Château de Chillon is Switzerland's most-visited historical monument[2] — a medieval island fortress rising directly out of Lake Geneva on a rocky islet near Veytaux, about three kilometres south of Montreux. With the Alps behind it and the lake on three sides, it is also one of the most photographed buildings in Switzerland.
Chillon at a glance
- Location
- Veytaux, ~3 km south of Montreux, on Lake Geneva
- Open
- Every day except 25 December & 1 January[1]
- Adult ticket
- CHF 15.00[1]
- Child (6–15)
- CHF 7.00[1]
- Best way in
- Bus 201, train to Veytaux-Chillon, boat, or the lakeside walk from Montreux
- Montreux Riviera Card
- ~50% off (CHF 7.50 adult / CHF 3.50 child)[1]
Save on entry: the Montreux Riviera Card brings adult admission down to CHF 7.50 (children CHF 3.50), the Swiss Travel Pass gives free entry, and a RailAway SBB offer gives up to 50% off both admission and public transport.[1]
Short answer: Château de Chillon is open daily except 25 December and 1 January; adult entry costs CHF 15 (children 6–15 CHF 7). It sits on the shore of Lake Geneva about 3 km south of Montreux, reached easily by bus 201, a train to Veytaux-Chillon, a CGN boat, or a walk along the lakefront promenade.[1]
In this guide
Opening hours 2026
Chillon is open to visitors every day of the year except 25 December and 1 January.[1] Hours follow the seasons:
| Season | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| April – September | 09:00 – 19:00 | 18:00 |
| March & October | 09:30 – 18:00 | 17:00 |
| November – February | 10:00 – 17:00 | 16:00 |
The castle recommends booking tickets online before you arrive.[1]
Tickets & what you pay
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (16+) | CHF 15.00[1] |
| Child (6–15, must be accompanied) | CHF 7.00[1] |
| Reduced (students, pensioners, etc.) | CHF 12.50 |
| Family (2 adults + 1–5 children 6–15) | CHF 35.00[1] |
| Audioguide (on site) | CHF 6.00[1] |
Several offers lower the price further: a Montreux Riviera Card brings the adult ticket to CHF 7.50 and children to CHF 3.50,[1] the Swiss Travel Pass and Passeport Musées are free, and RailAway offers up to 50% off admission combined with public transport.[1]
How to get to Chillon
Chillon is easy to reach without a car, and the approaches are part of the appeal:
- Bus 201: from Montreux station it runs down the lakefront to the castle in a few minutes; get off at "Veytaux, château de Chillon".
- Train: a short ride to the Veytaux-Chillon stop, then a few minutes' walk.
- Boat (CGN): lake cruises call at Chillon, and combined cruise + admission tickets carry a 15% discount.[1]
- On foot: the flat lakeside promenade from central Montreux to Chillon is about 3 km — a pleasant 40-minute walk along the water.
Guests with a Montreux Riviera Card travel free on the local public-transport network, which covers the bus and train routes to the castle.
What to see inside
Set aside at least 90 minutes to two hours. Highlights include the great halls and the four corner towers joined by a wall-walk, the Savoy palace rooms and the chapel, and — in the basement — the underground vaults where François Bonivard was imprisoned, made famous by Lord Byron's poem The Prisoner of Chillon. Self-guided visitors follow a numbered route that covers around 30 points, with information brochures and audioguides in several languages.[1]
A short history
Chillon has stood on its islet since at least the 12th century, and much of what you see dates from the 13th century, when the Counts of Savoy turned it into a luxury residence and fortress controlling the Alpine pass road to Italy. Later used by the Bernese and then as a state prison and arsenal, it became a museum in the late 19th century — and today hosts exhibitions, concerts and some 40 events a year.[2]
Tips for your visit
- Buy tickets online in advance — the castle asks visitors to do so, and it skips the queue.[1]
- Go early on weekday mornings to beat the tour-group rush and get the outdoor courtyards close to empty.
- Combine it with the lakeside promenade and Montreux centre, or the quick hop into Vevey.
- If you have a Montreux Riviera Card, use it — it roughly halves the adult ticket.
Stay near Chillon
RivieraHost manages apartments across Montreux, Clarens and Territet — a short lakeside walk or bus ride from Château de Chillon, with the Montreux Riviera Card included for guests.
Check availabilityRelated reading: The Montreux Riviera Card: free transport & discounts · 12 best places to visit in Montreux and Vevey · Luxury travel guide to Montreux & the Swiss Riviera · Montreux Christmas Market 2026 guide
10+ years in hospitality. BBA Hospitality (Glion), MSc Tourism (FHGR), MSc Data Science (HSLU).
Frequently asked questions
When is Château de Chillon open?
Every day except 25 December and 1 January. Hours follow the seasons: 09:00-19:00 (last entry 18:00) from April to September, 09:30-18:00 (last entry 17:00) in March and October, and 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00) from November to February. The castle recommends booking tickets online before you arrive.
How much does Chillon Castle cost?
Adults CHF 15, children 6-15 CHF 7 (must be accompanied), reduced tickets CHF 12.50, a family ticket (2 adults plus 1-5 children) CHF 35, and an audioguide CHF 6. Discounts stack up: the Montreux Riviera Card brings the adult ticket to CHF 7.50 and children to CHF 3.50, the Swiss Travel Pass and Passeport Musées give free entry, and a RailAway SBB offer gives up to 50% off with public transport.
How long do you need at Chillon?
Plan 90 minutes to two hours for a comfortable self-guided visit. The numbered route covers around 30 points - the great halls, the four corner towers joined by a wall-walk, the Savoy palace rooms, the chapel and the underground vaults where François Bonivard was imprisoned - with an audioguide in several languages for CHF 6. Allow extra time for photos and the lakeside walk back.
How do I get to Château de Chillon?
From Montreux: bus 201 runs from the station down the lakefront to the stop "Veytaux, château de Chillon" in a few minutes; a short train ride to the Veytaux-Chillon stop leaves you minutes from the castle; CGN lake cruises call at Chillon, with combined cruise + admission tickets carrying a 15% discount; or walk the flat lakeside promenade - about 3 km, roughly 40 minutes.
Is there a discount with the Montreux Riviera Card?
Yes - the card roughly halves admission, bringing the adult ticket to CHF 7.50 and children to CHF 3.50 (versus CHF 15 and CHF 7). It also covers free travel on the local public-transport network, including the bus 201 and the train to Veytaux-Chillon that get you to the castle. RivieraHost guests receive the Montreux Riviera Card with their stay.
Sources
- Château de Chillon (Fondation du Château de Chillon), official "Visit" page — opening hours, prices and offers, English — chillon.ch/en/visit
- Château de Chillon, official homepage, English — chillon.ch/en
Base yourself in Montreux
RivieraHost’s apartments sit steps from the lake — with kitchens, more space and better value than a hotel for families and groups. Every one is right on this guide’s doorstep.