break.
Final check before departure
- Save the train and boat schedules for your travel date. First, check whether there’s a boat from Montreux to Lausanne-Ouchy.
- Prepare separately for your Eurail pass, the boat ticket you’ll buy, and your local transit ticket.
- Eat lunch before setting out, and bring water and a snack. The café break is planned for Montreux.
This is a sample summer 2026 itinerary. All times are local Swiss time. Enter your travel date to check SBB trains and CGN boat services before you go.
Information checked: 2026-09-06