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Vaud
The canton of Vaud is one of Switzerland’s most versatile regions for a family holiday. It combines Lake Geneva, terraced vineyards, compact cities, accessible mountains, and wide-open nature that feels comfortable even with children. Distances are short, the days flow naturally, and it’s easy to mix outdoor time, good food, water activities, and light sightseeing without rushing.
How do you get around Vaud, and do you really need a car?
Getting there: where does the trip start?
The most convenient entry point is Geneva Airport (GVA). From there, it’s about 45 minutes by car to Lausanne, and even less to towns along the lake. Trains run frequently between Lausanne, Montreux, Vevey, and Morges, so rail works well for moving city to city.
So why rent a car anyway?
Yes – with a car it’s simply more comfortable, especially for families. It gives you direct access to the Lavaux vineyards, viewpoints, and small villages; it reduces walking and switching with children; and it makes it much easier to reach places like Lac de Joux, Bains de Lavey, the Jura, and nature spots that sit away from train lines.
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Tip from the Itinerary Expert: I still remember a spontaneous stop above Lavaux – sandwiches, lake views, and no planning. Those moments don’t really happen without a car.
When is the best time to visit Vaud with kids?
Spring (April-May): colour and breathing space
Spring brings fresh green vineyards, lighter crowds, and comfortable temperatures. Parc de l’Indépendance (Morges) hosts the tulip festival with free entry, making it an easy win for families. This season works especially well for walking, outdoor lunches, and photography without pressure.
Summer (June-September): lake life at its best
Summer is all about Lake Geneva – swimming, boat rides, open parks, and long daylight hours. It’s the most family-friendly period, but also the busiest, particularly along the main promenades. Planning afternoons by the water rather than peak midday hours helps keep days balanced.
Autumn (October): calm, food and light
Autumn is harvest time in Lavaux, with softer colours and noticeably fewer visitors. It’s less suitable for swimming, but ideal for scenic drives, relaxed lunches, and slower-paced exploration.
Winter (December-March): thermals and soft snow
In winter, the lake becomes secondary, while Bains de Lavey and Thermes de Yverdon-les-Bains take centre stage. These are especially enjoyable with older children and teenagers and work well as low-effort days.
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Which cities in Vaud are truly worth stopping in with family?
These are the stops that work best for families in Vaud, with realistic pacing and standout attractions.
Lausanne - balanced, green and easy
Lausanne, the capital of Vaud, is one of the easiest Swiss cities to explore with children. It combines lake access, parks, and an old town without feeling overwhelming or exhausting. A key stop is Lausanne Cathedral (Cathédrale de Lausanne). Entry is free, and climbing the tower costs 5 CHF. The stairs are not stroller-friendly, but the panoramic view over the city and lake is well worth it.
Lausanne Cathedral: free entry; tower access 5 CHF.
The cathedral tower climb is not stroller-friendly, but the view is well worth it.
Montreux - promenade, water and a holiday rhythm
Set directly on Lake Geneva, Montreux feels open and relaxed. The lakeside promenade is ideal for slow walks, ice-cream stops, and photos, without the need for a tight schedule. Nearby is Château de Chillon, dramatically positioned on the water. It works well even for families not focused on history, thanks to its setting and scale. Entry costs 13.50 CHF for adults and 7 CHF for children, with 1.5-2 hours being sufficient.
Château de Chillon: 13.50 CHF adults; 7 CHF children; allow 1.5-2 hours.
Combine the promenade and the castle, but avoid adding more stops on the same day.
Vevey - calm, compact and family-focused
Vevey is smaller and slower, making it very comfortable with children. Its standout attraction is Chaplin’s World, one of the strongest family experiences in the region. The visit is interactive and engaging for both younger children and teenagers.
Chaplin’s World: 29 CHF adults; 19 CHF children; family ticket from 69 CHF. Plan 2.5-3 hours.
Plan a full 2.5-3 hours for Chaplin’s World to keep the visit relaxed.
Morges - park, lake and colour
Morges works perfectly for a relaxed half-day. Parc de l’Indépendance, right on the lake, offers lawns, walking paths, and picnic spots where kids can move freely. Next to the park is Château de Morges, with entry at 10 CHF, and free admission on the first Sunday of each month. The visit is short and easy to combine with park time.
Parc de l’Indépendance: free. Château de Morges: 10 CHF; free admission on the first Sunday of each month.
Use the park as a low-effort reset day where children can move freely.
What attractions in Vaud should families prioritise?
These are the experiences that deliver the most value for family travel in Vaud, without overloading the schedule.
Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) - the heart of the region
Lake Geneva shapes the entire Vaud experience. Access to the lake is free, promenades are continuous, and water activities add variety to family days without extra effort. Short boat trips start from 25 CHF, while longer scenic cruises range between 35-50 CHF. One of the most enjoyable options is sailing between two different towns instead of doing a round trip – it feels more like a journey than an attraction. From first-hand experience, even on cloudy days, walking along the lake feels calming. The water creates a sense of space, and children tend to slow down naturally here.
Lake access: free. Boat trips: from 25 CHF (short); 35-50 CHF (longer scenic cruises).
Choose a point-to-point boat ride between towns instead of a round trip for a more “journey-like” experience.
Lac de Joux - real quiet nature
Located in the Jura Mountains, Lac de Joux offers a noticeably quieter and less touristy atmosphere. Expect walking paths, picnic areas, and straightforward public parking rather than organised attractions. In winter, ice skating is sometimes possible. There are fewer sandy beaches, and stroller access is limited, which makes this area better suited to families with older children.
This is an ideal choice for a “slow day” – especially once children are happy to walk and explore rather than play on equipment.
Rochers-de-Naye - mountain train and viewpoint
A popular scenic railway and viewpoint option in Vaud. It is impressive, but expensive, and doing more than one mountain experience often leads to tired children and rushed days.
Return ticket around 75 CHF.
One mountain experience combined with lake time works far better than trying to see multiple peaks.
Les Pléiades - mountain train and viewpoints
A scenic railway and viewpoints option that can work well as a single “mountain day” within a family itinerary, but is not necessary to combine with multiple peak experiences.
About 36 CHF.
Pick only one mountain experience for the trip to keep the pace family-friendly.
Mont Pèlerin Funicular - easy viewpoint access
A convenient funicular option for reaching a viewpoint, typically easier to manage with families than more demanding peak combinations.
About 14 CHF.
Use this as a single viewpoint day rather than stacking multiple scenic railways.
Glacier 3000 - big-ticket mountain experience
A high-impact mountain experience that is impressive, but expensive. Doing more than one mountain experience often leads to tired children and rushed days.
75 CHF for adults.
If you choose Glacier 3000, pair it with a calmer lake afternoon instead of adding more peaks.
Bains de Lavey - outdoor thermal pools
Bains de Lavey offers outdoor thermal pools in a mountain setting. Entry for 3 hours costs 38-42 CHF. It is best suited to older children and teenagers rather than very young kids.
3-hour entry: 38-42 CHF.
Three hours is enough. Staying longer tends to be tiring, especially with children.
Thermes de Yverdon-les-Bains - calmer thermal alternative
Thermes de Yverdon-les-Bains is a calmer and more accessible alternative. Prices range from 34-38 CHF for 3 hours, and it works well throughout the year.
3-hour entry: 34-38 CHF.
Thermal baths are ideal on the final day of a trip – they naturally slow the pace and help everyone unwind.
What limitations should families know in advance?
Vaud is not a budget destination, so it’s important to choose paid attractions selectively and balance them with free nature and lake time. Cities such as Lausanne include steep sections that are not ideal with strollers. In summer, the main lake promenades can be crowded, particularly around Montreux. Some attractions are better suited to children aged 7+ rather than very young kids.
5-Day Family Itinerary in Vaud (Canton of Vaud)
Trip Duration: 5 days
Day 1 - Arrival, Lausanne & the Lake
Morning (10:00-12:30)
Arrive at Geneva Airport (GVA) and drive about 45 minutes to Lausanne. Walk through the Old Town and visit Lausanne Cathedral (Cathédrale de Lausanne) – free entry, tower access 5 CHF, around 45 minutes.
Lunch (12:30-14:00)
Restaurant in the Old Town or drive down to Ouchy by the lake.
Afternoon (14:30-17:30)
Walk along Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) promenade. Optional lake cruise 25-35 CHF, 60-90 minutes.
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Day 2 - Vevey & Chaplin’s World
Morning (10:00-13:00)
Drive 30 minutes to Vevey. Visit Chaplin’s World, allowing 2.5-3 hours. Prices: adults 29 CHF, children 19 CHF, family ticket from 69 CHF.
Lunch (13:15-14:30)
Restaurants around Place du Marché Vevey.
Afternoon (15:00-17:30)
Relaxed walk along the Vevey lakeside promenade.
A scenic cable car ride above dense alpine forests, with dramatic rocky peaks towering in the background.
Day 3 - Montreux & Château de Chillon
Morning (10:00-12:30)
Drive 25 minutes to Montreux. Walk the lakeside promenade.
Lunch (12:30-13:30)
Café along the promenade.
