Skip to content
LarkTours

Routes · Europe

Cairo to Lake Geneva: Geneva, Lavaux and Montreux

Cairo → Geneva → Lavaux and Montreux

Jet d'eau Geneva
"Jet d'eau de Genève (swiss).jpg" by Wikibusters, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Geneve 2005 001 Ork.ch (Geneva)
Photo: fr:Utilisateur:Stéphane_Pecorini, CC BY-SA 2.0 fr, via Wikimedia Commons

Lakeside city, terraced vineyards & a castle on the water Best season (general guide): May–Sep

Lake Geneva, shared by Switzerland and France, is ringed by elegant towns, vineyards and mountain views. This route spends three nights in Geneva and three around Lavaux and Montreux. From Cairo there are flights to Geneva, directly or via a European hub.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Geneva: day one, the lakefront and Jet d'Eau; day two, old town and the Palais des Nations; day three, CERN visit. Then spend days four to six in Lavaux and Montreux: day four, train along the lake, then Lausanne; day five, walk the Lavaux terraces; day six, Chillon Castle.

Geneva is home to many international organisations. The Jet d'Eau, a fountain shooting water high above the lake, is the city's symbol. The Palais des Nations, the UN's European headquarters, offers guided tours.

CERN, the particle physics laboratory on the edge of the city, has a free exhibition about its research.

The old town climbs a hill to the cathedral, with narrow streets and squares.

East of Lausanne, the Lavaux vineyards climb in terraces above the lake, listed by UNESCO. Walking paths link the wine villages, and local trains stop along the shore.

Montreux is a lakeside resort known for its jazz festival and a statue of Freddie Mercury. Chillon Castle, on a rock in the lake, is one of Switzerland's most visited castles.

May to September is the warmest season.

Geneva's lakefront promenades are good for an evening walk, with the Jet d'Eau lit up after dark. In Lavaux, walk downhill from one village to the next and take the train back. Chillon Castle is busiest in the middle of the day, so arrive early or late. Lake boats are a relaxed way to move between Lausanne and Montreux, and the views of the vineyards from the water are worth the slower pace. A short train ride up into the hills from Montreux is an easy half day if the weather is clear.

Good to know: Trains and lake boats make it easy to travel without a car. Switzerland is costly, so supermarkets and picnics help. The wine villages have small cellars for tastings.

Suggested outline

  1. Cairo

    Start

  2. Geneva

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    The Jet d'Eau, the old town and international institutions.

  3. Lavaux and Montreux

    By train · 3 nights suggested

    Terraced vineyards above the lake and Chillon Castle on the water.

    Lavaux vineyards
    "Lavaux Switzerland.jpg" by Lorenz Poffet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Geneva — Arrive; the lakefront and Jet d'Eau· Cairo → Geneva (by air)
  2. Day 2 · Geneva — Old town and the Palais des Nations
  3. Day 3 · Geneva — CERN visit
  4. Day 4 · Lavaux and Montreux — Train along the lake; Lausanne· Geneva → Lavaux and Montreux (by train)
  5. Day 5 · Lavaux and Montreux — Walk the Lavaux terraces
  6. Day 6 · Lavaux and Montreux — Chillon Castle
  7. Day 7 · Lavaux and Montreux — Travel home from Lavaux and Montreux· Lavaux and Montreux → Geneva (by train), then Geneva → Cairo (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Geneva

More about Geneva →

Plan the trip: Geneva

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Lavaux and Montreux

Nearest airport: Geneva Search fares · Geneva ↗

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.