Thursday, July 10, 2025
The 59th Montreux Jazz Festival will be feted from July 4 to 19, 2025, to commemorate its historic milestone. The 2025 iteration will boast the exciting lineup of performances by the legends Chaka Khan, Neil Young, Diana Ross, J Balvin, and Sigrid. The concerts will be taking place at legendary spaces such as the Lake Stage, which offers majestic access to the shores of Lake Geneva, and the intimate Casino Stage, famous for its close setup to accommodate genres from jazz to hip-hop music. The 2025 iteration will be the last one in the current venue before the festival moves to its reimagined Convention Centre in 2026.
Tickets & Access
You can buy tickets for the Montreux Jazz Festival online at the official website or in partner shops like Ticketcorner, Fnac, and Coop City. For festival patrons, tickets will also be available on-site at festival points during the festival.
Pricing
The cost depends on the show and the venue. For famous artists like Chaka Khan and Diana Ross, the tickets range to CHF 147, and other shows range from CHF 92 to CHF 127. The cost depends on the seats and events.
Free Events
Apart from tickets needed for the majority of the performances, the festival has free events around the lakeside promenade as well. These involve open-air stages for electronic shows, live cooking shows, and even yoga sessions where everyone experiences the festival vibe, whether they buy tickets or not.
Travelling:
By Train
It is served well by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), and has direct train connections from principal Swiss cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Lausanne. Special night trains during the festival will also be in service for late show visitors. For those coming from abroad, Montreux is reached easily by train from cities like Milan, Paris, and Munich, where transfers from these cities would involve Lausanne and Geneva.
By Car
For those who opt to drive, Montreux has the added advantage of private transport. Travelers will, though, have to be prepared to experience potential traffic congestion during the festival period. It would be prudent to obtain the latest traffic situation and parking areas in advance to reduce time loss.
By Air
The closest airports to Montreux are Geneva International Airport (GVA) and Zurich Airport (ZRH). It’s around 1 hour by train from Geneva to Montreux, so it’s convenient for travelers from abroad.
Hospitality:
It has lots of different places to stay to suit all pockets, from high-end hotels to more budget-conscious choices.
Luxury Accommodation
The Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is one of the best Luxury options, and it’s close to the festival ground. The historic hotel offers the best spot for festival enthusiasts who seek to experience both convenience and the event’s close vicinity.
Mid-Range Options
For those looking for more budget-friendly but cozy stay, you might want to try Swiss Hotel Apartments or Hotel Eden Palace au Lac. Both hotels have easy access to the festival venues and have cozy amenities for your enjoyable stay.
Budget-Friendly Choices
If you’re more budget-conscious, websites like Booking.com and Crewfare offer more affordable hotels where you can enjoy Montreux without breaking the bank. There’s also package deals from Montreux Vevey Tourism where festival tickets are bundled with hotel nights and transport arrangements.
Dining & Local Cuisine
It boasts cosmopolitan dining options with venues to suit all tastes, from exclusive gourmet restaurants to casual cafes.
Local Specialties
When in Montreux, be sure to try the Swiss delicacies of fondue, raclette, and, of course, Swiss chocolate. These local specialties are definite musts for those trying the regional cuisine.
Festival Cuisine
Throughout the festival ground, there will be lots offood stalls where you can find different international and local delicacies. If you simply crave some snacks or you would want to have more substantial meal, you’ll have lots of dishes to indulge your senses in.
Restaurant Reservations
As the festival approaches and the area becomes crowded, we recommend booking restaurant tables in advance, preferably for dinner, to ensure your reservation at the best local restaurants.
Travel Tips
The weather in Montreux during July is normally warm, and the daily temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). The nights, however, may be cooler, so it would be advisable to bring with you a light jacket or sweater for the nights.
Switzerland’s unit of currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF). While credit cards will do in most places, you may want to carry some money for small purchases, particularly in areas outside the festival ground.
The local language in Montreux is French. English is, however, spoken very widely, particularly in the areas tourists visit and during the festival.
In the event you require hassle-free connectivity, think about availing yourself of an eSIM service such as Voye Global where you will be able to remain connected without the inconvenience of swapping SIM cards.
Local Attractions
In addition to the festival, Montreux has several local sights to see:
Château de Chillon
Located by the shores of Lake Geneva, Château de Chillon is one of Switzerland’s most renowned monuments. The ancient castle provides one with the history of the nation and is one of the places you ought to see if you happen to be in the region.
Roch For all those who love the outdoors, visiting Rochers-de-Naye is worth the experience. The top of the mountain gives you those panoramic views of the Alps and Lake Geneva, and therefore you would want to hike here, or at least bask in the beautiful landscape. Montreux Christmas Market When you visit Montreux in December, the Montreux Christmas Market is one to anticipate. It’s a quaint and enchanting attraction, with lovely lights, beautifully crafted presents, and lovely seasonal cuisine.
