Experiences

Experience Swiss Luxury with the Belle Époque Train 

24.06.2025
Published by
Ultima Collection

Montreux Jazz Festival: Travel by Belle Époque train from Ultima Hotel Gstaad to Montreux

Evoke the Golden Age of travel while marvelling at idyllic Swiss scenery on your way to the Montreux Jazz Festival, a buzzing cultural gathering steeped in musical heritage set against the serene beauty of Lake Geneva.

 

Welcome to an immersive cultural experience in Montreux, a town inextricably linked to musical heritage and the home of the Montreux Jazz Festival.

 

Starting on the 4th July and lasting two weeks, this year’s Montreux Jazz Festival sees iconic performances from the likes of Grace Jones, Chaka Chan and Neil Young. Founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs, the festival brims with melodious history; past performers include musical legends such as Prince, Nina Simone and Elton John. Rock royalty Freddie Mercury was so taken with Montreux, he lived in the region and recorded six albums here with Queen in Mountain Studios, located inside the Casino de Montreux.

 

Today, Montreux Jazz Festival is considered to be one of the world’s most prestigious music events, making a hugely memorable day out for lovers of jazz and live music. What sets it apart is its intimate ambience and array of performers who curate unique spectacles in workshops and jam sessions, all overlooking the quintessential Swiss beauty of Lavaux’s terraced vineyards and shimmering Lake Geneva.

All aboard in vintage style

Start your journey in style as you step aboard the GoldenPass Belle Époque, a glossy navy-and-gold, 1930s-inspired train which transports you into a world of beguiling glamour and nostalgic charm, a fitting way to begin your day at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Enter your inviting first-class carriage and be greeted by evocative, wood-panelled interiors, deeply plush armchairs woven in turquoise hues and gleaming brass fixtures. 


As the historic train starts its smooth journey towards Lake Geneva, feel enveloped in the Golden Age of railway travel. Watch from your comfortable seating as tiny villages, traditional chalets, emerald forests and jagged mountain peaks fill your vision. Pass by iconic regions such as Gruyère and the lost-in-time charm of Pays-d’Enhaut. As you approach Montreux, the scenery opens up to reveal the sapphire waters of Lake Geneva and the steeped Lavaux vineyards, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Montreux Jazz Festival, your way

As with every experience when you’re in Ultima Collection’s hands, expect extra-special touches and spoiling flourishes to make each element the best it can be. From start to finish, your day will be meticulously planned, allowing us to choreograph your precious time at a pace that suits you. As well as seamless transfers and first class train tickets, our in-the-know team can secure VIP access to the Montreux Jazz Festival ensuring fast-lane entry, exclusive stage-side seating plus a welcome cocktail reception and access to the Belvedere private lounge. 


After an afternoon immersed in rhythm and artistry, allow us to elevate your experience further. Let us whisk you away for an indulgent picnic in the mountains, sampling wholesome, chef-prepared local produce, soaking up panoramic vistas and enjoying fresh mountain air. Heading homewards to your retreat at Ultima Hotel Gstaad, savour a private dinner curated by your chef or surrender to a tailored therapy in the spa with an Augustinus Bader full-body regeneration treatment or an Age-Reversal Facial from sustainable skincare brand Seed to Skin Tuscany. This lavish day trip is yours to enjoy, whichever way you wish.

 

A rare opportunity

Mixing the worlds of high-profile musical performances and heritage train travel on this exceptional trip to the Montreux Jazz Festival via the celebrated GoldenPass Belle Époque is exactly the type of one-of-a-kind experience Ultima Collection is known for. And with soon-to-be-opened Ultima Promenade Gstaad, Gstaad’s finest private chalet, you can be assured of staying in style this summer.

 

Let our team craft your unforgettable journey – from lakeside melodies to mountain feasts – with every detail tailored to you.

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