Afternoon (13:45-17:00)
Drive 5 minutes to Château de Chillon. Visit 1.5-2 hours. Prices: adults 13.50 CHF, children 7 CHF.
Day 4 - Morges & Park Time
Morning (10:00-12:30)
Drive 45 minutes to Morges. Walk and relax in Parc de l’Indépendance (free).
Lunch (12:30-13:45)
Restaurants nearby or a picnic.
Afternoon (14:00-16:00)
Visit Château de Morges – 45-60 minutes, 10 CHF (free first Sunday of the month). Continue with a lake stroll.
A quiet town view with a classic clock tower, opening to wide green fields and majestic snowy mountains beyond.
Day 5 - Nature or Thermal Relax
Option A: Lac de Joux
Drive about 1 hour. Walking, picnic, and quiet nature time (3-4 hours). Not ideal for strollers.
Option B: Thermes de Yverdon-les-Bains
Drive about 50 minutes. Thermal baths for 3 hours, 34-38 CHF.
Traveler Reviews
Daniel Carter
August 2019
We spent a week in Vaud with our two kids (8 and 12). Lake Geneva became part of our daily routine – walks, short boat rides, relaxed lunches. Distances were short, which mattered with children. Prices near the lake were high, so eating a few streets inland helped.
Emily Johnson
September 2021
Driving through Lavaux was a highlight. Vineyards, viewpoints, and spontaneous stops made the trip feel flexible. With teenagers, Vaud works well because it’s scenic without being overwhelming. A car is essential.
Mark Wilson
July 2018
Chaplin’s World in Vevey kept our kids engaged for hours. Lausanne surprised us – compact, green, and manageable. Summer crowds along the lake were noticeable, but late afternoons were much better.
Sarah Thompson
May 2023
Morges during tulip season was one of our calmest days. Parc de l’Indépendance gave the kids space to move, and weekdays felt relaxed and uncrowded.
James Miller
October 2024
Lac de Joux was our favourite slow day. Quiet, fresh air, simple walking paths. Not stroller-friendly, but perfect with older kids. Bring food – it’s more picnic than café.
Laura Bennett
June 2022
Lausanne worked better than expected. The cathedral tower climb was challenging, but the view over the city and Lake Geneva was worth it. Driving to the upper town saved energy.
Michael Harris
April 2025
We ended our trip at Bains de Lavey. Warm outdoor pools after active days felt ideal for our teenagers. Three hours was enough; longer would have been tiring.
Tips and Insights from the Itinerary Expert
- Rent a car even if you stay in one city – the best moments happen between places.
- Plan Lake Geneva for late afternoon when light and energy are softer.
- Arrive early at Chaplin’s World to avoid internal congestion.
- Visit Château de Chillon after lunch for fewer groups.
- Use parks like Parc de l’Indépendance as low-effort reset days.
- Choose one mountain viewpoint, not several.
- Save Lac de Joux for older children.
- End the trip with thermal baths for a slower finish.
- Eat a few streets away from the lake to reduce costs.
- Leave gaps in the schedule – Vaud rewards slow travel.
Insights from the Itinerary Expert
I last travelled through Vaud in September 2023, and it reinforced why this region works so well for families. The balance feels natural: mornings in compact cities, afternoons by the lake, and simple transitions that don’t exhaust children. Chaplin’s World (Vevey) is one of the rare attractions that genuinely works across age groups. It’s important to be honest – Vaud isn’t cheap, and summer crowds can appear – but with a car and realistic pacing, the experience feels smooth. Vaud offers nature, water, good food, and space to reconnect, making it ideal for a thoughtfully planned family itinerary across Switzerland.
Price Table
| Name | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget hotel (double room, per night) | 140-220 CHF | Usually compact rooms; early booking recommended in summer |
| Mid-range hotel (double room, per night) | 220-350 CHF | Best balance of comfort and location for families |
| Luxury hotel (double room, per night) | 450-750 CHF | Mostly around Lake Geneva and prime locations |
| Apartment for a family of 5 (per night) | 220-450 CHF | Very practical for families; kitchen helps reduce food costs |
| Car rental (per day) | 60-130 CHF | Depends on car type and insurance; a car is the most convenient option in Vaud |
| Public transport (single city ticket) | 3.20-7.80 CHF | 1-4 zones, valid for 1-2 hours depending on zones |
| Restaurant meal (family) | 120-220 CHF | Prices are higher along the lakefront |
| Parking | 2-5 per hour | 20-35 per day CHF | Central areas and lakefront parking cost more |
| Basic supermarket shopping (2 people) | 35-65 CHF | Simple grocery basket for one-two light days |
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