Lake Geneva's shores are lined with charming towns, from Nyon, Rolle and Morges on the Swiss side between Geneva and Lausanne, to Vevey and Montreux on the Riviera, and Yvoire and Évian on the French shore. All are easy to reach from Geneva Airport: Lausanne is 61 km away (about 45 minutes) and Montreux 91 km (about 1 h 05), and AirportsTransfers.ch can take you to any of them or link several in a day.
- Swiss north shore: Nyon, Rolle, Morges, then Lausanne
- The Riviera: Vevey and Montreux, beyond the Lavaux vineyards
- French south shore: Yvoire and Évian, reached by crossing into France
- Getting between towns: road, train on the Swiss shore, and lake ferries
- Good for: day trips, weekends, combining culture, food and wine
Nyon, Rolle and Morges
Heading east from Geneva along the north shore, Nyon is the first major town, around half an hour from the airport. Founded by the Romans, it has a Roman museum, a white-towered castle above the lake and a pleasant lakeside promenade. Rolle, further along, is a small town on a narrow strip between vineyards and water, with a lakeside castle and a small wooded island offshore. Morges, just before Lausanne, has a castle housing military museums, a lively old town and a harbour; in spring its lakeside park is known for colourful tulip displays. The vineyards of La Côte rise above these towns, producing mostly white wines from the Chasselas grape, and many cellars welcome visitors.
Vevey and the Lavaux vineyards
East of Lausanne, the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, descend in steep terraces to the lake, linking stone villages with spectacular views. A walk or drive through the vines leads to Vevey, a graceful town known for its large market square, its lakeside promenade and a giant fork planted in the water in front of a food museum. Charlie Chaplin spent the last decades of his life in the hills just above Vevey, and his former home is now a museum dedicated to his life and films. Vevey has a slower pace than Montreux, with cafés, galleries and markets, and makes a pleasant base for exploring the Riviera.
Montreux and Chillon
Montreux, at the eastern end of the lake, has been a resort since the nineteenth century, with Belle Époque hotels, palm trees, flowers and a mild microclimate. Its lakeside promenade is lined with sculptures, including a famous statue of Freddie Mercury, who recorded music in the town. Montreux is internationally known for its summer jazz festival. A little further along the shore, the Château de Chillon, a medieval castle on a rock in the lake, is one of the most visited historic monuments in Switzerland. From Montreux, a mountain railway climbs to viewpoints over the lake, and in December a Christmas market fills the waterfront.
Yvoire and Évian on the French shore
Across the water, the French shore has a different feel. Yvoire is a medieval village on a point jutting into the lake, with stone houses, flower-filled lanes, a castle and a small harbour; it is very popular in summer, so mornings are quieter. Évian-les-Bains, further east, is a spa town famous for its mineral water, with Belle Époque buildings, a lakeside promenade and a thermal spa. Both are reached by road from Geneva by crossing into France, and ferries link Évian with Lausanne and other towns, making it easy to combine both shores in one trip.
Planning your visit
The towns of the north shore are well connected by train and motorway, while ferries, including historic Belle Époque paddle steamers, link many towns in season and offer a relaxing way to travel. For a day trip, two towns are usually enough to enjoy at a comfortable pace: for example, Nyon and Morges, or Vevey and Montreux with a walk in Lavaux. A chauffeur by the hour, with a two-hour minimum, lets you combine places that are awkward by public transport, such as Yvoire and Évian, or a vineyard visit. Summer weekends are busy, especially in Yvoire and Montreux, so start early. Spring and autumn are quieter and particularly pleasant for walking in the vineyards, when the grape harvest brings activity to the terraces. For families or groups, a Van (Mercedes V-Class) carries up to seven people; a Business Sedan suits couples.
Booking your lakeside transfer
With AirportsTransfers.ch, the fixed price per vehicle is shown before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Chauffeurs meet you in arrivals with a name sign, track your flight and wait without charge if it is late. Child seats are available on request and skis can be declared at booking for a winter extension in the mountains. For return trips or a day touring the lake, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
