Glion
Glion is 96 km from Geneva Airport, about 1 hour 10 minutes by car via the A1 and A9 motorways and a winding climb above Montreux, all within Switzerland. The village sits on a natural terrace several hundred metres above Lake Geneva, with views over the Swiss Riviera and the Alps, and is internationally known for hospitality education. AirportsTransfers.ch drives you to the door, which is useful because the last stretch is steep and narrow.
- Distance from GVA: 96 km
- Drive time: about 1 h 10
- Border crossing: none, Switzerland only
- Best for: students and families visiting them, quiet stays with a view, Montreux events
- Getting there: motorway to Montreux, then the hill road up to Glion
From Geneva Airport to Glion
The route follows the lake on the A1 to Lausanne and then the A9 above the Lavaux vineyards to the Montreux exit. From there the road climbs through a series of hairpin bends and residential streets to Glion. It is a short distance as the crow flies, but the hill is steep and the streets are narrow, so local knowledge helps, particularly with a large vehicle or in snowy weather. Traffic in Lausanne at rush hour is the main variable on the way.
By public transport, travellers usually take the train to Montreux and then either the funicular from Territet or the cog railway that climbs from Montreux towards the Rochers-de-Naye and stops at Glion. That route is scenic but involves at least two changes, which is impractical with suitcases. Students moving in with a year's luggage, or families arriving for a graduation, generally find the private car far easier.
The village and its views
Glion developed in the late nineteenth century as a resort for wealthy travellers who came to the Riviera for its mild climate and views. Some grand hotel buildings from that era still dominate the village, and several are now used by hospitality schools that attract students from all over the world. The result is an unusual mix: a small Swiss village with a strongly international population, quiet streets and a few cafés.
The view is the real attraction. From the terraces you look over the rooftops of Montreux to the whole eastern end of Lake Geneva, the Rhône delta and the mountains of the Chablais and Savoy on the far shore. Sunsets over the lake are especially memorable from here, and on clear days the Dents du Midi stand out to the south-east.
Visiting students and graduation days
A good share of visitors come to see a family member studying in Glion, to attend a graduation ceremony or to help move belongings at the start or end of a term. These moments put pressure on transport: many families arrive the same weekend, hotels in Montreux fill up and taxis are in demand. Booking a transfer early, with a vehicle sized for the luggage, removes one worry. A Mercedes V-Class takes up to seven people and ten bags, and a chauffeur by the hour (minimum two hours) can take the family between Glion, a hotel in Montreux and a celebratory dinner.
Montreux and the Riviera below
Montreux is just below the village: a lakeside town with a flower-lined promenade, a statue of Freddie Mercury looking over the water, and the famous jazz festival each summer. Chillon Castle, a medieval fortress built on a rock in the lake, is one of the most visited historic monuments in Switzerland and lies a short drive from Glion. Further west, Vevey has its food museum and Chaplin heritage, and the Lavaux vineyards offer walks and tastings.
- Rochers-de-Naye: a summit above Glion reached by cog railway, with sweeping views and a marmot park in summer
- Chillon Castle: the medieval fortress on the lakeshore
- Gorges du Chauderon: a wooded ravine walk between Glion and Montreux
- Les Avants: a quiet hamlet above, known for daffodil meadows in late spring
Practical tips for Glion
Glion is cooler than the lakeshore and can get snow in winter while Montreux stays green, so pack accordingly. The streets have few shops, so plan purchases in Montreux. If you are attending a graduation or a term start, book accommodation and transfers well in advance; Montreux's festival periods also make hotels scarce. For early flights from Geneva, allow an extra margin for the hill road and the motorway around Lausanne.
Book your Glion transfer with AirportsTransfers.ch
When you book online, the fixed price for the vehicle appears before you pay, and you can settle by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur tracks the flight, meets you at arrivals with your name on a sign, and waiting is included if the plane is late. Choose from the Mercedes E-Class for three passengers and three bags, the S-Class, the V-Class for up to seven passengers and ten bags, or the Sprinter for larger groups. Child seats are supplied on request, and extra baggage, skis or boxes should be declared when booking. Return trips and invoices are available. Questions any time: +41 78 346 56 77, by phone or WhatsApp.
